The BMW i3 is compatible with Apple CarPlay, allowing you to use your iPhone’s apps like Spotify, Google Maps, Waze, and iTunes on the touch-screen in your car. Using Siri, you can also use voice commands to utilize navigation, send messages, or make phone calls.
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The BMW i3’s Widescreen Apple CarPlay is a Modern Forbidden Fruit.
Enabling CarPlay is something that is just not doable everywhere in the world, as many BMW owners discovered the hard way. Every time a customer contacts the German manufacturer and requests CarPlay in a vehicle that already has all the necessary components to run Apple’s system, the business responds with this message.
However, if you get in touch with the proper person, you can quickly enable CarPlay on a number of BMW vehicles, including the i3.
After being told by the dealership that it wasn’t possible, this BMW i3 owner did it. CarPlay operating on a widescreen just appears to be a match made in heaven, as you can see in the picture here.
The owner of the i3, who goes by the username tliet on Reddit, claims they ultimately contacted someone on eBay to turn on CarPlay in their vehicle.
“My dealership informed me that my new i3, which was on their lot, did not support CarPlay. Using an eBay dealer, of course “they claim.
Of course, it was only a matter of time until BMW’s dubious strategy for incorporating CarPlay support in its vehicles drew criticism. Some lambasted the firm for its widely-disapproved ideas, such as charging an annual charge to enable the system.
“BMW, take note: Tesla occasionally surprises its customers with new products. Can you possibly do the same? You’d think by now they’d understand the point. But alas, it took them an entire year of being dragged through the mud before they changed their minds. And why, despite BMW telling me it’s not possible to retrofit, is eBay flooded with people advertising widescreen CarPlay on essentially any BMW manufactured in the last four years? “The owner of a BMW i3 explains.
At first glance, CarPlay appears to be functioning flawlessly on the i3’s big screen, but Apple should also be commended for this. With iOS 13, CarPlay is able to use the entire screen to display stuff like navigational maps, which makes it function considerably more smoothly on large displays.
Naturally, this doesn’t mean that everything is perfect for everyone, as CarPlay occasionally struggles to display some content correctly on widescreens, though it’s more probable that Apple will fix this in future updates.
The location of the i3 Nav screen effectively rules out CarPlay and AndroidAuto because both of those systems rely on touch screen inputs.
It’s not entirely true, but you can install Apple Car Play into older BMWs. They even managed to make the brand-new mod operate on E model automobiles, which is amazing!
It’s the brand-new NBT EVO, and I drive controls it. Give it some time; I’m not sure if they have it for I vehicles yet.
You may utilize the standard screen in this e70; they merely modified it for show. You don’t need the updated screen.
It’s is ! It’s fully original equipment, only modified to fit a BMW that didn’t ship with it.
Just demonstrating to the OP that BMW will offer choices in the future even if they are not now available.
The reason I indicated that wasn’t fully true was because you claimed the touch screen wouldn’t function in the i3 as it is now intended, but what you’re seeing here is the non-touch interface, so it may very well be included in the updated i3. you’re never sure
Connectivity and Information
The i3 has a far more straightforward strategy: a compact 6.5-inch screen controlled by a rotary knob, in contrast to the large touchscreens with touch functionality and a plethora of information that many electric and hybrid vehicles choose. The 2018 BMW iDrive 6 interface is a benefit for all i3 vehicles, and while the base display is still a puny 6.5 inches, purchasing the Technology and Driving Assistant package adds navigation and a 10.3 inch screen. The addition of Apple CarPlay to the list of options for 2018 necessitates the aforementioned package. Ironically, the i3, one of BMW’s most technologically equipped cars, is out of date when it comes to infotainment. As there is just one USB charger in the center console up front and none in the back, the vehicle also lacks power outlets. Some of these problems are being addressed by BMW, which will employ iDrive 6, the most recent iteration of its infotainment system, with the 2018 i3. It has a user-friendly tiling interface similar to smartphone apps. Additionally, it includes enhanced speech recognition, over-the-air update capability, and smart mapping that displays the car’s current range.
Apple CarPlay, an 8-inch touch screen, and 16 speakers Harman
The 2019 BMW i3 is Apple CarPlay compatible.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a USB connector, Bluetooth, BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, premium audio, dynamic cruise control, satellite radio, a dashboard information display, push-button start, and rear park distance control are among the amenities that are available.
The BMW i3 has CarPlay, right?
Additionally, a BMW I car now offers Apple CarPlay(r) as an option for the first time. Efficient Dynamics by BMW. BMW’s brand-new i3 and i3s 120Ah. EFFICIENTDYNAMICS BY BMW
Has the 2017 BMW got Apple 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.
On my BMW i3, how do I install Apple CarPlay?
You can move on to the iPhone/CarPlay configuration if you can confidently declare that you have ticked off all the boxes and that BMW Apple CarPlay is already operational in your iDrive. Here is how iDrive 7.0 renders it.
- Make sure the toggle switches for Bluetooth, WiFi, and Siri are all turned on in the iPhone’s Settings.
- Next, proceed to your iDrive interface and follow these steps: Check the Bluetooth, WiFi, and Apple CarPlay checkboxes by going to COM > Mobile Devices > Settings.
- Go to New Device > Phone calls and audio after the connection has been activated.
- Return to your iPhone and choose your BMW PIN from the menu under Settings > General > CarPlay.
- You will now be asked to confirm the PIN, Bluetooth, and other connection requests on your mobile device and the iDrive screen as your iPhone will now start partnering with your BMW.
- Finally, select the option to connect to Apple CarPlay on your iDrive screen, and your CarPlay setup will be finished.
You may now use some of the top BMW CarPlay apps on your iDrive display without restriction and test out how simple it is to operate them. To see if everything is configured properly for voice recognition, try Siri first. Simply ask Siri a question by pressing the microphone button on your steering wheel to do so. Within seconds, you should get a response.
This method will only need to be used once to enable BMW Apple CarPlay. Your iPhone will connect to CarPlay automatically the next time you start the vehicle.
When did BMW introduce Apple 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 BMW’s Apple CarPlay free?
Although the German automaker BMW was an early adopter of Apple CarPlay wirelessly, it charged for the service, ranging from a $300 one-time cost to a yearly $80 price. Now that it’s free, all 2021 BMW models even have the integration of the car keys, which is a significant plus. And for all those older BMWs, upgrading a CarPlay compatible head unit is possible, albeit with some extra work and expense.