Every BMW vehicle with a Live Cockpit Plus or Professional that runs on Operating System 7 is said to support Android Auto, according to BMW. According to what we’ve observed online, the Android Auto feature is only present in software versions that begin with 07/2020. BMWs with the iDrive 7 system listed below are qualified for the update:
- Professional Live Cockpit for 2019+ 3 Series
- Future 5 Series
- Future 7 Series
- A+ 8 Series 2019
- Professional 2020+ X3 with Live Cockpit
- Professional 2020+ X4 with Live Cockpit
- 2019+ X5
- 2020+ X6
- 2019+ X7
- 2019+ Z4
The BMW 5 Series, BMW 6 Series, BMW X3 and BMW X4 models, however, may only be upgraded by the dealership using a Software Update.
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Play my pop playlist, Google.
Looking for a voice command or button that can instantly improve your mood? You may use your voice to play your favorite music, regardless of whether your preferred app is YouTube Music, Spotify, or Amazon Music. Also on an unending loop, if you prefer that. The best part, then? Thanks to wireless car connectivity, it will still function even if your smartphone is in your work bag in the trunk.
How BMW intends to use this function
BMW will be installing a wireless version of Android Auto in some of its models, unlike the majority of vehicles that are Android Auto compatible, which require an Android user to connect their phone to the car through a USB cable. Traditional Android Auto connects a phone via Bluetooth to the radio or entertainment system in the car, whereas wireless Android Auto makes use of both the phone’s and the vehicle’s Wi-Fi capabilities.
In the instance of BMW, the most recent iteration of its in-car operating system and its higher-trim infotainment hardware both provide Wi-Fi connectivity. All 2019/2020 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, and 8 Series sedans come standard with these features. Additionally, they will be offered on the most recent X3, X5, and X7 SUVs. Beginning in July 2020, buyers should search for BMW vehicles that feature wireless Android Auto integration.
Furthermore, as of right now, Android 9.0 Pie-powered Pixel, Nexus, and Samsung devices are the only ones that support wireless Android Auto.
Does the 2019 BMW 3 Series support Android Auto?
Beginning in July 2020, BMW will begin incorporating Android Auto into its vehicles, the carmaker announced on Wednesday. Additionally, Android Auto will be wireless, making BMW one of the few vehicle companies to provide Google’s smartphone-powered in-car infotainment option without requiring users to plug in.
The company’s “Live Cockpit Professional” hardware (a fancy name for “the biggest touchscreens”), which is available on all 2019/2020 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, and 8 Series sedans, as well as the most recent X3, X5, and X7 SUVs, will support Android Auto. Android Auto will also be available on all BMW vehicles equipped with the 7.0 version of the company’s in-car software (iDrive). (It will be offered on the 2020 X6 SUV as well.) Owners must use Pixel, Nexus, or Samsung devices as this is Android Auto’s wireless variant.
One of the last big manufacturers to resist implementing Android Auto is BMW, especially in light of Toyota’s earlier this year revealed plans to include the feature (together with Apple CarPlay) in some of its own 2020 vehicles. Since a few years ago, BMW has made Apple’s CarPlay available, but up until last week, the carmaker actually paid owners more to use it.
When asked why it took so long to accept Android Auto, a BMW representative responded that over the previous few years, “Apple CarPlay was our main emphasis” due to the “majority of our customers utilizing iOS mobile devices.” The BMW customer spokesman does, however, note that “BMW customers have made it clear that they would like to have Android Auto connectivity accessible moving forward, which is what leads us to today’s statement.”
Android Auto was added by BMW when?
Right currently, 47 different automobile brands offer Android Auto functionality. Earlier, BMW didn’t even have any intentions of joining them, but in December 2019, the carmaker announced its plans to integrate Android Auto into its most recent generation of BMW cars. In July 2020, the first vehicles equipped with Android Auto will be on sale. Only 2019 and 2020 BMW vehicles equipped with the most recent iDrive 7.0 will have this feature. Read our blog post about what Android Auto is and how it functions to find out more about the original software.
If you’re solely interested in authentic BMW solutions, Bluetooth, the BMW Connected app, and a select few others are the only ways to link an Android device with a BMW. Because these methods heavily depend on your phone and car model, connectivity problems and bugs are unavoidable.
If you truly want Android Auto in your BMW, you can run the software on your smartphone and mirror it onto the iDrive screen without requiring any aftermarket hardware improvements.
If my car has Android Auto, how do I know?
- Verify your automobile. Verify that Android Auto is compatible with your vehicle or stereo. Look into compatibility.
- Look at your phone. Install the Android Auto app on your phone if you have an Android version of 9 or lower.
- Connect then move. Android Auto will appear on your dashboard when you connect your phone to your car using a USB wire.
The 2020 3 Series is Android Auto compatible.
Android Auto is becoming more widely used as it keeps getting better. BMW has now formally declared that vehicles will begin supporting Android Auto in 2020.
BMW has long supported Apple’s CarPlay, but the company has been charging customers to utilize the technology. Earlier last month, that cost was eliminated, and now Android Auto is arriving.
According to The Verge, BMW will offer Android Auto in all cars that have iDrive 7.0. The 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, and 8 Series automobiles from 2019 and 2020 are included in this. The 2020 X6 and the 2019/2020 X3, X5, and X7 SUVs will all support Android Auto.
BMW’s spokesman claims that because “the bulk of our consumers were using iOS mobile devices,” “Apple CarPlay was our main emphasis.” This statement was prompted by consumer demand, nevertheless.
BMW does not currently support Android Auto, though. Only users of Pixel, Nexus, and few Samsung handsets will be able to utilize the platform since it only supports the Wireless version of the platform.
Android Auto should reportedly be available in iDrive versions with a date of 07/2020 and newer.
Can my automobile have Android Auto installed?
Even an older vehicle can use Android Auto. All you need are the appropriate attachments and a smartphone with a respectable-sized screen running Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher (Android 6.0 is ideal). Your smartphone’s implementation of Android Auto may be made almost as good as the dashboard version by adding a few useful apps and phone settings.
Not always, Android Auto was this simple. When it first appeared in 2015, Google’s futuristic infotainment system required either a brand-new vehicle or costly aftermarket hardware to operate. The following year, Google released a stand-alone Android Auto app for cellphones, enabling anybody with an Android phone to utilize the streamlined menu system for music, navigation, phone calls, and messages. Google Assistant and all the voice commands you would use with a Google Home speaker are now supported by Android Auto, which was recently released.
Continue reading to learn how to install Android Auto on your automobile. Once you’re up and running, you can find further information on Google’s Android Auto Help website.
I want to add some apps to my BMW.
They must be installed on your phone, which you must then USB-connect to your vehicle. Try opening the app on your phone when it’s connected to the car if it still doesn’t appear. You must download them to your phone before connecting it to your automobile with a USB cable.
What operating system does my BMW have, and how do I know?
All automobiles equipped with the BMW Operating Systems 7 and 8 qualify. Over 20 different BMW models total.
* Depending on the country, the vehicle’s model, its equipment, and its condition, different upgrades may have different requirements.
The hardware that is installed in your car determines whether it can receive the BMW Remote Software Upgrade. This is possible in almost all vehicles running BMW Operating Systems 7 and 8. If your car is one of them, you can quickly and easily find out. To accomplish this, choose “My Vehicle” > “Settings” > “General Settings” > “Remote Software Upgrade” from the vehicle’s menu. Use this feature if “Remote Software Upgrade” is shown.
Your BMW will always be up to date thanks to this free software update. A BMW remote software upgrade may come with new functions, functional upgrades, and quality improvements. Depending on the country, the type of vehicle, its equipment, and its state, the material may change.
You will receive a push notification as soon as new software for your BMW becomes available via the Control Display in your car or the My BMW app on your smartphone, if you have it installed. You may access the upgrade in the app or on your BMW to see what information is being updated or new features are being introduced. Make sure your car is securely parked and won’t be utilized for the next 20 minutes before the upgrading begins. Installing the upgrade is as simple as following the directions on the Control Display.
You have two options for downloading the latest software with the BMW Remote Software Upgrade: either through the My BMW app or automatically while you’re driving directly through your vehicle SIM. You will be asked to confirm the installation of the new software and to launch it after the download is finished.
The entire installation and upgrade process only takes about 20 minutes once the download is complete (length depending on your internet connection or network coverage while driving). Your vehicle is not operational during the installation. Before your subsequent journey, you will be alerted that the upgrade was successfully installed. You can now go back and view the upgrade’s contents if you like.
Due to hardware limitations, the BMW Remote Software Upgrade is factory installed; a subsequent purchase is not feasible.
In my BMW, how can I utilize Google Maps?
Visit Google Maps in any web browser, log in using your Google userid, and then search for and select the “gear” icon. You may register your BMW with Google there by entering your BMW Assist user name and password.