Once upon a time, all that was required for basic maintenance on a car was occasional tire replacements and routine oil changes. There’s more to it, though, if you want to maintain a contemporary BMW with an iDrive operating at its peak.
Maintaining your BMW’s iDrive should be a frequent effort, just like maintaining any other aspect of your car, whether it’s updating your iDrive software or downloading BMW maps to the factory navigation system.
In fact, Bavarians advise performing BMW sat nav updates at least twice annually and preferably more frequently.
Go to your iDrive navigation view, open the settings menu, and scroll down to Navigation system version to check the map version in your BMW. The region, version, and year of your current map are displayed. It’s time to update if it’s older than a year. Do you have a MINI Cooper? Read more on the navigation upgrade for the MINI Cooper.
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BMW Software Update: Please download the update and use a USB stick to transfer it to your BMW.
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According to the mobile devices, there may be a wide range of compatibility between mobile devices and your BMW’s vehicle interfaces (Bluetooth(r), USB, or WiFi). Your smartphone or tablet’s hardware and software components will determine compatibility.
Industry-wide communications standards serve as the foundation for all BMW features. Lack of support for a standard by your mobile device could result in functional limitations. It might not always be possible to use your smartphone or tablet through the in-car interface. There may be periodic disturbances in exceptional circumstances. The size of the phone book, the SIM card being used, the individual network operator, different rules, or the mobile device’s operating mode are all potential contributing factors.
Please be aware that each country may have a different level of function availability. BMW is unable to bear responsibility for your mobile device’s unrestricted compatibility and functionality with car interfaces.
The Bluetooth SIG, Inc. is the registered owner of the Bluetooth word mark and logos. A license agreement governs all of the BMW Group’s use of the marks in this manner.
Why won’t my BMW’s navigation work?
Allow the iDrive to restart by holding down the power button for 20 seconds. Possibly fix it Allow the iDrive to restart by holding down the power button for 20 seconds. Perhaps repair it
How can I get a free map update for my BMW?
Several times a year, changes to the maps are released. They are offered in the BMW Shop as a one- or two-year subscription. If you have a current subscription, you can use the BMW Update Manager to obtain the most recent refresh from the BMW Connected Drive portal and update your map data. You’ll need a 64GB FAT-32 formatted USB drive and the methods below to accomplish this.
- First, use the icon in the site top to connect into your My BMW Account. Go to “My Vehicles” by navigating.
- Choose the vehicle for which a map update is desired.
- Go to the “Map update” section. If a new map version is available, a notification will appear.
How can I tell if the software in my BMW is current?
How will I be informed when an upgrade is ready? Similar to when other new software is made available to your phone, any newly available update packages will be instantly announced as a notification on your BMW control display or on your smartphone via the BMW app.
How much does updating BMW software cost?
It costs nothing to update the software on your BMW through BMW ConnectedDrive. The iDrive software update from BimmerTech starts at $249.
There are three ways to update the software on your BMW iDrive:
- With the iDrive software upgrade from BimmerTech
- through the webpage for BMW ConnectedDrive
- by means of the BMW ConnectedDrive App
By 2022, BMW will have updated its software to version 21-07. The most recent BMW software updates will always appear on your BMW control panel and My BMW App if you wish to stay informed.
How can I download apps to my BMW?
Learn in this video how to use your My BMW App to download and install a Remote Software Upgrade. The process is as follows:
1. Your My BMW App notifies you via a push notice when a new software update is accessible for your BMW.
2. To save money and time, we advise using Wi-Fi to download the software upgrade.
3. In the mobile devices menu of your BMW, check your connections and pair your phone with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
4. To connect to Wi-Fi, select “New device,” “Internet, apps,” and then use your smartphone to scan the QR code.
5. As you drive, the upgrade is now uploaded to your BMW.
Follow the installation instructions on the Central Information Display once the upload is finished.
Anytime the connection between your smartphone and your car is re-established and the engine is running, the upload procedure will immediately resume. Please see the installation process in our other How-To video.
What is the BMW iDrive’s Google Maps interface like?
Visit Google Maps in any web browser, log in using your Google userid, and then search for and select the “gear” icon. You may register your BMW with Google there by entering your BMW Assist user name and password.
How can I get a free GPS update for my car?
The OpenStreetMap project lets you get maps and upload them to your system without spending any money, so you can update your GPS for nothing. A database of free maps that is updated by volunteers makes up this Open Source software. Different navigation systems are compatible with the downloaded maps. For instance, you can install the suggested formats right on your Garmin GPS. OpenStreetMap files can be converted for your TomTom assistant so that your GPS can play them. However, because a plug-in installation is necessary, the process takes longer. Discover the procedures that must be taken to accomplish this in the following two paragraphs.
How often do BMW’s maps get updated?
You’ll always have access to the most recent navigation map data, which is an advantage. Up to four over-the-air updates per year. When the most recent map data is available, updates happen automatically.
How is software updated?
- Ensure that your gadget is Wi-Fi enabled.
- Launch Settings.
- Choosing About Phone.
- Select Check for Updates. An Update button will show up if an update is available. Tap it.
- Install. You might see Install Now, Reboot and install, or Install System Software, depending on the OS. Tap it
What version of BMW iDrive is currently in use?
In 2021, BMW announced the BMW Curved Display and the 8th iteration of iDrive. BMW offers iDrive 8.0 on the following models: Active Tourer BMW 2 Series
What mapping software does BMW employ?
2020 saw the release of the BMW Maps navigation system for automobiles using the BMW Operating System 7. By fusing real-time data with predicting models, the cloud-based solution accelerates route calculation and also makes it more dynamic.
Can I get a technological upgrade for my BMW?
Nearly the entire BMW fleet—more than 30 BMW models—can now be upgraded remotely. Until the interim version has been downloaded and installed, vehicles with software older than version 20-07 cannot install the most recent version.
How can I tell what model of BMW iDrive I have?
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.
How much does a BMW iDrive repair cost?
I’ve been wondering how much it would cost to upgrade to the newest IDRIVE, so I’ve been giving it a lot of thought. I want to upgrade to a new 2012 or 2013 IDRIVE with all the bells and whistles, but I’m not sure if it will be worthwhile.
Basic CIC idrives with maps, voice control, and video in motion cost between $2200 and $2500; occasionally, a backup camera can be included in that price.
On my 2008, I’ve been meaning to upgrade as well. a full cic with combos, a front pdc, and a rear camera was desired. Like the OP said, it has all the bells and whistles.
Please also PM me. I have a 2008 M3 and would really like the new CIC with the new controller, buttons, etc., Bluetooth playback for an iPod or Droid phone, new maps with a high-resolution screen, and a backup camera would be a good addition.
Any information you can give me regarding this refit would be greatly welcomed and useful. Alekshop said I would only need to drive to the dealership to have the software updated. TECH, if I installed the entire system myself, what tuning is required afterward.
You would need to get in touch with me outside of the forum since I’m no longer a merchant here.
I have a 2010 CIC system, but I don’t have internet access, sound streaming Bluetooth, or any BMW apps. I believe all I would need to upgrade to this level is a combox.
Do you market and code the combox? I’m attempting to put up one for the wife’s 2010 E70 2010 X5 with coding. Can you send me any information via private message? thanks!