Around 4.7 million BMW vehicles are upgradeable thanks to their hardware and BMW iDrive Operating System. Since 2019, BMW has been offering free remote software upgrades several times a year for infotainment, driving, driver assistance, comfort and safety.
One of the most significant updates is the introduction of BMW Digital Vehicle Access, which allows users to share the BMW Digital Key for their vehicle between Apple iPhones and Android smartphones for the first time. Shared BMW Digital Keys are also easier to activate in the vehicle. With the BMW software upgrade, a BMW Digital Key shared via smartphone can be activated directly in the vehicle by entering an activation code. Previously, a conventional vehicle key had to be located in the passenger compartment.
Another new feature is the Remote Control Parking function for certain countries and vehicles, which allows customers to perform remote-controlled parking manoeuvres outside the vehicle using the My BMW App. This includes manoeuvres previously recorded in the vehicle with the Manoeuvring Assistant. Customers can also park their vehicle forwards or backwards within a radius of six metres, both lengthways and crossways.
The BMW Remote Software Upgrade also enables customers of the mobile network operator AT&T in the USA to use the Personal eSIM. The Personal eSIM integrates BMW vehicles with Operating System 8 into the customer's existing mobile phone contract and enables the vehicle for the 5G cellular standard, allowing customers to make phone calls without their smartphone in the vehicle, stream data via the Wi-Fi hotspot, and use video-services directly in the vehicle.
For the BMW iX, customers can stop charging and unlock the charging cable lock via the My BMW App. Additionally, the BMW iX, BMW Active Tourer and BMW X1 with the optional Parking Assistant (SA 5DM) receive active steering assistance when reversing with a coupled trailer.
The Remote Software Upgrade is currently available for more than 30 BMW models, almost all BMW models with BMW Operating System 7 and 8. Customers can see the software status in the settings menu of their vehicle under Remote Software Upgrade and can search for available upgrades. The availability of upgrades, services and functions depends on the vehicle model and equipment as well as the installed software version in the respective country.
Source: BMW
