Among the most popular vehicles on the road today, BMWs are prized for their cutting-edge technology.
Apple CarPlay is one of such features. With it, you may use the BMW’s dashboard screen to access the apps on your iPhone.
Several inquiries about this function will be addressed in this article, along with information on its availability across the whole BMW lineup.
BMWs with iDrive 5 or later equipped have Apple CarPlay available. Since 2019, BMW has offered this as a free upgrade on newer vehicles equipped with iDrive 7.
One feature that many potential BMW owners find to be quite appealing is Apple CarPlay.
Continue reading to find out which BMWs support Apple CarPlay and how to add it to a BMW that doesn’t currently have it.
In This Article...
BMW debuted Apple CarPlay when?
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.
BMW owners can now use Apple CarPlay without paying a fee.
- For all vehicles with navigation, BMW is making Apple CarPlay the default feature without any additional fees, after charging a monthly charge for 2019 and subsequent models.
- BMW wanted to be more respectful of its tech-obsessed customers after hearing complaints.
- BMW is one of the few automakers to offer wireless CarPlay, albeit Android Auto is still not available, so owners already enjoy an added benefit.
BMW doesn’t frequently offer freebies, but following negative news and a large number of dissatisfied consumers, the carmaker is eliminating all payments for Apple CarPlay. It is currently working.
BMW introduced CarPlay some years ago with a straightforward but crucial feature that no other manufacturers could match: the ability to wirelessly connect an iPhone without a USB cable. For the 2019 model year, BMW changed CarPlay from a $300 stand-alone option to a subscription through its ConnectedDrive suite of app services, costing $80 per year or $300 for 20 years. For the first year, CarPlay was offered without charge to owners; however, after that, it was remotely disabled unless a subscription fee was paid.
When Apple released software updates, BMW informed C/D that it would have to charge customers for CarPlay in order to prevent compatibility difficulties with other factory-installed features. The payment was intended to cover BMW’s effort spent creating new iDrive system updates. BMW has now determined that continuing CarPlay’s free operation is a better idea.
It’s a pleasant victory for customers, especially coming from BMW, which offers a number of extras that other manufacturers provide as standard, such as proximity entry, garage-door openers, and lumbar support. Maybe this will signal the start of a new strategy.
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Takeaway
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.
Do 2016 BMW 4 Series models come with Apple CarPlay?
The IMI-1000 is a retrofit small multimedia interface that connects your BMW 4 Series to CarPlay and Android Auto. Your current iDrive system and your in-car entertainment system are used to communicate by the IMI-1000 (Including the OEM Steering wheel controls, iDrive rotary controls and associated buttons, vehicle speaker system and the Central Information Display).
It can run in “active mode” or in by-pass mode. The standard BMW “NBT” user interface and the standard BMW navigation system (if equipped) will be displayed on the CID when in by-pass mode. The IMI-1000 does not disrupt the in-car entertainment system’s regular operation while it is in by-pass mode. When you connect your smartphone to the car using a USB cable or a wireless Bluetooth connection, active mode is activated. The IMI-1000 turns on CarPlay or Android Auto after connecting (dependent upon the operating system of your phone, iOS or Android). The CarPlay or Android Auto user interface will then appear on the Central Information Display (CID), unleashing their full potential!
Is Apple CarPlay available on 2018 BMWs?
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.
On my BMW x4, how do I install Apple CarPlay?
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.
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.
Why doesn’t my BMW have Apple CarPlay?
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.
Apple CarPlay can be installed at a BMW dealership.
You must first create an ESA account with a BMW dealership. Hi. Accessed through the attached drive store, the answer is yes. Additionally, you can remotely code it for the car.
Can I add Apple CarPlay to my BMW?
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). Additionally, your BMW must be outfitted with Navi Professional.
Which BMWs are CarPlay wireless?
- BMW offers the following models: Z4, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and 2 Series Gran Coupe.
- Buick: Envision and Encore GX.
- Escalade, XT4, XT5, and CT6 are all Cadillac models.
On my 2018 X3, how can I install Apple CarPlay?
It’s time to sync your iPhone with your BMW X3 when Apple CarPlay has been enabled. Here’s how to configure it:
1. Switch on WiFi and Bluetooth on your iPhone.
2. Open the ‘Communication’ menu on the iDrive screen of your BMW X3.
3. Click on “Mobile Devices.”
4. Select “New Device.”
Choose “Phone calls and audio via Bluetooth or Apple CarPlay” on step 5.
6. On the screen of the BMW X3, choose your phone.
7. When you see the prompt “A Bluetooth Pairing Request,” choose “Pair.”
8. Click “Allow” to accept the popup to sync your contacts and favorites.
9. Your iPhone will then display a “Use CarPlay with BMW?” question. Click “Use CarPlay.”
10. Once more, on the screen of your BMW X3, choose “Confirm note and connect to Apple CarPlay.”
11. Select the name of your phone under “Connected Devices.”
12. Click “Connection Mode,” followed by “Apple CarPlay.”
Press the Apple CarPlay icon when it displays on the X3 home screen to start CarPlay.
By choosing the BMW emblem in Apple CarPlay, you can return to the BMW X3 infotainment system display that came with the vehicle.