Getting ready for Apple CarPlay(r) is a smart and quick way to use your iPhone’s functions in your automobile.
In This Article...
How do I activate the retrofit BMW CarPlay?
Your MMI is in? As with OEM Apple CarPlay, you must now enable the connection between your iPhone and computer.
- Go to Settings>General>CarPlay on your phone, where you may discover either CarPlay MMI or MMI. Forget about such gadgets.
- The MMI should restart once you select MMI Settings>Connections>Reset All Connections.
- Once everything has been taken out, get a USB cable, check that WiFi and Bluetooth are enabled on your phone, and connect the USB cord to both the MMI USB port and your phone.
- Each prompt that appears on the screen should be followed. Give it about 10 seconds once CarPlay appears on the iDrive screen before unplugging the USB cable.
- To connect, go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone and select MMI/CarPlay MMI. The Bluetooth will be disconnected as soon as CarPlay is connected and displayed on the screen.
CarPlay will now be remotely accessible and will automatically connect the next time you go inside the vehicle. Check your phone if you ever experience any BMW CarPlay / iPhone pairing issues:
- is not plugged into any other equipment,
- has the hotspot feature disabled,
- not establishing an automated connection with any other device,
- is not linked to the OEM Bluetooth for BMW.
or get in touch with our BimmerTech support staff. Any issues you may have will be resolved by them.
How can I get Apple CarPlay to work?
CarPlay, a more intelligent and secure method of using your iPhone in the car, is available on a few models. CarPlay displays the activities you want to perform on your iPhone while driving directly on the in-dash display in your vehicle.
Connect your iPhone to the USB port on your car’s audio if it supports CarPlay utilizing the USB port. There may be a CarPlay icon or a smartphone icon on the USB port’s label.
Press and hold the voice command button on your steering wheel to set up CarPlay if your vehicle supports wireless CarPlay. Alternatively, check sure your car is in Bluetooth or wireless pairing mode. Next, select your vehicle on your iPhone by going to Settings > General > CarPlay > Available Cars. For more details, consult the owner’s manual that came with your vehicle.
When did BMW introduce Apple CarPlay?
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.
My BMW 3 Series won’t connect to my iPhone. What should I do?
On your iPhone, go to “Settings” > “General” > “Siri” and “Settings” > “WiFi” to accomplish this. You may now use Bluetooth to link your iPhone and automobile together. To do this, go to your iPhone’s settings and choose “Bluetooth.” Then select “Manage mobile devices” from the menu under “Media” on the BMW control display.
Why won’t Apple CarPlay connect to my device?
Restart both your automobile and your iPhone. Make sure Siri is turned on. Check to see if CarPlay isn’t restricted if it can’t detect your iPhone. Make sure CarPlay is turned on by going to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, tapping Allowed Apps, and then clicking OK.
How can I reactivate BMW CarPlay?
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 push the volume button a second time, everything should work.
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.
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Why won’t my iPhone and BMW communicate?
For a safer way to use your iPhone while driving, newer car models offer CarPlay. Verify that this feature is supported by your car. If not, you cannot utilize it. Once you’ve established that your automobile is compatible with CarPlay, check to make sure the feature is configured correctly. What you should do next is as follows:
- Put your iPhone X in your car’s USB port if it supports CarPlay over a wired method. Simply seek for the USB port that has a CarPlay or smartphone icon labeled on it.
- Press the Voice Control buttons and hold the on the steering wheel to set up CarPlay if your vehicle supports wireless CarPlay. Ensure that Bluetooth pairing or wireless mode is active in your vehicle.
- Go to Settings > General > CarPlay > Available Cars on your iPhone X, then pick your vehicle.
- In order for your iPhone to recognize your car, it must be operating.
Consult your car’s manual for more detailed instructions on how to utilize CarPlay on your vehicle.
Does Apple CarPlay immediately connect?
Do one of the following in a car that supports wireless CarPlay (see your owner’s manual for specific instructions):
Note: If your car supports wireless CarPlay, you may be able to link it by simply connecting your iPhone with a Lightning to USB cable to the car’s USB port. If supported, you are prompted to pair wireless CarPlay for later usage after starting CarPlay via a USB cable. If you accept, iPhone will wirelessly connect to CarPlay automatically the next time you take a trip.
On some electric vehicles, use the Maps app to identify the vehicle for EV routing after connecting to CarPlay. See Maps on iPhone: Set up electric car routing.
When you connect an iPhone to specific car models, CarPlay Home automatically appears.
Select the CarPlay logo on your car’s display if CarPlay Home doesn’t show up.
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 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.
BMW CarPlay has a shelf life.
BMW has not only changed the CarPlay interface but also its CarPlay-related policies.
CarPlay actually had a deadline when it was originally made available in new BMW vehicles. It might be available to you for the period of your lease, but after that, in order to keep using it, you’d have to pay an annual subscription charge.
That you would avoid having to pay a greater upfront activation cost simply to trade in your automobile after a few years was BMW’s illogical justification. But the BMW CarPlay subscription model wouldn’t persist for very long because so many rival automakers provide CarPlay either as standard equipment or as a stand-alone option.
Apple CarPlay does not expire, as BMW decided to make it permanently available.
Does Apple CarPlay work without a USB port?
Do not worry if your vehicle does not support wired CarPlay or if you do not have a USB-A to Lightning connector on hand. Without a wire, you can install CarPlay by using the voice command capabilities of your vehicle.
While the wireless or Bluetooth is turned on, press and hold the voice command button on the steering wheel.
Once it has initialized, CarPlay will keep doing so each time you start your engine.
Why does my phone charge but Apple CarPlay does not?
You must use Bluetooth or USB to link your device and vehicle. If you are using a wireless connection, you must make sure your phone is not in Airplane Mode. All wireless connections are disabled when in airplane mode. Additionally, in order to use CarPlay, Bluetooth and cellular data must be enabled. To repair it if you are already connected, switch between Bluetooth and cellular data.
If you’re utilizing a wired connection, inspect your USB cord for damage. Connect using a fresh USB cable. Make sure the USB is inserted into the proper port. Additionally, try replugging the USB to access CarPlay while connected to a car.
How can CarPlay be used without Wi-Fi?
Although CarPlay only has a few options, it is capable of much more because of the Shortcuts software, which comes pre-installed on iPhones and lets us construct a variety of automations.
One of these automations allows you to turn off Wi-Fi when CarPlay connects and turn it back on when CarPlay disconnects, which is often when you turn off the engine and get out of the car.
If you’re wondering why anyone would want to turn off Wi-Fi, just imagine that you’re in a garage with a spotty signal and your iPhone just hangs on to it, rendering all of your Internet-dependent apps essentially worthless. The solution is to turn off Wi-Fi until you leave the area if you’re experiencing a weak signal because you’re far from an access point.
Whatever your motivations, implementing an automated to complete the task takes less than a minute. Make sure your device is updated to iOS 13 before continuing because updated iPhones already have the Shortcuts app pre-installed.
Launch the Shortcuts app first, then navigate to the Automation button at the bottom of the screen. Then select CarPlay from the Travel area of the list of events by tapping the “Create Personal Automation” option.
Select the Connects option on the following page if you want Wi-Fi to be turned off when CarPlay connects. Click Next, then select Add Action. To select the Set Wi-Fi option, select the Scripting button and then scroll down to the Network section. You must tap the blue On tag on the next screen in order to change it to Off. Hit Next when finished, and that’s pretty much it.
Your iPhone is now set up so that Wi-Fi is automatically turned off when CarPlay connects. When CarPlay disconnects, you must again repeat all of these steps to build a new automation, with the exception that this time the action is Turn Wi-Fi Off.