[Eff48]

Came across this thread while trying to update maps in a 2017 G30, where the previous owners' appear not to have updated the map since 2017. I should say I've done this in the past on various BM's before the G30 using a 32GB FAT32 stick without any issue.

My G30 only has the single USB A socket between the centre cupholders.

So to clarify my recent experience, after purchasing the map update package through ConnectedDrive website on the day I got the car, it's taken a week to get the map updated. Key points:

1.BMW will say on various web pages must 'use 32GB' or 'use 32GB or 64GB' stick. To be clear, in my experience, 32GB is too small (I was going from 2017 Europe map to 2023 version, and the update when added to the stick took up nearly 37GB).

Two Lexar 128GB sticks I tried were not recognised by the car at all as containing map updates. However, I now have one of those 128GB sticks in the car with music on and it works perfectly.

So, for the map update, it must be 32GB or 64GB. A larger stick with a single 32GB or 64GB partition might also work, I didn't try it though.

2.Confusingly, on some pages BMW say use 'or 64GB', but on the same page they also say the stick must be formatted as FAT32. Not possible. There are various utilities/instructions out there that claim to be able to create a FAT32 partition >32GB. They won't work, don't waste your time.

So long story short - if your update is <32GB, go ahead use a FAT32-formatted 32GB stick. If it's bigger than 32GB, get a 64GB stick and format to ExFAT (NTFS might also work, ExFAT is what worked for me).

I used a Samsung Fit Plus, but any drive should work. As soon as I put this drive (with the update installed on it via BMW Download Manager) in the car's USB port, after a few seconds the car recognised the update and popped up the expected dialogue to start to install it.

In my case the update took about 30-40 minutes. If you switch the car off while it's doing the update, it will re-start from where it left off when you start next time.

[ezaircon4jc]

I installed the 2023-2 maps from a 128gb drive in my 2019 540i. Maybe European mapsets are different?

There are also free or very inexpensive downloads available. I paid $25 for the maps and IIRC, $25 for a lifetime FSC.

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

I installed the 2023-2 maps from a 128gb drive in my 2019 540i. Maybe European mapsets are different?

There are also free or very inexpensive downloads available. I paid $25 for the maps and IIRC, $25 for a lifetime FSC.

Lucky. The MY2020+ cars with iDrive 7 don't get the lifetime FSC option