2023 BMW 7 Series Key Replacement

The 2023–2026 7 Series uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the BMW 7 Series key guide.

2023 BMW 7 Series: key facts

Key type: Smart / proximity key
Push-to-start: Yes
Transponder chip: Varies by trim — we confirm by VIN
Programming: Dealer-only (we'll tell you before you spend anything)
All keys lost: Requires dealer involvement

G70 generation (incl. i7): newest BDC architecture with standard Digital Key Plus. No established aftermarket add-key or all-keys-lost path was found for this generation — dealer-only, stated plainly.

What key does the 2023 BMW 7 Series use?

The 2023 7 Series is a G70-generation car, and it uses a smart proximity key. There is no ignition slot to turn. The car senses the fob nearby, and you start it with the push-button. Inside the fob there is also a mechanical backup key, which is there so you can still get into the car if the fob stops communicating.

This generation also carries BMW's newest body-control architecture, and the data we have says Digital Key Plus is standard. That means your phone or a card can act as a key on cars equipped for it. For you, that means the fob in your pocket is one of possibly several ways into the car, and each one has to be enrolled with the car properly.

We want to be plain about one thing. The chip family for this year is not verified in our records, so we are not going to name a chip type and pretend it is settled. What matters for the owner is the practical result: this is a dealer-programmed key system.

Key type: smart proximity fob with push-button start
Mechanical backup key included with the fob
Digital Key (phone or card) is part of this generation on equipped cars
Programming method: dealer-only

What should you check first if the car says the key isn't detected?

The most common complaint on this setup is a 'key not detected' warning, and the usual cause is a dead coin cell in the fob. It is a small, boring problem, and it is worth ruling out before anyone talks to you about replacing a key.

A fob that has stopped working is not always a lost or broken fob. If you can still get a door open with the mechanical backup key and the fob looks undamaged, the battery is the first suspect.

Look at the dash message. A key-not-detected warning points to the fob's battery or a signal problem, not to a missing key.
Use the mechanical backup key from inside the fob to open the door if the electronic entry will not respond.
Check your owner's manual for the car's own procedure for starting with a weak fob battery.
Replace the coin cell in the fob, or call us and describe what the car is doing. We will tell you honestly whether it sounds like a battery or something that needs the dealer.

Duplicate key or all keys lost: what's possible?

For this setup, an original key needs to be present to make a duplicate. If you still have a working fob, you are in a much better position than someone with none, because the car already recognizes a key that exists.

All keys lost is a different situation. Our data for this generation shows no established aftermarket add-key or all-keys-lost path. We are not going to tell you we can program a new 2023 7 Series fob in your driveway when the information does not support that. Realistically, that route goes through the BMW dealer.

If you are in that spot, call us anyway. We can help you sort out what you actually have, whether that is one fob, a Digital Key on your phone, or nothing at all, and point you in the right direction instead of wasting your time. You can also see how other model years differ on our BMW 7 Series key page.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

We answer around the clock, every day of the year.

Call (213) 577-1366

What affects the cost of replacing a 7 Series key?

We are not quoting numbers here because they would be guesses. Here is what moves the cost on this car:

Whether you have a working key. A duplicate from an existing fob is a very different job from a total loss.
Dealer involvement. Because programming is dealer-only, the dealer's process and parts availability are a large part of the total.
The key itself. A new genuine fob for a luxury flagship is not a small item, and the exact part depends on your VIN and equipment.
Whether the problem is really a key. A dead coin cell costs a fraction of a replacement fob, so diagnosing first is the economical route.
Digital Key enrollment. If your car is equipped for it, getting a phone or card enrolled can be a separate step from the fob.

What we confirm by VIN, and why you can call us

The record for this year is marked unverified. That is why we do not rely on a general description of a 2023 7 Series. We confirm by VIN, and in person when needed, what your specific car has before we tell you what is and is not possible. If that means the answer is the dealer, we will say so.

Wilshire Lock & Key has been in business since 1987. We run a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood plus mobile service vans, and you reach the same company whether you call or come in, with no dispatch middlemen in between. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work. The phone at (213) 577-1366 is answered 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

If you want to browse first, start with our car key services or the BMW key overview. If you would rather describe the problem directly, use our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2023 BMW 7 Series have a push-to-start key?

Yes. It uses a smart proximity fob with push-button start, and the fob contains a mechanical backup key for the door.

My 2023 7 Series says the key isn't detected. Do I need a new key?

Not necessarily. A dead coin cell in the fob is a common cause of that warning. Rule out the battery first. If a fresh battery does not fix it, call us and we will help work out the next step.

Can you program a new key for a 2023 BMW 7 Series?

For this generation, programming is dealer-only in the data we have, and we found no established aftermarket path. We would rather tell you that plainly than promise something we cannot support. We confirm by VIN.

What if I've lost every key to my 2023 7 Series?

All keys lost is not something we have an aftermarket route for on this generation. It generally involves the BMW dealer. Call us and we will help you understand your situation and what to bring.

Do I need my original key to get a duplicate?

Yes. For this setup an original key is needed to make a duplicate, which is why replacing a fob before the last one is gone is much easier.

What about BMW Digital Key on my phone?

This generation includes Digital Key Plus on equipped cars. Enrollment problems with a phone or card are a known issue, and they are a separate matter from the physical fob. Tell us what the car is doing when you call.

Is the chip type for this key confirmed?

No. The chip family for this year is unverified in our records, so we do not state one. We confirm key details by VIN and in person.

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Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-11.