[User12345678910]

Hi,
I’ve just purchased a second-hand 1 series, manufactured in 2018.
I’m trying to set up Apple CarPlay, but there’s no option on the car’s OS when I connect my phone via Bluetooth, only for Phone, Music and Apps.

I’ve been trying to look online how to set it up, and the BMW website suggests I need ConnectedDrive+ or ConnectedDrive Professional to use CarPlay.

However, when I go to add these packages it states that the service is unavailable. The only package available to purchase is Connected Booster. The Apple website states that my model should support CarPlay, though.

Is there anything obvious I’m missing, or is it just not supported on the car I’ve bought? Or do I already have the above packages?

Thanks in advance!

 

[six6six]

You might have to get car play activated via usb or fsc codes depending on what software version you have.

 

[User12345678910]

Thank you - I just tried but doesn’t seem to work sadly, still no option for CarPlay.

 

[six6six]

I recently got mine activated for about 50 euros. It’s all done in 10 minutes with team viewer. Just to give you an idea of price and how long it takes. All you need is a enet cable

 

[Brexon]

But it f you do this and the cat goes in for any software updates included with services it will brick the headunit and BMW will walk away from the car.

 

[six6six]

But it f you do this and the cat goes in for any software updates included with services it will brick the headunit and BMW will walk away from the car.

I had car play activated on my 2018 1 series last year and recently completed the software update on the head unit as well as the I-level and can confirm it stopped my maps from being displayed but that is because I have lifetime maps fsc activated. I got in touch with someone and re-activated the lifetime and car play fsc codes and everything is back to normal and working correctly.

If bmw did update your software it shouldn’t brick the unit but it will disable certain features.
Nothing scary like a bricked unit. Seems like it’s well documented on the internet as well as other forums about what happens and what to do in this situation. Being the OP is on about 2018 year the car probably wouldn’t be subject to any software updates unless the OP is paying for it ?

 

[moulin12]

I might not be following this correctly, but isn't the OP asking how to install CP via legit BMW services rather than through coding (not that I'm picking an issue with that!). If so, then the answer is that your car only potentially supports CP. If it did, you'd see an option in your connected drive services to purchase a one-odd subscription at around 235 quid. To install the legit way as a service your car would need to you would need to have not only pro media but also wireless bt. So the likely option for you instead is to find someone offering coding services, though that does comes with the caveats mentioned above.

 

[User12345678910]

Hi all, just to update, I finally got hold of BMW and they stated CarPlay isn’t available for my car due to it lacking a Wi-Fi antenna.

However, as suggested, I found someone on eBay who was able to activate it with an ELAN cable and TeamViewer, so appreciate the suggestion and thanks so much for all the help.

 

[dxnnyk]

Hi all, just to update, I finally got hold of BMW and they stated CarPlay isn’t available for my car due to it lacking a Wi-Fi antenna.

However, as suggested, I found someone on eBay who was able to activate it with an ELAN cable and TeamViewer, so appreciate the suggestion and thanks so much for all the help.

They said your car "lacks" a Wi-Fi antenna? The same Wi-Fi antenna some guy on eBay was able to activate via TeamViewer? Strange.

 

[moulin12]

Hi all, just to update, I finally got hold of BMW and they stated CarPlay isn’t available for my car due to it lacking a Wi-Fi antenna.

However, as suggested, I found someone on eBay who was able to activate it with an ELAN cable and TeamViewer, so appreciate the suggestion and thanks so much for all the help.

Yes, you need wireless, hence the antenna, but you may get away without. See this thread

 

[laddington]

They said your car "lacks" a Wi-Fi antenna? The same Wi-Fi antenna some guy on eBay was able to activate via TeamViewer? Strange.

I think the issue is due to the VO code. I'd have like to just paid to have it through the Connected Store but it wasn't possible.

I retrofitted the wifi antenna myself (not fun prising the dash trim off), and then coded it in the end.

I'm not sure how well it's going to work without the antenna - the chap I bought the code from was insistent that you needed the antenna for it to work properly.