BMW drivers are to be the first in the world to be able to use their iPhone as a car key.

The company says that in the future customers will be able to set up a key on a compatible phone and share it with up to five friends.

Users set the system up by downloading an app and then following instructions whilst sitting in the vehicle with both actual car keys, in order to prove to the phone they are the owner. It’s then just a case of pairing it with the car.

Security issues are addressed in the instructions, which say that the digital key is saved on a certified, tamper-resistant and high-security NFC chip in the iPhone. “The near-field communication technology guarantees the highest level of data protection, since the sender and receiver must be in close proximity to communicate,” the BMW website explains. “Furthermore, your car and phone information are not shared with Apple or BMW.”

BMW says the system will also work if the phone runs out of battery, but will not do so if it has been manually switched off.

Picture – BMW