[Aronis]

Hi,

I used the text message ap in my M2 extensively and now that I have a newer car, I noticed a nice new feature. Perhaps it is in the newer M2s also?

If you get a text message which contains a phone number in the text, you an now dial directly on the iDrive screen. Very handy.

Mike

[boostm3]

Is this part of Apple CarPlay?

[termigni]

now that's an upgrade for your stable; M2 to M5. not M2 to M2C.

[Aronis]

Originally Posted by boostm3

Is this part of Apple CarPlay?

no, it's in the message app on the iDrive. And the newer system shows other content in the messages.

Not images I don't think, but links.

I'll learn more as I use it more.

The navigation is better also, perhaps it's different in the 5 series? Still don't like the lack of satellite images overlay under 1 mile of resolution. Not sure why BMW limits that. It's good to see parking situations before arriving at a new place.

Mike

[Aronis]

Originally Posted by termigni

now that's an upgrade for your stable; M2 to M5. not M2 to M2C.

Yup, the M2 was just a bridge car until my oldest finished College. Wanted to keep my monthly car costs down.

I need a sedan since I have three kids....driving around with the M2 was ok but now my 13 year old is about 6 feet tall. LOL.

Mike

[DanG]

The idrive was updated in the M2 in 2018 with the LCI changes.

[boostm3]

Originally Posted by Aronis

no, it's in the message app on the iDrive. And the newer system shows other content in the messages.

Not images I don't think, but links.

I'll learn more as I use it more.

The navigation is better also, perhaps it's different in the 5 series? Still don't like the lack of satellite images overlay under 1 mile of resolution. Not sure why BMW limits that. It's good to see parking situations before arriving at a new place.

Mike

Wait. So let me get this straight. With phone in my pocket, I can get an SMS text msg sent to me to display on the Idrive screen? HOW?

[DanG]

Originally Posted by boostm3

Wait. So let me get this straight. With phone in my pocket, I can get an SMS text msg sent to me to display on the Idrive screen? HOW?

If you have car play, it tells you you have a message and will read it to you.

[Aronis]

Originally Posted by boostm3

Wait. So let me get this straight. With phone in my pocket, I can get an SMS text msg sent to me to display on the Idrive screen? HOW?

Look for Messages on the iDrive list.

I can't recall exactly where it is in the M2, but once you set it up, the phone will send text messages to the iDrive with blue tooth connection (also your phone connection and can stream music) I use the hardwire since I like to charge the phone too.

The CarPlay setup lets you do this as well.

With the BMW messages app, when your text message shows up in the car you'll see a little icon at the top of the display (nav display) to tell you. Then go to Messages ( I assign a hot key to this function). You can then read the message and use SIRI to reply, just hold the voice activation button longer (first click calls up the bmw's voice assist, long click calls up siri) Then tell Siri "Reply to my text message" She will usually default to the most recent message, but sometimes you'll have to specify who you are sending to. Dictated your message, she reads it back and say "Send"

I am not 100% sure if you have to have the "connected drive" app running or not. With that running you can also see your iPhones Calendar on the screen. (unfortunately it shows ALL your calendars, as the first revision which did not work, let you pick which calendars you want to see in the car).

For the Message app you have to tell the phone to allow this. Once you have the BlueTooth connection made, go to you bluetooth connection list on your iPhone and click the 'i' next to your car's bluetooth name. From there you will see a few choices, "Show notifications" "Sync Contacts" And can choose which contact list to share with the car. Turn "show notifications" on.

The new update on my 2018 REMEMBERS your choice of filters, the M2 always defaulted to just the car's messages. D'ooh. (those would be messages about service due and the like).



Mike

[boostm3]

Originally Posted by DanG

If you have car play, it tells you you have a message and will read it to you.

I figured that was it. I use Android, so I'm SOL since bmw hates android. Besides, not sure reading text while driving is the best use of my eyes.

[ferraris]

It works with Android as well and the car will read the message to you from iDrive.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by boostm3

I figured that was it. I use Android, so I'm SOL since bmw hates android. Besides, not sure reading text while driving is the best use of my eyes.

The advantage is CarPlay speaks the message to you. And you can use the microphone to dictate a reply. You don’t have to read or type anything.

[voyagergab]

In iOS Bluetooth settings for your car you need to manually turn on the Show Notifications switch.

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by boostm3

I figured that was it. I use Android, so I'm SOL since bmw hates android. Besides, not sure reading text while driving is the best use of my eyes.

My Golf R has both Android Auto and CarPlay so I'm kind of surprised BMW wouldn't incorporate both. I realize that wealthy people overwhelmingly use iPhones but it's not like you have to be very wealthy to afford a BMW these days with leasing.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by voyagergab

In iOS Bluetooth settings for your car you need to manually turn on the Show Notifications switch.

If you have CarPlay, there is not a show notifications switch. Instead there is a CarPlay switch.

[voyagergab]

Originally Posted by DanG

If you have CarPlay, there is not a show notifications switch. Instead there is a CarPlay switch.

Well, that is partially true:

When you connect your iPhone via BT for the 1st time you are asked via iDrive if you want to activate CarPlay.

If you say NO, you will see the Switch for Notifications as per above.
If you say YES, you will see the CarPlay switch.

I do have CarPlay in both my cars, and tried using it but i end up going back to regular iDrive maps, it just works better for me.

[boostm3]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

My Golf R has both Android Auto and CarPlay so I'm kind of surprised BMW wouldn't incorporate both. I realize that wealthy people overwhelmingly use iPhones but it's not like you have to be very wealthy to afford a BMW these days with leasing.

Where did you get such information? Id change that to read most non-technical people use Iphones; Techies prefer the Android experience... That Ive heard, but never heard about an income influencer.

[Corinne]

Is it possible to have WhatsAp messages display on the car screen ? Or do they come under the general heading of "text messages" ?

[Aronis]

I think this thread has gone side ways...>the "new feature" is being able to dial a phone number on the iDrive (an actual menu selection below the message) if there is phone number in the "text" of the iMessage sent to you...So instead of reading the message, grabbing you phone, opening messages, clicking on the message, then clicking on the phone number then clicking on Dial That phone number, you can just do it from the iDrive display.

Mike

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by boostm3

Wait. So let me get this straight. With phone in my pocket, I can get an SMS text msg sent to me to display on the Idrive screen? HOW?

You could do this for about the last 3 years of BMW iDrive I'm certain??

[ScreamingChicken]

Originally Posted by JustChris

You could do this for about the last 3 years of BMW iDrive I'm certain??

I'd go back further, I could do this on my 2011 335i.

[rich8566]

Originally Posted by Aronis

I think this thread has gone side ways...>the "new feature" is being able to dial a phone number on the iDrive (an actual menu selection below the message) if there is phone number in the "text" of the iMessage sent to you...So instead of reading the message, grabbing you phone, opening messages, clicking on the message, then clicking on the phone number then clicking on Dial That phone number, you can just do it from the iDrive display.

Mike

I can't seem to get the text messages to display in the screen. What's the trick to do this?