[VWtoBMW]

I am posting in this forum since the F10 5 Series forum does not have a forum for this type of topic. My car is a 2012 535i MSport with Navi/iDrive

I went from an iPhone 4, to a 5 and now got an Android. It is a Motorola RAZR HD running Android 4.1

When I would connect to iDrive to play music through the iDrive interface, I had always connected the phone into the USB post in the center arm rest. Never use Y Cable, just plain USB to apple iphone cable. When I hit the CD button, it would pretty much immediately pick up the iPhone and I can select Playlists, music, etc.. and album art would display while playing. Never had an issue.

I am trying to connect the Motorola to the car the same way. USB to the phone through the USB port in the center arm rest. Nothing. When I hit CD it shows as if nothing is plugged in. The phone does not even charge. If I unplug the cable at the USB plug and replug, it will charge but thats it. The iDrive system doesnt see the phone.

When I plug it in it also doesnt ask me about using the device as a mass storage device which is what I am apparently expected to see.

Am I missing something?

Another point to note is the Bluetooth connection. It doesn appear to stay connected after pairing.

Anything anyone can do to help will be appreciated or else this phone goes up for sale !

Thanks

[Rick4345]

I'm not an expert. I can tell you that BMW uses Apple's OS. That's why your Android won't work. I have a Motorola Atrix HD and have the same situation. As far as the connectivity with the bluetooth, look up articles that lead to the BMW site that has the software updates. It helped my problem immensly. Good Luck!!

[shivaswrath]

it won't work. either get an iPod, or copy all of your music over to the HDD from your Android Device. Sorry man...BMW and Apple are in bed together.

[rich1068]

As others have said, iDrive and Android don't play nicely together.

I have a Nexus 4 running 4.2.2 and everything is up to date on my car too. Best I can manage is streaming audio via Bluetooth with no art or info.

Not perfect but not bad enough for me to go back to iOS. And anyway, I just dump everything on to a USB.

[VWtoBMW]

Ok, thanks for the info. I think I will just go back to my iPhone 5 until Android catches up. Streaming from bluetooth doesn't cut it as I like being able to go through my playlists, etc. from iDrive, having the album art, etc.

[rich1068]

I doubt it ever will catch up as you put it. There's nothing wrong with Android in itself, it's at least as capable as iOS but BMW work mainly on Apple devices because it's simpler and more cost effective that way. They only have to worry about the most current version of iOS and a handful of phones/players. If they tried to get universal Android compatibility taking into account all the variations of Android and handsets out there, they'd never have time to make any cars.

[F30SD]

I have the samsung galaxy s3 and it works when plugged in through USB or bluetooth. Did you try swapping out the usb cable? it may be bad.

[VWtoBMW]

Originally Posted by F30SD

I have the samsung galaxy s3 and it works when plugged in through USB or bluetooth. Did you try swapping out the usb cable? it may be bad.

Yes I did try another cable. No luck.

Anyone want to but a brand new Motorola RAZR HD? lol

[TheObviousChild]

Any updates on the rumors regarding Samsung Galaxy support this summer?

[dazza69uk]

Hey, mine works - Samsung S4 the idrive picks music up straight away. I'm having a job for it to pick up the play lists though. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't... (at the moment not)

[joedoe]

Originally Posted by VWtoBMW

Ok, thanks for the info. I think I will just go back to my iPhone 5 until Android catches up. Streaming from bluetooth doesn't cut it as I like being able to go through my playlists, etc. from iDrive, having the album art, etc.

You have to configure your phone as a mass storage device. If this doesn't work try MTP.