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.
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.
On my BMW, how do I activate CarPlay?
- Turn on the Bluetooth, Siri, and WiFi on your iPhone.
- On your iDrive 7 interface, press COM, then click Mobile Devices.
- Now that Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone, you should be able to choose your BMW.
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.
If my BMW has Apple CarPlay, how do I know?
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 can’t I use Apple CarPlay on my BMW 2022?
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.
How can I make Apple CarPlay work?
- Connect your smartphone to the USB port in your car and check for the CarPlay icon.
- After selecting “Settings,” select “General” and “CarPlay.” Select your car from the list of “Available Cars.”
How does the BMW CarPlay function?
You may immediately control your iPhone using the screen in your car thanks to Apple CarPlay(r), which displays the content and user interface of your iPhone on the control display. With the iDrive Controller, voice commands, or the touchscreen display, you may operate your iPhone and use its apps.
How can I get free BMW CarPlay activated?
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?
In less than two minutes, find out if your auto insurance is being overcharged.
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.
Check out the Jerry app to learn how to get the greatest auto insurance coverage for the cheapest price if you’re looking for more methods to reduce your car expenses.
Jerry is a private insurance agent who resides in your wallet. Jerry is an app, so don’t worry about purchasing little office furniture. After you download Jerry, all you have to do is respond to a few questions that will take you around 45 seconds to do, and you’ll get car insurance rates for coverage that is identical to your current plan right away. Customers of Jerry save $879 year on average.
Is BMW’s Apple CarPlay 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.
How is Apple CarPlay reset?
- Select “Settings.”
- Click “General.”
- Choose “CarPlay.”
- Pick your vehicle from the list. Choose “Forget This Car” from the menu at the bottom of the screen.
- Connect your device to the stereo.
- The plugged-in iPhone should be recognized by the system. Any prompts that appear, accept them.
What distinguishes BMW iDrive from Apple CarPlay?
Apple’s foray into the infotainment market, CarPlay, makes it simple to use iOS apps on the iDrive display in your BMW. CarPlay is an obvious answer for iPhone users who want to stream music through Spotify or Apple Music, compose and receive WhatsApp messages while driving, or replace the native maps provided by BMW with Waze. Without taking your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road, you may make calls, ask Siri for directions, skip to the next song, and more.
Increased safety is the apparent result; Siri is typically more powerful than the BMW native voice command, and with the iOS app ecosystem supporting it, you’re unlikely to miss out on things you need. Additionally, you will be able to utilize the same Siri instructions that you do on your iPhone, which adds to the familiarity factor.
Only iPhone users can use CarPlay; if you have an Android phone, you’ll need Android Auto, which has many of the same capabilities. In a moment, we’ll examine it in more detail.
I can’t get CarPlay to launch on my iPhone.
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.
Why doesn’t CarPlay appear on my iPhone?
One of the best and safest methods to use your iPhone in your car is to install Apple CarPlay. The Apple CarPlay app gives you access to almost all of your phone’s functionality when you’re driving.
However, it seems that one of the frequent problems experienced by Apple CarPlay users is that CarPlay does not appear in Settings. You may activate the app and use its numerous features by going to the CarPlay Settings app on your iPhone.
Let’s say you want to join the club of Apple CarPlay users; in that case, Apple CarPlay must be enabled in your iPhone’s settings. Do not get upset if you can’t find this in your phone’s settings. In the majority of cases, the following process will enable you to rapidly fix the problem:
Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions on your iPhone. After that, click Allowed Apps to see if Apple CarPlay is turned on. If not, add CarPlay to the list of Apps That Are Allowed.
What is the cost of adding CarPlay to a BMW?
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. 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.