The control wheel, which can rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise like a volume dial, is the key component of the BMW iDrive system. The center serves as a button that can be pressed to confirm a choice or select an alternative, and it can also be pushed forward, backward, and to either side like a joystick. In addition to the rotary control, a newer iDrive system can be used in a variety of ways thanks to the touchscreen technology, gesture control, and voice commands that were incorporated in subsequent versions, as was already described.
There are a number of shortcut buttons next to the steering wheel that will take you directly to the navigation, media, phonebook, and settings menus. To return to the home screen, use another shortcut. Even yet, there are still a lot of sub-menus to get lost in, so at least the buttons let you return when necessary.
Functions:
Scrolling: You can rotate the wheel either clockwise or counterclockwise to move through a list of choices. You can scroll the list up or down by navigating in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
If your BMW has a satellite navigation system, you can use the steering wheel to zoom in and out of the map. With some models, you can switch the layout from 2D to 3D and move the controller left or right to gaze about. iDrive can be configured in a split-screen layout on vehicles with the largest infotainment screens, providing you with more information or providing a detailed view of the junction in front of you.
360-degree cameras: Some models give you the option to select 360-degree vision, which consists of a number of cameras. If you do, you can use the iDrive wheel to navigate between the various cameras, alter the view, and zoom in and out.
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iDRIVE BONUS HACK: BMW secret menu
The Service menu is a secret hidden menu that is only accessible to expert users in iDrive. A BMW mechanic could use the diagnostic information on this menu.
Your iDrive version determines how you can access it. The procedure is a little bit different for CCC iDrives than it is for later iDrive versions (thanks to the four-way Communication / Navigation / Entertainment / Climate home screen).
Press the “Menu” button to access the home screen of CCC iDrive, then keep holding the iDrive controller for at least 8 seconds to reveal the hidden menu. Then, turn it one click to the right, one click to the left, one click to the right, and one click to the right. Finally, press the controller knob once more. The food menu will appear.
Press the “Menu” button to get to the home screen for CIC / NBT iDrives, then keep the iDrive controller in the up position for at least 8 seconds to bring up the secret menu. Then, turn it one click to the right, one click to the left, one click to the right, and one click to the right. Finally, press the controller knob once more. To access the hidden iDrive menu, select the new “Service menu” option in your iDrive menu.
Please contact our knowledgeable team if you have any additional queries regarding your iDrive and how to optimize it.
gesture control for BMW
This one is sure to get you pumped up. Imagine you want to increase the volume of your brand-new car while traveling at 95 mph on the interstate. How do you behave? All you have to do to use BMW iDrive 7.0 gesture control is point your finger at the iDrive screen and circle it clockwise. Bam! The music gets louder. Want to mute it a little bit? Simply turn your finger the opposite way.
You can use gestures to control additional features besides these. Additionally on the list are options for accepting or declining calls, choosing navigational options, reversing functions, and adjusting the angle of the 360-degree rear view camera.
Although the NBT Evo ID6 iDrive-equipped 2015 BMWs were the first to have gesture control, it is now present in practically every BMW with Operating System 7.0.
Do not despair if gesture control was not a feature of your BMW’s iDrive 7.0. For vehicles with the Operating System 7, BimmerTech provides a retrofit for BMW Gesture Control.
I need to configure BMW iDrive.
Make sure Bluetooth is turned on in both the automobile and the mobile device before proceeding. Choose Communication > Manage mobile devices > Connect new device* on the iDrive. The Bluetooth name for your BMW is then displayed* after you have selected the necessary features for the device. Simply locate and choose the BMW Bluetooth name from the phone’s Bluetooth menu, then adhere to the directions on the phone’s display and the vehicle’s display. You will be required to verify that the distinct code displayed in the car display matches the code on the majority of cellphones. Pressing OK causes the features to work. The phone appears in the device list after being linked with the vehicle. Only pairing a phone while the car is still is permitted for your protection.
Only applies to automobiles equipped with a professional navigation system. Use the iDrive to select “Add new device” for vehicles equipped with business navigation.
What functions does BMW iDrive offer?
In a high-end vehicle, like an expensive BMW, the driver needs iDrive to access a wide variety of menus, including those for the climate control settings, phone contacts, sport, comfort, or eco driving modes, emails, text messages, and seat settings. They can also use voice commands to ask for navigation directions to the closest restaurant and scroll through their favorite playlist.
There simply wouldn’t be enough area on the dashboard for all the controls required to configure the variety of onboard systems in a contemporary premium car if we were all still restricted to analogue switches and dials. Instead, you must use menus that can be selected sequentially, or frequently concurrently, for all of the many onboard technologies to operate everything through a central display panel.
The interface between the driver and a modern, digitally connected car must be as simple and intuitive to operate as possible because everything about it seems like a formula for disaster. Because frustration, worry, and distraction are the enemies of calm and safe driving, user friendliness has been a primary goal of BMW’s iDrive from its debut in 2001.
BMW iDrive has evolved into something of a standard for managing auto functions in addition to being one of the earliest infotainment systems available. Older generations of iDrive used a rotary dial between the seats to navigate menus on a central display, while more recent models have touchscreen technology built in and can be used with voice commands, gestures, and steering wheel inputs.
What is the BMW iDrive’s Google Maps interface like?
Visit Google Maps in any web browser, log in using your Google userid, and then search for and select the “gear” icon. You may register your BMW with Google there by entering your BMW Assist user name and password.
What distinguishes BMW iDrive from Apple CarPlay?
Apple’s foray into the infotainment market, CarPlay, makes it simple to use iOS apps on the iDrive display in your BMW. CarPlay is an obvious answer for iPhone users who want to stream music through Spotify or Apple Music, compose and receive WhatsApp messages while driving, or replace the native maps provided by BMW with Waze. Without taking your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road, you may make calls, ask Siri for directions, skip to the next song, and more.
Increased safety is the apparent result; Siri is typically more powerful than the BMW native voice command, and with the iOS app ecosystem supporting it, you’re unlikely to miss out on things you need. Additionally, you will be able to utilize the same Siri instructions that you do on your iPhone, which adds to the familiarity factor.
Only iPhone users can use CarPlay; if you have an Android phone, you’ll need Android Auto, which has many of the same capabilities. In a moment, we’ll examine it in more detail.
Does the BMW iDrive allow movie viewing?
Either a USB stick or a DVD player may play movies in a BMW. You must enable the USB Video player or Video & Services in Motion options in order to watch movies in your BMW.
The phone that is connected to your BMW iDrive will determine what happens. In order to mirror YouTube material on the screen of your BMW, you must activate Android screen mirroring on your Android smartphone. Add BimmerTech’s CarPlay MMI Prime for iPhones and access the YouTube app directly from your iDrive display.
Can I use my phone to start my BMW?
With the BMW Digital Key and BMW Digital Key Plus, go keyless. The key fob for your car can be replaced with an iPhone, Google Pixel, or Samsung Galaxy smartphone that is compatible. To lock and unlock, simply touch it to the driver-side door handle. To start the engine, place your device in the wireless charging tray.
Is iDrive user-friendly?
A simple-to-use tool with a wealth of features and security procedures, RemotePC by IDrive keeps your remote interactions productive and secure.
How do I alter the settings on IDrive?
Set the day, time, and notification options for your backup operations using this option to schedule automated backups.
Set the following options under the “Scheduler” tab to program automated backups:
- Set the time your scheduled backup should begin. Backup start time
- Backup set: Choose the backup set you wish to plan to schedule.
- Daily Schedule – Choose this option to conduct your backup tasks every day.
- Choose which days of the week you wish to conduct your backup tasks under Week-Day(s).
- Set your scheduled backup to end at a certain time using the “Cut-off Time” option. This is advantageous if you
- For desktop notifications about backups, select Notify Me.
- When the machine is turned on, begin the missed scheduled backup. your canceled appointment
- After logging in, select the ‘Dashboard’ tab.
- Select “Settings” and then “Scheduler” from the menu.
- Change the scheduler’s settings, including the “Backup start time,” “Backup frequency,” “Email notice,” and other items.
- To distribute the settings to all users and groups, click.
How can I get free map updates for my BMW navigation system?
BMW suggests conducting a map update every six months, or at the very least once a year, and typically releases up to three new versions of its products each year.
The head unit and the nation have a significant impact on how frequently new releases occur. For instance, more recent iDrives like the NBT Evo ID5/ID6 can receive two or three updates a year, whereas ENTRYNAV may have to wait up to a year for a new BMW navigation update. Even the more recent navigation systems might have to wait in some areas where new map updates aren’t even issued annually.
By entering your VIN on the BMW map update page, you can quickly verify the most recent update for your BMW sat nav. You will then get a list of regions that are compatible with your iDrive, along with years and numbers that represent the quarter in which the update was released.
How can I verify the version of my BMW map? Navigate to the navigation view on your iDrive, select Settings, and then scroll down to Navigation system version. The region, version, and year of your current map are displayed. It’s time to update if it’s older than a year.
If my BMW has remote start, how do I know?
Look up the “Remote engine start” option in your Premium Package or in the settings of your iDrive sub-menu to see if your car has BMW remote start. It might be present if your BMW has an iDrive 7.0 (also known as the Live Cockpit) and a digital gauge cluster.
The digital gauge cluster and the iDrive system 7.0 (Live Cockpit) appear like this.