[AdrianG01]

Hello friends,

I am also in the same situation as many others, in which my X3 doesn't have the wireless antenna installed (option code 6CP) and thus can't activate carplay via connecteddrive services.

I am starting this thread in the hopes of getting up-to-date and confirmed solutions for activating Apple Carplay that could also help others in this situation.

So far, based on my research it seems there are two types of activations, one via USB with a memory stick and the other more complex with an ENET cable and a laptop with an internet connection. They mostly depend on the software version of your navigation, but I am not sure exactly what the differences are.

Are there also other methods?

Secondly, it is quite unclear to me how safe these methods are.
As with any coding there are risks associated and many things can go wrong (I have seen at least one case in the forums with a blue screen of death in the navi display).

However, what I can't find and nobody can tell me for sure is what exactly happens when you take your car to the service for example for regular maintenance and they decide to upgrade the firmware (software). So far, I have read that with the update most likely carplay will be removed and additionally, one of these things might happen:
1. Can re-install carplay with the same method.
2. Can reinstall with an alternative method.
3. Cannot reinstall and you can say goodbye to carplay (permanent BMW fix)
4. Your navigation is bricked and you need a new head unit. Some people managed to get it fixed in warranty.

Can anyone of the more knowledgeable guys shed some light into this?

TL;DR: I want to install apple carplay on my BMW. What is the best and safest way to do this?

Thanks!

[titomi]

Originally Posted by AdrianG01

Hello friends,

I am also in the same situation as many others, in which my X3 doesn't have the wireless antenna installed (option code 6CP) and thus can't activate carplay via connecteddrive services.

I am starting this thread in the hopes of getting up-to-date and confirmed solutions for activating Apple Carplay that could also help others in this situation.

So far, based on my research it seems there are two types of activations, one via USB with a memory stick and the other more complex with an ENET cable and a laptop with an internet connection. They mostly depend on the software version of your navigation, but I am not sure exactly what the differences are.

Are there also other methods?

Secondly, it is quite unclear to me how safe these methods are.
As with any coding there are risks associated and many things can go wrong (I have seen at least one case in the forums with a blue screen of death in the navi display).

However, what I can't find and nobody can tell me for sure is what exactly happens when you take your car to the service for example for regular maintenance and they decide to upgrade the firmware (software). So far, I have read that with the update most likely carplay will be removed and additionally, one of these things might happen:
1. Can re-install carplay with the same method.
2. Can reinstall with an alternative method.
3. Cannot reinstall and you can say goodbye to carplay (permanent BMW fix)
4. Your navigation is bricked and you need a new head unit. Some people managed to get it fixed in warranty.

Can anyone of the more knowledgeable guys shed some light into this?

TL;DR: I want to install apple carplay on my BMW. What is the best and safest way to do this?

Thanks!

All your questions were already answered in various threads. However, if somebody writes a complex answer (as complex was your post), could be helpful for others. From my knowledge, the safest way would be installing wifi antenna and then get the ACP from Connected drive. Not sure, whether something else has to be done, but if not, this is for sure the safest way. Although might be the most expensive.

[RazorX3]

Originally Posted by AdrianG01

Hello friends,

I am also in the same situation as many others, in which my X3 doesn't have the wireless antenna installed (option code 6CP) and thus can't activate carplay via connecteddrive services.

I am starting this thread in the hopes of getting up-to-date and confirmed solutions for activating Apple Carplay that could also help others in this situation.

So far, based on my research it seems there are two types of activations, one via USB with a memory stick and the other more complex with an ENET cable and a laptop with an internet connection. They mostly depend on the software version of your navigation, but I am not sure exactly what the differences are.

Are there also other methods?

Secondly, it is quite unclear to me how safe these methods are.
As with any coding there are risks associated and many things can go wrong (I have seen at least one case in the forums with a blue screen of death in the navi display).

However, what I can't find and nobody can tell me for sure is what exactly happens when you take your car to the service for example for regular maintenance and they decide to upgrade the firmware (software). So far, I have read that with the update most likely carplay will be removed and additionally, one of these things might happen:
1. Can re-install carplay with the same method.
2. Can reinstall with an alternative method.
3. Cannot reinstall and you can say goodbye to carplay (permanent BMW fix)
4. Your navigation is bricked and you need a new head unit. Some people managed to get it fixed in warranty.

Can anyone of the more knowledgeable guys shed some light into this?

TL;DR: I want to install apple carplay on my BMW. What is the best and safest way to do this?

Thanks!

I'm interested in knowing the answers to those questions too...
I can't find any thread discussing those issues whatsoever, all I can find is general ideas about coding carplay but nothing too deep or detailed.

[X3M40i_Nev]

Originally Posted by titomi

All your questions were already answered in various threads. However, if somebody writes a complex answer (as complex was your post), could be helpful for others. From my knowledge, the safest way would be installing wifi antenna and then get the ACP from Connected drive. Not sure, whether something else has to be done, but if not, this is for sure the safest way. Although might be the most expensive.

That "would" be the safest way, but major stumbling block(er) is that assuming wifi antenna is installed (easy enough as per other threads), there is no way to then get BMW's database updated to reflect this fact, so connected drive will not offer the option of CarPlay install.

[Nicorad]

Hi,

kubax86 activate Carplay for my X3 and it's working fine.
He reply very fast to all my questions, activation was done less than half an hour after paiement and way cheaper than other methods, for the same results...

The WIFI antenna is not needed as long as the phone stay on the cup holder.
If you want to leave it in your pocket, you probably must install the antenna...

[kubax86]

Originally Posted by Nicorad

Hi,

kubax86 activate Carplay for my X3 and it's working fine.
He reply very fast to all my questions, activation was done less than half an hour after paiement and way cheaper than other methods, for the same results...

The WIFI antenna is not needed as long as the phone stay on the cup holder.
If you want to leave it in your pocket, you probably must install the antenna...

Thanks

Like you said WiFi Antenna is not required, and sometimes it works just fine even in the pocket.