Does 2016 BMW Have Carplay?

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BMW CarPlay is a relatively new invention. Since it’s only compatible with 2017 and newer models, many BMW owners are unable to use it in their vehicles.

According to Apple, the full list of BMW vehicles that support Apple CarPlay as of August 2022 is as follows:

  • F20 and F21 models of the 2017–2022 BMW 1 Series
  • 2017–2022, BMW 2 Series, e.g., F22, F23, F45
  • 2017–2022, BMW 3 Series models such the F30, F31, F34, F80, and G20
  • BMW 4 Series models F32, F33, F36, F82, and F83 from 2017 to 2022
  • BMW 5 Series models from 2017 through 2022, such as the G30, G31, and F90
  • BMW 6 Series models F06, F12, F13, and G32 from 2017 to 2022
  • 2017-2022 BMW 7 Series, for example, G11 and G12
  • 2021-2022 BMW 8 Series models such the G14, G15, and G16
  • 2018-2022 BMW X1, for instance, F48
  • 2018–2022 BMW X2, such as the F39
  • BMW X3 models G01 through 2022
  • 2017-2022 BMW X4 models F26 and G02
  • 2017-2022 BMW X5 (e.g., F15, G05)
  • BMW X6 models like the F16 from 2017 to 2022
  • 2021 – 2022 X5 M
  • 2021 – 2022 X6 M
  • 2018-2021 BMW i3
  • 2019-2020 BMW i8
  • 2019-2022 BMW Z4 G29
  • 2022 i4
  • 2022 iX

Apple CarPlay can be added to vehicles without factory support with the appropriate hardware retrofit, even though it is only officially supported by cars made after 2017. Read on for a few potential solutions if you’re interested in installing BMW CarPlay (including the aftermarket alternative) in your older vehicle.

Visit our guide to F30 upgrades to learn more about retrofits for the BMW 3-Series.

What year BMW features Apple CarPlay?

In 2017, BMW released Apple CarPlay as an add-on that was only available with vehicles that had built-in navigation.

Previously an option, CarPlay is now a requirement for all BMW models with navigation systems.

You must determine whether CarPlay has been enabled on a used BMW manufactured before 2020.

It’s crucial to remember that the automobile needs a wifi antenna and head unit that are compatible. Your local BMW dealership will be able to inform you if your car has the required setup in place.

Although it’s unlikely that the technology will be put in BMWs manufactured between 2014 and 2016, a small number may do so given that retrofitting is technically doable.

$100 subscription fee, $300 charge

When CarPlay originally became available in BMW in 2016, there was a hefty one-time fee of $300 for anyone who desired it. Paying out of pocket looks like a simple way to make money given that this app-based solution integrates with the owners’ phones. We can understand why they started charging for this stand-alone option once those expensive $2,500 navigation system upgrades vanished.

Additionally, spending $300 seemed excessive given that CarPlay was available for free in 2016 from other automakers, including Chevrolet. To be fair to BMW, though, they introduced wireless CarPlay one of the first, whilst other manufacturers still required a USB cable plugged in.

After that, they switched from a one-time fee to a $80 monthly membership service for Apple CarPlay in addition to their ConnectedDrive service, which BMW eventually discontinued in 2020. Therefore, everything is now free.

BMW BMW CarPlay retrofit versus Apple CarPlay

You must first choose the finest BMW CarPlay retrofit option for you. CarPlay is fully supported by the iDrive system in many vehicles made after 2016, even if it hasn’t been turned on. If that applies to you, getting a professional to unlock the built-in BMW Apple CarPlay option is one approach to activate Apple CarPlay in your BMW.

There are BMW CarPlay aftermarket options that can get you up and running if that isn’t an option—either because your BMW is a little older or doesn’t have a suitable iDrive system.

The native BMW Apple CarPlay option and aftermarket BMW CarPlay retrofits differ significantly in this regard. Android Auto is not available in older BMW CarPlay-compatible automobiles, so if you use a Samsung phone or another Android device, you are out of luck.

Additionally, aftermarket alternatives may provide extra freedom. The manufacturer CarPlay interface in older vehicles can only use a portion of the screen, but all BMW models come with full-screen mode in CarPlay MMI Prime. Unlike BimmerTech’s retrofit, which enables both wireless connection and connection via a USB cable, which can be more dependable and less draining on the battery, the OEM alternative forces you to rely solely on a wireless connection with your phone.

The BMW CarPlay upgrade from BimmerTech utilises the dashboard display already in your car and is simple to use with the iDrive controller, unlike many alternatives on the market. However, the native BMW iDrive CarPlay option may be easier to use for somebody who frequently shifts between using CarPlay and other iDrive functions.

Almost all BMW automobiles in the US now come with the $300 CarPlay option.

BMW has been waiting a long time for CarPlay, but it appears that almost all models now offer the technology as a $300 option.

The fact that it first emerged for the X5 and X6 M in May and then reappeared for the M3 and M4 in June suggests that BMW may have been saving it for higher-end vehicles. But as of right now, the majority of the range offers “Apple CarPlay Compatibility” as an entertainment choice.

Oddly, the company’s two electric vehicles, the i3 and i8, appear to be the exception.

The CarPlay availability page that Apple introduced back in January has not yet been updated. On the BMW website, after selecting your vehicle and selecting the Choices page, look under “Entertainment options” to view your personal favorite model.

At one point, there were rumors that Apple would decide to team up with BMW and Daimler to build an Apple Car based on the all-electric i3, but those negotiations are said to have fallen through.

After becoming available for many 2017 vehicles, including all Fords as of last month, CarPlay may now be regarded quite widespread. Sony is the newest firm to offer one of the many aftermarket CarPlay units that are also readily accessible.

TUTORIAL: How to install Apple CarPlay in BMW vehicles without it out of the box

I’ll demonstrate how to install Apple CarPlay on BMW models (BMW 3 Series, 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, X3, X5, X6, X7) that didn’t have it out of the box in this video lesson.

You need to be aware that only BMW vehicles made in July 2016 and later can support Apple CarPlay (the BMW X1 did not have Apple CarPlay). Apple CarPlay can only be used with an iPhone 5, 6, 7, 8, X, 11, or 12. You can utilize iPhone apps while driving using CarPlay. You can listen to your preferred music, make calls, send and receive messages, and obtain directions.

1. To turn on the central display, press the Start/Stop Engine button.

2. Utilize the iDrive button to access Connected Drive.

3. Open the ConnectedDrive Store and prepare Apple CarPlay. From this page, you can buy Apple CarPlay for one month, one year, three years, or forever. When you’ve made up your mind to buy something, click “Next” and sign into your ConnectedDrive account to finish the transaction.

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Apple Carplay Activation in BMW

You can, indeed! You can add Apple Carplay to a number of BMW models, including the 2018 BMW x1 and 2015 BMWs.

Do you want to use the maps, music, messaging, and Siri commands from your iPhone on your iDrive device? For customers to quickly connect their phones to the iDrive unit and use the apps they have loaded on their iPhones, Apple created the software “Apple CarPlay” for automobiles. applications for calls, messaging, music, and maps. Additionally, Apple is continuously expanding the number of apps that its CarPlay software supports. The whole list of apps that are already compatible with Apple CarPlay is available on the Apple website.

Is Apple CarPlay available on the 2016 BMW X1?

The factory BMW iDrive screen can now be mirrored from a smartphone in this vehicle. You obtain access to a variety of apps, including Waze, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, and Apple Maps.

How can I tell whether my BMW is CarPlay compatible?

What conditions must be met for my BMW to use Apple CarPlayTM? BMW Navigation System and iDrive 5.0 are required for Apple CarPlay. Additionally, you need an iPhone(r) 5 or later running iOS 9.3 or a later version. In addition, your iPhone’s Siri, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth capabilities need to be enabled.

When did BMW introduce Apple CarPlay?

Due to the carmaker switching its chip supplier, BMW is temporarily shipping new vehicles without Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto require updated software to function on the new CPUs found in many BMWs produced this year. Dealerships are advising BMW customers who purchase a new vehicle without CarPlay to wait for an over-the-air upgrade that will add the feature “by the end of June at the latest.”

It’s unclear how many BMW models are impacted, but a lot of consumers in the UK, France, Italy, and the US have complained online about receiving new cars without CarPlay. Models that are affected have the specification code “6P1” in them.

While some BMW owners may have to temporarily do without CarPlay capability, BMW is moving chip suppliers to enhance its supply chain over the long run, which could help to alleviate component shortages in the second half of the year.

With support for Digital Key, Ultra Wideband Digital Key Plus, and a feature-rich dual-screen wireless CarPlay experience, BMW provides one of the most integrated experiences with Apple’s ecosystem. BMW only began providing CarPlay in 2016 and faced criticism for charging a $80 yearly subscription charge before canceling the subscription in response to the backlash.

Can my BMW get Apple CarPlay?

With firmware beginning with iOS 7.1, Apple CarPlay(r) Preparation is available for all iPhone devices starting with the 5. You must have the optional additional ConnectedDrive Services, which include BMW apps, in order to utilize Apple CarPlay(r) Preparation in a BMW vehicle. Additionally, your BMW must be outfitted with Navi Professional.

BMW CarPlay is it free?

Although the German automaker BMW was an early adopter of Apple CarPlay wirelessly, it charged for the service, ranging from a $300 one-time cost to a yearly $80 price. Now that it’s free, all 2021 BMW models even have the integration of the car keys, which is a significant plus. And for all those older BMWs, upgrading a CarPlay compatible head unit is possible, albeit with some extra work and expense.