iPhone cable

[stevespg]

So, I bought one of these cables (from bmw) to allow my iPhone to plug into the car.

It kinda works sometimes, sometimes takes an age to Connect, sometimes says unsupported usb interface.

Any ideas, is there a specific order to connect / turn on etc that I may have missed?

Thanks

 

[PointedMarlin]

This is a guess … based on a comment on another thread that Mr Tourette made

The AUX out is temperamental, I know mine is but didn’t realise it at the time (only after seeing his post)

Check the aux first as it might be that part that is breaking your circuit

Good luck & let us know if you figure it out

 

[stevespg]

Thank you.
If I use the headphone jacks on phone and car only, works fine. Just seems to have a hissy fit using recognising the phone with the bmw cable. Maybe I’ll try another brand?

 

[Nanu]

I am assuming your zed does not have Bluetooth? I connect my phone to the car to charge only and it connects by Bluetooth perfectly.

 

[stevespg]

Bluetooth for phone only, doesn’t stream (I don’t think it can anyways)

 

[therealmc]

If you’ve got a USB socket do you really need to connect the Aux as well? I’d have to double check later how consistent it is but my old iPhone 5s (used specifically as a music source rather than as my main phone) definitely works with just a standard Apple cable.

 

[stevespg]

That’s interesting. Mines a 5s, std lightning cable doesn’t seem to work.

Today however this cable is playing ball…..

Seems very dependant on the order I connect.

 

[Nanu]

Bluetooth for phone only, doesn’t stream (I don’t think it can anyways)

If it's music you want to stream then install an Echo Dot in the car, pair it with the phone with the Alexa App installed and hey presto, Amazon music on demand and voice controlled through the Echo Dot. I have it and it works great.

 

[stevespg]

That’s an interesting option. Thanks

 

[tiglon]

Bluetooth for phone only, doesn’t stream (I don’t think it can anyways)

If it's music you want to stream then install an Echo Dot in the car, pair it with the phone with the Alexa App installed and hey presto, Amazon music on demand and voice controlled through the Echo Dot. I have it and it works great.

That is genius. I'm assuming you can power the dot through usb port? Would it work in the glove box?

 

[PointedMarlin]

Ok what am I missing here?

Why the need for the dot?

Why not just play Amazon Music through your phone app linked via USB?

 

[tiglon]

You need the dot for voice control. So, say you're driving along and you really fancy listening to your favourite artist, Taylor Swift, you can just tell Alexa to play some classic Taylor, rather than having to pull over and fiddle with your phone.

 

[PointedMarlin]

Ah got it, see I just set up my country hits in the app & go - I never considered needing voice control but I can see how that would be useful

Does the echo not need an internet connection though or is that what the phone provides

 

[tiglon]

Yeah that's what the phone provides. £20 for an echo dot makes it quite a cheap way to add voice control for music and checking weather etc - you could also do other Alexa things like turn on your heating on the way home if you have it set up.

 

[stevespg]

Well. As they’re on sale in Halfords atm, seems worth a go.

 

[Deebs]

Your iPhone can be set up to do the same thing (with either Alexa or Siri. (although smart arses can make your phone do things if you leave it unattended).

 

[Nanu]

Bluetooth for phone only, doesn’t stream (I don’t think it can anyways)

If it's music you want to stream then install an Echo Dot in the car, pair it with the phone with the Alexa App installed and hey presto, Amazon music on demand and voice controlled through the Echo Dot. I have it and it works great.

That is genius. I'm assuming you can power the dot through usb port? Would it work in the glove box?

There are plenty of Youtube vids on how to do it.

 

[Nanu]

You need the dot for voice control. So, say you're driving along and you really fancy listening to your favourite artist, Taylor Swift, you can just tell Alexa to play some classic Taylor, rather than having to pull over and fiddle with your phone.

As long as you fix the Dot where you can talk to it, it works fine. Try it in several places and see what works for you. I have mine on the bulkhead b/w the seats. Yes you have to turn your head but it's close so it picks up your voice easy and there is little wiring b/w that and the connections in the arm rest

 

[Nanu]

Yeah that's what the phone provides. £20 for an echo dot makes it quite a cheap way to add voice control for music and checking weather etc - you could also do other Alexa things like turn on your heating on the way home if you have it set up.

It took me a few attempts to set up so the Dot, car and the phone acting as a hotspot to all speak to each other but once it does, it works fine.

 

[tiglon]

Thanks Nanu, this morning I realised/discovered that I have Google Assistant on my phone so I turned it on and tested it in the car. Voice commands work fine even with the phone in my pocket while driving. Going to get a wireless charging magnetic phone holder so I can have my phone neatly on display (useful for googlemaps when the BMW nav doesn't cut it and I might use MHD or similar in future so may want info on display). I came close to doing MMI or Android touchscreen but I'd rather spend the money on other modifications and I have been spending way too much recently!