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.
In This Article...
$100 subscription fee, $300 charge
When CarPlay originally became available in BMW in 2016, there was a hefty one-time fee of $300 for anyone who desired it. Paying out of pocket looks like a simple way to make money given that this app-based solution integrates with the owners’ phones. We can understand why they started charging for this stand-alone option once those expensive $2,500 navigation system upgrades vanished.
Additionally, spending $300 seemed excessive given that CarPlay was available for free in 2016 from other automakers, including Chevrolet. To be fair to BMW, though, they introduced wireless CarPlay one of the first, whilst other manufacturers still required a USB cable plugged in.
After that, they switched from a one-time fee to a $80 monthly membership service for Apple CarPlay in addition to their ConnectedDrive service, which BMW eventually discontinued in 2020. Therefore, everything is now free.
software activation for CarPlay
It’s likely that your BMW already has all the required hardware even if it doesn’t have Apple CarPlay. The native Apple CarPlay interface can be used in any vehicle that has the CarPlay Preparation option (S6CPA), provided that it has been activated by a BMW dealership or other party using specific coding software designed for BMWs. Try inputting your VIN at a free online BMW VIN decoder if you’re unsure whether your car has the S6CPA option. Even without the CarPlay Preparation option, CarPlay can be activated in vehicles with an NBT Evo ID5/6 head unit running the most recent version of iDrive software.
For the majority of current BMW vehicles, the original BMW CarPlay update is available, including:
If you choose a direct from the factory activation, Apple CarPlay’s availability may also be constrained by your geographic area. BMW CarPlay 2020 is reportedly accessible in more than 35 nations, according to Apple. BMW, however, cannot provide you with this feature if you are not on that list. If you have the required hardware setup, BimmerTech, on the other hand, can configure BMW CarPlay in any nation.
Make sure it works with your BMW or MINI.
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is the registered owner of the trademarks BMW and MINI. BimmerTech is not associated with BMW AG in any way, and the company is not permitted to act as a distributor or representative on behalf of the company. The presence of BMW and MINI original items on this website shouldn’t be interpreted as an endorsement of BimmerTech by BMW AG or its partners.
How can I tell if my BMW is compatible with Apple CarPlay?
Choose your BMW from the Bluetooth menu on your iPhone. Your iDrive 7 screen will validate the pairing request as the two start to pair. Verify the PIN is the same on your iPhone and iDrive 7 screens, then select Yes. On your iDrive 7 screen, select the option to connect to Apple CarPlay.
If my car has Apple CarPlay, how do I know?
Most vehicles made in 2014 or after feature Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. You can check the user manual or conduct a Google search using the year, make, and model of your car to find out if it has Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. If your car doesn’t have a wireless dock, you can alternatively use the primary USB connector to connect your phone and view the menu. If your vehicle is equipped with it, an app will appear on the screen and request your permission from your phone. Although these apps are incredibly user-friendly, if you need help, Google (and YouTube!) are always available.
When you connect in your phone, some automobile systems (like Hyundai’s) instantly open Apple CarPlay or Android Auto; however, other systems require you to activate them through the infotainment system. The technologies are there in your car if CarPlay or Android Auto are listed on the Monroney window sticker, although you might need to look for them.
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Can I use Apple CarPlay with my BMW?
With Apple CarPlay(r), you may utilize all of the features of your iPhone in your BMW wirelessly. The BMW iDrive System displays smartphone applications like iMessage, Apple Maps, WhatsApp, phone, Apple Music, or Spotify, which may be effortlessly used in the car via touch or voice command.
The following conditions must be satisfied in order to use Apple CarPlay(r):
- A minimum of an iPhone 5 running iOS 9.3 or later with a current data plan.
- Vehicles with the Connected Package Plus (6C2) or Connected Package Professional equipment options
- Apple CarPlay is supported in vehicles with an Apple CarPlay(r) Preparation or Smartphone Integration (6CP) equipment option and a manufacturing date of July 2016 or later.
- On the iPhone, Siri, WiFi, and Bluetooth must be turned on.
There are no runtime restrictions on the Apple CarPlay(r) service, which is open and functional. Due to potential future technological advances (such as those affecting the Service’s availability and/or smartphone compatibility/operating systems), usage cannot be guaranteed indefinitely.
How can I make my car’s Apple CarPlay(r) voice control system operational?
You don’t need to touch the push-to-talk button on the steering wheel in order for your car to recognize the Apple Siri voice control for Apple CarPlay(r) when you say the activation phrase “Hey Siri.” Please be aware that when you initialize Apple CarPlay(r) in your BMW or in the system settings, you must confirm this feature.
What third-party applications (such as Facebook and WhatsApp) may I use with Apple CarPlay(r)?
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 paired with my computer yesterday, and now I can’t get it to work. 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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Can a 2016 BMW have Apple CarPlay installed?
I’ll demonstrate how to install Apple CarPlay on BMW models (BMW 3 Series, 5-Series, 6-Series, 7-Series, X3, X5, X6, X7) that didn’t have it out of the box in this video tutorial.
You need to be aware that only BMW vehicles made in July 2016 and later can support Apple CarPlay (the BMW X1 did not have Apple CarPlay). Apple CarPlay can only be used with an iPhone 5, 6, 7, 8, X, 11, or 12. You can utilize iPhone apps while driving using CarPlay. You can listen to your preferred music, make calls, send and receive messages, and obtain directions.
1. To turn on the central display, press the Start/Stop Engine button.
2. Utilize the iDrive button to access Connected Drive.
3. Open the ConnectedDrive Store and prepare Apple CarPlay. From this page, you can buy Apple CarPlay for one month, one year, three years, or forever. When you’ve made up your mind to buy something, click “Next” and sign into your ConnectedDrive account to finish the transaction.
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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. Additionally, your BMW must be outfitted with Navi Professional.
Which BMW models support 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.