- For all vehicles with navigation, BMW is making Apple CarPlay the default feature without any additional fees, after charging a monthly charge for 2019 and subsequent models.
- BMW wanted to be more respectful of its tech-obsessed customers after hearing complaints.
- BMW is one of the few automakers to offer wireless CarPlay, albeit Android Auto is still not available, so owners already enjoy an added benefit.
BMW doesn’t frequently offer freebies, but following negative news and a large number of dissatisfied consumers, the carmaker is eliminating all payments for Apple CarPlay. It is currently working.
BMW introduced CarPlay some years ago with a straightforward but crucial feature that no other manufacturers could match: the ability to wirelessly connect an iPhone without a USB cable. For the 2019 model year, BMW changed CarPlay from a $300 stand-alone option to a subscription through its ConnectedDrive suite of app services, costing $80 per year or $300 for 20 years. For the first year, CarPlay was offered without charge to owners; however, after that, it was remotely disabled unless a subscription fee was paid.
When Apple released software updates, BMW informed C/D that it would have to charge customers for CarPlay in order to prevent compatibility difficulties with other factory-installed features. The payment was intended to cover BMW’s effort spent creating new iDrive system updates. BMW has now determined that continuing CarPlay’s free operation is a better idea.
It’s a pleasant victory for customers, especially coming from BMW, which offers a number of extras that other manufacturers provide as standard, such as proximity entry, garage-door openers, and lumbar support. Maybe this will signal the start of a new strategy.
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When and for whom will subscriptions expire?
The German automaker declared in December 2019 that it was giving up the Apple CarPlay subscription model. CarPlay won’t be charged for in 2019/2020 BMW automobiles with the most recent infotainment system (iDrive 7.0), therefore those who are still in their free first year will have the software subscription automatically renewed. BMW owners who met the requirements and canceled their Apple CarPlay subscription will also be given the chance to renew it for free. It is unknown if automobiles with Apple CarPlay that have already been paid for would receive a reimbursement.
After a successful rollout in the UK, USA, and Australia, this CarPlay concept will be deployed in other countries.
Option 1: Enabling BMW Wireless CarPlay from the factory
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. 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.
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.
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.
How is BMW CarPlay reset?
If you are worn out with forgetting devices and reconnecting etc. on your iDrive and iPhone, try the following. Try this; it was a success: What is a BMW Connected Drive reset?
Press and hold the volume button while the car is in standby for roughly 20 to 25 seconds to reset a BMW. Once you push the volume button a second time, everything should work.
How can I obtain free BMW CarPlay?
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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BMW CarPlay has a shelf life.
BMW has not only changed the CarPlay interface but also its CarPlay-related policies.
CarPlay actually had a deadline when it was originally made available in new BMW vehicles. It might be available to you for the period of your lease, but after that, in order to keep using it, you’d have to pay an annual subscription charge.
That you would avoid having to pay a greater upfront activation cost simply to trade in your automobile after a few years was BMW’s illogical justification. But the BMW CarPlay subscription model wouldn’t persist for very long because so many rival automakers provide CarPlay either as standard equipment or as a stand-alone option.
Apple CarPlay does not expire, as BMW decided to make it permanently available.
How do I update the BMW app?
In the car, perform the following steps to update apps and services: – In the idrive menu, go to the “installed apps” menu item, press the idrive option button. – Go to installed services in the linked drive services and update those.
Is a subscription required for BMW CarPlay?
Does CarPlay cost money for BMW owners? No, Apple CarPlay is no longer a fee to BMW owners, as it should be given that it is free from other automakers.
Which BMWs are CarPlay wireless?
- BMW offers the following models: Z4, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and 2 Series Gran Coupe.
- Buick: Envision and Encore GX.
- Escalade, XT4, XT5, and CT6 are all Cadillac models.
Updates for Apple CarPlay are required?
You don’t need to upgrade your car’s CarPlay. There is no need to update CarPlay firmware because Apple provides updates to CarPlay via software updates for your phone or device. Your car’s infotainment system, which is Apple compatible, is how Apple CarPlay functions.
As a result, CarPlay updates are distributed through your Apple devices rather than your car because Apple does not make your car.
To ensure you get the most recent features, you must to keep your devices updated. Furthermore, these upgrades frequently include patches to remedy software issues that Apple has identified.
In light of the recent upgrade, how can I activate Apple CarPlay?
CarPlay, a more intelligent and secure method of using your iPhone in the car, is available on a few models. CarPlay displays the activities you want to perform on your iPhone while driving directly on the in-dash display in your vehicle.
Connect your iPhone to the USB port on your car’s audio if it supports CarPlay utilizing the USB port. There may be a CarPlay icon or a smartphone icon on the USB port’s label.
Press and hold the voice command button on your steering wheel to set up CarPlay if your vehicle supports wireless CarPlay. Alternatively, check sure your car is in Bluetooth or wireless pairing mode. Next, select your vehicle on your iPhone by going to Settings > General > CarPlay > Available Cars. For more details, consult the owner’s manual that came with your vehicle.