The industry has been embracing Google’s Android Automotive OS, and last week BMW revealed it would use the technology in some of its upcoming automobiles. Beginning in March 2023, the company intends to create the BMW Operating System 8 infotainment system for some car types utilizing Android Automotive while continuing to support the present Linux-based version for other vehicle models.
It involves using a different technology strategy, according to Stephan Durach, the chief developer for the digital driving experience at BMW Group. Depending on how the individual solution appears, “We are integrating the best features of all worlds,” said Durach. “That might be our own in-house inventions, Open Source or commercial software solutions.”
A complete auto operating system, Android Automotive may be integrated into instrument clusters and entertainment systems. Not to be confused with Google’s phone-to-dash connection technology, Android Auto, which is a competitor to Apple’s CarPlay.
The method for two software platforms can change depending on what BMW series it’s operating on, according to Durach, who ensures that consumers always have a unique, tailored digital experience in their vehicle. However, the business did not disclose any additional information. Additionally, the new OS will support over-the-air software updates, a vital feature that recently allowed the company to ship customers’ vehicles without amenities like Apple CarPlay owing to supply chain concerns.
When it comes to implementing new connectivity technology, BMW typically gets there first. One of the first automakers to implement wireless Apple CarPlay, it was also one of the first to adopt Apple’s phone-as-key technology, which enables you to start your car without a fob. However, given that the majority of BMW owners were discovered to be iPhone users, BMW was slow to implement Android Auto. But with Android Automotive, BMW is entering a field that is still mostly untapped and is home to brands like Polestar, some Volvo models, the GMC Hummer EV, Honda, and potential Ford and Lincoln products.
Google wants to bring its software into numerous cars on a broad market via Android Automotive. And with BMW on board, the time for Apple’s newest CarPlay to catch up is running out. But perhaps BMW won’t try to make it a membership service once more if it decides to support Apple’s most recent integrations in the future.
In This Article...
Is Android Auto a Native iDrive Option for BMW?
Right currently, 47 different automobile brands offer Android Auto functionality. Earlier, BMW didn’t even have any intentions of joining them, but in December 2019, the carmaker announced its plans to integrate Android Auto into its most recent generation of BMW cars. In July 2020, the first vehicles equipped with Android Auto will be on sale. Only 2019 and 2020 BMW vehicles equipped with the most recent iDrive 7.0 will have this feature. Read our blog post about what Android Auto is and how it functions to find out more about the original software.
If you’re solely interested in authentic BMW solutions, Bluetooth, the BMW Connected app, and a select few others are the only ways to link an Android device with a BMW. Because these methods heavily depend on your phone and car model, connectivity problems and bugs are unavoidable.
If you truly want Android Auto in your BMW, you can run the software on your smartphone and mirror it onto the iDrive screen without requiring any aftermarket hardware improvements.
Some BMW models come without Android Auto and CarPlay; an update will add them.
BMW has started delivering some models to customers without the normal Android Auto and CarPlay capability due to the ongoing chip scarcity.
Nearly all BMW models come with full support for Android Auto beginning in 2019 and growing in 2020. However, some buyers have discovered, as reported by Automotive News Europe, that their recently purchased BMW does not support Android Auto or CarPlay as planned.
The persistent chip scarcity, which has impacted almost every sector of the economy that uses electronics, is to blame for the missing functionality, according to a statement from BMW. BMW switched suppliers and started utilizing a chip that does not yet have the proper software for Android Auto or CarPlay use in order to deliver the cars to their destinations on time.
Fortunately, this is only a short-term problem for the owners of the affected vehicles because, according to BMW, an over-the-air (OTA) upgrade bringing complete Android Auto and CarPlay capabilities will be delivered to these cars “by the end of June at the latest.”
The production code for your new BMW should contain the letters “6P1” if it is affected. In a broader sense, the impacted models were produced in the first four months of this year and, based to internet forum posts, have been transported to the United States, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Is My BMW Android Auto Compatible?
The first-ever Android Auto and BMW vehicle connectivity was introduced in 2020. BMW went all out and incorporated wifi connectivity to the car’s infotainment system at no additional cost, in addition to announcing support for Android Auto. The best aspect is that various smartphone features and apps are integrated into the instrument panel and head-up display of the vehicle. The direction will therefore appear whenever you use Google Maps or Waze in place of the vehicle’s navigation system, for example. Of course, a lot of BMW owners are interested in knowing which BMW models are compatible with Android Auto. Therefore, we will discuss some of the frequently asked questions about BMW Android Auto in this article.
Has the 2017 BMW Android Auto?
Every BMW vehicle with a Live Cockpit Plus or Professional that runs on Operating System 7 is said to support Android Auto, according to BMW (iDrive 7). According to what we’ve observed online, the Android Auto feature is only present in software versions that begin with 07/2020. BMWs with the iDrive 7 system listed below are qualified for the update:
- Professional Live Cockpit for 2019+ 3 Series
- Future 5 Series
- Future 7 Series
- A+ 8 Series 2019
- Professional 2020+ X3 with Live Cockpit
- Professional 2020+ X4 with Live Cockpit
- 2019+ X5
- 2020+ X6
- 2019+ X7
- 2019+ Z4
The BMW 5 Series, BMW 6 Series, BMW X3 and BMW X4 models, however, may only be upgraded by the dealership using a Software Update.
When did BMW introduce Android Auto?
Google introduced Android Auto seven years ago, but it took some time to catch on. Following a significant revamp in 2019, the platform for automotive infotainment systems gained momentum once more. One of the last remaining automakers, BMW, will join the list of automakers who enable Android Auto in 2020.
Why doesn’t BMW offer Android Auto?
Luxury car maker BMW is reportedly releasing some of its vehicles without Android Auto and CarPlay due to the present chip scarcity.
Nearly all BMW models come with full support for Android Auto beginning in 2019 and growing in 2020.
According to media reports, some customers have discovered that their recently purchased BMW does not support Android Auto or Carla, according to 9To5Google.
According to a statement from BMW, the ongoing chip scarcity that has impacted almost every industry that uses electronics is to blame for the missing functionality.
According to the source, BMW switched suppliers and started utilizing a chip that does not yet have the proper software for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay use in order to deliver the cars to their destinations on time.
Is Android Auto available for the 2018 BMW X3?
Does the BMW X3 support Apple Car Play or Android Auto? In some BMW X3 variants, including the xDrive30i SportX, xdrive30i Luxury Line, and xdrive20d Luxury Line, Android Auto and Apple Car Play are available.
Will the BMW X3 feature Android Auto in 2022?
Engage the new, larger iDrive screen, which is up to 12.3″ across and runs the standard iDrive 7.0 Operating System. The new BMW X3 is given digital life by BMW’s Intelligent Personal Assistant, cloud-based navigation, remote software updates, and complete Apple CarPlayTM and Android AutoTM compatibility.
Will the BMW X1 in 2022 have Android Auto?
It’s understandable why many car customers now anticipate Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality in new vehicles; however, BMW did not previously provide both of these functions. Since a few years ago, the premium automaker has supplied Apple CarPlay, but it wasn’t until 2020 that it thought it was time to offer Android Auto to BMW owners as well.
Two BMW models still lack Android Auto connectivity, despite the fact that the majority of them now feature both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. They are the subcompact crossover SUVs BMW X1 and X2. They are connected, which is one of the reasons why Android Auto isn’t currently available.
Instead than using the USB cord that is typically required to use Android Auto, BMW is use a wireless version of the technology. The X1 and X2 don’t have the high-tech technology that is required for this, despite the fact that most Bimmers have.
How can I tell if my car is compatible with Android Auto?
Even an older vehicle can use Android Auto. All you need are the appropriate attachments and a smartphone with a respectable-sized screen running Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher (Android 6.0 is ideal). Your smartphone’s implementation of Android Auto may be made almost as good as the dashboard version by adding a few useful apps and phone settings.
Not always, Android Auto was this simple. When it first appeared in 2015, Google’s futuristic infotainment system required either a brand-new vehicle or costly aftermarket hardware to operate. The following year, Google released a stand-alone Android Auto app for cellphones, enabling anybody with an Android phone to utilize the streamlined menu system for music, navigation, phone calls, and messages. Google Assistant and all the voice commands you would use with a Google Home speaker are now supported by Android Auto, which was recently released.
Continue reading to learn how to install Android Auto on your automobile. Once you’re up and running, you can find further information on Google’s Android Auto Help website.
Can my automobile have Android Auto installed?
You can, indeed. The process of adding Android Auto to a car is as simple as swapping out the head unit. There are numerous aftermarket entertainment systems with Android Auto connectivity that cost between $200 and $600.
What’s become of Android Auto?
- Google will no longer support the Android Auto app on all Android phones.
- Users who don’t have a car with Android Auto can utilize Google Assistant’s driving mode as a replacement.
- On May 12, 2022, Google I/O was where upgrades for Android Auto were announced.
Companies are attempting to discover solutions that allow consumers to access important apps while being as safe as possible because using a phone while driving might be risky. Google is doing away with it right now. Android users had access to a safe driving interface while on the road thanks to the Android Auto software for phone displays.
The app’s end has come, as 9to5Google originally reported. With the release of Android 12, Google had previously stated in October 2021 that the Android Auto for phone screens app would be replaced with a new Google Assistant driving mode. However, many users kept using the practical and well-known software.
Users of Android Auto for phone screens are starting to receive notifications similar to the one uploaded by Reddit user u/firstrta warning that the service “will cease to function shortly.” Uncertainty surrounds the precise timing of that, but when I attempted to download the software from the Google Play Store when it was still available, it informed me that my device was incompatible.
While the Google Assistant driving mode doesn’t completely replace other modes, it does provide a safer option than using your phone while driving. A few simple steps can enable Google Assistant driving mode, which will be useful for your upcoming drive.
Google is therefore working on a new version of Android Auto that will be compatible with all of the top Android phones even though the current one is being discontinued. For those who drive automobiles that support Android Auto, you can continue to use the service as usual. In fact, Google even held a session at Google I/O in May that was devoted to the service and showcased some impending Android Auto enhancements.