Applications/apps
Vehicle features and options
This chapter describes model-specific equipment, systems, and functions that are currently available, or may become available in the future, even if they are not present in the vehicle.
Additional information:
Vehicle equipment.
Vehicle apps
Principle
The vehicle apps can be used to display information on the control display, for instance, the weather or news.
Functional requirement
A ConnectedDrive account must be created with BMW to display personal data.
Additional information:
BMW ID/driver profiles.
View apps
Apps menu
"All apps"
Select desired app.
If necessary, view details.
My BMW App
Principle
BMW provides mobility-based services and applications in an app.
General information
The My BMW App is available for iOS from the Apple App Store and for Android from the Google Play Store. The app must be downloaded and installed on the smartphone. The installation process depends on the smartphone that is used and the installed software.
When starting the app, a one-time registration is required provided no ConnectedDrive account with a BMW ID has been created yet.
The vehicle must be linked to the BMW ID in order to use the functions; you only need to do this once. The link is established with the app. Confirmation in the vehicle via iDrive is also required.
Some functions, e.g., BMW Remote Services, enable communication with the vehicle without the need for you to be inside or at the vehicle.
You can find the download and additional information for the My BMW App in the corresponding app store at http://b.mw/mybmwapp.
You can also call up the link to the app store by scanning the QR code.
Third-party apps
Principle
Third-party apps approved by BMW can be used in the vehicle. The third party provider is responsible for the content and scope of the available apps.
General information
The type and scope of the available apps depend on the vehicle equipment purchased or booked, the software version and may vary depending on the national-market version.
For reasons of safety, some apps are usable only while the vehicle is stationary.
Information on use:
It may not be possible to use the functions of the selected app in the vehicle and on the smartphone at the same time.
The use of third-party apps can incur costs. These costs are borne by the user of the respective app.
For more detailed information, contact an authorized service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Functional requirement
An account with the provider may be necessary to use the app.
Opening apps
Apps menu
"All apps"
Select desired app.
Tap the desired function.
Accepting addresses as destinations
Depending on the app, an address can be transferred to the BMW navigation system as a destination.
Select the desired address.
Transfer the selected address to the BMW navigation system.
Correct entries, if necessary.
Confirm destination to start the navigation.
Exiting apps
Tap the
icon on the control display. The external app is exited.
Apple CarPlay©
Principle
CarPlay allows select functions of a compatible Apple iPhone to be used via Siri voice control and iDrive.
Additional information:
BMW iDrive.
General information
Depending on the national-market version, CarPlay may not be available. For more detailed information, contact an authorized service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
The iPhone provides CarPlay and any associated apps. The scope and content depend on the device or software version and can vary depending on national-market version.
Using Apple CarPlay can incur mobile service costs. The user must bear these costs.
Apple, the Apple logo, Apple TV, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, iTunes and Mac are trademarks of Apple Inc., Cupertino, Calif., U.S.A.
Functional requirements
Compatible iPhone: iPhone 5 or later with iOS 9.3 or later.
Appropriate mobile network contract for telephone and data services.
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Siri voice control are activated on your iPhone.
If necessary, the setting for mobile data must be activated on the iPhone.
The iPhone is connected to the vehicle.
CarPlay has been selected as the connection mode.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled in the vehicle.
No smartphone is connected to Android Auto.
Additional information:
Compatible devices.
Vehicle Wi-Fi.
Bluetooth connection.
Pairing the iPhone with CarPlay
If necessary, activate Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Siri voice control on your iPhone.
Start Bluetooth connection.
Select CarPlay as the connection mode:
"Continue"
Additional information:
Bluetooth connection.
Selecting CarPlay
CarPlay can be selected via different menus:
Via the menu bar:
Tap the icon in the lower area of the menu bar on the control display.
Via the main menu:
Apps menu
"All apps"
"Apple CarPlay"
Via the media menu:
Media menu
"Audio source"
"Apple CarPlay"
The iPhone music app opens.
Via the communication menu:
Communication menu
The iPhone telephone app opens.
Using CarPlay
CarPlay can be used via iDrive and voice operation.
Via voice operation:
If necessary, configure Siri voice control for the button.
Press and hold the button on the steering wheel until the Siri voice control is activated on the iPhone.
Say the same commands as if using the iPhone directly.
Additional information:
BMW iDrive.
Activation word.
Switching between CarPlay and iDrive
To operate other functions via iDrive, CarPlay must be exited.
Tap theicon on the control display.
iDrive is displayed, CarPlay remains active in the background and can be selected again at any time.
Activating/deactivating CarPlay
CarPlay must be deactivated to use your iPhone without CarPlay.
Apps menu
"All apps"
"Mobile devices"
Select CarPlay for the desired iPhone and activate/deactivate it.
System limits
The following restrictions apply to an iPhone connected via CarPlay:
Not every app installed on the iPhone can be used via CarPlay.
Calling is only possible via CarPlay.
The phone book entries are not transferred into the vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
All prerequisites are met and all required steps were completed in the specified order. Despite that, the mobile device does not function as expected.
In this case, the following explanations can help:
The iPhone has already been paired with Apple CarPlay. When a new connection is set up, CarPlay can no longer be selected.
Change the connection type of the already connected device, for instance using as telephone.
Delete the iPhone concerned from the device list.
On the iPhone, delete the vehicle concerned from the list of stored connections under Bluetooth and under WLAN.
Pair the iPhone as a new device.
If the steps listed have been carried out and the required function is still not available: contact the hotline, an authorized service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Android Auto©
Principle
Android Auto allows select functions of a compatible smartphone to be operated via Google Assistant voice control and via iDrive.
General information
Depending on the national-market version, Android Auto may not be available. For more detailed information, contact an authorized service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
The smartphone provides Android Auto and any associated apps. The scope and content depend on the equipment manufacturer and can vary depending on the national-market version.
Using Android Auto can incur wireless service fees. The user of the respective app must bear these costs.
Android Auto is a registered trademark of Google LLC.
Content is displayed on the control display.
Depending on the equipment, content can also be displayed in the instrument cluster, e. g. map views.
Additional information:
Central display area
Functional requirements
The smartphone meets the prerequisite for a wireless Android Auto connection.
Compatible Android smartphone: Samsung or Google smartphone with Android 10 or an Android smartphone with Android 11 or higher, regardless of manufacturer.
Appropriate mobile network contract for telephone and data services.
Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi and Google Assistant voice control are turned on the smartphone.
If necessary, the setting for mobile data must be activated on the smartphone.
The smartphone must support a Wi-Fi connection with 5 GHz.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled in the vehicle.
No smartphone is connected to Apple CarPlay.
Additional information:
Compatible devices.
Vehicle Wi-Fi.
Bluetooth connection.
Pairing a smartphone with Android Auto
If necessary, activate Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Google Assistant voice control on your smartphone.
Start Bluetooth connection.
Select Android Auto as the connection mode:
"Use Android Auto"
Additional information:
Bluetooth connection.
Selecting Android Auto
Android Auto can be selected from different menus.
Via the menu bar:
Tap the icon in the lower area of the menu bar on the control display.
Via the main menu:
Apps menu
"All apps"
"Android Auto"
Via the media menu:
Media menu
"Audio source"
"Android Auto"
The Music app of the smartphone opens.
Via the communication menu:
Communication menu
"More"
"Android Auto"
The telephone app of the smartphone opens.
Operating Android Auto
Android Auto can be operated via iDrive.
Via voice operation:
If necessary, configure Google Assistant voice control for the button.
Press and hold the button on the steering wheel until the Google voice control is activated on the smartphone.
Say the commands familiar from the smartphone.
Additional information:
BMW iDrive.
Switching between Android Auto and iDrive
To operate other functions via iDrive, Android Auto must be exited.
Tap theicon on the control display. iDrive is displayed and Android Auto remains active in the background and can be selected again at any time.
Activating/deactivating Android Auto
Android Auto must be deactivated to use your smartphone without Android Auto.
Apps menu
"All apps"
"Mobile devices"
Activate/deactivate Android Auto for the desired smartphone.
System limits
The following restrictions apply to a smartphone connected via Android Auto:
Not every app installed on the smartphone can be used via Android Auto.
Frequently Asked Questions
All prerequisites are met and all required steps were completed in the specified order. Despite that, the mobile device does not function as expected.
In this case, the following explanations can help:
The smartphone has already been paired with Android Auto. When a new connection is set up, Android Auto can no longer be selected.
Delete the smartphone concerned from the device list.
On the smartphone, delete the vehicle concerned from the list of stored connections under Bluetooth and under WLAN.
Pair the smartphone as a new device.
If the steps listed have been carried out and the required function is still not available: contact the hotline, an authorized service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
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