iPhone / IPod via USB

[Pooltee]

Hi all

Starting to get quite stressed over this now. My car has the top hifi option, but does not have idrive / satnav etc.

I have tried connecting an iPhone 5, 6, 10 and 11 pro along with an iPod classic. I have used genuine apple usb cables, and also a genuine bmw y cable. Every option of cable device combination results in the same problem. Nothing works.

If I pop a usb stick in the port, It works. I know this is better than nothing, but I was hoping to use an Apple device so I could run Spotify etc.

Am I doing something wrong or is my car simply not compatible with Apple devices. The connector under the arm rest has the usb and aux port. As far as I can see there is no usb in the glovebox.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Paul

 

[Chippie]

I think you need option S6NFA Smart Phone Compatibility for it to work

 

[Chris_D]

Ditch iOS for Android.
yw.

 

[kinger]

Just recheck for a glovebox USB
To be honest the lil bugger isnt the easiest thing to find even if you do know where it is
You need to get your head down and look up at the right hand corner
Couple of pics attached
Cheers
Mike

 

[golfgeezer]

Just recheck for a glovebox USB
To be honest the lil bugger isnt the easiest thing to find even if you do know where it is
You need to get your head down and look up at the right hand corner....

Isn’t that USB for software updates etc :idunno:

As ‘Chippie’ says you may need to have a specific option in your build for it to work. Run the last 7 digits of your VIN into a decoder and see what’s listed.

 

[Pooltee]

I think you guys have found the problem. That option is not on my build list. Is this something that can be coded in or do I need additional hardware to get it to work?

 

[kinger]

Just recheck for a glovebox USB
To be honest the lil bugger isnt the easiest thing to find even if you do know where it is
You need to get your head down and look up at the right hand corner....

Isn’t that USB for software updates etc :idunno:

As ‘Chippie’ says you may need to have a specific option in your build for it to work. Run the last 7 digits of your VIN into a decoder and see what’s listed.

i play music through mine, i download music to the harddrive through there....i charge my fone also
im not sure its specifically and solely for software updates but it is the only place software updates can be loaded
My idrive lets you swith between active ports

cheers
Mike

 

[Zed Baron]

Is there no connectivity available in the armrest?

 

[Pooltee]

Is there no connectivity available in the armrest?

Yes there is usb and 3.5mn available in the arm rest storage, along with a 12v outlet, but the only device that works on the USB port is a memory stick with MP3 files on it.

 

[Zed Baron]

Is there no connectivity available in the armrest?

Yes there is usb and 3.5mn available in the arm rest storage, along with a 12v outlet, but the only device that works on the USB port is a memory stick with MP3 files on it.

When I changed iPhones I went and got the latest bmw cable and it didn't work, had to get one with a separate connection/lead for the 3.5mm jack point (got it on Amazon)

 

[mcbutler]

Iphones do not store music onboard as MP3, that's probably your problem as the car cannot read MPEG4.
I simply convert the music using a free Mac app called final music converter pop it on a USB and copy it to the car as an album.

Or you could go android, if you don't mind the whole world having access to everything on your phone
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/android-phone-hack-update-software-operating-system-warning-a9383716.html

 

[Silverstar]

Have you thought about a bluetooth receiver?

 

[AnubisZed]

As Chippie says, if it needs the S6NFA coding then this can be done, assuming that's all it needs.

The other option would be a Bluetooth adaptor, but not just any Bluetooth adaptor one that works with your cars controls, something like this one (and I can recommend these as I've used them before)….. https://www.amazon.co.uk/ViseeO-Tune2Air-Bluetooth-Streaming-Connection/dp/B00TFIPX82/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?crid=1OW0GF02KYDJC&keywords=tune2air+bmw&qid=1584522867&sprefix=tune2%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-1-fkmr0

They display the track info on the headunits screen for Apple phones, and you then get search facility and skip control with the steering wheel controls. Not exactly cheap, but as far as I'm aware the only one that actually works with our Z4's (there are others on the market that "say" they'll work but I've seen nothing but complaints of them not working!!) :driving:

 

[Silverstar]

As Chippie says, if it needs the S6NFA coding then this can be done, assuming that's all it needs.

The other option would be a Bluetooth adaptor, but not just any Bluetooth adaptor one that works with your cars controls, something like this one (and I can recommend these as I've used them before)….. https://www.amazon.co.uk/ViseeO-Tune2Air-Bluetooth-Streaming-Connection/dp/B00TFIPX82/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?crid=1OW0GF02KYDJC&keywords=tune2air+bmw&qid=1584522867&sprefix=tune2%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-1-fkmr0

They display the track info on the headunits screen for Apple phones, and you then get search facility and skip control with the steering wheel controls. Not exactly cheap, but as far as I'm aware the only one that actually works with our Z4's (there are others on the market that "say" they'll work but I've seen nothing but complaints of them not working!!) :driving:

I am using this bluetooth receiver:



It works perfectly and the sound quality is great, you can't control it with the idrive or steering wheel buttons but that is no hardship since I just use either Siri or my Apple Watch to jump tracks call up playlist etc. This model has an internal battery which will need charging but you could just leave it plugged in to the USB port. Not bad from 13 GBP delivered.