[kube]

Originally Posted by SonicEndeavor

Its not a usability issue. Remote Unlock is a security risk and I'm glad they disabled it. A competent hacker just needs to intercept the unlock transmission to the car and replicate the command to gain access. The transmission is encrypted but obviously someone has found a way to break it and build a device to replicate it.

Really? I think that's a little over the top. I really don't think there are people sitting around waiting for me to request an unlock so they can copy my signal. How do they know I'm requesting a signal to be at the right place to intercept? I work in I/T, and most of this stuff is exaggerated and the risk isn't being hacked on wireless networks, it's people doing stupid stuff like using public computers and clicking on phishing links.

And even if they do get into my car, they're not going to get anything aside from about 6 quarters I keep for parking meters or air for my tires. If they do when I have real stuff, then that's why I have insurance.

If you want to disable the function, that should be an option, but don't mandate what I can/can't do if I choose. And yes, give me all the legal disclaimers that I can sign off on. The benefit where I live far outweighs any risk.

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[pillpusher84]

Anyone know how to get an older version onto my iPhone 5s? I have only had an iPhone since the release of the 5s, so no way that I could "downgrade"?

[SonicEndeavor]

Originally Posted by kube

Really? I think that's a little over the top. I really don't think there are people sitting around waiting for me to request an unlock so they can copy my signal. How do they know I'm requesting a signal to be at the right place to intercept? I work in I/T, and most of this stuff is exaggerated and the risk isn't being hacked on wireless networks, it's people doing stupid stuff like using public computers and clicking on phishing links.

And even if they do get into my car, they're not going to get anything aside from about 6 quarters I keep for parking meters or air for my tires. If they do when I have real stuff, then that's why I have insurance.

If you want to disable the function, that should be an option, but don't mandate what I can/can't do if I choose. And yes, give me all the legal disclaimers that I can sign off on. The benefit where I live far outweighs any risk.

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Working in I/T as I do as well you should know its child's play to hack a wireless network. How do they know? They simply sit in a parking garage monitoring wireless traffic. You also forgot one other item in your car - your registration with your home address on it. They grab that information, head over to your house and park on your street waiting for you to come home, then steal your garage door code as soon as you hit the button and the next time you're away from home, they're in your house robbing you.
Thieves are very sophisticated these days so why risk it for those rare times when you have to make a phone call to unlock your car.

[ErnestHouse]

I'm curious. What's the difference between using the app to cause an unlock signal and making a phone call for a BMW call center to cause the same unlock signal? Is that any more secure for someone sitting in the parking garage?

[kube]

Originally Posted by ErnestHouse

I'm curious. What's the difference between using the app to cause an unlock signal and making a phone call for a BMW call center to cause the same unlock signal? Is that any more secure for someone sitting in the parking garage?

You beat me to the post -- there is no difference. The BMW App doesn't unlock the car, it sends a signal to BMW who then transmits an unlock code to the car. So if someone is sitting in a parking lot "listening" for signals to intercept, whether you call in or use the app, they'll still get to intercept the unlock. Yes, they could copy the signal from the app to use at some point, but the signal to unlock is the main one.

And to truly be reduce risk as Sonic points out, there are things you can do to prevent a minor break-in from being much worse. There are a few things I do that significantly reduce my risk. Most are common sense, but you know what they say about common sense -- Registration and proof of insurance are in my wallet, never in the car. Second, there's no "HOME" destination in my address book. If you want to have an entry that gets you close, choose a street a block or two away.

The one that a lot of people miss is remote garage door openers. If a thief sees a garage door remote on your visor or side pocket, (and you leave your registration or insurance card in the car) they now have your address and way in after they smash your side window and get in. Most petty crooks don't have the technology (or brains) to hack networks; they'll just use a crowbar to get in.
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[ErnestHouse]

Originally Posted by kube

...Second, there's no "HOME" destination in my address book. If you want to have an entry that gets you close, choose a street a block or two away….

I set mine to a neighbor's house who parks his city police cruiser on the street each night.

[Stormbitch]

They need to invent a pre heat option never mind honk your horn... all that money when would you use that unless a beer night with the boys.

[ErnestHouse]

Or Activate Ventilation for us in warm climates.

[ebby422]

you need to have the $200 subscription for the app to work correct ?(connected drive)

[BlackMonster]

What happened to remote ac activation? I thought that was a feature I was going to use being in S. Florida. What good is honking horn and flashing lights. BMW apps are useful as that bear drinking app when first iPhone came out.

Anyone disagreeing?

[Grover432]

Originally Posted by SonicEndeavor

Its not a usability issue. Remote Unlock is a security risk and I'm glad they disabled it. A competent hacker just needs to intercept the unlock transmission to the car and replicate the command to gain access. The transmission is encrypted but obviously someone has found a way to break it and build a device to replicate it.

It's already been done. There was a story in my city about a company (elsewhere) selling a $5.00 device to trick cars with keyless entry into opening the doors. Apparently the police say 19 units have been shipped to my city. Great

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by Grover432

It's already been done. There was a story in my city about a company (elsewhere) selling a $5.00 device to trick cars with keyless entry into opening the doors. Apparently the police say 19 units have been shipped to my city. Great

Hey, that's a lot cheaper than buying a car!

[kube]

Originally Posted by BlackMonster

What happened to remote ac activation? I thought that was a feature I was going to use being in S. Florida. What good is honking horn and flashing lights. BMW apps are useful as that bear drinking app when first iPhone came out.

Anyone disagreeing?

I thought this was on the app a while ago but was vehicle/model year dependent. Wasn't something I could do on a 2011 but thought it was out there for newer models. So once again, BMW Is clueless to what their technology savvy customers want. But to their credit, they are a few steps ahead of Mercedes. I just rented a 2013 SLK250 from Hertz (free upgrade) and their dash control panel still had a telephone-like 10-key panel.

[Grover432]

Originally Posted by SonicEndeavor

Working in I/T as I do as well you should know its child's play to hack a wireless network. How do they know? They simply sit in a parking garage monitoring wireless traffic. You also forgot one other item in your car - your registration with your home address on it. They grab that information, head over to your house and park on your street waiting for you to come home, then steal your garage door code as soon as you hit the button and the next time you're away from home, they're in your house robbing you.
Thieves are very sophisticated these days so why risk it for those rare times when you have to make a phone call to unlock your car.

My registration lives in a water tight packet under the seat.

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by Grover432

My registration lives in a water tight packet under the seat.

Good luck with that if you're stopped in the United States. Reaching under your seat is probably enough to get you shot.

[Grover432]

Originally Posted by raleedy

Good luck with that if you're stopped in the United States. Reaching under your seat is probably enough to get you shot.

Well firstly I don't live in the states, but even in Canada I'd wait until the police officer gets to my window then ask permission to reach across the car and into the glove box to get the registration. I don't see a problem asking if I can reach under the seat or flip up the carpet to get the registration - for the once in every 10 years I get stopped.

[Martin528]

Only thing that I can get to work is door locking....

[DR1er]

Originally Posted by Martin528

Only thing that I can get to work is door locking....

Same here! (on a 2013 X5 35i). I tried with version 1.4 and 1.7 on a Galaxy S4

[ManiacGT]

Yep depends on the car and year as to what you can control. I noted the update and could tell as it no longer shows a nice pic of my car it now shows a naff drawing.

[Piers]

In the UK, with a 2014 LCI F10 with connected drive, I can locate my vehicle, as far as I know anywhere, and can lock and unlock it remotely as well. Do we have a different app?

we can also activate the climate in advance too either immediately or on a timer

Very cool.

[DR1er]

Originally Posted by Blkthght

Anyway you can PM me or upload the .apk file for version 1.7? I'm still on 1.6 and I can't find 1.7 anywhere. I have a galaxy note 3. Thanks in advance.

Actually, I can do something better...here's the url of a webpage that you can use to get a direct download link to the .apk of any app on the Play store; that's how I downloaded it.

I found the link thanks to a fellow member who posted it on another thread, credit to him (couldn't find that thread right now!). This is the website: http://apps.evozi.com/apk-downloader/

Let me know if that works or if you still need the .apk

[DR1er]

Yes, I've noticed the functionalities vary from country to country and from car to car. Not meaning to hijack this thread, but I think this is more related to the app than to a BMW model... so is the app fully working for anyone in the U.S with an LCI X5 and an Android phone? if so, could you please share what phone and version of the app you are running? as I mentioned above, I have a 2013 X5 35i and I tried versions 1.4 and 1.7 and only locking works and vehicle location and Google local search only work on v 1.7 for me.

Thanks

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

Yep depends on the car and year as to what you can control. I noted the update and could tell as it no longer shows a nice pic of my car it now shows a naff drawing.

Originally Posted by Piers

In the UK, with a 2014 LCI F10 with connected drive, I can locate my vehicle, as far as I know anywhere, and can lock and unlock it remotely as well. Do we have a different app?

we can also activate the climate in advance too either immediately or on a timer

Very cool.