Does 2015 BMW X5 Have Apple Carplay?

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I am aware that the 2015 BMW X5’s head unit does not support CarPlay. looking for ways to add CarPlay and favoring original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. All recommendations…

Option 1: Enabling BMW Wireless CarPlay from the factory

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was made in 2016, 2015, or 2014 and has modern technologies, it might only have ID4 hardware or normal NBT, which is outdated head unit hardware.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 (like an earlier lifetime subscription). 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.

Apple Carplay Activation in BMW

You can, indeed! You can add Apple Carplay to a number of BMW models, including the 2018 BMW x1 and 2015 BMWs.

Do you want to use the maps, music, messaging, and Siri commands from your iPhone on your iDrive device? For customers to quickly connect their phones to the iDrive unit and use the apps they have loaded on their iPhones, Apple created the software “Apple CarPlay” for automobiles. applications for calls, messaging, music, and maps. Additionally, Apple is continuously expanding the number of apps that its CarPlay software supports. The whole list of apps that are already compatible with Apple CarPlay is available on the Apple website.

The BMW X5’s CarPlay isn’t working.

When you connect your iPhone to your car, if the Apple CarPlay option does not appear on the X5’s infotainment system, there may be a variety of causes:

  • Your X5’s infotainment system settings have CarPlay turned off.
  • If your iPhone’s CarPlay feature is disabled, go to “Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps” and turn it on.
  • Verify that both Bluetooth and WiFi are turned on in your iPhone.
  • With a Lightning to USB cord, you’re attempting to connect. A USB connection for CarPlay is not supported by the BMW X5. There is just Bluetooth-based wireless Apple CarPlay available.
  • The CarPlay issue is caused by a computer bug. After erasing your iPhone in the car, you can attempt connecting it again, and vice versa. You can also try returning your iPhone and/or the infotainment system in the X5 to their factory default settings.
  • Your X5 model is an older one and does not enable Apple CarPlay. CarPlay is only compatible with BMW X5 models from the model years 2017 and beyond.

Has the 2013 BMW X5 CarPlay?

The IMI-1000 is a retrofit compact multimedia interface that connects your BMW X5 to CarPlay and Android Auto. Your current iDrive system and your in-car entertainment system are used to communicate by the IMI-1000 (Including the OEM Steering wheel controls, iDrive rotary controls and associated buttons, vehicle speaker system and the Central Information Display). It can run in “active mode” or in by-pass mode. The standard BMW “CiC” user interface and the standard BMW navigation system (if equipped) will be displayed on the CID when in by-pass mode. The IMI-1000 does not disrupt the in-car entertainment system’s regular operation while it is in by-pass mode. When you connect your smartphone to the car using a USB cable or a wireless Bluetooth connection, active mode is activated. The IMI-1000 turns on CarPlay or Android Auto after connecting (dependent upon the operating system of your phone, iOS or Android). The CarPlay or Android Auto user interface will then appear on the Central Information Display (CID), unleashing their full potential!

Does the 2016 BMW x5 feature 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.

To my BMW X5, how do I add Apple CarPlay?

You can watch this video to discover how to set up and connect Apple CarPlay on your iPhone in a BMW. The BMW X3 utilized in this demonstration has iDrive 7, therefore if you have an older or newer iDrive system, the process may be different. In order to use the advanced phone integration features of CarPlay, an Apple Lightning connector is no longer necessary, setting BMW ahead of the competition in 2916. On the touchscreen of your BMW, the Apple CarPlay interface replicates the appearance and functionality of your phone. The pages in the CarPlay user interface are identical to those on your iPhone’s display. However, there is one restriction: BMW Apps and Apple CarPlay cannot function simultaneously. Additionally, only one device may support both Apple CarPlay and the Wi-Fi hotspot offered by BMW.

BMW Navigation system and iDrive 5 or newer are required for Apple CarPlay. Additionally, an iPhone 5 or later running iOS 9.3 or higher is required. In addition, your iPhone must have Siri, WiFi, and Bluetooth turned on, as well as an active data plan. CarPlay integrates phone, navigation, entertainment, and vehicle control and information capabilities onto the central touchscreen of the BMW iDrive infotainment system.

The following are the general steps for setting up Apple CarPlay in your BMW:

  • 1. Your iPhone must have Bluetooth switched ON.
  • 2. Press or select COM – Mobile Devices – New Device – Phone calls and audio from the iDrive 7 menu.
  • 3. Choose the BMW entry from the Bluetooth menu on your iPhone. Soon the pairing will start, and it can take a few seconds.
  • 4. Verify that the PINs displayed on the iPhone and iDrive 7 are identical, then choose YES.

How can I tell if my BMW is compatible with Apple CarPlay?

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.

Why doesn’t my BMW have Apple CarPlay?

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.

Can I add Apple CarPlay to my BMW?

With firmware beginning with iOS 7.1, Apple CarPlay(r) Preparation is available for all iPhone devices starting with the 5. You must have the optional additional ConnectedDrive Services, which include BMW apps, in order to utilize Apple CarPlay(r) Preparation in a BMW vehicle (6AK). Additionally, your BMW must be outfitted with Navi Professional.