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 (iDrive 7). 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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BMW X3 with Android Auto activated
Many post-2020 automobiles already have Android Auto installed, so BMW G01 X3 drivers won’t have any trouble turning it on. Depending on your car, you might simply need to unlock the BMW Android Auto feature because all the required hardware and software may already be installed.
The coding specialist at BimmerTech can perform it online. You won’t even need to leave your house; your BMW won’t need any additional hardware to be installed! A laptop and 30 minutes with our specialist at a time that works for you are all you’ll need.
With iDrive 7 and BMW Live Cockpit Professional, Android Auto for BMW X3 may be activated in all vehicles. Just enter your VIN to see whether it works.
Transmit this tale
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.”
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.
When was Android Auto added to the BMW X3?
The model of X3 you have and even the stage of manufacturing your car is in will determine whether or not you can take use of that comfort and convenience. Consider the G01 X3 as an example. Android Auto is undoubtedly an option for the 2020 BMW X3, but it won’t be as simple to install on the 2018 model. And that’s without including the BMW X3 F25 from the previous generation.
This is due to the fact that BMW only introduced Android Auto in 2020, which is a bit of a latecomer to the Android Auto party. Thus, BMW Android Auto will only be available out of the factory on X3s built after 2020 that are also outfitted with the BMW Live Cockpit Professional option and BMW iDrive 7.
Contrast that with the opposite side of the Android/iPhone divide: Apple CarPlay had been a factory option in the BMW X3 for years prior to the release of Android Auto.
Is Android Auto available for the 2018 BMW X3?
Does the BMW X3 support Apple Car Play or Android Auto? In some BMW X3 variants, including the xDrive30i SportX, xdrive30i Luxury Line, and xdrive20d Luxury Line, Android Auto and Apple Car Play are available.
Why doesn’t BMW have Android Auto?
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.
I have a BMW; how can I install Android Auto?
There are two ways to update BMW vehicles with Android hub when it comes to the native iDrive & Android Auto integration: through OEM Android Auto activation or aftermarket Android Auto retrofit. The first option would be the obvious decision if your BMW was manufactured after 2019 and has iDrive 7.0. It only takes a quick 30-minute remote coding session to enable the factory-installed option in your iDrive and start utilizing your preferred Android apps.
Another option for upgrading Android Auto in vehicles with older head units, such as NBT Evo ID5/6, NBT, or CIC, is a BimmerTech original Android Auto MMI Prime. What makes it unique compared to other aftermarket solutions?
- Your BMW system DOES NOT NEED to be replaced with an Android Auto head unit. You get to navigate the app using the BMW controls rather than your default iDrive.
- Only a multimedia module (MMI) attached to your BMW head unit needs to be installed. It ensures that Android Auto for BMW works with the factory-installed system in your vehicle.
It is software and hardware that has been specifically designed to operate with BMW vehicles; it is not an Android Auto hack.
Can an older BMW install Android Auto?
You must first choose the finest BMW CarPlay retrofit option for you. CarPlay is fully supported by the iDrive system in many vehicles made after 2016, even if it hasn’t been turned on. If that applies to you, getting a professional to unlock the built-in BMW Apple CarPlay option is one approach to activate Apple CarPlay in your BMW.
There are BMW CarPlay aftermarket options that can get you up and running if that isn’t an option—either because your BMW is a little older or doesn’t have a suitable iDrive system.
The native BMW Apple CarPlay option and aftermarket BMW CarPlay retrofits differ significantly in this regard. Android Auto is not available in older BMW CarPlay-compatible automobiles, so if you use a Samsung phone or another Android device, you are out of luck.
Additionally, aftermarket alternatives may provide extra freedom. The manufacturer CarPlay interface in older vehicles can only use a portion of the screen, but all BMW models come with full-screen mode in CarPlay MMI Prime. Unlike BimmerTech’s retrofit, which enables both wireless connection and connection via a USB cable, which can be more dependable and less draining on the battery, the OEM alternative forces you to rely solely on a wireless connection with your phone.
The BMW CarPlay upgrade from BimmerTech utilises the dashboard display already in your car and is simple to use with the iDrive controller, unlike many alternatives on the market. However, the native BMW iDrive CarPlay option may be easier to use for somebody who frequently shifts between using CarPlay and other iDrive functions.
BMW charges a fee for Android Auto.
Despite this, many iOS and Android apps are still incompatible with CarPlay and Android Auto. Furthermore, BMW insists that Android Auto will only be offered for BMWs with iDrive 7.0 and newer, despite the fact that it has started to offer CarPlay-compatible head units (which can be retrofitted in some older models). In light of this, upgrading your head unit aftermarket is your only option if it’s an older model, unless you’re content with the built-in iDrive system.
A customized solution might be the ideal choice for Android users who are unimpressed by what iDrive has to offer or iOS users who want to access a larger selection of apps. You can use all your mobile apps with smartphone casting or mirroring without compromising the iDrive system’s functionality. Due to the fact that Google Assistant can be used to control Android Auto to a considerable extent and that it is available as a standalone smartphone app, this method can be used to add Android Auto to BMWs without touchscreen displays.
On the other hand, an aftermarket CarPlay or Android Auto head unit is likely to offer better integration with your BMW if you’re comfortable with the selection of apps offered through CarPlay and Android Auto, covering most of the mainstream apps you’re likely to use in your car. You don’t even have to decide between CarPlay and Android Auto with BimmerTech’s CarPlay MMI Prime because both are preconfigured and ready to use. CarPlay/Android Auto MMI Prime is a versatile choice with lots of capabilities, including full integration with the iDrive system, both major third-party systems, and no subscription fees.
However, the greatest choice ultimately depends on what you want to do in your BMW.