[throwingcopper33]

I have been using Android phones for 15 years. I don't have anything against Apple, but I always go with Android. I have a 2018 440i GC that has Apple CarPlay. It has iDrive 6, so it doesn't look like it will get updated with Android Auto capability. I want to hear from people that use Apple devices and CarPlay. Does it integrate well with BMW's navigation system and HUD? Other pros and cons with Apple and BMW?

[zatelli]

Originally Posted by throwingcopper33

I have been using Android phones for 15 years. I don't have anything against Apple, but I always go with Android. I have a 2018 440i GC that has Apple CarPlay. It has iDrive 6, so it doesn't look like it will get updated with Android Auto capability. I want to hear from people that use Apple devices and CarPlay. Does it integrate well with BMW's navigation system and HUD? Other pros and cons with Apple and BMW?

You don't need to switch to IOS if you don't want to. All you need is to upgrade to an Android Head Unit, with a broad features list (nav, DAB+, OEM and aftermarket support, etc). Feel free to have a look here

[throwingcopper33]

Originally Posted by zatelli

You don't need to switch to IOS if you don't want to. All you need is to upgrade to an Android Head Unit, with a broad features list (nav, DAB+, OEM and aftermarket support, etc). Feel free to have a look here

From what I have read, it doesn't look like the aftermarket head units are supported on newer model BMWs.

[zatelli]

Originally Posted by throwingcopper33

From what I have read, it doesn't look like the aftermarket head units are supported on newer model BMWs.

Not at all. There are android headunits that support NBT EVO out of the box. Just look around aliexpress

[throwingcopper33]

I did a search for F36 andriod head units on aliexpress and nothing came up for my model. Let's keep the topic on my original questions please.

[trentr98]

Originally Posted by throwingcopper33

I did a search for F36 andriod head units on aliexpress and nothing came up for my model. Let's keep the topic on my original questions please.

lmao

[Mjam]

Originally Posted by throwingcopper33

I did a search for F36 andriod head units on aliexpress and nothing came up for my model.

Nothing? Try spelling Android the right way, and search like this.

[dadaabmw]

Originally Posted by throwingcopper33

I have been using Android phones for 15 years. I don't have anything against Apple, but I always go with Android. I have a 2018 440i GC that has Apple CarPlay. It has iDrive 6, so it doesn't look like it will get updated with Android Auto capability. I want to hear from people that use Apple devices and CarPlay. Does it integrate well with BMW's navigation system and HUD? Other pros and cons with Apple and BMW?

Navigation from CarPlay does not show up in the HUD. I believe this was changed with an update to newer BMWs in July 2020, however, I can't confirm that.

Other than CarPlay, iOS and Android support is pretty much the same.

Edit: wording.
Edit 2: here is a press release from BMW. Page 7 talks about CarPlay showing up in the HUD. https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/globa...08710EN/451135

[Skyhigh]

throwingcopper33

There are different opinions, but here is mine:
No, the integration of CarPlay in general is not good. The HUD does not display anything from Apple Car play. Generally I have not yet found any use for CarPlay. there is nothing there that doesn't have a BMW alternative. The few times I have tried it, it has been a nuisance. The support for apps is pretty limited.

I am intending to give it another try soon, before my subscription expires. But it looks like I will not be renewing it.

[dadaabmw]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

throwingcopper33

There are different opinions, but here is mine:
No, the integration of CarPlay in general is not good. The HUD does not display anything from Apple Car play. Generally I have not yet found any use for CarPlay. there is nothing there that doesn't have a BMW alternative. The few times I have tried it, it has been a nuisance. The support for apps is pretty limited.

I am intending to give it another try soon, before my subscription expires. But it looks like I will not be renewing it.

Just FYI, BMW no longer requires a subscription for CarPlay. Thankfully they changed their stance on it. Maybe get in touch with a dealer to ensure you don't have to pay a subscription to keep using it.

[Skyhigh]

That may be valid for the US, but I think in Europe you still do...? At least I see it as an existing subscription. Hm...

[throwingcopper33]

I tried searching again. Nothing is compatible with a 2018 F36. The first 10 head units I clicked on states that the car must be 2017 or older.

[throwingcopper33]

Based on the answers to my original questions, I think I will not switch to Apple. There doesn't seem much to gain with the interface with iDrive.

[ian332isport]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

throwingcopper33

There are different opinions, but here is mine:
No, the integration of CarPlay in general is not good. The HUD does not display anything from Apple Car play. Generally I have not yet found any use for CarPlay. there is nothing there that doesn't have a BMW alternative. The few times I have tried it, it has been a nuisance. The support for apps is pretty limited.

I am intending to give it another try soon, before my subscription expires. But it looks like I will not be renewing it.

Agree with all your comments above. I've tried CarPlay several times and it annoyed me intensely.

I don't know about mainland Europe, but in the UK at least, they've removed the subscription from CarPlay. Not sure if that's only for cars that came from the factory with it enabled though.

[Skyhigh]

Interesting....
mine came with it enabled. Will check. Does it still show up as a service in the ConnectedDrive portal?

P.s. Just checked and it is still listed as a service, but there is no expiry date... that should mean it is probably now free indeed! If only it was of any use...

[eff32fl]

Originally Posted by throwingcopper33

I tried searching again. Nothing is compatible with a 2018 F36. The first 10 head units I clicked on states that the car must be 2017 or older.

There is a 10.25" Android 10 aftermarket head unit from AvinUSA that is compatible with 2018 NBT Evo cars. I have the same year and nav type myself. It's worth checking out if you're an Android user. It even supports Car Play if you choose to use that instead.

https://avinusa.com/10-25-multimedia...2-f83-f84.html

[throwingcopper33]

Originally Posted by eff32fl

There is a 10.25" Android 10 aftermarket head unit from AvinUSA that is compatible with 2018 NBT Evo cars. I have the same year and nav type myself. It's worth checking out if you're an Android user. It even supports Car Play if you choose to use that instead.

https://avinusa.com/10-25-multimedia...2-f83-f84.html

I would be careful with that one. One part of the web page shows that it can be compatible while another part of the web page says only "model years 2012-2017." The lack of consistency on which years are compatible scares me off.

[eff32fl]

Originally Posted by throwingcopper33

I would be careful with that one. One part of the web page shows that it can be compatible while another part of the web page says only "model years 2012-2017." The lack of consistency on which years are compatible scares me off.

Understandable. Avin is a fairly reputable company but I'd recommend following up with them via email just to be sure if anyone were to try buying one.

[oluedo]

I never understood the desire for Apple car play and android auto on some of these cars. The user experience is just poor. Personally I prefer Bmw’s implementation and like their interface. Even the maps work much better. I guess it’s just personal experience and familiarity.

[Vortex8]

For GPS navigation I am much more happier with BMW system (NBT EVO ID6). I like the instrument cluster integration (6WB). For listening to music (Spotify) and occasional replying to messages (dictation via Siri integration) CarPlay works pretty well.

[dianebrat]

Originally Posted by oluedo

I never understood the desire for Apple car play and android auto on some of these cars. The user experience is just poor. Personally I prefer Bmw’s implementation and like their interface. Even the maps work much better. I guess it’s just personal experience and familiarity.

This is a YMMV issue, literally.
I have found the BMW navigation to be mediocre at best with huge failings in city traffic in the Boston area where rush hour can be very dynamic.

If I'm going on a long trip, yes the OEM is fine, but if I'm going near a city both Google and Apple have far better real time traffic and will reroute me around issues that come up, OEM navigation just sends me into traffic and lets me sit there.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by zatelli

Not at all. There are android headunits that support NBT EVO out of the box. Just look around aliexpress

The problem with all these aftermarket android screen things is that they just sit on top of your existing BMW idrive and plug into the aux-in jack for audio.

The audio quality is not going to be as good as going straight into the system and you just have this layer on top of the existing iDrive. You may as well just attach a android tablet to the dash - it is what the android solutions do. It looks clean but it's just a jerry rigged screen on top of BMW iDrive.

I'm waiting until someone comes up with an real aftermarket solution that actually replaces iDrive.