More and more BMW new cars come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, many BMW do not have the options built into the head units. For these vehicles we have now developed a new BMW NBT Wireless Apple CarPlay SmartBox solution that will enable CarPlay to most BMW’s 2013 to 2016
The glove box and radio need to be removed to install this product. The connections are Plug & Play.
Apple CarPlay connects wirelessly or via USB cable. Android Auto connects by USB cable, or wirelessly on late Samsung phones (and a few others)
The device operates in a very similar way to the factory fitted option. Control is from the main iDrive Controller in the centre of the car. Selecting AUX on the MEDIA menu will switch the sound. Subsequently, pressing and holding the ‘Back’ button on the Comand Controller or steering wheel will switch the video. Also, the Menu button on the iDriveController will activate Siri.
Important Note
The system differs in the way it selects audio and video separately. If Audio & Video are both switched across to CarPlay then the system will work totally seamlessly. This is great if you are listening to music from your phone (iTunes, Spotify, etc). CarPlay navigation commands will interrupt as expected.
If however, you choose to listen to the car system (eg. FM/DAB radio, CD etc), you will need to switch away the audio from the BMW NBT Wireless Apple CarPlay SmartBox to select your source. This means that the CarPlay SmartBox has no way of switching it’s sound back on. Using an internet radio player will enable seamless radio and navigation. This does not affect the in-built navigation.
Compatibility
This system will work with the following cars:
1 series F20/F21. 03/2013 to 03/2015
2 series F22. 11/2013 to 03/2015
3 series F30/F31. 11/2012 to 07/2015
4 series F32/F33/F36. 07/2013 to 2015
5 series F07/F10/F11/F18. 09/2012 to 12/2016
7 series F01. 07/2012 to 06/2015
X1 F48. 07/2012 to 06/2015
X3 F25. 04/2013 to 03/2016
X4 F26. 04/2014 to 03/2016
X5 F15. 08/2014 to 07/2016
X6 F16. 08/2014 to 07/2016
i3/i8 NBT. 08/2014 to 07/2017
Mini NBT. 04/2013 to 07/2017
Installations carried out in our workshop to cars with COMAND will include connecting our diagnostic computers to activate an additional item in your 'Media' carousel. To select Audio for CarPlay will involve selecting 'AUX' on this menu to offer a direct sound connection to your system.
When self-installing, the kit includes a USB-AUX adapter which will connect to your USB sockets in your centre armrest. Then simply select 'Media Interface' on the Media carousel to achieve your sound connection.
Cars with Audio 20 (with Garmin Sat Nav) can only use the USB-AUX connection.
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