Aux Port - What can you use it for?

[Tango22]

I've just found an AUX port is fitted to my 2006 Z4, under the heater controls above the ashtray. Never even noticed it before and I've had the car for nearly a year!

Given that most phones these days don't have the ability to plug cables into ports on them (I have an iPhone XR and it has nowhere to plug anything in) what can you use the AUX port in the car for? Is it powered? Could you run some sort of adapter for instance, which turns it into a USB port which would be much more useful?

Wondering what folk are using their AUX ports for? Could it somehow be used to plug a Bluetooth adapter in and allow both music streaming and hands free calls? Something like this perhaps?:-

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluetooth-Receiver-Adapter-Microphone-Streaming/dp/B01EFPYQ2I/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1476710937&sr=8-18-spons&keywords=audio+bluetooth+reciever&psc=1&tag=z4fo-21

Also, I have the M Sport steering wheel with controls on the wheel, including one with a little head and voice waves coming out of it, can I use these steering wheel controls with an adapter similar to that one above?

Ta.

 

[curvature]

As far as I am aware it is purely an auxiliary input only and not powered.

I don't use mine but a friend as used it for a bluetooth phone/streaming module.

 

[JamesClements]

I run one of these in mine to connect my iphone

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tunai-Firefly-Chat-Bluetooth-Receiver-Black/dp/B07C78WV6J/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=B07C78WV6J&psc=1

 

[patriot66]

I wanted to install a Pure Highway 600 DAB/Bluetooth/Handsfree device in my '03 Zed and as it didn't have an aux port I connected one to the vacant port on the rear of the Business head unit. I've concealed the aux socket and USB that go to the DAB aerial behind the panel below the heater controls and routed all the cables behind the dash, up the passenger side A-pillar and across the top of the windscreen under the sun visor panel. It makes for a nice neat install. Very impressed all round with the Pure so far. Amazing value for money too

 

[Wilbert]

I use a Lightning to Aux adapter (https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMX62AM/A/lightning-to-35-mm-headphone-jack-adapter) for this, works a treat.

 

[veryverydarkblue]

You can use it for many things, but you probably shouldn’t. My latest E85 came with the OEM retrofit aux, but the wiring noticeably distorts the sound and I also had to use a ground loop isolator for a stable connection to the head unit, either directly from a phone (with lightning splitter cable) or tunai firefly. A hidden bluemusic adaptor is a significantly superior way to connect, both in terms of sound quality and functionality.

 

[Tango22]

You can use it for many things, but you probably shouldn’t. My latest E85 came with the OEM retrofit aux, but the wiring noticeably distorts the sound and I also had to use a ground loop isolator for a stable connection to the head unit, either directly from a phone (with lightning splitter cable) or tunai firefly. A hidden bluemusic adaptor is a significantly superior way to connect, both in terms of sound quality and functionality.

I have one of the wiring things you plug into the rear of the stereo which is for Bluetooth but it only allows streaming of music as far as I can tell, not phone calls. After I connected the wiring thing up it also seems to have disabled my steering wheel controls, not just for the bluetooth music but also for the FM radio which is weird.

The little Amazon gizmo I linked to arrived yesterday so I'll give it a go later today and report back.

 

[ESP]

The little Amazon gizmo I linked to arrived yesterday so I'll give it a go later today and report back.

Ive got one just like yours. Sound Quality is ok, not amazing,
but other wise it's so simple, automatically connects every time, does the job its meant to.

For calls, Ive also got a PARROT - CK3000 (the most basic one they do) fitted inside the glove box. Its absolutely Brilliant!
Works of the Steering wheel buttons (needed a specific lead). It's been fitted 9 years, and works perfectly.
I don't see the point in mounting a ugly display to the dash

 

[Tango22]

Hi ESP, cheers for the reply. Yes, the little gizmo works well and seems quite well made for the money. Just a pity it can only really receive incoming calls and not make outgoing ones.

What was the 'specific lead' you mention for the Parrot? I may look at one of those. Cheers.

 

[M1k3yC]

I use a Lightning to Aux adapter (https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMX62AM/A/lightning-to-35-mm-headphone-jack-adapter) for this, works a treat.

I do the same. Sound is good but the inability to skip tracks is annoying. Still, it's better than a 3.5mm to cassette adapter if anyone remembers those