When CarPlay originally became available in BMW in 2016, there was a hefty one-time fee of $300 for anyone who desired it (good for 20 years). 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.
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Some BMW vehicles will no longer need a subscription to utilize CarPlay.
In 2016, BMW introduced the Apple CarPlay feature to its automobiles. The German automaker chose to add the option for $300, which later became a $80-per-year subscription. Following complaints from customers, the business appears to have reconsidered its approach to CarPlay availability, which should now come at no additional cost to users.
The British specialized AutoCar website claims that BMW has changed its mind and will no longer charge for the usage of CarPlay. Customers could previously test the service out for free for a year when purchasing a new BMW vehicle. They would then pay $80 each year in the US or £85 in the UK after that. According to a BMW representative, the cost won’t be applied to any vehicles running the most recent ConnectedDrive infotainment system.
You’ll still have to pay to use CarPlay if your vehicle isn’t equipped with the most recent version of ConnectedDrive, but BMW will only charge you PS235 once. The annual subscription fees paid by eligible customers will not be refunded, but they will be automatically excused from future charges. Before being implemented in other nations, these measures will first take effect in the UK.
Given that CarPlay simply requires a linked iPhone to function, it’s vital to understand that Apple promises not to charge manufacturers any fees for using the system. The automakers themselves decide whether to charge customers for this option, and BMW was the first to do so.
And what do you make of it all? Was it unethical for BMW to charge for CarPlay use? Tell us in the comments section below.
BMW owners are being told to pay again for Apple CarPlay
Since Apple CarPlay is often available as free standard technology in new cars, BMW’s decision to rapaciously demand a $300 monthly fee to utilize Apple CarPlay in 2019 and 2020 models like the 7 Series and X7 equipped with GPS drew heavy criticism. BMW then presented two pricing options: $300 for 240 months or a reduced $80 cost for an annual subscription.
Following significant customer outrage, BMW subsequently dropped these membership plans and, like the majority of other automakers, introduced free Apple CarPlay functionality. Owners of BMWs are regrettably now encountering a fresh issue with Apple CarPlay support.
Apple CarPlay has reportedly stopped functioning, according to several BMW owners. Even worse, some have been informed that they must pay for the service while checking its status online although it ought to be free. Just to be clear, Apple CarPlay was not affected. Instead, a glitch with the BMW ConnectedDrive service, which enables customers to wirelessly pair devices and use Apple CarPlay on an iPhone, was to blame for the issue.
A user who was having the problem posted on Reddit, “I contacted with my sales guy at the dealership and verified difficulties are going on. “Had me check the customer portal website,” the website for the car and all of its information and apps.
“It indicates that I have CarPlay installed. He claimed that for some users who lost the capability, it now seems that they must pay for the app, but for others, like myself, it still displays a valid subscription.”
Apple CarPlay should now function flawlessly in all BMW models since BMW has since restored all connected services, but a system fault like this shouldn’t be renewing subscriptions. It is advised that you get in touch with your neighborhood BMW dealer if you are still being asked to pay for the servicing. We can only hope that a soon-to-be-released over-the-air software upgrade will stop this from happening again and put an end to the BMW Apple CarPlay fiasco once and for all.
BMW Ships New Vehicles Without Apple CarPlay for the Time Being
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.
Transmit this tale
According to 9to5Mac, BMW has reversed its contentious proposal to charge an annual subscription for the use of Apple’s CarPlay in its vehicles. Since 2016, the German manufacturer has demanded extra payment from owners in order for them to utilize CarPlay, at first as a $300 one-time option and later as a $80.00 annual cost. It now seems as though BMW has realized its mistake.
Since no other carmaker charges its consumers to use CarPlay, it was a dubious choice from the start. According to a BMW spokeswoman, both US and UK customers would be affected by the change. Owners of 2019 or 2020 model year vehicles and current BMW-Apple CarPlay users won’t be required to pay a monthly or yearly membership any longer, according to the spokeswoman. For established accounts, this procedure could take several weeks to complete.
The spokeswoman stated, “BMW is always seeking to satisfy our customers’ demands and this policy adjustment is intended to give them a better ownership experience.
According to 9to5Mac, who cites the UK website Autocar, only users of BMW automobiles equipped with the brand’s most recent infotainment system, ConnectedDrive, will now receive CarPlay for free.
Since they believed they could create in-vehicle technology that matched the mobile industry in terms of usability and functionality, auto firms have long tried to keep Apple and Google at a distance. Car manufacturers are now essentially conceding defeat and admitting that their customers prefer the user interface of their phones over that of their vehicles.
How much does it cost to upgrade a BMW to Apple CarPlay?
Because the NBT Evo head unit with ID5 or ID6 software is required, BMW Apple CarPlay compatibility is constrained. In other words, your BMW need the most recent operating system and on-board computer. Even if your car was made in 2016, 2015, or 2014 and has modern technologies, it might only have ID4 hardware or normal NBT, which is outdated head unit hardware.
If your BMW has a head unit that is suitable, BimmerTech can activate the software to make Apple CarPlay available. If your car does not already have a WiFi antenna, you might need to add one in specific circumstances to enable the establishment of a wireless connection between your iPhone and BMW head unit. If your BMW requires one, you may check here and get it from us. Contrary to BMW, BimmerTech can activate BMW CarPlay even if your nation is not listed in Apple CarPlay’s availability list if the necessary hardware is installed in your car.
Regarding the Apple CarPlay subscription, BMW confirmed in December 2019 that owners of 2019/2020 models with the most recent iDrive 7.0 software would not be required to pay any fees. Of course, that only applies to 2018 models of newer autos. A one-time $300 fee will be applied to older BMW models (like an earlier lifetime subscription). However, 2020 and later BMW models are moving forward rather than backward by finally providing free BMW CarPlay.
There are still two options to upgrade your BMW if the initial BMW Apple CarPlay activation is not supported by your car.
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.
Can my BMW be equipped with Apple 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). Additionally, your BMW must be outfitted with Navi Professional.
Can my 2017 BMW have Apple CarPlay?
You can, indeed! You can add Apple Carplay to a number of BMW models, including the 2018 BMW x1 and 2015 BMWs.
Do you want to use the maps, music, messaging, and Siri commands from your iPhone on your iDrive device? For customers to quickly connect their phones to the iDrive unit and use the apps they have loaded on their iPhones, Apple created the software “Apple CarPlay” for automobiles. applications for calls, messaging, music, and maps. Additionally, Apple is continuously expanding the number of apps that its CarPlay software supports. The whole list of apps that are already compatible with Apple CarPlay is available on the Apple website.