Apple CarPlay Retrofit for BMW and MINI with CIC iDrive - Bimmer-Tech

If you are looking for a retrofit solution to listen to music from streaming services, such as Spotify, through your car speakers or navigate using Apple Maps, then......

This retrofit solution allows you bring older BMW multimedia systems up to modern day standards.  allowing you to benefit from many of your iPhone Apps; Apple Maps, Waze, Spotify, Whatsapp, Siri and other applications on the iDrive screen without actually touching the phone.

CarPlay MMI Prime for the CIC iDrive system comes with upgraded, refreshed software and has a modernized interface, which allows for easy use of iPhone and Android apps, including Google Maps, Waze, Tidal, Spotify, Messages, WhatsApp, etc., on your native dashboard screen. Following your needs, it is now possible for you to connect your iPhone wirelessly with your car, and giving you the option of convenient navigation between the apps with Siri voice control.

Theres more.....

BimmerTech’s CarPlay MMI Prime upgrade is compatible with E-series and F-series (only 5 / 6 / 7 and X3 - Series) cars with CIC iDrive systems. It additionally includes Android Auto, which you can use either wirelessly or with the MMI’s USB port. If your phone supports wireless Android Auto, you can definitely enjoy the wireless capability. However, in case your phone is not compatible you’ll still be able to use the Android Auto via USB as long as you have the Android Auto app installed. 

Features Summary

• Wireless CarPlay capability
• USB multimedia and charging port
• Full-Screen Mode
• Easy control while driving
• Android Auto support
• Integration with Front and Rear View Cameras
• High-quality audio with an equalizer
• Other features

Features Detailed

Wireless CarPlay capability

• With CarPlay MMI Prime you can connect your iPhone wirelessly to the head unit. It only takes one wireless pairing of your iPhone and CarPlay MMI to help the MMI recognize your iPhone every time you enter your car and connect wirelessly, even if your phone is in your pocket or bag. Plus, CarPlay also gives you the option on answering or making calls hands-free via the CarPlay interface. 
  If you’d rather connect your iPhone with the use of cable, you are also free to do so. CarPlay MMI Prime supports both wired and wireless phone connections.

USB multimedia and charging port

• Our CarPlay solution comes with a USB port, which lets you charge your iPhone on longer drives. You can also use it for playing videos and music on your iDrive Screen from a USB thumb drive. The MMI's USB port can also be used in the future for software updates.  So, if you won't be using it for charging or multimedia playback - make sure to place it in an accessible location.

Full-Screen Mode

• CarPlay MMI Prime allows you to use all your favorite CarPlay-compatible iPhone apps on the original BMW display in full-screen. The retrofit's 1280x480 resolution for big screens and 800x480 resolution for small screens is perfect for all screen sizes. Note that in MINIs with a rounded screen, a small part of each corner of the CarPlay interface will be obscured when using full-screen mode. The Full-Screen mode additionally includes a Screen Mirroring option — it lets you cast the screen of your mobile device onto the BMW’s display, and stream audio through the car speakers. While iPhones mirror wirelessly, Android phones require a cable connection.
  Please note that mirroring of some apps or content using the Screen Mirroring feature may be blocked due to the copyright-holder's DRM. BimmerTech is not responsible for the continued compatibility of any third-party apps with CarPlay MMI Prime.

Easy control while driving 

• To navigate the CarPlay apps, you can use the Siri voice control or the iDrive controller.

Wireless Android Auto support

• The kit contains a Multimedia Interface (MMI) — a module that also adds Android Auto to your BMW. So if you have family members or friends with Android smartphones, connecting their devices will be a breeze too! To enjoy Android Auto wirelessly your phone has to support the wireless Android Auto. If it doesn’t, you’ll still be able to use the Android Auto via USB - just make sure you have the Android Auto app installed. 

Integration with Front and Rear View Cameras

• Ordering your front and reverse cameras along with the MMI (Multimedia Interface) module may help you save some extra bucks, as they come much cheaper as a complete kit.  The front view camera can easily be activated by holding the Option button for 2 seconds. To exit camera mode, just press Back. It can also be set up to appear automatically for up to 20 seconds when shifting from Reverse to Drive.

High-quality audio with an equalizer

• The audio output circuit in the CarPlay MMI Prime has been carefully selected to squeeze all the quality we can out of the iDrive AUX input, so that it provides great audio quality for music and streaming. Something that’s also upgraded in our new MMI Prime is the quality of phone calls — we’ve managed to reduce reverberation for the comfort of clear and undisturbed conversations.

Other features:

• CarPlay MMI Prime supports devices running iOS Version 7 onwards
• Play music through the BMW stereo system with the help of the AUX input.
• Our CarPlay retrofit also uses the factory car microphone for Siri voice commands; This means that you can access your iTunes library, get the latest news or send texts hands-free. For this feature to work, your BMW has to have Bluetooth or Voice Control;
• The installation is completely plug & play and 100% reversible.

Note: Vehicle must be equipped with AUX/USB, dependent on the vehicle, to allow sound output. AUX/USB, dependent on the vehicle, will need to be selected on the vehicle's head unit for sound to be transmitted when in Carplay/Android Auto mode.