First BMW vehicles with Apple's CarPlay coming later in 2016

BMW — one of the few major automakers without support for Apple's CarPlay — should finally begin offering the technology later this year through two new vehicles, according to an official pricelist.

The German-language document takes effect in August, and mentions CarPlay support as an option for X5M and X6M models, Bimmerpost noted. Those vehicles will also get 10.25-inch touchscreens, offering one of the largest native CarPlay interfaces.

The list moreover hints at possible wireless CarPlay support, referring to "wireless and convenient use of the iPhone in your vehicle via Apple CarPlay." This has been feasible since iOS 9 debuted last year, but has so far yet to make it into a shipping car.

Either way, CarPlay support is mentioned as arriving in the second half of 2016. BMW is still missing from Apple's official partner list, but that may have to wait for an announcement or the new vehicles actually shipping.

Although automakers were initially slow to support the standard, CarPlay is now available — or coming soon — from most major automakers, such as Ford, Honda, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, and BMW's most direct rival, Mercedes-Benz. A greater issue for buyers has been cost, because many CarPlay-ready vehicles are mid- to high-end models, and/or require a package upgrade. Most models are also too new to reach people in the used market.

22 Comments

nolamacguy 4750 comments · 10 Years

About 8 years ago

AppleInsider said:

BMW -- one of the few major automakers without support for Apple's CarPlay

again ill note that while looking for a car last week, none of the models from Toyota, Honda or Subaru I test drove had CarPlay. select models only, evidently. doesnt do me much good, automakers.

applesauce007 1702 comments · 17 Years

How about a software update for older models?

wood1208 2929 comments · 10 Years

First, no one should buy a vehicle without CarPlay. Because, we don't replace car like phone. People keep car over a decade so make sure you have carplay and androidauto supported by your car manufacturers.Honda Civic has it but people asking for wireless carplay connectivity than USB. I am sure wireless(wifi or bluetooth) wiill come in next generation of vehicles for those started with USB..

paxman 4729 comments · 17 Years

wood1208 said:

First, no one should buy a vehicle without CarPlay. Because, we don't replace car like phone. People keep car over a decade so make sure you have carplay and androidauto supported by your car manufacturers.Honda Civic has it but people asking for wireless carplay connectivity than USB. I am sure wireless(wifi or bluetooth) wiill come in next generation of vehicles for those started with USB..

Wireless is good but any car with Carplay should, imo, come with a usb cradle / holder that will both connect the phone to the Carplay unit and also charge the phone. If you take your phone out of your pocket, or if you usually carry it in your hand you are going to want to put it somewhere. A conveniently placed charging cradle would be that place and if you use your car to and from work as well as the odd errand it will be a rare occasion that you'll need to plug it in at home or at the office.

volcan 1799 comments · 10 Years

paxman said:

Wireless is good but any car with Carplay should, imo, come with a usb cradle / holder that will both connect the phone to the Carplay unit and also charge the phone.

BMW comes with ConnectedDrive which actually has a built in SIM used for various services like realtime traffic, emergencies, maintenance schedules, etc. When you put your iPhone in the cradle (optional) it connects to the car's cellular antenna mounted on the roof which significantly improves your call quality.