[DavyNM]

am I being stupid for only carrying my phone or plastic key card? (not the key fob)

for the last several months, I only used my phone to get into the car and drive off. I used to also carry the actual key fob in my pocket, but decided it wasn't really necessary. However, I do keep the plastic key card in my wallet, but it has never been used.

[Mason Hatcher]

I don't think so. I have been thinking about doing the same. I am down to only carrying the fob in my pocket. I don't carry any other keys.

[RockCrusher]

No not if you are comfortable with your system of vehicle access.

I've never set up my iPhone to access my car. I only use my iPhone -- better sit down for this -- for phone calls and not many of those. I buy 1500 talk minutes a year. No apps. Very limited use of it for email and texting. Just a phone.

With my M2 I did set up the card but it was inconvenient to have to open my wallet to get it out. And I didn't like carrying a card in my pants pocket. I'm used to a small key chain -- with house and mailbox keys -- and a car keyfob connected to nothing else. A card just didn't feel right. And with the card I feared it could fail to work and as back up I carried a keyfob anyhow to have handy -- just in case -- the integrated key to allow vehicle access.

[Vindicator3]

Originally Posted by DavyNM

am I being stupid for only carrying my phone or plastic key card? (not the key fob)

for the last several months, I only used my phone to get into the car and drive off. I used to also carry the actual key fob in my pocket, but decided it wasn't really necessary. However, I do keep the plastic key card in my wallet, but it has never been used.

I do the same. iPhone is my primary. Card is in my wallet as a backup in case I lose the phone or it dies or gets stolen or whatever. I would use the card for valet too, though I don't valet much. Fob is in a cabinet at home and never leaves except when I take the car in to the dealer.

[ctcarbonari]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

I only use my iPhone -- better sit down for this -- for phone calls and not many of those.

I like it!!!

Years ago when I was one of the old guys who still had a flip phone strapped to his hip, the younger guys that I worked with used to give me a hard time. I'd take my phone out, toss it across the room, watch it bounce off the wall and onto the floor. Then I'd look at the youngings and say "go ahead, are you willing to do that with your phone?". Never had any takers.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by DavyNM

am I being stupid for only carrying my phone or plastic key card? (not the key fob)

Until you need it, no. But when that day happens that you need the fob, you're going to be really stupid for not carrying the keys.

I would never rely on just my phone and a plastic card in this age of OTA updates. A buddy of mine did that in his Rivian and was locked out of his truck in the rain away from home cuz it picked up an OTA that didn't work quite right off the bat. No thanks. Especially when it's literally nothing to carry the fob.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

Until you need it, no. But when that day happens that you need the fob, you're going to be really stupid for not carrying the keys.

I would never rely on just my phone and a plastic card in this age of OTA updates. A buddy of mine did that in his Rivian and was locked out of his truck in the rain away from home cuz it picked up an OTA that didn't work quite right off the bat. No thanks. Especially when it's literally nothing to carry the fob.

That is the exact reason why I always carry my fob!

[mustiej]

Yes because if i have to log in to my profile one more time im selling the car

Most annoying dogshit quality control by bmw

[BWBike]

I thought I read that the key fob stores information about the car status, etc. Maybe that is a reason to actually carry the fob.

[ubercruise]

Haven't carried the fob in 18 months and don't even know where the backup card is anymore. Phone works just fine, watch is redundancy. NFC is different from using the actual app, so software updates shouldn't ever really affect it. I'd probably carry the card as a redundancy if I knew where it was, but so far zero issues with just my phone.

[Vindicator3]

Originally Posted by BWBike

I thought I read that the key fob stores information about the car status, etc. Maybe that is a reason to actually carry the fob.

As I understand it, this is an excellent reason to bring the fob when taking the car in for service, but otherwise is irrelevant. I welcome being corrected if this is wrong.

[RockCrusher]

Originally Posted by Vindicator3

As I understand it, this is an excellent reason to bring the fob when taking the car in for service, but otherwise is irrelevant. I welcome being corrected if this is wrong.

BMW service advisor asks for a keyfob when I bring my car in for service. He scans/reads the keyfob for some info.

This has been the case with my M8 but also my M2 and I believe for my 230i xDrive and before that my 230i.

Since I don't use the card nor my phone to start my M8 I don't know but he may be able to obtain what he needs from the phone or card.

[LDT]

Been doin it for almost 2 yrs. However, on road trips my wife has a fob in her purse.

[eugenebmw]

Originally Posted by BWBike

I thought I read that the key fob stores information about the car status, etc. Maybe that is a reason to actually carry the fob.

In Vancouver (Canada). If you need service/repair work done by BMW, you need to bring the fob with you. No fob, no service

[Velvet Fog]

Originally Posted by eugenebmw

In Vancouver (Canada). If you need service/repair work done by BMW, you need to bring the fob with you. No fob, no service

Same in the US.

I have my phone and key card set up but use my fob for the proximity door lock/unlock and opening the trunk with my foot. I also use the fob for remote start but you can do that with the phone too.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by DavyNM

am I being stupid for only carrying my phone or plastic key card? (not the key fob)

for the last several months, I only used my phone to get into the car and drive off. I used to also carry the actual key fob in my pocket, but decided it wasn't really necessary. However, I do keep the plastic key card in my wallet, but it has never been used.

how do you get the plastic card to work? i can't even get mine to open the door.

[Velvet Fog]

Originally Posted by G30M

how do you get the plastic card to work? i can't even get mine to open the door.

You have to activate the digital key on your phone first then you activate the key card using the phone tray and key fob. Refer to your car's driver's guide for the complete procedure.

[Timmer-Bimmer]

I found a situation where I was lucky to have my key fob.

I picked up my new X5 M60i last week and took it the next day for paint protection film. In addition to doing a great job, the installers managed to completely run down the battery.

By having the Fob, I was able to pull the Fob apart to get the physical door key and open the front door. This enabled me to open the hood, and eventually jump start the car.

If I had only had the phone or key card, I would have had to get the car towed, or perhaps take an Uber home to get the Fob.

[MJBO]

I do it on occasion, mostly carry the key though as needing to tap the phone on the door to open the boot is annoying, don’t understand why BMW didn’t put a sensor on the back too.

My wife hasn’t carried the key for her new iX2 ever since it has Digital Key Plus with the proximity unlock so phone works exactly like the key. It’s brilliant.