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      10-15-2012, 12:57 PM   #1
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Exclamation FAQ: BMW iPhone 5 and iOS 6 Functionality, Bluetooth and Y-Cable Overview

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FAQ: BMW iPhone 5 and iOS 6 Functionality, Bluetooth and Y-Cable Overview
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Apple recently introduced the new iPhone 5. There are three key differences between it and earlier iPhone models that affect its integration in BMW vehicles. First, the physical dimensions of the body of the new phone are thinner and longer compared to the iPhone 4/4S. Second, the iPhone uses a new 8-pin connector in place of the traditional 30-pin connector used on all other iPhone variants as well as iPod touch and iPod nano. The third is the elimination of the analog video signal.

Taken together, the result is:
1. iPhone 5 is not compatible with any of the current snap-in adapters available through BMW.
2. The PlugIn feature as a means of accessing one’s music library is not available on the iPhone 5. (Owners are still able to access their music library using a USB cable, see details under “Will I need an adapter to use my iPhone5?”.)
3. Also, watching videos stored on the device, on the car’s screen while parked is no longer possible.

FAQ

Below is an FAQ regarding the use of iPhone 5 and iOS6, as answered by BMW:

Can I connect my phone via Bluetooth to make phones calls, see my contacts and play music?
• Yes.
Can I still play music from my iPhone 5 in my BMW?
• Yes, via the External Devices menu in iDrive.
Will I need an adapter to use my iPhone 5?
• This depends on the options in the vehicle:
◦ No, if you currently use an Apple "white cable" to connect your iPhone to your vehicle. In this case, all you need is the new Apple Lightning cable, included with your iPhone 5. (See our member's DIY guide for creating a cradle and integrating the lightning cable)
◦ Yes, if you currently use a Y-Cable to connect your phone. In this case, you will need a "Lightning adapter" to connect your iPhone 5 to the Y-cable. (See "USB vs. Y-cable" on below to determine when a Y-cable is needed for MY 13 vehicles.)
◦ The "Lightning adapter" is an adapter available via Apple to convert the old 30-pin plug to the new 8-pin connector or "Lightning cable". It is already on sale by Apple and retails for $29.99 (for the adapter) or $39.99 for the adapter cable.
Can I use PlugIn and/or play videos from my iPhone 5?
• No, the iPhone 5 Lightning connector does not support analog video, therefore making the PlugIn feature and video playback incompatible.
• PlugIn and video playback are still supported when using an iPhone 4/4S with iOS 6.
When will the iPhone 5 Snap-In Adapter be available?
• BMW's official word on this is that there is currently no timeline set for the release of the iPhone 5 Snap-In Adapter, but as we recently reported, our sources indicate that its currently in developemtn and to expect it sometime around June 2013.
Is "BMW apps" compatible with iPhone 5 / iOS 6?
• Yes, owners with iOS 6 (incl. iPhone 3GS/4/4S/5) and a "BMW apps" equipped vehicle can continue enjoying the same great app integrations, just as they did with iOS 5.1. This includes Pandora, MOG, Aupeo, Stitcher and BMW Connected.
• Pandora is still not compatible with the New Navigation Professional System (SA609) vehicles, but an update is expected from Pandora by November 30, 2012.)
Can I use Mobile Office with iPhone 5 / iOS 6?
• With the release of iOS 6 (incl. iPhone 3GS/4/4S/5), Mobile Office is now supported for Text Messages and iMessages. This is available in cars with option code 639 / 6NL "BMW Assist with Enhanced Bluetooth". Owners will be able to see their text messages / iMessages on the screen,
and can have them read aloud. (Read-out of messages also requires Navigation.)
• Not all of the Text Messages / iMessages on the phone will be displayed in the vehicle. Only new messages received while the phone is connected to the vehicle will be available in the vehicle.
• Owners will have to configure their phone as follows to activate this feature:
1. Pair the phone to the vehicle as normal.
2. Under "Settings" and "Bluetooth", press the blue arrow to the right of the paired vehicle:
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3. Then turn on "Show Notifications":
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4. Also,notifications must be turned on for "Messages" as well:
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5. Owners then have to reconnect their phone to the vehicle. This is done by scrolling over the paired phone in the vehicle’s “Bluetooth” menu and pushing the iDrive controller.
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6. Returning a phone call via the displayed text message / iMessage is not possible. Owners should either dial the number directly or select a contact from their address book using iDrive.


Y-CABLE / BLUETOOTH

USB vs. Y-cable:

USB is offered standard on all 2013 BMW models, but the available functions differ based on vehicle equipment. Audio playback through the USB port is always included, but may require the Y-cable accessory in combination with an iPhone / iPod. The BMW Apps features are only available in combination with option 6NR "BMW apps". Some of the app features are accessible using the Apple cable, but video playback is only possible with Smartphone Integration (6NF) in combination with the appropriate snap-in adapter.

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* Plug-In is not currently compatible with the new Navigation Professional system (SA609); a fix is expected later this year.


The Y-cable is needed unless the vehicle is equipped with 639 or 6NL "BMW Assist with Enhanced Bluetooth and USB", which is standard equipment on all MY 13 5 Series, 5 Series GT, 6 Series, 7 Series, X5 and X6 models. On most other MY 13 models, 639/6NL is offered in combination with 609 "Navigation system" and/or in the Technology Package and/or as an option. See the chart below for more details about each model’s Y-cable dependency.

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Bluetooth:

Bluetooth comes standard on all 2013 BMW models, but again, the available functions are dependent on vehicle equipment. Please refer to each vehicle’s ordering guide to determine which options are available.

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      10-15-2012, 02:10 PM   #2
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Sound is better via snap-in adapter. Thanks for posting FAQ.
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      10-15-2012, 02:10 PM   #3
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It took me a few years, but I finally understand which cables allow you to do what in each model/model year. This is very helpful for the newbies, though!

I ended up keeping my iPhone 4 to use as a music hard drive in my 2009 M3, and with iTunes Match turned on, it automatically syncs my music and playlists with all my other devices/iTunes when I park at my apartment and the iPhone 4 sees my router. Alternately you can use your 5 as a Wifi hotspot to update the music/playlists on your 4 if you continue to use it as a hard drive.
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      10-15-2012, 02:28 PM   #4
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Anyone experience both phone call and audio at the SAME time when I pair my iPhone via bluetooth instead of using the apple cable? I mean I was listening to audio via bluetooth and when I receive phone call...I will hear both sources at the SAME time in the car...caller seems to get my voice only from the other end...anyone?
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      10-15-2012, 03:16 PM   #5
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Great summary!

Unfortunately the procedure for showing text messages doesnt work for a iPhone 3GS with iOS 6 in a F30 equipped with 6NL and 609.
The phone does not show the option " Show notifications" under the paired device". It does show "Synchronize contacts" and that works fine.
Anybody with different results?

(Car bt software updated using upd1005.bin)
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      10-15-2012, 03:49 PM   #6
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Im getting my BMW 1M (production date - 04.2011) next week!
It has Navigation Profesional.....but i have no clue how much I will be able to do with my iPhone...?!
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      10-15-2012, 04:21 PM   #7
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Can't shuffle via the USB cable, which sucks.
Bluetooth is flaky too. I have had to forget my BMW Bluetooth and repair to get Bluetooth audio more times than I can count (this is most likely an iOS 6 issue) and occasionally the audio crackles too via Bluetooth.
Ah the price we pay for new tech...
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      10-15-2012, 04:26 PM   #8
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I can't pair my iPhone 5 with bluetooth. Had no trouble with 4. 2012 335is.
Does anyone else have the same problem?
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      10-15-2012, 05:23 PM   #9
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Will the iPhone 5 work with an 08 m3?
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      10-15-2012, 05:34 PM   #10
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Paired my iPhone 5 via Bluetooth on my MY2012 Z4 at the weekend. Phone book, telephone & playing back music works a treat. Will wait for a Y cable.
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      10-15-2012, 07:13 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by G2G View Post
Im getting my BMW 1M (production date - 04.2011) next week!
It has Navigation Profesional.....but i have no clue how much I will be able to do with my iPhone...?!
iPhone5 works great on my 1M with the lightning cable. I never used the video out before so I can't comment on that but MOG, Sticher, BMW Connect and BMW Remote work without any issues.

Even Siri works fine over BT (You can turn this on/off on the phone itself).

Also, congrats on your 1M. Don't forget to come say hi on the 1M board.

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      10-15-2012, 08:30 PM   #12
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I dont think we can even get navigation professional in Canada.
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      10-15-2012, 10:22 PM   #13
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How bout an update for ip5s bigger screen on the bimmerpost app?
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      10-16-2012, 01:00 AM   #14
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      10-16-2012, 01:11 AM   #15
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I still can't get messages and emails to work with my iphone 5 and my f30 335i
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      10-16-2012, 07:28 AM   #16
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Question

Any way to have txt messages display without navigating the iDrive to the office menu, then the phone menu, then the message menu? I would like the message to display over what ever iDrive screen I happen to be on at the time. Navigating all those menus to get the txt message sort of defeats the purpose.

I have a 2012 135i with iDrive and NAV, and an iPhone 4 with iOS 6 installed.
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      10-16-2012, 09:01 AM   #17
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Sorry for the potentially stupid question, but what does PlugIn actually mean?

I have an iphone 6 with the y-cable. If I get the thunderbolt adaptor will I still be able to browse through the songs on my iDrive screen, or is that what PlugIn means?
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      10-16-2012, 09:12 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by panoz7 View Post
Sorry for the potentially stupid question, but what does PlugIn actually mean?
PlugIn is the interface shown below. You need 6NR option.





Quote:
Originally Posted by panoz7 View Post
I have an iphone 6 with the y-cable. If I get the thunderbolt adaptor will I still be able to browse through the songs on my iDrive screen, or is that what PlugIn means?
Dang you have the iPhone 6!
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      10-16-2012, 09:24 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SamS View Post
PlugIn is the interface shown below. You need 6NR option.
Thanks. So I should still be able to browse files, I just won't be able to see album art or use the iphones interface on the screen (which I wasn't able to do before anyway).

Quote:
Originally Posted by SamS View Post
Dang you have the iPhone 6!
Shhhh... don't tell anyone else.
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      10-16-2012, 10:24 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1230vani View Post
Sound is better via snap-in adapter. Thanks for posting FAQ.
If you use a Y-cable, that may be true (although I think those cars use analog audio through the snap-in too, but I'm not sure). But if your car can pull audio using just the normal white USB cable, then sound quality should be identical since it'd be digital audio in either case.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bomb617 View Post
Anyone experience both phone call and audio at the SAME time when I pair my iPhone via bluetooth instead of using the apple cable? I mean I was listening to audio via bluetooth and when I receive phone call...I will hear both sources at the SAME time in the car...caller seems to get my voice only from the other end...anyone?
Nope, music always stops when a call comes through. How odd.

Quote:
Originally Posted by dc_bmw View Post
Unfortunately the procedure for showing text messages doesnt work for a iPhone 3GS with iOS 6 in a F30 equipped with 6NL and 609.
The phone does not show the option " Show notifications" under the paired device". It does show "Synchronize contacts" and that works fine.
Anybody with different results?

(Car bt software updated using upd1005.bin)
I have Show Notifications, but displaying texts and emails is still finicky. Maybe try deleting and re-pairing your phone since you installed that BT update? It may still not work (expectation is that it's an iOS bug since it worked on early iOS 6 betas), but that should at least get you the Show Notifications option.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335 View Post
Can't shuffle via the USB cable, which sucks.
Bluetooth is flaky too. I have had to forget my BMW Bluetooth and repair to get Bluetooth audio more times than I can count (this is most likely an iOS 6 issue) and occasionally the audio crackles too via Bluetooth.
Ah the price we pay for new tech...
Shuffle absolutely works when connected to USB. Go to External Devices, press the Option button, and choose Random. The issue is that that setting isn't maintained after you turn the car off or disconnect the device (can't remember which), so you have to keep enabling it. As for BT audio, the only issues I've seen are occasionally losing the ability to jump between tracks (though audio continues working) and yes occasional crackling, but those are rare and actually they haven't happened at all since installing iOS 6 on my phone and the latest BT software for the car.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrringodi View Post
Will the iPhone 5 work with an 08 m3?
Can't imagine why not.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Kleen View Post
Any way to have txt messages display without navigating the iDrive to the office menu, then the phone menu, then the message menu? I would like the message to display over what ever iDrive screen I happen to be on at the time. Navigating all those menus to get the txt message sort of defeats the purpose.

I have a 2012 135i with iDrive and NAV, and an iPhone 4 with iOS 6 installed.
Nope, that's a limitation of iDrive's interface. Easiest workaround is to assign one of your shortcut keys to the Messages area. However, you DO get an envelope icon when you have a message waiting, which appears either along the top edge of the interface (for most iDrive pages) or in the gray box in the upper-right corner of the map area when you're in Nav view, so at least you don't have to check the Messages area proactively.

Last edited by jphughan; 10-16-2012 at 10:29 AM..
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      10-16-2012, 11:03 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jphughan View Post
Nope, that's a limitation of iDrive's interface. Easiest workaround is to assign one of your shortcut keys to the Messages area.
Not the answer I was hoping for but a good idea nonetheless. Thanks!
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      10-16-2012, 02:43 PM   #22
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Great info!
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