MINI Cooper Key Fob - Replacement & Activation

Is your MINI Cooper key fob not working? The first thing that may come to your mind is that it’s broken and now needs to be replaced. This might not always be the case though, since there’s always a chance to save it! 

The first 2 things to check up on? Before ordering a MINI Cooper key fob replacement, you need to ensure your key fob battery is working and check whether the key fob itself needs reactivating.  

If you manage to rescue it, good for you :) If not, no worries – we’ll show you how to replace your MINI Cooper key fob smoothly.

MINI Cooper key fob battery replacement

The MINI Cooper key fob battery replacement needs to be carried out once in a while if the battery leaks or if it gets too old. If you don’t know how to change your MINI Cooper key fob battery then we’ve got you covered. 

Things you need:

• A new MINI Cooper key fob battery replacement battery
• A flat head screwdriver

What you need to do:

1. Take out the actual key by pressing on the small button on the side and pull out the key as it pops out.
2. Take your screwdriver and stick it on the fob cover until it pops up.
3. Take out the battery cover and remove the old battery.
4. Replace the new battery in place of the old one and pop back the cover.

Check out this quick process here:  

How to activate a MINI Cooper key fob?

Ok, so the battery replacement did not help. What to do now? You may try to reactivate your key fob to see whether the error lies in faulty programming. The activation procedure will differ depending on your car generation, but Mk I MINIs produced since July 2004 have the most involved activation process:

1. You need to enter the vehicle and sit in the driver's seat
2. Keeping both keys with you, ensure that all doors are closed
3. Switch the ignition switch to KL-R in the first turn
4. Switch it back off within 5 seconds and proceed to remove the key
5. Within 30 seconds, press and hold the unlock button, all at the same time
6. Press and release the ‘lock’ button three times. (This step must be completed within 10 seconds)
7. Release both the buttons. Your MINI Cooper doors will lock/unlock to signal successful initialization.
8. For additional keys and their programming, repeat steps 3-4 within 30 seconds
9. Switching the ignition back to KL-R completes the initialization.

When you test the keys make sure you not only check out the lock unlock features but also other features that are included in the MINI Cooper comfort access keyless entry.

Did you know? Some MINI Cooper key fobs do not even require activation to work. All you need to do is insert the key fob into the ignition and it works seamlessly without having to go through any of the steps above.

MINI Cooper key fob replacement 

You’ve tried to replace the battery, you’ve tried your best with the reactivation and… meh… none of the above worked. Well, it’s clearly time to say goodbye to your old key fob. 

The OEM MINI Cooper key fob replacement will be a perfect choice in a situation where your key fob is lost or broken, or if you just need a spare one! The MINI Cooper key replacement is pre-coded and vehicle specific. Replacing a worn or misplaced MINI Cooper key fob isn’t that difficult.

You need to keep in mind that orders for MINI Cooper key replacement cannot be booked without visiting the dealership and the vehicle's evidence of ownership. All MINI Cooper key fobs are based on your car's unique VIN. Due to BMW's policies, the MINI Cooper key order is non-refundable and cannot be returned or canceled. 

Ordering a New Remote Key Fob

Here’s what you need to do to order one. You need to go to your local dealership in your car and let them check your VIN. Another thing to remember is that as standard, the ordered keys do not include the internal key blade—the traditional key that slides out of the base of the fob. So if you're looking for a spare one rather than a replacement, you’ll have to add an internal key blade option when placing your order. Without it, you’ll have problems accessing your vehicle next time your fob's battery runs flat.

Already got it? Now it’s time for activation! To proceed with the activation follow the instructions from above.

Can you duplicate a MINI Cooper key fob? 

You might need a duplicate key fob if you wish to have a spare key fob lying around in case one gets lost. You may also need a duplicate key fob for your MINI Cooper to have another Driver Profile associated with it. Your partner or sibling may be using your car and they could be getting all your settings along with car seat positioning messed up. This is why you need a duplicate key fob so that they have their own Driver Profile that shows up their preferential settings, such as mirror position, climate control settings, seat adjustments, etc. and once you are back to drive your car, Voila! You just have your own key fob and Driver Profile linked to it.

How to program a MINI Cooper key?

Honestly, it’s not something you need to know :) 

MINI Cooper key fob programming and activation are two completely different procedures. While the latter is what interests you the most, the programming part is carried out EXCLUSIVELY by BMW experts before sending out the key fob to ensure it’s been matched to your exact vehicle. It’s only after getting it programmed you can proceed with activating it in your specific MINI Cooper. Keep in mind, programming is like designing fingerprints – only the key fob programmed for your car will be eligible for activation. 

MINI Key fob Deactivation 

Have you lost your MINI Cooper key fob and now worry it will fall into the wrong hands? Or maybe bought a used MINI Cooper and want to know how many key fobs it had enabled or disabled by the previous owners? Our key fob decoding service will give you a clear picture of your key fob status. 

We will determine the number of keys added to your car and block those you did not get with the car but are still active in your MINI's memory. In the case of a key fob loss we can also deactivate your MINI Cooper key fob to make it unusable. And! Do all of that fully remotely :)   

As you can see the MINI Cooper is quite easy to replace and activate. You just need the right instructions to do it right. We hope our blog has helped you understand better how to carry out your MINI Cooper key replacement and activation. If there's anything we missed out on, feel free to comment and let us know.