How Do I Set Up Carplay In My BMW?

BMW / By

Turn on WiFi and Bluetooth on your iPhone, then open the Bluetooth menu.

How do I activate the retrofit BMW CarPlay?

Your MMI is in? As with OEM Apple CarPlay, you must now enable the connection between your iPhone and computer.

  • Go to Settings>General>CarPlay on your phone, where you may discover either CarPlay MMI or MMI. Forget about such gadgets.
  • The MMI should restart once you select MMI Settings>Connections>Reset All Connections.
  • Once everything has been taken out, get a USB cable, check that WiFi and Bluetooth are enabled on your phone, and connect the USB cord to both the MMI USB port and your phone.
  • Each prompt that appears on the screen should be followed. Give it about 10 seconds once CarPlay appears on the iDrive screen before unplugging the USB cable.
  • To connect, go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone and select MMI/CarPlay MMI. The Bluetooth will be disconnected as soon as CarPlay is connected and displayed on the screen.

CarPlay will now be remotely accessible and will automatically connect the next time you go inside the vehicle. Check your phone if you ever experience any BMW CarPlay / iPhone pairing issues:

  • is not plugged into any other equipment,
  • has the hotspot feature disabled,
  • not establishing an automated connection with any other device,
  • is not linked to the OEM Bluetooth for BMW.

or get in touch with our BimmerTech support staff. Any issues you may have will be resolved by them.

How can I make my BMW CarPlay-compatible?

  • Turn on the Bluetooth, Siri, and WiFi on your iPhone.
  • On your iDrive 7 interface, press COM, then click Mobile Devices.
  • Now that Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone, you should be able to choose your BMW.

Can my BMW get Apple CarPlay?

Apple Car Play is referred to as (r).

While operating your BMW, you can use a number of iPhone features thanks to Apple CarPlay.

You can quickly use several apps on your iPhone while driving in your BMW thanks to Apple CarPlay(r). Both the control system in your BMW and Apple Siri can be used to voice-command the programs. To engage the virtual assistant on your smartphone, just say “Hey Siri” or click the voice button on the steering wheel.

How can I link my car to CarPlay?

  • Connect your phone to the CarPlay USB port, which should bear the CarPlay emblem on its label.
  • If your car has wireless Bluetooth(r) connectivity, select it under Settings > General > CarPlay > Available Cars.
  • Start your vehicle and let it run

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.

Is the BMW app required for CarPlay?

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)

How can I get free BMW CarPlay activated?

I’d like to utilize Apple CarPlay in my BMW, but I seem to recall that it used to be somewhat expensive. Is there a way for me to obtain Apple CarPlay on my BMW for nothing?

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Yes! All of Apple CarPlay’s capabilities are available for free on your BMW. BMW will stop charging users a fee to utilize Apple CarPlay as of 2020. The service is easily downloaded and connected to your car without cost.

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Has BMW implemented wireless CarPlay?

With the introduction of the 2017 model year, BMW was the first carmaker to offer wireless Apple CarPlay on a limited number of vehicles. Wireless Android Auto is still an aftermarket-only option, and wireless CarPlay isn’t always available from the factory. Both platforms still largely demand a physical USB cord in 2019. In 2019, we released a thorough list of every model that had a wireless smartphone integration capability, but since then, availability has significantly risen.

Continue reading for the whole list and more details on what we know about each feature.

How do I turn CarPlay on?

Click “Settings,” followed by “General” and “CarPlay.” From the list of “Available Cars,” pick your car. Hold the CarPlay Home button on your display or the Voice Control button on your steering wheel.

When did BMW introduce 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.

What the password for BMW CarPlay?

While Bluetooth in your car might need a password to connect to your phone, CarPlay does not. Go to the Bluetooth menu in your car and let it look for your iPhone there to connect your iPhone to your vehicle.

When your iPhone appears on the dashboard of your car, choose it and wait to see whether it reacts and displays a code. If it does, select Pair. If not, try again.

However, it varies a little from automobile to car. For a more thorough explanation, see the user manual for your car, if necessary.

Why isn’t Apple CarPlay functioning for me?

Restart both your automobile and your iPhone. Make sure Siri is turned on. Check to see if CarPlay isn’t restricted if it can’t detect your iPhone. Make sure CarPlay is turned on by going to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, tapping Allowed Apps, and then clicking OK.

How can I tell if CarPlay is turned on?

Start by opening the Settings app.

2. Click on “General Settings.”

Choose “CarPlay” Settings in step 3.

4. If your Bluetooth is off, you will be required to activate it in order to “enable wireless CarPlay” from the CarPlay settings page.

5. Start the wireless pairing process between your device and the stereo system by pressing and holding the voice button on your steering wheel while your in-car stereo has wireless CarPlay active or enabled.

Does Apple CarPlay immediately connect?

Do one of the following in a car that supports wireless CarPlay (see your owner’s manual for specific instructions):

Note: If your car supports wireless CarPlay, you may be able to link it by simply connecting your iPhone with a Lightning to USB cable to the car’s USB port. If supported, you are prompted to pair wireless CarPlay for later usage after starting CarPlay via a USB cable. If you accept, iPhone will wirelessly connect to CarPlay automatically the next time you take a trip.

On some electric vehicles, use the Maps app to identify the vehicle for EV routing after connecting to CarPlay. See Maps on iPhone: Set up electric car routing.

When you connect an iPhone to specific car models, CarPlay Home automatically appears.

Select the CarPlay logo on your car’s display if CarPlay Home doesn’t show up.

Does CarPlay require USB?

Only Solution. On a few models of cars from the model year 2022 and later, Apple CarPlay(r) can be used wirelessly. The Toyota app or your Owner’s Manual are two options for reviewing the features and capabilities of your car. Use an Apple-certified USB cable if you want to use Apple CarPlay(r) over a wired connection.

Does Apple CarPlay need a fee?

Apple CarPlay is it free? Apple CarPlay also has the benefit of being a free function that comes pre-installed in new cars; the only expense is the cost of your phone’s standard data plan.

Why does my phone charge but Apple CarPlay does not?

You must use Bluetooth or USB to link your device and vehicle. If you are using a wireless connection, you must make sure your phone is not in Airplane Mode. All wireless connections are disabled when in airplane mode. Additionally, in order to use CarPlay, Bluetooth and cellular data must be enabled. To repair it if you are already connected, switch between Bluetooth and cellular data.

If you’re utilizing a wired connection, inspect your USB cord for damage. Connect using a fresh USB cable. Make sure the USB is inserted into the proper port. Additionally, try replugging the USB to access CarPlay while connected to a car.