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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Option 1: Enabling BMW Wireless CarPlay from the factory
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was made in 2016, 2015, or 2014 and has modern technologies, it might only have ID4 hardware or normal NBT, which is outdated head unit hardware.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.
Step-by-step Apple CarPlay Setup Guide * Ensure that your iPhone has Bluetooth, WiFi, and Siri turned on.
Activating Apple CarPlay in my BMW
You can watch this video to discover how to set up and connect Apple CarPlay on your iPhone in a BMW. The BMW X3 utilized in this demonstration has iDrive 7, therefore if you have an older or newer iDrive system, the process may be different. In order to use the advanced phone integration features of CarPlay, an Apple Lightning connector is no longer necessary, setting BMW ahead of the competition in 2916. On the touchscreen of your BMW, the Apple CarPlay interface replicates the appearance and functionality of your phone. The pages in the CarPlay user interface are identical to those on your iPhone’s display. However, there is one restriction: BMW Apps and Apple CarPlay cannot function simultaneously. Additionally, only one device may support both Apple CarPlay and the Wi-Fi hotspot offered by BMW.
BMW Navigation system and iDrive 5 or newer are required for Apple CarPlay. Additionally, an iPhone 5 or later running iOS 9.3 or higher is required. In addition, your iPhone must have Siri, WiFi, and Bluetooth turned on, as well as an active data plan. CarPlay integrates phone, navigation, entertainment, and vehicle control and information capabilities onto the central touchscreen of the BMW iDrive infotainment system.
The following are the general steps for setting up Apple CarPlay in your BMW:
- 1. Your iPhone must have Bluetooth switched ON.
- 2. Press or select COM – Mobile Devices – New Device – Phone calls and audio from the iDrive 7 menu.
- 3. Choose the BMW entry from the Bluetooth menu on your iPhone. Soon the pairing will start, and it can take a few seconds.
- 4. Verify that the PINs displayed on the iPhone and iDrive 7 are identical, then choose YES.
An Overview of Apple CarPlay for BMW Models
Apple CarPlay is preinstalled in current BMW models and works with the onboard system to be accessed through the controls. The controls are often a touch screen that is front and center in the dash where you can browse all the apps. With the BMW ConnectedDrive technology, it’s all feasible. To learn more, visit this page to read our article on Apple CarPlay in its entirety.
What you must understand
- Due of shortages, BMW switched chip manufacturers, therefore initially CarPlay isn’t supported.
- By the end of the month, CarPlay support will be added via a software update.
Although the manufacturer claims that a future software update will allow users to use the feature, buyers of new BMW vehicles worldwide will have to make do without CarPlay support.
Chips that manufacturers need to make their autos are currently in limited supply everywhere. According to a report from Automotive News Europe that was picked up by AppleInsider, the German automaker chose to swap suppliers in an effort to ensure that cars can be finished. Due to this modification, CarPlay and Android Auto are no longer supported right away. Don’t worry, a software update will be released within the next few weeks to add support.
BMW acknowledged this in a statement, saying that “the processors built into these cars in the first four months of this year need updated software in order to be fully functional and offer Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Wi-Fi capabilities.” According to the business, a software update that enables CarPlay shouldn’t be delayed past the “end of June.”
Notably, only BMW vehicles with manufacturing numbers that contain the string “6P1” will be impacted and will need a software upgrade to offer the desired functionality.
Even if it all seems a little strange, the action actually makes sense. Anyone who has attempted to purchase a new car in the past year or so would attest to the lack of available models, with some taking longer than a year to arrive. A software upgrade will be necessary to enable CarPlay and other features, thus BMW did the right thing by preparing its cars ready to hand to consumers with the caveat that they will require. Reports of completed cars waiting for entertainment systems to be installed have also been seen. That’s undoubtedly preferable to having to wait even longer for the whole car.
Due to its hands-free calling, messaging, and mapping capabilities, Apple CarPlay is one of the best iPhone features that all drivers should be utilizing when on the road.
How do I get free Apple CarPlay activation in my BMW?
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 my BMW get Apple CarPlay?
Apple Car Play is referred to as (r).
While operating your BMW, you can use a number of iPhone features thanks to Apple CarPlay.
You can quickly use several apps on your iPhone while driving in your BMW thanks to Apple CarPlay(r). Both the control system in your BMW and Apple Siri can be used to voice-command the programs. To engage the virtual assistant on your smartphone, just say “Hey Siri” or click the voice button on the steering wheel.
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.
On my BMW X3, how do 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.
Why doesn’t my BMW have Apple CarPlay?
Please assist! Something odd is happening with my BMW’s Apple CarPlay system. It appears to have suddenly vanished! My BMW has been leased for just over a year, and the CarPlay has been functioning well. My phone stopped being associated with my computer yesterday, and now I can’t get it to operate. Why doesn’t my BMW have Apple CarPlay?
My God! That seems very frustrating. But it’s not that unusual for something like this to happen. There could be a number of reasons why your BMW does not support Apple CarPlay. Many drivers have reported similar problems following software updates from BMW.
Fortunately, you can try a few different things. This is what you ought to do:
- Unpair and re-pair your phone after making sure that Siri, Bluetooth, and WiFi are all turned on. You should be able to connect to Apple CarPlay, we hope. If so, connect right now. Then you ought to be prepared.
- Push the volume knob in and hold it if that doesn’t work. That should restart the computer and fix any software issues. After that, connecting to CarPlay should be simple.
- Check your phone for software updates and install them if you’re still having trouble connecting.
- By visiting to Settings > Screen Time > content & privacy restrictions, make sure CarPlay isn’t set to aRestricteda. Press Allowed Apps. If you see that CarPlay is off, turn it on. Your CarPlay should then function properly.
- For a few hours, leave your automobile in a location where you know WiFi and Bluetooth signals will be strong. Some BMWs experience problems with CarPlay simply because they are parked in garages with inadequate signal.
After doing all of that, if CarPlay is still not functioning, it may be time to bring your BMW in for a software update. If everything else fails, a system update ought to restore order.
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