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.
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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. Both platforms still largely demand a physical USB cord in 2019. 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.
CarPlay Is Difficult
The most recent versions of BMW (as well as the Toyota Supra with a BMW platform) come with wireless CarPlay, which, according to a BMW representative who spoke to C/D, needs different hardware than the connected arrangement.
To ensure that CarPlay functions effectively with the rest of the automobile and, for example, doesn’t act like an Alfa Romeo, engineering and testing are required in addition to hardware. Additionally, it’s not just throughout the development stages. Every time Apple releases a new version of its software or adds a function, there’s a danger that some new code snippet won’t get along with the current infotainment system, necessitating an update; wireless CarPlay adds to this complexity.
That means there are only two options: either engineers solve the problem, which will cost money, time, and resources, causing owners to be angry.
Automakers are currently dealing with a relatively new issue with after-sales support. The interactions and likelihood of mistakes rise exponentially as electronics and software are integrated deeper and deeper into autos. For a firm like Apple, which sells a phone for hundreds of dollars that is replaced after a few years, this is less of an issue. On the other hand, automakers like BMW are required to create a vehicle that performs flawlessly for hundreds of thousands of kilometers in a variety of circumstances.
It used to be as simple as designing and producing each component correctly the first time, with the occasional error being fixed by a recall or technical service bulletin. The development of a system, like electronic stability control, takes more time and money, but once the automobile is sold, it rarely has to be updated. It takes constant development that was previously not included in the business plan to make a car evolve alongside all the new devices we might connect to it.
Wi-Fi antenna addition for CarPlay
The wireless nature of BMW’s CarPlay implementation necessitates the installation of a WiFi antenna in your vehicle in order to establish a connection between your iPhone and BMW. This is a part of the CarPlay Preparation option, however it’s also included in other packages like Comfort Telephony or Wireless Charging (S6NVA or S6NWA). If your car doesn’t already have a WiFi antenna, you’ll need to install one before turning on the BMW CarPlay over WiFi system.
Installing a WiFi antenna is a simple task. Check it out in the video instruction we’ve provided below:
Is a USB cable necessary for my iPhone to connect via CarPlay? No
Can I use Apple CarPlay wirelessly in a 2019 BMW 330i?
Sport sedan adds additional features, but costs annual membership for one other automakers give for free.
The brand’s claim to be the “ultimate driving machine” is explored in the 2019 BMW 330i sport sedan, which also takes the top spot for “greatest exhibition of gall by an automaker.”
In 2020, BMW changed its policy from charging customers once for a service that other automakers had made standard years earlier to requiring an ongoing annual subscription charge.
Apple CarPlay is the topic at hand. The Hyundai Sonata, Honda Civic, and Chevy Equinox all come equipped with it as standard. I mention those three rivals because you could purchase one of each for less than the 330i’s $58,925 sticker price.
By leveraging outstanding voice recognition to quickly access the smartphone services you’re most likely to desire while driving—navigation, music, phone calls, and locating a business’s address or phone number—CarPlay significantly lowers driver distraction. You can dictate replies to text messages and have them read to you. Additionally, it displays driving-friendly versions of such functionalities on the touch screen in the car.
CarPlay is nearly flawless, but no infotainment system is. In addition to offering a few, straightforward touch screen capabilities you can use nearly as readily as reaching for a volume or tuning knob, it greatly lessens the temptation to divert your attention from the road.
You have plenty of time to get enamored with how useful the technology is because BMW offers CarPlay for free for the first year. After that, unless they opt to pay an additional $300 in advance for lifetime coverage, BMW owners must spend $80 per year to maintain the function for each year they own the 330i.
Every BMW with a navigation system is subject to the fees, even pricey models costing more than $100,000 like the magnificent 8-series coupe.
Customers should despise and oppose this avaricious policy. Apple is not a party to the agreement and does not receive any of the subscription fees that BMW receives.
In truth, Apple doesn’t charge automakers a penny for CarPlay. The business views it as merely another free upgrade to its iPhone operating system, similar to all the others. The engineering to make the infotainment system compatible with iPhones is the only expense for the automakers.
We’ll return to CarPlay after we say a few things on the respectable vehicle this money grab was delivered in.
Is wireless CarPlay available on the 2022 BMW X3?
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can now be used wirelessly on the X3’s infotainment system. SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth streaming, and Wi-Fi mobile hotspot are also featured.
Can I use Apple CarPlay wirelessly in a 2022 BMW X5?
The 12.3-inch touchscreen interface of the 2022 BMW X5 is supported by the iDrive 7 infotainment system in all models. Over-the-air updates are used by the factory navigation system, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connection is standard. It’s optional to add a Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system. The customary rear USB ports are effectively incorporated into the front seatbacks by BMW.
Every Lexus RX from 2022 is equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen. 12.3-inch touchscreens can be chosen. Both installations include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection. Factory navigation and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system are available options. Standard USB ports on the back.
How do you install CarPlay wirelessly on a BMW?
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, select the option to connect to Apple CarPlay.
Does BMW CarPlay utilize Bluetooth or WiFi?
Wireless Both Bluetooth and a unique WiFi network are used by CarPlay. Both are necessary. Your mobile device ought to be able to access data through its standard cellular connection. You cannot use Car Play and the hotspot SSID at the same time.
Is my car wifi capable? CarPlay?
When CarPlay was first introduced in 2014, it worked with iPhones as old as A year later, as part of iOS 9, Wireless CarPlay was made available. Therefore, your phone can support wireless CarPlay as long as it is a) more recent than an iPhone 5, and b) running iOS 9 or later.
It’s unlikely that you own an iPhone that doesn’t support wireless CarPlay.
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 get the integration of the car keys, which is a huge plus. And for all those older BMWs, upgrading a CarPlay compatible head unit is possible, albeit with some extra work and expense.
How do I enable wireless Apple CarPlay?
- On your steering wheel, depress and hold the voice command button.
- Set the Bluetooth or wireless mode on your receiver.
- Get your iPhone’s Settings app open.
- Visit General.
- Click CarPlay.
- then click Turn Bluetooth On.
Be aware that depending on the make and type of your vehicle, these steps can change. Please refer to your owner’s handbook for further details.
Do you like CarPlay? Do you currently use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto? If you have any other questions, kindly let us know.
Although his primary topics are Apple and consumer technology, he has previously written about local politics, public safety, and education for a number of publications.
In the media industry, he has had a variety of positions, including writer, editor, and news designer.
Apple CarPlay is it wireless or wired?
Depending on the features of the car’s HUD, Apple’s CarPlay technology can be utilized wirelessly or with a cable connection. Both ways appear to have advantages and disadvantages.
For instance, one of the key benefits of having a wired connection is that the iPhone can recharge while you are driving. Depending on the output power and the amount of time spent charging, you may have a fully charged battery when you arrive at your destination.
However, for many customers, the wireless version of CarPlay is far superior to the cable version in many ways—when it actually works, that is—as it is well known that Apple’s system sometimes proves unstable and can suddenly stop operating or encounter different glitches.
Assuming everything is in order, wireless CarPlay offers a number of benefits, including the three listed below.
It is primarily the additional convenience. With wireless CarPlay, you may completely forego wires and simply keep the iPhone in your pocket or backpack. As long as you don’t need to recharge, there is no need to plug in the smartphone.
With wireless CarPlay, you gain nothing because using applications and playing music is exactly the same as with a cable.
The second is the quick response. Many people think that moving to a wireless version will impair the way the system responds and cause some form of lag because everything works almost instantaneously with a connected connection. With wireless CarPlay, this isn’t the case because everything functions as intended with no discernible lag.
Thirdly, wireless CarPlay does away with the possibility of problems arising from cable connections. It’s no secret that the CarPlay cable you use makes a significant difference in the experience, thus moving to a wireless system eliminates this issue.
In the end, wireless CarPlay just seems to be the preferable option. However, even if your car doesn’t have these features but does support CarPlay, you can still convert it by purchasing a third-party HU or an adaptor like CPlay2Air.