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BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum iDrive, Audio, Bluetooth, Phone, Cameras, Electronics + Coding Possible to add "vehicle apps" on iDrive 6"?

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      10-06-2020, 03:34 AM   #1
Felixen
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Possible to add "vehicle apps" on iDrive 6"?

Hi all

This is my first thread here. I have been a reader for a long time, but finally decided to create a profile to go with my recently acquired G31 from May 2019 :-)

I am trying to figure out if it is possible to add apps to the iDrive 6 system. Basically I would like to add Spotify, Deezer or Napster, so it can be used without the phone.

The reason is that I think the sound quality over Bluetooth is not that good. I can clearly tell a difference, when it is hooked up by cable. However, I would like to avoid plugging in my phone each time I enter the car. Since you cannot decide to have the phone connected by both USB and Bluetooth, I prefer to have it connected by Bluetooth as standard. That way I can switch from radio to music, without having to fiddle with my phone while driving. The phone simply stays in my pocket.

However, it would be even better if the apps could run straight from the car, and download the music on the harddrive of the car.

I have read somewhere, that Deezer and BMW ran a campaign in the UK and other countries (not in mine though), where you got one year for free, and that the music could be downloaded to the vehicle's harddrive, so I guess that it should be technically possible.

I do not have CarPlay in the car by the way. I know wifi streaming is better than Bluetooth.

Any suggestions? Thank you very much in advance.
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      10-06-2020, 04:28 AM   #2
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Spotify is a standalone app i iDrive 7 but not in iDrive 6. So the only way is to use your phone. I would highly recommend CarPlay as it is much better quality than Bluetooth streaming and (together with the CarPlay fullscreen patch) it's super convenient and easy to use. Also, CarPlay is automatically connected when entering the car and works with the iDrive controller

Last edited by Magic-gnome; 10-06-2020 at 04:34 AM..
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      10-06-2020, 05:09 AM   #3
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What the Magic Gnome said - Carplay works fantastic.

In my old G30 (which was very basic, no sat-nav or anything) Spotify would automatically pop up in the car, when it was used on the phone. Have you tried using Spotify in the car?
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      10-06-2020, 05:57 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaSelle View Post
What the Magic Gnome said - Carplay works fantastic.

In my old G30 (which was very basic, no sat-nav or anything) Spotify would automatically pop up in the car, when it was used on the phone. Have you tried using Spotify in the car?
Yes, I have tried Spotify in the car, and Deezer as well. They both connect automatically from my phone through Bluetooth. It is very seemless and works via the iDrive controller as it should. I would just prefer it to work straight from the car

I know that CarPlay is good, but I don't know if I want to shell out the money for it, as it is not available in my car. I can get installed by a dealer for 1,100 EUR. There is also the Bimmertech solution for 399 USD. I am just not sure if it will work well enough, as I believe I am missing some hardware in the car - at least a wifi antenna I assume?

Anyway, I have the satnav professional and think the BMW navigation is really good. So in general, I don't feel a need to get CarPlay as well.

I have seen a few old articles online about Deezer working straight from the car. Amongst others there are the two I have inserted below. I don't know which iDrive version it is though. 5 or 6 I guess.

https://www.autoconnectedcar.com/201...entertainment/
https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/globa...ng?language=en

Last edited by Felixen; 10-06-2020 at 06:21 AM..
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      10-06-2020, 08:49 AM   #5
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There was a "Spotify mode" in the car, once I connected my iPhone with Spotify - but it was only to try it out, so don´t have any more details.

Yes, to use Carplay you´ll need a WIFI antenna, but it seems really easy to add to your car.
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      10-06-2020, 03:18 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaSelle View Post
There was a "Spotify mode" in the car, once I connected my iPhone with Spotify - but it was only to try it out, so don´t have any more details.

Yes, to use Carplay you´ll need a WIFI antenna, but it seems really easy to add to your car.
The weird thing is that when I check my VIN on bimmer-tech.net, it says that I already have a WiFi antenna.

You car is equipped with the original CarPlay hardware from BMW, including a WiFi antenna. You can unlock CarPlay in a few minutes with our hassle-free activation process. You will not even need to leave home!

I don’t know if this is true or not, but it seems really weird that BMW won't just let me buy CarPlay through the ConnectDrive Store, if this is true.

It says that CarPlay is not available for my vehicle, when I log into ConnectedDrive.

I am a little but tempted to try to get CarPlay, but I am also still looking for solutions to get Spotify or Deezer to work as a “vehicle app”.
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      10-08-2020, 10:18 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Felixen View Post
The weird thing is that when I check my VIN on bimmer-tech.net, it says that I already have a WiFi antenna.

You car is equipped with the original CarPlay hardware from BMW, including a WiFi antenna. You can unlock CarPlay in a few minutes with our hassle-free activation process. You will not even need to leave home!

I don’t know if this is true or not, but it seems really weird that BMW won't just let me buy CarPlay through the ConnectDrive Store, if this is true.

It says that CarPlay is not available for my vehicle, when I log into ConnectedDrive.

I am a little but tempted to try to get CarPlay, but I am also still looking for solutions to get Spotify or Deezer to work as a “vehicle app”.
iDrive 6 could get Apps without CarPlay. There is no issue with it
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      10-08-2020, 01:10 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kubax86 View Post
iDrive 6 could get Apps without CarPlay. There is no issue with it
Thanks. That is just what I was hoping for. Do you know how to add an app?
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      10-08-2020, 03:16 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Felixen View Post
Thanks. That is just what I was hoping for. Do you know how to add an app?
PM sent
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      10-10-2020, 02:36 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kubax86 View Post
PM sent
Can you also send me the info?
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      10-10-2020, 03:54 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SanMarinoG31 View Post
Can you also send me the info?
PM sent.
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      10-11-2020, 06:20 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kubax86 View Post
PM sent.
please, i need it too...
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      10-11-2020, 06:33 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by griopap View Post
please, i need it too...
PM sent.
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      10-11-2020, 11:52 AM   #14
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I think Felixen is looking for the option called "Online Enternainment". To my knowledge, that option is not available here in Denmark.

kubax86, can´t you please describe which solution you´re offering, instead of keeping it all in PM´s? I might be interested as well, if you can do magic
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      11-03-2020, 05:07 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kubax86 View Post
PM sent.
I'm also interested in that
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      11-03-2020, 05:39 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kubax86 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by SanMarinoG31 View Post
Can you also send me the info?
PM sent.
Also interested in this please.
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      11-03-2020, 06:35 AM   #17
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Interested in this as well.
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      11-03-2020, 06:22 PM   #18
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Supposedly, the BMW apps store is no longer available - at least that's what the BMW Assist folks told me today
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      11-04-2020, 02:19 AM   #19
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Interested in this as well.

PM sent.
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      11-04-2020, 02:24 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaSelle View Post
I think Felixen is looking for the option called "Online Enternainment". To my knowledge, that option is not available here in Denmark.

kubax86, can´t you please describe which solution you´re offering, instead of keeping it all in PM´s? I might be interested as well, if you can do magic
To quote myself, no, apparently it´s all a secret
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      11-05-2020, 02:36 AM   #21
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Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by kubax86 View Post
PM sent.
Not to me
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      11-19-2020, 01:09 PM   #22
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Me to?
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