[HybridLA]

Curious what approach people are taking. Are you carrying the active key fob in your wallet as back up when digital key plus is active and the go to device for entry/exit?

Any downside to this?

Or activating the key fob and leaving it in a safe secure place inside the car?

Thanks!

[exxxviii]

This is what I do. The iX is my second car with phone as a key, and for a long time I went without carrying keys of any kind - I solely relied on my phone. But then it occurred to me that I need the card key to valet or in the case of a tech failure.

Neither car has ever seriously glitched on me, so I am confident that being without the card key is relatively low risk. However, I would need the card key to valet the car.

I did not have a fob for my prior car and have never carried the fob for this one.

[Paladin1]

I always carry my fob (pocket), the key card (wallet) and my DK+ phone (holster). No problem with carrying all of them.

[VersatenBMW]

phone with magnetic wallet sufficient for license and one credit card in my left pocket. gun in holster in my right pocket. No room for key fob.

[RichardInCA]

My key fobs all stay home now - took me a moment to get comfortable with the idea, but I use digital key plus on my phone and have the card key in my wallet.

[VersatenBMW]

Also Apple Watch provides a somewhat independent backup to your phone. When I go to hot yoga and don’t want my phone in that environment I lock it in the car and use my watch as a key.

[LVBMW]

No fobs for me. Key card in wallet as a backup. Definitely wouldn’t leave an activated key card anywhere in the vehicle.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by HybridLA

Curious what approach people are taking. Are you carrying the active key fob in your wallet as back up when digital key plus is active and the go to device for entry/exit?

Any downside to this?

Or activating the key fob and leaving it in a safe secure place inside the car?

Thanks!

Why would you leave a key fob in the car??

[ggalanis]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

Why would you leave a key fob in the car??

People have mentioned putting it in a Faraday pouch in the car in case the digital key doesn't work. You can use the app to unlock your car and then dig out the key from the pouch and use it to start the car.

I put the key fob in my winter jacket and then spring/fall jacket pocket. In the summer I put it in my short pockets and since I need to carry my house/work/other keys anyway, it is not an extra bother. I don't understand people's desire to use their phone for everything, but to each their own. As long as BMW keeps offering a FOB and doesn't cheap out and force you to use their app, I'm fine with it.

[jono987654321]

Originally Posted by ggalanis

People have mentioned putting it in a Faraday pouch in the car in case the digital key doesn't work. You can use the app to unlock your car and then dig out the key from the pouch and use it to start the car.

I wouldn't like to chance what my insurers would say if 100% of all keys were unavailable in the event of a theft claim.

Seems a barmy idea to keep a key, of any type, in the car; asking for trouble.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by jono987654321

I wouldn't like to chance what my insurers would say if 100% of all keys were unavailable in the event of a theft claim.

Seems a barmy idea to keep a key, of any type, in the car; asking for trouble.

I kind of agree. It seems a very bad idea to keep a key fob in the vehicle.

[Pictor]

FOBs stay home locked away.

Digital Key+ on iPhone and Apple Watch with a card key in my pocket in the event I need to hand the car to get serviced, detailed, or towed.

[ggalanis]

Originally Posted by jono987654321

I wouldn't like to chance what my insurers would say if 100% of all keys were unavailable in the event of a theft claim.

Seems a barmy idea to keep a key, of any type, in the car; asking for trouble.

Originally Posted by LVBMW

I kind of agree. It seems a very bad idea to keep a key fob in the vehicle.

Well people on this board are doing this. Possibly because they've had an issue at some point with the digital key or just in case they do someday or for valet or for service etc.

All use cases that the FOB works for as is without a second thought. But it annoys some to have to carry it so they don't.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by ggalanis

Well people on this board are doing this. Possibly because they've had an issue at some point with the digital key or just in case they do someday or for valet or for service etc.

All use cases that the FOB works for as is without a second thought. But it annoys some to have to carry it so they don't.

If anyone gains access to the vehicle and the fob they can drive away with the car. I can imagine an insurance company not looking kindly on that. If you have that much fear about digital key plus it makes more sense to just carry the physical fob on your person. The key card can be carried in a wallet, etc for valet use.

[Kennethjk]

Originally Posted by LVBMW

If anyone gains access to the vehicle and the fob they can drive away with the car. I can imagine an insurance company not looking kindly on that. If you have that much fear about digital key plus it makes more sense to just carry the physical fob on your person. The key card can be carried in a wallet, etc for valet use.

Put the fob in a faraday bag and hide it in the car. Can’t be used to start the car and if needed can be given to valet attendant

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by Kennethjk

Put the fob in a faraday bag and hide it in the car. Can’t be used to start the car and if needed can be given to valet attendant

So if someone finds it and removes it from the secret hidden pouch it won’t start the car?

[shoot_the_goalie]

Originally Posted by LVBMW

So if someone finds it and removes it from the secret hidden pouch it won’t start the car?

That's assuming the person already got into the car. The faraday pouch prevents the FOB from working as long as the FOB is contained in the pouch, and if hidden, someone would need some other means than the FOB to get into the car.

IMHO, the biggest concern with a faraday pouch is if it's not used properly, or it's a cheap, poorly made faraday pouch, which would fail and then your car would probably automatically unlock and would be able to start, even if you didn't know where the FOB was hidden. In worst, but deserved cases, someone who doesn't hide the faraday pouch well, like putting it in the glove compartment or armrest console.

[grueber]

Digital key + keycard in wallet. I don’t carry a keychain anymore.

Only time I carry the fob is for a service or tire store appt. It’s easier to hand over the fob then explain how the digital card works.

[Kennethjk]

Originally Posted by LVBMW

So if someone finds it and removes it from the secret hidden pouch it won’t start the car?

It will, But the chances of finding it are small. There is no signal where they can even look to find it. Sometimes I also take the battery out if leaving car for long time like an airport.

I know it’s not perfect but pretty good. I don’t have the ix yet so not sure where to hide it but in my Mach E there is a good spot.

Not sure I would even do it in the IX. The Mach E has a keypad on the door panel so I can enter the car even if my phone doesn't work and I can enter a passcode in the Mach E to start it without a key or phone or anything.

Probably will just end up carrying the fob.

[Paladin1]

Originally Posted by LVBMW

If anyone gains access to the vehicle and the fob they can drive away with the car. I can imagine an insurance company not looking kindly on that. If you have that much fear about digital key plus it makes more sense to just carry the physical fob on your person. The key card can be carried in a wallet, etc for valet use.

And that's a very good point. Depends on your individual circumstances and risk tolerance, but car thieves don't need a key to steal your car, including loading it on a flatbed and driving off, or even more recently app hacking. Admittedly a remote possibility, but if it ever happened you've now had your car stolen with the key in it, Farady cage or not. A police report and insurance claim will be...complicated....

[jono987654321]

It'd be more than complicated on this side of the pond...it'd be rejected.