Does a BMW 1 Series Have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto?
If you’re looking for a compact and sporty vehicle, the BMW 1 Series is sure to check those boxes, but what about its tech-savviness?
Does the BMW 1 Series come with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto so you can stay connected and hands-free while on the go, plus listen to your favorite songs and podcasts?
All BMW 1 Series from 2020 onwards have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. BMW 1 Series models built from 2017 to 2019 had Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available as an optional extra. Lastly, BMW 1 Series models produced before 2017 do not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Read on for all the details!
Overview: BMW 1 Series with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
As tech increasingly integrates into our world, we expect our vehicles to keep up.
One of these advancements is compatibility with mobile devices through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, allowing you to interact with your car in ways never before possible.
But does the BMW 1 Series have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto as well?
In the list below, you will find a detailed overview of recent BMW 1 Series years and whether or not they’re equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto:
- The 2023 BMW 1 Series has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
- The 2022 BMW 1 Series has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
- The 2021 BMW 1 Series has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
- The 2020 BMW 1 Series has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
- The 2019 BMW 1 Series offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as an optional extra.
- The 2018 BMW 1 Series offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as an optional extra.
- The 2017 BMW 1 Series offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as an optional extra.
- The 2016 BMW 1 Series does not have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
- The 2015 BMW 1 Series does not have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
- The 2014 BMW 1 Series does not have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
- The 2013 BMW 1 Series does not have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
- The 2012 BMW 1 Series does not have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Note: Before getting a BMW 1 Series from one of these model years, a good thing to do is check whether or not it is reported to have any timing chain issues.
BMW 1 Series: How to set up Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
If you don’t know how to set up Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on your BMW 1 Series, here are two simple step-by-step guides, one for Apple CarPlay and one for Android Auto!
How to set up Apple CarPlay on the BMW 1 Series
If you’re an iPhone user, here’s how to set up either Wireless Apple CarPlay (available on BMW 1 Series from 2020 onwards) or standard Apple CarPlay:
Set up Wireless Apple CarPlay
Here is how to set up Wireless Apple CarPlay on your BMW 1 Series:
- Pick up your iPhone and turn on WiFi, Bluetooth, and Siri.
- Sit in your BMW 1 Series, turn on the engine, and make sure the vehicle is in Park.
- On the infotainment screen, head to COM -> Mobile Devices -> New Device -> Phone calls and audio.
- Take your iPhone again and head to the Bluetooth settings. Once there, select your BMW 1 Series, and the two will now begin pairing.
- On the screen of your BMW 1 Series, confirm the pairing request and matching PIN.
- Go through the following menus on your iPhone; Pair -> Allow -> Use CarPlay.
- On the BMW iDrive screen, select the option to connect to Apple CarPlay.
Wireless Apple CarPlay will now be set up, and your iPhone will connect to the BMW 1 Series automatically the next time you get into the car!
Set Up Standard Apple CarPlay
If your BMW 1 Series doesn’t support Wireless CarPlay or you prefer to use Standard Apple CarPlay, here is how to set it up:
- Pick up your iPhone and turn on WiFi, Bluetooth, and Siri.
- Use a good-quality USB to Lightning cable, and plug your iPhone into the BMW’s USB slot in the center console.
- On the infotainment screen, select Apple CarPlay -> Yes, agree.
- On your iPhone, choose Allow.
Next time you get into the car, you can plug in your iPhone using the cable, and Apple CarPlay will turn on automatically!
How to set up Android Auto on the BMW 1 Series
For all Android users, here is how to set up Android Auto on the BMW 1 Series:
- Pick up your phone and turn on WiFi and Bluetooth.
- Use a good-quality USB data cable, and plug your phone into the BMW’s USB slot in the center console.
- On the infotainment screen, select Android Auto -> Yes, agree.
- On your phone, grant all required permissions for Android Auto.
There you go! Android Auto will now launch automatically and will do so every time you plug your phone into the USB slot.
What to do if Apple CarPlay or Android Auto are not working?
Are you having difficulty getting Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to work on your BMW 1 Series?
If so, you are not alone!
Here are some fixes you can try:
Fix Apple CarPlay not working on the BMW 1 Series
- Make sure your BMW 1 Series supports Apple CarPlay. Even if you have a model from 2017 or later, Apple CarPlay may not be enabled if your car didn’t come with the optional extra at the time of production.
- Check the iOS software version. Make sure to run iOS 13 or later on your iPhone. You can check and update your IOS version by going to Settings -> General -> Software Update on your iPhone.
- Try using a different cable. The cable you’re currently using might be low quality or damaged.
- Ensure you’ve enabled Siri. To enable Siri, go to Settings -> Siri & Search. Enable the options Listen for ‘Hey Siri,’ Press Side Button for Siri, and Allow Siri When Locked.
- Try a different USB port. You may have plugged the cable into the wrong USB slot on your BMW 1 Series. Try to find one with a CarPlay or iOS icon.
- Restart your iPhone. Restarting your iPhone will reset it and can fix the issue.
Fix Android Auto not working on the BMW 1 Series
- Make sure your BMW 1 Series supports Android Auto. Even if you have a model from 2017 or later, Apple CarPlay may not be enabled if your car didn’t come with the optional extra at the time of production.
- Update your software version. Ensure you’re running Android 8.0 or newer on your phone for Android Auto to work.
- Try a different cable. The cable you’re currently using might be low quality or damaged.
- Try a different USB port. You may have plugged the cable into the wrong USB slot on your BMW 1 Series.
- Restart your phone. Restarting your phone will reset it and can fix the issue. You can also try to delete the cache on your phone by going to Settings -> Apps -> Android Auto -> Storage.
3 Benefits of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on the BMW 1 Series
Do you doubt whether you should use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto?
If so, check out the benefits of using these integrations below:
1. Navigate using Google Maps or Apple Maps
One of the most significant benefits of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is that it allows you to use your phone’s mapping app, like Google Maps or Apple Maps.
This is a huge benefit over traditional navigation systems, which can be outdated or harder to use.
2. Listen to music using Spotify or Apple Music
For some, music is an essential part of the driving experience.
Whether it’s singing along to the radio on a long road trip or jamming out to your favorite tunes while stuck in traffic, music can help to make the time spent behind the wheel more enjoyable.
With Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, listening to music in the car is easier and more convenient than ever before.
They allow you to control your music using your phone and integrate seamlessly with your car’s infotainment system.
With the Spotify or Apple Music app, you can access your music library, playlists, and streaming services, and you can even use Siri to control playback hands-free.
3. Use Siri through your car’s infotainment system
A benefit of CarPlay is that you can use Siri to control various functions of your iPhone hands-free.
This means you can make phone calls, send texts, and get directions without taking your hands off the steering wheel!
Conclusion
The latest BMW 1 Series models are amazing cars because they can install Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
With these systems, you can easily navigate the roads with Google Maps and Apple Maps, listen to music streaming services like Spotify, and even request Siri to do tasks for you.
Not only will it help make your drive more enjoyable, but it can improve safety.
All in all, it’s a win-win situation!
So can you really go wrong? We think not!
Also, did you know that some BMW 1 Series come with ambient lighting? Our article here lets you learn more about which exact models have this feature!
Reader’s tip: If you’re interested in getting a BMW 1 Series but don’t have one yet, you can check out the pros and cons of buying a used BMW 1 Series in this article!