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.
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Does Apple CarPlay Exist in BMWs? Can it also be added?
Among the most popular vehicles on the road today, BMWs are prized for their cutting-edge technology.
Apple CarPlay is one of such features. With it, you may use the BMW’s dashboard screen to access the apps on your iPhone.
Several inquiries about this function will be addressed in this article, along with information on its availability across the whole BMW lineup.
BMWs with iDrive 5 or later equipped have Apple CarPlay available. Since 2019, BMW has offered this as a free upgrade on newer vehicles equipped with iDrive 7.
One feature that many potential BMW owners find to be quite appealing is Apple CarPlay.
Continue reading to find out which BMWs support Apple CarPlay and how to add it to a BMW that doesn’t currently have it.
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.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are absent from some recent BMW models.
Get a new BMW? At least initially, it might not support Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
Some new BMW cars are being sold without compatibility for Apple and Google’s automotive services, claims Automotive News Europe (via 9to5Google).
The persistent chip scarcity that has hit the automotive industry particularly hard over the past year or two, according to BMW, is the root of the problem, the company confirmed to the publication. BMW had to move to a different chip since it couldn’t find the one it needed for its car, and that chip doesn’t allow CarPlay or Android Auto.
The good news is that with a software update, the capability will finally be made available. The business stated that the update would arrive “by the end of June at the latest.”
It seems that BMW cars produced during the first quarter of 2022 were impacted. Look for the string “6P1” in the production code to see if your automobile has this problem. According to forum entries, affected devices were delivered to a variety of nations, including the United States and Europe.
BMW was by no means the only automaker to ship cars without specific features in order to deliver them on schedule. Due to a chip shortage, Tesla, for instance, removed a redundant steering component from its vehicles, and Ford and Volvo sent some models without specific safety measures. It’s not even the first time BMW has done it: last year, due to a chip shortage, the company supplied some models without touchscreen capabilities.
Has the 2017 BMW CarPlay?
Apple CarPlay is a feature that many automakers provide in their latest models, but BMW charges extra for it on every model. It’s unlikely that will change, but those who don’t use iOS or don’t like Apple’s smartphone integration system for the car may soon be cut out.
He explained, “This enables the customer to switch devices.” “Many people purchase [CarPlay] and believe it to be acceptable, but occasionally they stop using it or move to Android.”
For 2017, BMW launched CarPlay as a $300 add-on for vehicles with built-in navigation. The newest iDrive 6.0 user interface was used to introduce a wireless CarPlay configuration with charging on the 5 Series last year as well.
According to Smith, the first year of ownership of a new BMW would be free under the new scheme. Owners would then need to pay $80 a year to maintain the service after that. It would still cost less over the course of a three or four-year lease than the current alternative, he claimed.
Android Auto is not currently available on any BMW automobiles. But Smith claimed that later in 2018, Google Assistant would be available in new BMW models. The business previously disclosed that Amazon Alexa would be included with its latest models. According to Smith, more Alexa abilities will be made available later this year to operate features other than just the locks and lights of a vehicle.
When did BMW introduce CarPlay?
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.
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.
Does the 2017 BMW X1 have CarPlay?
The 2017 BMW X1 comes with an optional upgrade called Apple Carplay.
For an extra $300, Apple CarPlay can be added to this function. Check the characteristics that come with a used BMW before making a purchase. Despite the fact that Apple CarPlay is not required, Bluetooth functionality is
Has the 2018 BMW X3 CarPlay?
Accessed through the attached drive store, the answer is yes. Additionally, you can have it remotely programmed for the car. You would not be able to add the feature if your vehicle had the smaller screen system.
Is Apple CarPlay available on the 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.
The 2018 BMW 330i is Apple CarPlay compatible.
I recently purchased a 2018 330i with the convenience and navigation package. However, the dealer informed us that they were unable to integrate Apple Car Play via their computer system to the vehicle.
However, I could have sworn that all 2018 3-series models had an option in the iDrive menu to purchase Apple CarPlay for $300?
Please let me know if adding Apple Car Play is always doable or if there are hardware requirements I need to meet.
The $300 Apple Car Play option was not included with the vehicle. I’m not sure if this is a software-only or hardware-only feature. I’m also perplexed as to why BMW would impose it on some vehicles but not others. It should simply be made available to all users as an optional software update.
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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