How To Unlock A BMW With Keys Locked Inside

Have you ever exited your BMW, gently closed the door, heard the reassuring thunk of the lock engaging and then realized your keys and phone were still inside? That sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when you know you are locked out is universal. Fortunately, while a BMW lockout can be inconvenient, there are numerous ways to get back into your vehicle even with the keys still inside.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about unlocking a BMW when you inadvertently lock your keys inside. We will provide an overview of the most common ways people get locked out, detail all of the possible unlock solutions from spare keys to locksmith assistance, and give you tips to prevent this panic-inducing scenario in the first place.

If you have ever wondered, “How do I get back into my BMW without my keys?”, you have come to the right place!

Use Your Spare Key for Quick BMW Entry

The easiest and fastest resolution when you lock your keys in your BMW is to simply unlock it with your spare key. However, that does require you to have a duplicate key available. Here are some tips on using a spare:

Always Carry A Backup – Keep a duplicate key somewhere easily accessible like in your wallet, purse, backpack or pocket anytime you drive your BMW. This gives you the ability to quickly regain entry even if your main key ends up locked inside.
Hide a Spare at Home – If you don’t want the hassle of carrying two keys, hide one in a secret spot outside your home that is accessible even when locked out. This could be a lockbox, magnetic key case, or even carefully concealed in your yard or patio area.
Leave a Key with Family/Friends – Another option is to provide a spare key to family members or friends who live nearby and can bring it to you rapidly if needed. This also provides someone else access to your BMW if you were ever unable to drive it yourself.

Always having a backup key on hand or retrievable within minutes ensures you can swiftly get back into your vehicle without drama if you lock your primary key inside.

Try Your Keyfob Button to Remotely Unlock

If you have locked your only physical key inside your BMW but still have your keyfob on your person, start by trying to unlock with the fob:

Press Unlock Button – Assuming your keyfob battery isn’t dead, rapidly press the unlock button multiple times while aimed at the vehicle. The buttons may need to be pressed more than once for it to successfully communicate with your BMW from outside the vehicle. You need to be within operating range, usually 5-50 feet depending on the fob.
Move Closer – If standing right next to the door isn’t working, slowly move closer while continually pressing the unlock button. Modern keyfobs have a maximum range of around 50 feet but the sensors in some vehicle models need you to be closer before recognition happens, especially if there could be wireless interference.
Replace Battery – A dead or dying keyfob battery is a common reason the wireless unlock signal fails. Pop open your fob and replace the battery then try again. Still not working? Keep reading for more unlocking options.

Utilizing your keyless entry keyfob is often the quickest way back into your BMW with locked keys assuming the battery hasn’t died at the worst possible moment.

Access BMW’s ConnectedDrive Mobile App

Most modern BMW vehicles have a subscription service called ConnectedDrive that includes a mobile app with remote control features. If you find yourself staring helplessly at your locked BMW, don’t panic yet – the app may still let you in!

Remote Door Unlock – If you have the BMW ConnectedDrive or Connected+ app properly set up on your smartphone, registered to your specific VIN-numbered vehicle and are logged in, you can unlock the doors right from the app itself regardless of where your physical key ended up. No cellular service, no problem as it communicates directly with your BMW via embedded LTE data connectivity.
Locate Lost Phone – What if you also left your phone sitting inside the vehicle when you locked yourself out? As long as you are still logged into ConnectedDrive through another device, you can use the locator feature to pinpoint your trapped phone. This allows you to direct emergency responders right to it if they need access.

ConnectedDrive and similar BMW online services are incredible assets when you need to unlock your vehicle without keys. Confirm your account is active and make sure to log out when lending your vehicle to others though.

Attempt Less Tech-y Manual Unlocks

While mobile apps and electronic keyfobs are incredibly convenient when available, you can’t always rely on batteries being charged or connectivity working properly. In the case of simple mechanical failure, it is beneficial to know the manual approaches to unlocking a BMW without keys:

Use a Slim Jim Tool Through the Door Gap

This low-tech mechanical unlocking method dates back decades for good reason – it is still effective today!

Find a Coat Hanger – The iconic slim jim unlocking device is traditionally a wire coat hanger straightened out on one end to create tension and a hook on the other end to latch onto the manual lock switch. A stiff but slim piece of metal works.
Insert Carefully Into Gap – The gap between window glass and weather stripping can give just enough space to maneuver your DIY slim jim tool. Gently work the straight end all the way to the lock switch deep inside.
Manipulate the Lock – Slowly angle, rotate and move the hook on your hanger tool to get it secured onto the lock mechanism linkage. Once hooked, rotate or slide the assembly to mimic turning an actual key and unlock the door!

It takes patience and practice but a properly shaped hanger or similar metal tool can still be slid into just the right spot to lever and release the manual lock on older model BMWs.

Use an Inflatable Air Wedge to Access Lock

A small inflatable air bag makes the ideal entry wedge for creating a gap while avoiding scratches:

Wedge Into Frame Gap – Deflate the air bag and slide it fully into the car door gap as deeply as possible then begin inflating to force the gap wider. An air wedge exerts uniform inward pressure unlike crowbars that can dent metal.
Insert Unlock Rod – Check around the wedge with a coat hanger, antenna rod or similar slim inflexible item to try manipulating the lock button once a sizable gap appears. Don’t over inflate to damage the car frame if possible.
Alternate Entry Point – In lieu of working through door gaps, try sliding the thin unlocking rod itself or a specialized extra-long unlock tool down along the top windshield weather seal aiming for the internal manual lock release instead.

Persistence and creative manipulation can result in success freeing your imprisoned BMW keys. Just take care not to break clips or crack plastic panels in the quest to break in.

Call for Emergency Assistance Unlocking BMW

If all your smartphone battery is dead, no spare keys can be found, you lack the proper manual unlocking tools, or cannot manage to finesse the interior locks yourself, it is time to call in the professionals before frustration sets in completely:

Access BMW Roadside Assistance

Most BMW luxury vehicles come with complimentary roadside assistance through BMW itself or partners designed specifically for their models:

BMW Roadside – Confirm if your vehicle purchase or lease includes BMW Roadside Assistance able to dispatch emergency technicians with specialized unlocking equipment and key programming capabilities. They can create replacement keys, reprogram keys or door lock mechanisms and more.
OnStar, AARP and Other Partners – BMW vehicles may come with partner emergency access and roadside assistance through OnStar, Carchex, AARP or similar providers instead of directly via BMW. Check credentials and contact them when necessary.

Hire an Independent Locksmith

Professional residential, commercial and automotive locksmiths have invested in the high-tech gear and developed specialized skills necessary for situations just like this:

Call Locksmiths – Search for “BMW locksmith near me” online from a borrowed phone and read reviews to determine who seems most qualified specifically for your make and model vehicle. Reputable lock pros may offer 24/7 emergency service with rapid response times.
Cut & Program Keys – Experienced auto locksmiths carry blank BMW keys to cut and program replacements on the fly for owners locked out of their vehicles. This bypasses the traditional dealer parts ordering delay entirely in an emergency lockout situation.

Never feel shy about calling in an expert like a certified emergency locksmith to safely handle a BMW rescue job – they specialize in exactly this type of high-tech luxury vehicle lockout scenario and can usually have you back on the road quickly.

Resync or Replace Faulty BMW Lock System Keys

In some cases of being unable to unlock a BMW without keys on hand, the underlying issue is that the electronic components have gotten out of synchronization or simply stopped functioning properly:

Attempt Key Fob Resynchronization

The comfort access keyless system relies on precise coordination between vehicle computer and remote control:

Attempt Resync Procedure– Consult your owner’s manual or local dealership to determine the proper resynchronization sequence for your BMW model and year involving positioning of primary key and keyfob then pressing lock/unlock buttons in a specific pattern to reset system recognition.
Replace Key Fob Battery– Weak keyfob batteries are again a prime suspect for handheld remote controls failing to communicate resets properly during resynchronization forcing a trip to the dealership.

Taking the time to reestablish communication between keys and BMW computer may resolve nagging dysfunction once and for all in some cases.

Order Replacement Keys from the Dealer

For chronic problems with properly unlocking BMW vehicles without keys or consistently being locked out, the ultimate solution may involve replacing old, damaged or glitch-prone keys and fobs:

Buy New Key Fob – Because even entry-level BMW vehicles now feature complex digital security, broken key fobs or missing keys must be replaced and programmed by certified dealership technicians. New blank fobs start around $50 but programming labor and cutting stainless steel keys adds $200 or more to the total.
Full Key Replacement – Some year BMW models have been plagued by faulty wireless unlock modules in the doors themselves, not just remote key failure. If disconnecting and reconnecting battery cables fails to reset the system, the entire door lock mechanism may need replacement at significantly higher cost.

Reprogramming keys and vehicle security systems is best left to the experts in severe cases. BMW service departments have the dedicated diagnostics equipment and technical resources to hopefully get your system properly recognizing keys to avoid future frustrating lockouts.

Best Practices to Avoid BMW Key Lockouts

While this guide covers every possible method of unlocking a BMW with missing keys and regaining entry when locked out, prevention is the best medicine:

Enable Phone-as-Key Functionality

Newer BMW models offer the option to configure your smartphone to function exactly like your keyfob so you never leave home without an unlocking “key” handy:

Set Up Phone as Key – If your model has the BMW Digital Key option in ConnectedDrive, take the time to set this up immediately so your iPhone or Android acts as a fully functional key fob replacement able to unlock and start your vehicle just by placing it near door handles or wireless charging pad.
Share Digital Key Access – Once enabled on your device, you can securely share digital BMW keys with family members and friends via smartphones to make retrieving backup unlocking capability fast and seamless in an emergency lockout situation.

Always Have Spare Keys Available

Despite the high-tech options built into new BMWs, physical spare keys remain invaluable:

Make Extra Keys – Visit a locksmith or dealership right after purchasing your BMW to have 1 or 2 duplicate spare keys cut and coded specifically for your VIN in case of impromptu lockouts down the road. Steel keys with remote fob cost $100-300 each to replicate.
Strategically Place Keys – Carry duplicate keys yourself or stash them outside your home, with trusted neighbors and family members. Having backups dispersed avoids the nightmare scenario of accidentally locking all sets of keys at once within the vehicle.

Provide Keys to Friends & Family

While keeping hidden keys handy works great if you are near home, provide access to trusted contacts for trips:

Lend Keys to Friends – Providing family members and friends local to you with temporary usage of spare keys when traveling gives you reliable backup key retrieval in the event of road trip lockouts.
Share Digital BMW Key Access – Newer app-based digital BMW keys are easily shared temporarily then revoked when home simply by sending and rescinding authenticated access credentials to contacts’ mobile devices. This also works great for granting access to mechanics, valets or vehicle transporters in a trackable manner.

By combining spare physical keys, scattered phone-based digital vehicle access settings, roadside assistance membership and savvy use of BMW’s innovative app-as-a-key technology, you can rest easy knowing reliable options to regain entry exist even if you lock your keys in your vehicle.

Conclusion

Locking keys inside a vehicle induces instant anxiety but moderns BMW comfort access and connected car technology means regaining access is usually only an app tap or call away. Now that you know the multitude of solutions available – from hidden physical keys and electronic mobile backups to manual wedge access attempts, emergency roadside help calls and professional locksmith expertise – getting back into your vehicle without traditional keys in hand is very doable.

Remember the mantra “Don’t Panic!” next time you realize you locked your keys in your BMW. Quietly walk through the electronic and manual options detailed here until you are safely back inside your vehicle so you can comfortably be on your way. Knowledge dispels tension so review the pointers here before you need them to stay cool in the moment when keys get locked in your BMW!