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BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum iDrive, Audio, Bluetooth, Phone, Cameras, Electronics + Coding WiFi hotspot needed for what?

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      10-19-2020, 07:26 AM   #1
matbl
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WiFi hotspot needed for what?

Hi

I'm specifying a new 530e Touring and there's an option that I don't know what it's needed for.
It's called "WiFi hotspot" and have code 6WD.
Is it needed for for example Aplle car play or Android auto or do these make use of bluetooth instead?
If not, is it only to able to use the BMW system for getting internet access by paying ridiculous rates for slow speeds?
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      10-19-2020, 08:15 AM   #2
mffarrell
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Quote:
Originally Posted by matbl View Post
Hi

I'm specifying a new 530e Touring and there's an option that I don't know what it's needed for.
It's called "WiFi hotspot" and have code 6WD.
Is it needed for for example Aplle car play or Android auto or do these make use of bluetooth instead?
If not, is it only to able to use the BMW system for getting internet access by paying ridiculous rates for slow speeds?
For me it’s not necessary. I have never enabled it. I think if you have passengers all the time, they could share the hot spot without using data from their providers like you do on your home WiFi.

It’s not necessary for CarPlay or Android
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      10-19-2020, 12:53 PM   #3
LogicalApex
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mffarrell View Post
For me it’s not necessary. I have never enabled it. I think if you have passengers all the time, they could share the hot spot without using data from their providers like you do on your home WiFi.

It’s not necessary for CarPlay or Android
The WiFi antenna hardware that powers the hotspot is needed for CarPlay and Android Auto. So if you skip the hotspot it is important to make sure that CarPlay is explicitly included as in cases without it users have learned this antenna is left out at the factory.

In the US WiFi Hotspot, CarPlay, & Android Auto is standard, but this isn't the case worldwide.

Last edited by LogicalApex; 10-19-2020 at 01:02 PM..
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      10-19-2020, 02:32 PM   #4
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Hmm, I can see on the spec sheet, that my car has that option. What can it do, and where do I activate it? I haven´t seen it in any menus?
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      10-19-2020, 02:55 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaSelle View Post
Hmm, I can see on the spec sheet, that my car has that option. What can it do, and where do I activate it? I haven´t seen it in any menus?
All information and prices for EU are available on Deutsche Telekom:

https://www.hotspotdrive.com/

And to anser matbl yes, the Wifi antenna hardware is required for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to work.

Last edited by Magic-gnome; 10-19-2020 at 03:03 PM..
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      10-20-2020, 12:16 AM   #6
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Denmark is not on the list, so that´s probably why it´s gone. So is the "Falschfarwarnung" which isn´t available in my country either... (Warning at "STOP" signs etc.)
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      10-20-2020, 05:04 AM   #7
matbl
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Thanks. I better specify this "for free" option to make sure to get the antenna then.

I know the prices to actually use it for what it's intended for, they're just ridiculous.
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      02-18-2021, 02:22 AM   #8
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Is it possible to use another sim card in the original BMW Wifi hotspot?
Or is it hardwired into the module?
T-Mobile is ridiculous expensive!
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      02-18-2021, 04:30 AM   #9
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I don't think the cars have a SIM card as a such ie a physical sim , I believe it's a software sim
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      02-18-2021, 04:40 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by matbl View Post
Hi

I'm specifying a new 530e Touring and there's an option that I don't know what it's needed for.
It's called "WiFi hotspot" and have code 6WD.
Is it needed for for example Aplle car play or Android auto or do these make use of bluetooth instead?
If not, is it only to able to use the BMW system for getting internet access by paying ridiculous rates for slow speeds?
matbl mffarrell
HotSpot feature is needed for CarPlay and ScreenMirroring/Android Auto (depending on the iDrive version).

You can activate Hotspot by coding later, but lack of WiFi antenna restricts the signal strength and you can only connect to car with your phone really close to front console.

WLAN access requires additional subscription (in addition to the availability of HotSpot feature) for data/Internet access via BMW simcard.

Quote:
Originally Posted by hio View Post
Is it possible to use another sim card in the original BMW Wifi hotspot?
Or is it hardwired into the module?
T-Mobile is ridiculous expensive!
Quote:
Originally Posted by AP View Post
I don't think the cars have a SIM card as a such ie a physical sim , I believe it's a software sim
BMW uses esim. So there is no physical sim card to be replaced
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