[Kiwidemon]

Last week I received my new BMW i4. Unfortunatey when I puchased I didn't realise it is possible that it might not be equipped with Connected Services/Android Auto support.

Below is the response I received from BMW when I queried it:

We received an update from our Technical Team regarding your concern. They have confirmed that your vehicle does not meet the technical requirements to support ConnectedDrive. Therefore, you are unable to add the vehicle to your account using the My BMW App or BMW Portal.

The vehicle needs to be equipped with the following codes to enable ConnectedDrive services:

06AE (Teleservices)

06AC or 06AF (Emergency Call)

To have Apple CarPlay, your BMW requires a navigation system (SA 6U2, 6U3) and the option "Smartphone Integration" (SA 6CP) ex works.
While Android Auto is available for BMW models with BMW Operating System 7 (service pack 2018), with the option "Connected Package Professional" (SA 6C3/6C4), or "Connected Package Plus" (SA 6C2) or "Smartphone Integration" (SA 6CP) ex works.


Question: is it a hardware or software only limitation? Has anyone have any advice if it possible to add this as an aftermarket or other option?

[Kiwidemon]

Just to add the car actually has Connected drive written on the windshield camera so hopefully the hardware for it is there

[Cam330i]

Originally Posted by Kiwidemon

Last week I received my new BMW i4. Unfortunatey when I puchased I didn't realise it is possible that it might not be equipped with Connected Services/Android Auto support.

Below is the response I received from BMW when I queried it:

We received an update from our Technical Team regarding your concern. They have confirmed that your vehicle does not meet the technical requirements to support ConnectedDrive. Therefore, you are unable to add the vehicle to your account using the My BMW App or BMW Portal.

The vehicle needs to be equipped with the following codes to enable ConnectedDrive services:

06AE (Teleservices)

06AC or 06AF (Emergency Call)

To have Apple CarPlay, your BMW requires a navigation system (SA 6U2, 6U3) and the option "Smartphone Integration" (SA 6CP) ex works.
While Android Auto is available for BMW models with BMW Operating System 7 (service pack 2018), with the option "Connected Package Professional" (SA 6C3/6C4), or "Connected Package Plus" (SA 6C2) or "Smartphone Integration" (SA 6CP) ex works.


Question: is it a hardware or software only limitation? Has anyone have any advice if it possible to add this as an aftermarket or other option?

Hello,

I'm not sure what region you are located in, but the i4's in North America have Apple CarPlay/Android Auto listed as being standard. Down below is a screen shot of the MY25 and MY24 pricing guides and you'll see ACP/AA listed as Standard Equipment!





I hope this helps, but I assume you might be in a different region/location, but I would be mindful of my vehicle's warranty and/or the possibility of a Software Upgrade completely wiping out a retrofit.

Best,
Cameron

PS - Android Auto(in North America) is actually blended in with BMW's Bluetooth System and BMW's Bluetooth works quite well in my opinion, however I am an iPhone user lol

[Kiwidemon]

Originally Posted by Cam330i

Hello,

I'm not sure what region you are located in, but the i4's in North America have Apple CarPlay/Android Auto listed as being standard. Down below is a screen shot of the MY25 and MY24 pricing guides and you'll see ACP/AA listed as Standard Equipment!

Attachment 3673293

Attachment 3673294

I hope this helps, but I assume you might be in a different region/location, but I would be mindful of my vehicle's warranty and/or the possibility of a Software Upgrade completely wiping out a retrofit.

Best,
Cameron

PS - Android Auto(in North America) is actually blended in with BMW's Bluetooth System and BMW's Bluetooth works quite well in my opinion, however I am an iPhone user lol

I am in New Zealand and this functionality comes here standard too hence my assumption this car had. However apparently this was some special build where they didn't include this functionality for whatever reason. I took it to the BMW service and they also confirmed it doesn't have it.

[RichardInCA]

It sounds as though the dealer sold you a car that lacked features that they claimed it had? That sounds like a potential reason to go back and ask them to make good in some way….not sure what consumer protection laws exist in NZ, but it sounds as though they’ve been caught basically selling you something less than what you thought you were paying for.

[Kiwidemon]

Originally Posted by RichardInCA

It sounds as though the dealer sold you a car that lacked features that they claimed it had? That sounds like a potential reason to go back and ask them to make good in some way….not sure what consumer protection laws exist in NZ, but it sounds as though they’ve been caught basically selling you something less than what you thought you were paying for.

They didn't really claim it had this feature, neither they explicitly disclosed that it doesn't. I bought the car remotely as I am based in a different city 2 hour flight away so I couldn't inspect the car in person. So it probably is on me that I expected it to have these features. What really is upsetting is that sounds like it cannot even be added.

[Zinedine]

Originally Posted by Kiwidemon

Just to add the car actually has Connected drive written on the windshield camera so hopefully the hardware for it is there

I have an iX, with the same issue.

Bought it under the assumption Android Auto works, as the AA app is actually there on iDrive.
But doesn't work. Just says connect failed check bluetooth or wifi.
However carplay works just fine.

It's been almost 3 years and still they couldn't get it to work.
First they blamed Google not supporting it in my region (Qatar), then after I told them I have other BMW cars that have working Android Auto, then they have admitted its an issue from BMW and that an update is coming to fix it.

I'm still waiting for this "update"...

[Zinedine]

Originally Posted by Zinedine

I have an iX, with the same issue.

Bought it under the assumption Android Auto works, as the AA app is actually there on iDrive.
But doesn't work. Just says connect failed check bluetooth or wifi.
However carplay works just fine.

It's been almost 3 years and still they couldn't get it to work.
First they blamed Google not supporting it in my region (Qatar), then after I told them I have other BMW cars that have working Android Auto, then they have admitted its an issue from BMW and that an update is coming to fix it.

I'm still waiting for this "update"...

just got final confirmation, no fix for this issue.
BMW middle east office has sent me an email stating there is no fix.

[jpuffmasterpuffpuffpuff69]

Can coding fix this? Bimmerutility or similar?

[Zinedine]

Originally Posted by jpuffmasterpuffpuffpuff69

Can coding fix this? Bimmerutility or similar?

I contacted bimmercode, they said they cannot do anything.

Based on my research, it might just be deactivated, so if it can be activated or maybe change region in the code then it should work.

But I have no idea about any of this.
And of course dealer will not tamper with codes unless instructed/approved by BMW.

[jpuffmasterpuffpuffpuff69]

Originally Posted by Zinedine

I contacted bimmercode, they said they cannot do anything.

Based on my research, it might just be deactivated, so if it can be activated or maybe change region in the code then it should work.

But I have no idea about any of this.
And of course dealer will not tamper with codes unless instructed/approved by BMW.

You should be able to change regions. I don't know if that will allow recoding. May want to ask BimmerUtility. As far as I've read, it's a bit more powerful than bimmercode.