How does the MINI Digital Key work?

The MINI Digital Key uses the "Near Field Communication" (NFC) mobile standard. This enables wireless data transfer between two devices with a distance of just a few centimetres apart.

Hold your mobile device against the door handle on the driver's side to lock or unlock the vehicle. It may take several seconds for the vehicle to detect the digital key. To establish the drive-ready state, place the device in the smartphone tray in the vehicle.

The exact position of the NFC antenna in your mobile device depends on the device:

• On Apple devices, it is usually in the part near the top: Therefore, hold this end at an angle against the door handle.
• On Android devices, it is often in the middle section: Hold the back of the device parallel to the door handle here. Move the device slowly back and forth if necessary to find the best position.

Depending on the device setting and battery charge level, it may be necessary to unlock the mobile device. This applies both to locking and unlocking at the door handle and to placing it in the smartphone tray to establish the drive-ready state. Apple devices often also require a double click on the side button. Follow the instructions on the display of your mobile device shortly after holding it to the door handle or placing it in the smartphone tray.

If "Express Mode" is activated for the MINI Digital Key, you can – depending on your smartphone – continue to use the MINI Digital Key for up to 5 hours after your smartphone has switched off due to a low battery charge level.

The MINI Digital Key Plus additionally uses "Ultra-Wideband" (UWB) digital radio technology and Bluetooth®.

When you approach your MINI, it unlocks automatically, initiates a welcome scenario and activates all the functions required for the vehicle start, without you having to take your mobile device out of your pocket.

Using "ultra-wideband" (UWB) mobile technology, your MINI detects where you are approaching and how far you are. As soon as you come within a distance of approximately three metres, your MINI begins to wake up and indicates this by a welcome scenario using the exterior and interior lighting. The vehicle is unlocked at a distance of 1.5 metres. When you get in, the personal settings for your driver profile (MINI ID) are loaded and your smartphone is connected via Bluetooth®. To establish the drive-ready state, your mobile device must be in the passenger area. When exiting the vehicle, the vehicle is locked from a distance of approx. 2 m.

The "Near Field Communication" (NFC) wireless standard remains available as a backup in the event that the automatic unlocking function is not active or is temporarily not working.

Comments:

• If your country or your mobile device does not support the "ultra-wideband" (UWB) mobile standard, data is transmitted via the "Near Field Communication" (NFC) mobile standard. In this case, please use your mobile device as described under "MINI Digital Key".
• To use the MINI Digital Key Plus, Bluetooth® must be activated on your mobile device.
• In individual cases, e.g. after a restart of your smartphone, you must unlock your smartphone's display once to enable the MINI Digital Key Plus access to the secure element.

Use via the MINI App

For compatible vehicles, you can also use the vehicle key's functions via the MINI App in the "Remote functions" control panel (in the "Vehicle" tab), e.g.:

• Locking and unlocking doors and the tailgate
• Deactivation of the interior movement detector

It can be used within a vicinity of approximately 50 metres. You will receive haptic feedback from your smartphone while certain functions are being carried out.

Requirements:

• The MINI Digital Key Plus is installed on the compatible mobile device
• Existing Bluetooth connection
• MINI models with MINI Operating System 9
  
  

In addition to the physical vehicle key, you will receive various MINI access cards when your MINI is delivered – depending on its model, equipment and production date:

• MINI Key Card for vehicles with a production date between March 2024 and July 2025
• Service Card for vehicles with a production date from 07/2025
• MINI Setup Card for activating the MINI Digital Key or MINI Digital Key Plus for vehicles with a production date from 07/2025

If you hand your vehicle over to a valet parking service, MINI Roadside Assistance or your MINI Service Partner, MINI recommends you give them your physical vehicle key or else the Key Card or activated Service Card for your MINI Digital Key. Alternatively, as the main user, you can share your MINI Digital Key with the service employee.

If you do not want to take your smartphone with MINI Digital Key Plus with you after leaving your MINI with MINI Operating System 9 (from 07/2025), you can lock and unlock your vehicle with the Service Card. Your smartphone can remain in the vehicle.

Note: You must first activate the Service Card if required. For security reasons, you should deactivate it again after use. Keeping a deactivated Service Card in the vehicle is safe.

Activating/deactivating Service Card

Alternatively, select:

• Apps menu
• "Key"
• "Service Card"
• "Activate Service Card"

With the Service Card activated, your MINI can be locked and unlocked, and drive-ready state can be established.

Note: Only activate the Service Card when required and then deactivate it again. Keeping a deactivated Service Card in the vehicle is safe. An activated Service Card unlocks and starts your vehicle, so for security reasons you should keep it in a safe place outside your vehicle.

In this how-to video, you will learn what the MINI Key Card is used for and how you can use it to lock, unlock and start your vehicle.

Link to the MINI how-to video

The availability of the Digital Key can vary depending on the country of delivery, the model, the production date and the equipment of your MINI with MINI Operating System 9 and the model and software version of your mobile device.

Further information on the availability of the Digital Key can be found in the MINI App and in the following articles:

• In which MINI models with Operating System 9 can I use the MINI Digital Key Plus?
• With which mobile devices can I use the MINI Digital Key Plus in my MINI with Operating System 9?
• In which countries can I use the MINI Digital Key Plus in my MINI with Operating System 9?
  

You can share the MINI Digital Key for your MINI with Operating System 9 with several people.

Requirements:

• The MINI Digital Key Plus must be activated in the Wallet app of your smartphone.
• You must be the main user of your MINI.
• The recipient requires a compatible mobile device.
• Your mobile device and the recipient's mobile device require a mobile communications connection. Avoid places with poor mobile phone reception, such as underground car parks.

In the Wallet app, select the MINI Digital Key and the "Share" icon (Apple) or "Share key" (Android). Enter the name of the recipient and limit the range of functions of the MINI Digital Key for the recipient if necessary. Send the link to the recipient.

To save the shared MINI Digital Key in the Wallet app of their mobile device, the recipient must confirm the link.

The following how-to video explains how you can share your MINI Digital Key with other people – including across different devices, such as between an Apple iPhone and an Android smartphone

Link to the MINI how-to video

Automatic driver recognition activates the linked user profile when accessing the vehicle. Personal settings are loaded automatically.

Activating and deactivating automatic driver recognition in the MINI Interaction Unit:

• "MINI ID" (profile icon in the status field at the top right)
• "Profile settings" / "Settings"
• "Driver recognition"

Follow the instructions and select the desired physical key or a mobile device with the installed MINI Digital Key.

If the automatic unlocking of your MINI permanently does not work when you approach it, check the settings for the MINI Digital Key Plus in the Wallet app on your mobile device.

• On Apple devices, you can find the settings on the "rear side" of the digital key by clicking on the "i" icon.
• On Android devices, these are usually located directly below the map.

Activate the "Passive entry" setting and check whether the unlocking function works when approaching.

If necessary, also check the settings for Comfort Access in the vehicle. Activate Comfort Access both when approaching and when leaving.