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.
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$100 subscription fee, $300 charge (finally)
When CarPlay originally became available in BMW in 2016, there was a hefty one-time fee of $300 for anyone who desired it (good for 20 years). Paying out of pocket looks like a simple way to make money given that this app-based solution integrates with the owners’ phones. We can understand why they started charging for this stand-alone option once those expensive $2,500 navigation system upgrades vanished.
Additionally, spending $300 seemed excessive given that CarPlay was available for free in 2016 from other automakers, including Chevrolet. To be fair to BMW, though, they introduced wireless CarPlay one of the first, whilst other manufacturers still required a USB cable plugged in.
After that, they switched from a one-time fee to a $80 monthly membership service for Apple CarPlay in addition to their ConnectedDrive service, which BMW eventually discontinued in 2020. Therefore, everything is now free.
BMW Ships New Vehicles Without Apple CarPlay for the Time Being
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.
Some BMW vehicles will no longer need a subscription to utilize CarPlay.
In 2016, BMW introduced the Apple CarPlay feature to its automobiles. The German automaker chose to add the option for $300, which later became a $80-per-year subscription. Following complaints from customers, the business appears to have reconsidered its approach to CarPlay availability, which should now come at no additional cost to users.
The British specialized AutoCar website claims that BMW has changed its mind and will no longer charge for the usage of CarPlay. Customers could previously test the service out for free for a year when purchasing a new BMW vehicle. They would then pay $80 each year in the US or £85 in the UK after that. According to a BMW representative, the cost won’t be applied to any vehicles running the most recent ConnectedDrive infotainment system.
You’ll still have to pay to use CarPlay if your vehicle isn’t equipped with the most recent version of ConnectedDrive, but BMW will only charge you PS235 once. The annual subscription fees paid by eligible customers will not be refunded, but they will be automatically excused from future charges. Before being implemented in other nations, these measures will first take effect in the UK.
Given that CarPlay simply requires a linked iPhone to function, it’s vital to understand that Apple promises not to charge manufacturers any fees for using the system. The automakers themselves decide whether to charge customers for this option, and BMW was the first to do so.
And what do you make of it all? Was it unethical for BMW to charge for CarPlay use? Tell us in the comments section below.
Is Apple CarPlay available on 2018 BMWs?
Can BMW support Apple Carplay? You can, indeed! You can add Apple Carplay to a number of BMW models, including the 2018 BMW x1 and 2015 BMWs. Would you like to use your iPhone’s apps for music, messaging, maps, and Siri on your iDrive device?
Is Apple CarPlay available on every BMW?
The ideal method to link your new BMW to your Apple iPhone is via Apple CarPlay, which is available on all BMW models with the iDrive 7 system. Use Apple CarPlay to connect your new BMW and Apple iPhone by following this simple step-by-step tutorial. Ensure that your iPhone has Bluetooth, WiFi, and Siri turned on.
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?
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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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Is Apple CarPlay available on every 2019 BMW?
The ideal method to link your new BMW to your Apple iPhone is via Apple CarPlay, which is available on all BMW models with the iDrive 7 system. For assistance connecting your Apple iPhone to your new 2019 BMW with Apple CarPlay, go to this simple step-by-step guide or watch the video above.
Whether the 2018 BMW 3 Series supports Apple CarPlay
One of the biggest improvements to the 3-series over the past two years has been the current iteration of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system. The system is made even more user-friendly by a reduced menu, and the redesigned on-screen graphics also give it a breath of newness. The 2018 3-series comes standard with BMW’s new iDrive 6.0 infotainment system, which adds touchscreen functionality to a system that was previously only controlled by a console-mounted rotary knob. The 3-series is equipped with the newest technology, including onboard Wi-Fi and Apple CarPlay. Both are elective, however Android Auto is not present. And having just one USB port seems frugal in today’s world. User inputs are processed fast by iDrive.
Can I add Apple CarPlay to my BMW?
With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, we can upgrade a wide range of OEM entertainment systems made by BMW.
You can display certain apps from your phone on the OEM car screen using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which are both included into our interfaces. The most well-known apps are Maps, Waze, Spotify, WhatsApp, and others.
Additionally, our kit has a screen mirroring feature that allows you to see whatever is on your phone on the dashboard screen.
The 2018 BMW 330i is Apple CarPlay compatible.
While adding new features, the sport sedan levies an annual subscription for a feature that other manufacturers provide without charge.
The brand’s claim to be the “ultimate driving machine” is explored in the 2019 BMW 330i sport sedan, which also takes the top spot for “greatest exhibition of gall by an automaker.”
In 2020, BMW changed its policy from charging customers once for a service that other automakers had made standard years earlier to requiring an ongoing annual subscription charge.
Apple CarPlay is the topic at hand. The Hyundai Sonata, Honda Civic, and Chevy Equinox all come equipped with it as standard. I mention those three rivals because you could purchase one of each for less than the 330i’s $58,925 sticker price.
By leveraging outstanding voice recognition to quickly access the smartphone services you’re most likely to desire while driving—navigation, music, phone calls, and locating a business’s address or phone number—CarPlay significantly lowers driver distraction. You can dictate replies to text messages and have them read to you. Additionally, it displays driving-friendly versions of such functionalities on the touch screen in the car.
CarPlay is nearly flawless, but no infotainment system is. In addition to offering a few, straightforward touch screen capabilities you can use nearly as readily as reaching for a volume or tuning knob, it greatly lessens the temptation to divert your attention from the road.
You have plenty of time to get enamored with how useful the technology is because BMW offers CarPlay for free for the first year. After that, unless they opt to pay an additional $300 in advance for lifetime coverage, BMW owners must spend $80 per year to maintain the function for each year they own the 330i.
Every BMW with a navigation system is subject to the fees, even pricey models costing more than $100,000 like the magnificent 8-series coupe.
Customers should despise and oppose this avaricious policy. Apple is not a party to the agreement and does not receive any of the subscription fees that BMW receives.
In actuality, Apple doesn’t impose any CarPlay fees on automakers. The business views it as merely another free upgrade to its iPhone operating system, similar to all the others. The engineering to make the infotainment system compatible with iPhones is the only expense for the automakers.
We’ll return to CarPlay after we say a few things on the respectable vehicle this money grab was delivered in.
Is Apple CarPlay available on the 2016 BMW X1?
The factory BMW iDrive screen can now be mirrored from a smartphone in this vehicle. You obtain access to a variety of apps, including Waze, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, and Apple Maps.