Drivers can access a variety of content on the dashboard screen using BMW’s native infotainment system, iDrive. Along with more standard infotainment capabilities like navigation, audio, and communication, this content also includes car settings and trip information.
The system consists of both hardware and software components. The iDrive display (VividScreen), which is located on the dashboard, and the rotary BMW iDrive controller, which is used to navigate the on-screen menus, are the two most noticeable hardware elements. Additional equipment is dispersed throughout the driver’s cabin, including buttons on the dashboard and steering wheel, a voice-activated microphone, and, in cars with the most recent BMW iDrive versions, cameras that facilitate gesture control.
All of this technology is required to run the dedicated iDrive software from BMW, which has undergone numerous iterations over the years, much like the operating systems we’re used to using on our phones and laptops. Much of the user experience, including menu design and feature set through several BMW iDrive apps, is determined by the software. It is sometimes feasible to run several software versions on the same iDrive hardware; for example, vehicles with an NBT Evo head unit can quickly switch between the iDrive ID5 and ID6 versions.
Comparable infotainment systems from other automakers, including as Mercedes’s MBUX, Ford’s SYNC, and FCA’s Uconnect, can be used to evaluate iDrive.
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You own an NBT or NBT-EVO iD4, right?
The map version, which will either indicate NBT xxxx or NBT EVO xxxx, is the best way to determine whether you have a late NBT or an NBT iD4 System.
For a version check on your map:
Choose Navigation, then click Options, then choose Settings, and then the position and version history link. choosing Check Version
Over the course of the next 24 months, around half of the BMW model lineup received the NBT-EVO iDrive System upgrade, beginning in 2014 with the 2 series F23. The NBT-EVO iDrive System did not become available for the 5 series, X1, X5, and X6 until about 2016. NBT-EVO wasn’t available for the 6 series (G32) and X3 (G01) until 2017.
There are three variants of the NBT-EVO iDrive: iD4, iD5, and iD6. Taking a peek at the menu screen will reveal which version you have the simplest.
Is iDrive updateable?
Minor software updates for iDrive can be performed by dealers, however switching from an older edition of iDrive to a more modern version frequently necessitates installing a new unit in the dash or making additional hardware improvements. For instance, you might need to add a WiFi antenna if you wish to upgrade an older BMW to Apple CarPlay. Although independent vendors may be willing to perform such iDrive updates, BMW dealers rarely provide the service.
It’s important to understand how iDrive differs from smartphone mirroring programs like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These bits of software can be added to an existing infotainment system to let you view a portion of your phone’s home screen through the infotainment screen, but iDrive is a broader, more comprehensive system that manages more aspects of the car’s functionality than just phone connectivity.
The technology was first made available by BMW in 2001’s 7 Series limousine. A rotary control wheel next to the gear lever was used to navigate between the functions, settings, and sub-menus. It functions similarly to the systems Audi, Mercedes, and Mazda employ.
When the technology originally debuted, customers weren’t too happy about it because it was distracting and difficult to operate. You had to take your eyes off the road to make any adjustments, and it was dangerously simple to get lost in a sub-menu. Since then, BMW has repeatedly improved and adjusted its iDrive technology to make it simpler to operate. The most recent system features convenient shortcut buttons scattered across the steering wheel, and some models, like the new 3 Series, 5 Series, and X7 SUV, allow voice and even gesture control to add more methods to operate the infotainment system.
Newer models now come with touchscreens, so you can poke the screen if you like, but if you learn how to operate the BMW iDrive system, there shouldn’t be any issues. When brands have moved the climate controls to the screen, rotary controls are now frequently less distracting than touchscreens. Additionally, using the controller prevents fingerprints from being left all over the display.
Which model of iDrive does my BMW 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.
Which BMW models come with iDrive 8?
For its 2022 model lineup, BMW is prepared with its summer model update, which features a new infotainment system as standard equipment for the 2 Series Coupe and the M3. Starting in July of this year, all versions of the performance coupes will come equipped with the company’s iDrive 8 technology as standard. Although there are further improvements deserving of attention, let’s start with the new curved displays.
Though the decision makes a lot of sense, it may seem a little surprising that BMW would give the two models such a significant tech upgrade without either changing the generation or giving them a facelift. The new M2 and M3 Touring, both of which have the new iDrive 8 system confirmed, will be released soon by the automaker. The mid-cycle upgrade is simply explained by the fact that it would have been strange for the cheaper 2 Series Coupe versions and the basic M3 sedan to continue using the previous-generation infotainment.
Which BMW models come with iDrive 7?
- 1 Series BMW (F40)
- 2 Series BMW (F44)
- 3 Series BMW (G20)
- 4 Series BMW (G22)
- 5 Series BMW (G30)
- 6 Series BMW (G32)
- 7 Series BMW (G11)
- 8 Series BMW (G15)
What version of BMW iDrive is currently in use?
16 December 2021, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey BMW customers are already receiving the most recent technological advancements with iDrive 7. Updates to the BMW News app featuring podcast-based news, the most recent Remote Software Upgrade (version 21-07), and the addition of SiriusXM’s Pandora channels are among them.
How can I upgrade the system in my BMW?
Download any updates that are accessible on a USB drive. Place the USB drive into a USB port on your car. Select “Settings” from the menu on your iDrive device. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen after clicking “Software Update.”
Has my BMW been upgraded to Windows 7?
With extensive updates like new mapping functions, wireless Android Auto, and support for Apple’s future iOS 14 iPhone Digital Key feature, BMW is getting ready to unleash its greatest infotainment upgrade to date. Beginning with the new 5 Series in July 2020, new cars will come preloaded with the BMW Operating System 7. However, many current owners can anticipate it as well.
BMW claims that the roll-out will begin in Q3 2020, however as of yet, it hasn’t disclosed a list of automobiles that will be OS 7 compatible for the general public. It will be provided as a free over-the-air upgrade to those who are supported. The newly expanded BMW ConnectedDrive Store, which will let users temporarily purchase access to car capability they didn’t acquire on day one, will be one of the most contentious additions.
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.
Is Apple CarPlay retrofittable in BMW?
With BimmerTech’s unique CarPlay MMI Prime Retrofit for BMW, installing CarPlay in an older BMW is easy and affordable. Fortunately, 95% of BMW models built since 2008 are compatible with Carplay MMI.
Simply said, the head unit and iDrive screen are connected by a module in our BMW CarPlay retrofit. It is an addition that combines with the infotainment system, to put it another way. Before you actually turn on CarPlay, no one will be able to tell that you made any changes to your BMW.
Furthermore, it’s a straightforward plug-and-play upgrade that doesn’t involve any coding and won’t violate your warranty. For CarPlay MMI Prime, BimmerTech doesn’t charge a monthly cost either; it’s a one-time refit expense.
By pressing a button on your iDrive controller, you can turn it on. It offers all of the fantastic CarPlay features you’d anticipate from a BMW model year 2017 or later, including with the user-friendly full-screen interface found in the newest vehicles. Furthermore, no BMW Carplay upgrades are required. To access all the newest features and upgrades on the screen in your car, simply update your iPhone as soon as a new iOS version is published.
The BMW Operating System 7 is available for update.
Remote software rollout and upgrade. BMW Operating System 7 vehicles built starting in July 2021 already have the most recent version, including all new features. Customers can check the vehicle settings under Remote Software Upgrade to view the software version and see if any upgrades are available.
How can I get free map updates for my BMW navigation system?
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.