Choose your BMW from the Bluetooth menu on your iPhone. Your iDrive 7 screen will validate the pairing request as the two start to pair. Verify the PIN is the same on your iPhone and iDrive 7 screens, then select Yes. On your iDrive 7 screen, click the Connect to Apple CarPlay option.
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Step-by-step Apple CarPlay Setup Guide * Ensure that your iPhone has Bluetooth, WiFi, and Siri turned on.
Getting ready for Apple CarPlay(r) is a smart and quick way to use your iPhone’s functions in your automobile.
How can I turn on BMW CarPlay?
- Turn on the Bluetooth, Siri, and WiFi on your iPhone.
- On your iDrive 7 interface, press COM, then click Mobile Devices.
- Now that Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone, you should be able to choose your BMW.
When did BMW introduce 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. If your vehicle has the necessary configuration in place, your nearby BMW dealership will be able to let you know.
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.
Is the BMW app required for 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 (6AK)
Which BMWs are CarPlay wireless?
With the introduction of the 2017 model year, BMW was the first carmaker to offer wireless Apple CarPlay on a limited number of vehicles. Wireless Android Auto is still an aftermarket-only option, and wireless CarPlay isn’t always available from the factory. The great majority of both systems today still require a physical USB cord. In 2019, we released a thorough list of every model that had a wireless smartphone integration capability, but since then, availability has significantly risen.
Continue reading for the whole list and more details on what we know about each feature.
Does the BMW Apple CarPlay feature cost money?
Due to the carmaker switching its chip supplier, BMW is temporarily shipping new vehicles without Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability (via Automotive News Europe).
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.
My BMW CarPlay has to be reset.
If you are worn out with forgetting devices and reconnecting etc. on your iDrive and iPhone, try the following. Try this; it was a success: What is a BMW Connected Drive reset?
Press and hold the volume button while the car is in standby for roughly 20 to 25 seconds to reset a BMW (ignition on, engine not running). Once you press the volume button a second time, everything should work.
How can I get free BMW CarPlay activated?
I’d like to utilize Apple CarPlay in my BMW, but I seem to recall that it used to be somewhat expensive. Is there a way for me to obtain Apple CarPlay on my BMW for nothing?
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Yes! All of Apple CarPlay’s capabilities are available for free on your BMW. BMW will stop charging users a fee to utilize Apple CarPlay as of 2020. The service is easily downloaded and connected to your car without cost.
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Can I set up Apple CarPlay on my own?
When you have the device, you must put it in the vehicle and link it to a power source. You connect it in where a stereo would normally go to use it with a standard dash screen. The size of the replaceable audio unit for cars, according to the DIN Standard, is what is used to measure that compartment.
You can do it yourself by adhering to the manual’s directions. However, you’ll need to do a lot of preparations (such unplugging the car’s battery) and carry materials to carefully connect wires and cables. It’s crucial to have knowledge of automotive electronics. Again, if you prefer to do it yourself, a website like Crutchfield can provide an equipment list and installation instructions unique to your automobile.
Hiring a professional installation service, such as that provided by your neighborhood auto mechanic or a large retailer like Best Buy, is an easier but more expensive alternative. Dashboard screen installations typically cost around $100.
How can Apple CarPlay be fixed?
- Verify that CarPlay is turned on on your iPhone.
- Make sure Siri is turned on by checking.
- Ensure that CarPlay is on even when the door is locked.
- Check your USB cables if wireless connectivity isn’t working.
- Ensure you’re plugged into the proper port if you’re not connected wirelessly.
Why can’t my iPhone and BMW pair?
Try these actions if the problem still exists after the update: Make sure Bluetooth Sync Contacts is turned on in Settings > Bluetooth. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, turn Bluetooth off, and then turn it back on. Restarting your iPhone after turning it off
What is the cost of adding CarPlay to a BMW?
Because the NBT Evo head unit with ID5 or ID6 software is required, BMW Apple CarPlay compatibility is constrained. In other words, your BMW need the most recent operating system and on-board computer. Even if your car was made in 2016, 2015, or 2014 and has modern technologies, it might only have ID4 hardware or normal NBT, which is outdated head unit hardware.
If your BMW has a head unit that is suitable, BimmerTech can activate the software to make Apple CarPlay available. If your car does not already have a WiFi antenna, you might need to add one in specific circumstances to enable the establishment of a wireless connection between your iPhone and BMW head unit. If your BMW requires one, you may check here and get it from us. Contrary to BMW, BimmerTech can activate BMW CarPlay even if your nation is not listed in Apple CarPlay’s availability list if the necessary hardware is installed in your car.
Regarding the Apple CarPlay subscription, BMW confirmed in December 2019 that owners of 2019/2020 models with the most recent iDrive 7.0 software would not be required to pay any fees. Of course, that only applies to 2018 models of newer autos. A one-time $300 fee will be applied to older BMW models (like an earlier lifetime subscription). However, 2020 and later BMW models are moving forward rather than backward by finally providing free BMW CarPlay.
There are still two options to upgrade your BMW if the initial BMW Apple CarPlay activation is not supported by your car.
What the password for BMW CarPlay?
While Bluetooth in your car might need a password to connect to your phone, CarPlay does not. Go to the Bluetooth menu in your car and let it look for your iPhone there to connect your iPhone to your vehicle.
When your iPhone appears on the dashboard of your car, choose it and wait to see whether it reacts and displays a code. If it does, select Pair. If not, try again.
However, it varies a little from automobile to car. For a more thorough explanation, see the user manual for your car, if necessary.
Just how does CarPlay work?
- Connect your phone to the car’s USB data port using the Lightning cable that came with your iPhone or, depending on your model, USB-A or USB-C.
- Get your phone unlocked.
- To enable or disable Apple CarPlay, a consent pop-up will be displayed.
- Touch the Apple CarPlay symbol on your infotainment screen to start Apple CarPlay if it doesn’t open automatically.
- The screen will display the available iPhone apps when Apple CarPlay is turned on.
How can I tell if CarPlay is turned on?
Start by opening the Settings app.
2. Click on “General Settings.”
Choose “CarPlay” Settings in step 3.
4. If your Bluetooth is off, you will be required to activate it in order to “enable wireless CarPlay” from the CarPlay settings page.
5. Start the wireless pairing process between your device and the stereo system by pressing and holding the voice button on your steering wheel while your in-car stereo has wireless CarPlay active or enabled.
Is BMW ConnectedDrive uncomplicated?
All eligible BMW vehicles with the software installed are eligible for free registration with ConnectedDrive. For three years, most BMW vehicles come standard with it. BMW offers the majority of the Digital Services capabilities separately or as a trial since it understands that not all owners will want or require all of the ConnectedDrive functions.
The majority of these have different prices, ranging from PS1 for a one-month trial of real-time traffic data to PS79 for a map update for the My Journey system. BMW, on the other hand, offers four ConnectedDrive packages that range in price from PS59 to PS239 and run for a full year. As the price rises, each bundle includes more ConnectedDrive features.
Only BMWs with the most recent OS7 infotainment system and up receive Apple CarPlay for free, which may surprise some BMW owners. When their BMWs reach their third anniversary, some owners will still be required to pay up to PS265 for Apple CarPlay. In 2020, BMW vehicles finally offered Android Auto connectivity as an option, providing wireless integration to the vehicle’s infotainment system at no additional cost.
What version of BMW iDrive do I have, and how do I know?
The iDrive system’s navigation is a crucial component that makes getting from A to B simple. But since roads and sites of interest constantly change, it’s critical to maintain your BMW’s GPS maps updated if you want to get the most out of your iDrive.
Many of the most recent BMW models include over-the-air (OTA) map updates, which use the vehicle’s integrated SIM card to automatically download the most recent map data. The procedure in these automobiles is comparable to updating your smartphone to the most recent iOS or Android version; all you have to do is restart your car after your iDrive has downloaded the data.
For vehicles that do not allow OTA updates, a manual upgrade is necessary. Previously, updating BMW navigation maps required changing a DVD holding the map data. More newer vehicles include built-in hard drives that hold the data, allowing you to update your map by overwriting the hard drive’s contents. You can accomplish this with BMW by connecting a USB stick with the updated map data to the USB port in your vehicle.
It’s a good idea to determine which map version you need, which relies on your iDrive system, before purchasing a new BMW map. Use the settings menu when your iDrive navigation is open to navigate to “Navigation system version,” where you can see the region, version, and year of your current GPS data.