Deutsch
EnglishGeneral settings -> Connections for your BMW i8 2014-2020
General settings
AT A GLANCE
▷ Bluetooth.
Connections
Paired devices are automatically recognized later
on and connected to the vehicle.
Concept
Various connection types are available for using
mobile devices in the vehicle. The connection
type to select depends on the mobile device and
the desired function.
Safety information
Warning
Operating the integrated information systems
and communication devices while driving can
distract from traffic. It is possible to lose control
of the vehicle. There is a risk of accident. Only
use the systems or devices when the traffic sit‐
uation allows. As warranted, stop and use the
systems and devices while the vehicle is sta‐
tionary.
General information
The following overview shows possible functions
and the suitable connection types for them. The
scope of functions depends on the mobile de‐
vice.
Function
Connection
type
Making calls via the hands-free
system.
Bluetooth.
Compatible devices
General information
Information on mobile devices compatible with
bluetooth.
Using phone functions via iDrive.
Using the smartphone Office
functions.
Playing music from the smart‐
phone or the audio player.
Bluetooth or
USB.
Malfunctions may occur with devices not listed
or deviating software versions.
Using compatible apps via
iDrive.
Bluetooth or
USB.
Displaying the vehicle identification
number and software part number
USB storage device:
USB.
Exporting and importing driver
profiles.
When looking for compatible devices, you may
have to state the vehicle identification number
and the software part number. These numbers
can be displayed in the vehicle.
Performing software updates.
Exporting and importing stored
trips.
Via iDrive:
Playing music.
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "iDrive settings"
3. "Mobile devices"
4. "Settings"
Playing videos from the smart‐
phone or the USB storage de‐
vice.
USB.
Using Apple CarPlay apps via
iDrive and voice operation.
Bluetooth
and WiFi.
5. "Bluetooth® info"
6. "System information"
A software update, refer to page 53, can be
performed, if needed.
The following connection types require one-time
pairing with the vehicle:
48
Online Edition for Part no. 01402914089 - X/19
General settings
AT A GLANCE
Activate function to show the contact pic‐
tures.
Bluetooth connection
Functional requirements
▷ "Apple CarPlay"
▷ Compatible device, refer to page 48, with
Bluetooth interface.
Activate the function to use Apple Car‐
Play.
▷ The vehicle key is in the vehicle.
▷ The device is ready for operation.
6. Move the Controller to the left.
Pairing the mobile device with the vehicle
Via iDrive:
▷ Bluetooth is activated on the device and in
the vehicle, refer to page 49.
▷ Bluetooth presettings, such as visibility, may
be required on the device; refer to the own‐
er's manual of the device.
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "iDrive settings"
3. "Mobile devices"
4. "Connect new device"
Switching on Bluetooth
5. Select the functions for which the device will
be used:
Via iDrive:
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "iDrive settings"
3. "Mobile devices"
4. "Settings"
▷
▷
▷
▷
"Telephone"
"Bluetooth® audio"
"Apps"
"Apple CarPlay"
5. "Bluetooth®"
The vehicle's Bluetooth name is displayed on
the Control Display.
Activating/deactivating telephone
functions
To use all supported functions of a mobile
phone, the following functions must be activated
prior to pairing.
6. On the mobile device, search for Bluetooth
devices in the vicinity.
The Bluetooth name of the vehicle appears
on the mobile device display.
Select the Bluetooth name of the vehicle.
Via iDrive:
7. Depending on the mobile device, a control
number is displayed or the control number
must be entered.
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "iDrive settings"
3. "Mobile devices"
4. "Settings"
▷ Compare the control number displayed
on the Control Display with the control
number on the display of the device.
5. Select the desired setting, e.g.:
▷ "Office"
Confirm the control number on the device
and on the Control Display.
Activate function to transmit short mes‐
sages, e-mails, calendars, tasks, notes,
and reminders to the vehicle. Costs can
be incurred by transmitting all data to the
vehicle.
▷ Enter and confirm the same control num‐
ber on the device and via iDrive.
The device is connected and displayed in the
device list, refer to page 52.
If connection was not successful: Frequently
Asked Questions, refer to page 50.
▷ "Contact images"
49
Online Edition for Part no. 01402914089 - X/19
General settings
AT A GLANCE
▷ It may not be possible to transmit contacts
from social networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
All requirements are met and all required steps
were completed in the specified order. Despite
that, the mobile device does not function as ex‐
pected.
▷ The number of phone book entries to be
stored is too high.
▷ Data volume of the contact too large, for in‐
stance due to stored information such as
notes.
In this case, the following explanations can help:
Why could the mobile phone not be paired or
connected?
Reduce the data volume of the contact.
▷ A mobile phone can only be connected as
audio source or as telephone.
▷ There are too many Bluetooth devices con‐
nected to the mobile phone or vehicle.
Configure the mobile phone and connect it
with the telephone or additional phone func‐
tion.
In the vehicle, delete Bluetooth connections
with other devices.
Delete all known Bluetooth connections from
the device list on the mobile phone and start
a new device search.
How can the phone connection quality be im‐
proved?
▷ The strength of the Bluetooth signal on the
mobile phone can be adjusted, depending on
the mobile phone.
▷ The mobile phone is in power-save mode or
has only a limited remaining battery life.
Charge the mobile phone.
▷ Insert the mobile phone into the snap-in
adapter or place it in the area of the center
console.
Why does the mobile phone no longer react?
▷ The applications on the mobile phone do not
function anymore.
▷ Adjust the volume of the microphone and
loudspeakers separately.
Switch the mobile phone off and on again.
▷ Too high or too low ambient temperatures for
mobile phone operation.
If all points in this list have been checked and the
required function is still not available, contact the
hotline, a dealer’s service center or another quali‐
fied service center or repair shop.
Do not subject the mobile phone to extreme
ambient temperatures.
Why can phone functions not be used via iDrive?
USB connection
General information
▷ The mobile phone may not be properly con‐
figured, for instance as Bluetooth audio de‐
vice.
Mobile devices with a USB port are connected to
the USB interface.
Connect the mobile phone with the tele‐
phone or additional phone function.
▷ Mobile phones.
Why are no or not all phone book entries dis‐
played or why are they incomplete?
The snap-in adapter features a separate USB
port that is automatically connected when a
compatible mobile phone is inserted.
▷ Transmission of the phone book entries is
not yet complete.
▷ Audio devices with USB port, for instance
MP3 players.
▷ It is possible that only the phone book entries
of the mobile phone or the SIM card are
transmitted.
▷ USB storage devices.
▷ It may not be possible to display phone book
entries with special characters.
Common file systems are supported. FAT32
and exFAT are the recommended formats.
50
Online Edition for Part no. 01402914089 - X/19
General settings
AT A GLANCE
A connected USB storage device will be sup‐
plied with charge current via the USB interface if
the device supports this. Follow the maximum
charge current of the USB interface.
▷ USB memory card readers with multiple slots.
▷ HFS-formatted USB storage devices.
▷ Devices such as fans or lamps.
The following uses are possible on USB interfa‐
ces with data transfer:
Functional requirement
Compatible device, refer to page 48, with USB
interface.
▷ Exporting and importing driver profiles, refer
to page 73.
▷ Playing music files via USB audio.
▷ Playing videos via USB video.
Connecting the device
Connect the USB storage device using a suitable
adapter cable to a USB interface, refer to
page 176.
▷ Loading of software updates, refer to
page 53.
The USB storage device is displayed in the de‐
vice list, refer to page 52.
Follow the following when connecting:
▷ Do not use force when plugging the connec‐
tor into the USB interface.
Apple CarPlay preparation
Concept
CarPlay allows certain functions of a compatible
Apple iPhone to be used via Siri voice operation
and iDrive.
▷ Use a flexible adapter cable.
▷ Protect the USB storage device against me‐
chanical damage.
▷ Due to the large number of USB storage de‐
vices available on the market, it cannot be
guaranteed that every device is operable on
the vehicle.
Functional requirements
▷ Do not expose USB storage devices to ex‐
treme environmental conditions, such as very
high temperatures; refer to the owner's
manual of the device.
▷ Compatible iPhone, refer to page 48.
iPhone 5 or later with iOS 7.1 or later.
▷ Corresponding mobile contract.
▷ Due to the many different compression tech‐
niques, proper playback of the media stored
on the USB storage device cannot be guar‐
anteed in all cases.
▷ Bluetooth, WiFi, and Siri voice operation are
switched on on the iPhone.
▷ Booking the ConnectedDrive service: Apple
CarPlay preparation.
▷ To ensure proper transmission of the stored
data, do not charge a USB storage device via
the onboard socket, when it is connected to
the USB interface.
Switching on Bluetooth and CarPlay
Via iDrive:
1. "My Vehicle"
▷ Depending on how the USB storage device is
being used, settings may be required on the
USB storage device, refer to the owner's
manual of the device.
2. "iDrive settings"
3. "Mobile devices"
4. "Settings"
Not compatible USB media:
▷ USB hard drives.
▷ USB hubs.
5. Select the following settings:
▷ "Bluetooth®"
▷ "Apple CarPlay"
51
Online Edition for Part no. 01402914089 - X/19
General settings
AT A GLANCE
▷ For some devices, certain settings may be
necessary, for instance authorization, see
owner's manual of the device.
Pairing the iPhone with CarPlay
Pair the iPhone with the vehicle via Bluetooth, re‐
fer to page 49.
Select CarPlay as the function:
"Apple CarPlay"
Displaying the device list
All devices paired or connected with the vehicle
are displayed in the device list.
The iPhone is connected to the vehicle and dis‐
played in the device list, refer to page 52.
Via iDrive:
1. "My Vehicle"
Operation
2. "iDrive settings"
3. "Mobile devices"
For more information, refer to the Integrated
Owner's Manual or the Owner's Manual for Navi‐
gation, Entertainment, Communication.
A symbol indicates, for which function a device is
used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Symbol
Function
All requirements are met and all required steps
were completed in the specified order. Despite
that, the mobile device does not function as ex‐
pected.
"Telephone"
"Additional telephone"
"Bluetooth® audio"
"Apps"
In this case, the following explanations can help:
The iPhone has already been paired with Apple
CarPlay. When a new connection is established,
CarPlay can no longer be selected.
Configuring the device
Functions can be activated or deactivated for
paired and connected devices.
▷ Delete the iPhone concerned from the device
list.
▷ On the iPhone, delete the vehicle concerned
from the list of stored vehicles under Blue‐
tooth and under WiFi.
Via iDrive:
1. "My Vehicle"
▷ Pair the iPhone as a new device.
2. "iDrive settings"
If the steps listed have been carried out and the
required function is still not available: contact the
hotline, a dealer's service center or another quali‐
fied service center or repair shop.
3. "Mobile devices"
4. Select the desired device.
5. Select the desired setting.
If a function is assigned to a device, the function
will be deactivated where appropriate for a de‐
vice that is already connected and the device will
be disconnected.
Managing mobile devices
General information
▷ After one-time pairing, the devices are auto‐
matically recognized and reconnected when
standby state is switched on.
Disconnecting the device
The device's connection to the vehicle is discon‐
nected.
▷ The data stored on the SIM card or in the
mobile phone are transferred to the vehicle
after recognition.
The device remains paired and can be con‐
nected again, refer to page 53.
52
Online Edition for Part no. 01402914089 - X/19
General settings
AT A GLANCE
Via iDrive:
3. "Mobile devices"
4. "Settings"
1. "My Vehicle"
5. "Swap telephone/additional tel."
2. "iDrive settings"
3. "Mobile devices"
4. Select device.
Software update
General information
5. "Disconnect device"
The vehicle supports a large number of mobile
devices, for example mobile phones and MP3
players. Software updates are available for many
of the supported devices. The vehicle is kept up-
to-date via regular vehicle software updates.
Connecting the device
A disconnected device can be reconnected.
Via iDrive:
1. "My Vehicle"
Updates and related current information is availa‐
2. "iDrive settings"
3. "Mobile devices"
4. Select device.
5. "Connect device"
Displaying the version of the installed
software
The software version installed in the vehicle is
displayed.
The functions that were assigned to the device
before disconnecting are assigned to the device
when it is reconnected. The functions may be
deactivated on a device already connected.
Via iDrive:
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "iDrive settings"
3. "Software update"
4. "Show current version"
Deleting the device
Via iDrive:
1. "My Vehicle"
If an update has been carried out before, select
the desired version to display additional informa‐
tion.
2. "iDrive settings"
3. "Mobile devices"
4. Select device.
5. "Delete device"
Updating software via USB
The software may only be updated when the ve‐
hicle is stationary.
The device is disconnected and removed from
the device list.
Via iDrive:
Swapping the telephone and additional
phone
1. Store the file for the software update in the
main directory of a USB flash drive.
If two mobile phones are connected to the vehi‐
cle, the functions of the phone and additional
phone can be switched.
2. Connect the USB storage device to a USB
interface, refer to page 176.
3. "My Vehicle"
Via iDrive:
4. "iDrive settings"
5. "Software update"
6. "Update software"
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "iDrive settings"
53
Online Edition for Part no. 01402914089 - X/19
General settings
AT A GLANCE
7. "USB"
8. "Install software"
9. "OK"
10.Wait for the update to complete.
11.Confirm system restart.
Restoring the software version
You can restore the software to the version prior
to the last update or to its factory settings.
The software may only be restored when the ve‐
hicle is stationary.
Via iDrive:
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "iDrive settings"
3. "Software update"
4. "Restore software"
5.
▷ "Previous version"
The previous software version is restored.
▷ "Default software settings"
The first software version is restored.
6. "Remove software"
7. "OK"
8. Wait for restore.
9. Confirm system restart.
54
Online Edition for Part no. 01402914089 - X/19
