[MaDoose]

So why don't US Spec BMWs, specifically my M2 I just picked up in Italy, have the capability to use Apple Car Play? I guess I don't really understand why it works in the states and not here. My wife's X2 M35i that was bought in the states and shipped here works fine.

[heavyD^2]

US spec cars do have CarPlay but you have to pay for it. Does your car have the wireless charger in the armrest compartment? If it does then your car is equipped for it.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by MaDoose

So why don't US Spec BMWs, specifically my M2 I just picked up in Italy, have the capability to use Apple Car Play? I guess I don't really understand why it works in the states and not here. My wife's X2 M35i that was bought in the states and shipped here works fine.

First check whether your M2 features the Apple CarPlay option:

• visit this BMW VIN Decoder here;
• indicate the last 7 characters of the VIN of your M2 (+ eventually complete the CAPTCHA);
• check whether the list of production specifications that is subsequently displayed features "6CP Preparation Apple CarPlay":
  • if it doesn't: your M2 does not feature the option;
  • if it does: your M2 features the option + check why it doesn't function (activation?).

[MaDoose]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

US spec cars do have CarPlay but you have to pay for it. Does your car have the wireless charger in the armrest compartment? If it does then your car is equipped for it.

Yes, I have the wireless charger but my iphone 8 plus won't fit into it. Wife's X2 is US Spec and does not have wireless charger and Apple Car Play works in it. The salesman tried to explain to me why it doesnt work here but I don't completely understand what difference it makes being here. Something about the VIN not being in the US database until i ship it back to the states????

[MaDoose]

Originally Posted by Artemis

First check whether your M2 features the Apple CarPlay option:

• visit this BMW VIN Decoder here;
• indicate the last 7 characters of the VIN of your M2 (+ eventually complete the CAPTCHA);
• check whether the list of production specifications that is subsequently displayed features "6CP Preparation Apple CarPlay":
  • if it doesn't: your M2 does not feature the option;
  • if it does: your M2 features the option + check why it doesn't function (activation?).

Yes, it states that has 6CP-Apple Carplay Preparation

[///Cardia]

Originally Posted by MaDoose

Yes, I have the wireless charger but my iphone 8 plus won't fit into it. Wife's X2 is US Spec and does not have wireless charger and Apple Car Play works in it. The salesman tried to explain to me why it doesnt work here but I don't completely understand what difference it makes being here. Something about the VIN not being in the US database until i ship it back to the states????

I had the same issue when I lived in Italy (stationed in Vicenza) and mine is obviously US spec as well. I had to get Carplay once I made it back. Unfortunately our vehicles VIN aren't in the US database until we ship it back (PCS). My advice is for you to keep your invoice showing that you purchased the option (if you're going to) so you can get it installed once you're back CONUS or get it coded for $50.

Ensure to get the warranty form from your dealership before you move back to the states so your warranty is transferred to the US.

[Yvette]

Apple carplay is useless to be honest

[Nezil]

Originally Posted by Yvette

Apple carplay is useless to be honest

That's a matter of opinion... I actually like iDrive 6, and the navigation software is pretty good, but Waze in cities is unparalleled.

Android Auto isn't available, and CarPlay does a really good job, especially after you've got full screen CarPlay enabled.

CarPlay was just one of many reasons I switched back to iPhone, and I'm very happy with the iPhone and with CarPlay now that I've made the switch. I wouldn't say it's useless at all.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by Nezil

That's a matter of opinion... I actually like iDrive 6, and the navigation software is pretty good, but Waze in cities is unparalleled.

Android Auto isn't available, and CarPlay does a really good job, especially after you've got full screen CarPlay enabled.

CarPlay was just one of many reasons I switched back to iPhone, and I'm very happy with the iPhone and with CarPlay now that I've made the switch. I wouldn't say it's useless at all.

I have an iPhone XS Max now but I also have had many Nexus and Google Pixel phones. I think CarPlay is not quite as good as Android Auto, but they are both pretty bad and prefer using the phones in a mount to either one.

CarPlay is limited, and F8x is not really meant for touchscreens as it's mounted farther away from the driver. The most annoying thing is that Siri is garbage compared to Google Assistant for even the most basic tasks like changing music. It's too bad Apple doesn't just pay Google to license Assistant. Siri is like the Bing of voice assistants... actually that's not fair to Bing. Cortana on my last Windows Phone 4 years ago was better than Siri is today on an iPhone 11 Pro.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by chris719

I think CarPlay is not quite as good as Android Auto, but they are both pretty bad and prefer using the phones in a mount to either one.

Android Auto vs Apple Carplay:

#5 (Oct 2019):

#4 (July 2019):

#3 (Sep 2018):

#2 (Jan 2018):

#1 (March 2017):

[dtmurf]

OP, is your only issue Apple carplay not working? I picked my US Spec car up at the Welt to enjoy while stationed in Europe. I got carplay from the factory ($300 option) and neither carplay nor connected drive work. The Nav mostly works but it runs from a USB drive under the armrest and while it will guide, it will not store addresses or recent destinations and there is no way to update it.

I called BMW NA (Genius!) and all they could tell me was that they don't recognize my VIN so they can't help me. I assume that the car has a SIM card built into it somewhere and it needs to connect to a US cell network such a Verizon to initiate some kind of set up. Your wife's X2 was already working before you shipped it over so the initiation was already complete.

As you know, Carplay works on European cars but I don't know if swapping the component with the SIM card (?) would make any difference as your VIN will not be in any European Database but this is all conjecture on my part.

[MaDoose]

Originally Posted by ///Cardia

I had the same issue when I lived in Italy (stationed in Vicenza) and mine is obviously US spec as well. I had to get Carplay once I made it back. Unfortunately our vehicles VIN aren't in the US database until we ship it back (PCS). My advice is for you to keep your invoice showing that you purchased the option (if you're going to) so you can get it installed once you're back CONUS or get it coded for $50.

Ensure to get the warranty form from your dealership before you move back to the states so your warranty is transferred to the US.

What's this coding for $50 you speak of? Is that some sort of workaround?

[///Cardia]

Originally Posted by MaDoose

What's this coding for $50 you speak of? Is that some sort of workaround?

My MFlight buddy will send the code via email then you download to USB. Once on USB insert into slot under armrest for install. If interested, he's available to help for $50, send me a PM.

[csg]

Howdy! Looks like we will be driving the same car around Aviano! I pre ordered a HS M2C with orange highlights back in August. Michele tells me it will be a '21 model but I'm not so sure. We're hoping for a March production and April delivery. Right now I'm driving a Mineral Grey M235i. Wave if you see me! We'll have to get the M2s together after I take delivery!

[rotomoto712]

Hello M2 owner from Germany here. I just went through this with BMW of Germany a couple of months ago, and the consensus is that the EU spec models use a different type of receiver, so your BMW connect, Carplay etc., will not work in the EU market unless you switch to the EU Receiver. The only exception is navigation, which you can have flashed to the EU maps and POIs for ~250 euro.