How UWB keys work
Ultra-wideband measures distance precisely, so the car unlocks when your phone is next to it and not when it's in the house. It also helps against relay attacks that fool older keyless systems.
What's new in 2026
On August 5, 2026, Automotive World reported that NXP's Trimension NCJ29D6 chip will power BMW Digital Key Plus and UWB presence detection across the BMW Group, starting with selected 2026 vehicle programs.
Phone key plus lost keys
If you still open the car with your phone but lost the physical keys, get a new key soon. Phone keys depend on the owner account and the car's key setup; a dead phone or reset can leave you stranded.
What we do
We make and program physical BMW keys at the car. We don't set up phone keys; that's done in the My BMW app.
Written by Key Monkey, European car key specialist in Marietta, GA. Updated October 23, 2026.