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How to Pair an Android Phone via Bluetooth to Your BMW

Connecting your phone to your car via Bluetooth should be just as normal as clicking your seatbelt when starting the vehicle. However, some people still have some issues with this process. That's why we want to share a few things about this.
How to Pair your Android Smartphone to BMW's iDrive 9 photos
Photo: BMW USA/YouTube
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While sometimes the process is just straightforward, in some other situations, this might be tricky. In addition, not every phone can do that very quickly. Also, maybe you want more from your paired Android phone than just making or taking calls. But let's try and connect your phone to your car for the first time. Initially, knowing what kind of infotainment system you have is very important. BMW switched from the CIC (Car Information Computer) to NBT (Next Big Thing) for several models starting with 2012 models such as the 5 Series F10. But both systems are on the market, and you should know what you have installed on your vehicle. They are similar, but the latter allows you more functions.

Connecting your phone to the car for the first time can be done by following these easy steps. First, you need to have your vehicle with the infotainment system on. Then, press the "Menu" button in front of the iDrive controller. Next, scroll down via the rotary knob and select "Settings." From there, select the "connections" menu and then select "Bluetooth."

If your car already has a full list of telephones paired with it, the system won't let you connect a new phone to it. So you either delete one or all other devices paired. Then, select "Add new devices" from the top of the list. Next, the car's infotainment unit will start looking for a phone, so make sure that your phone is around with the Bluetooth function on and in "discoverable" mode. Otherwise, the car won't find it.

Pairing an Android phone to a BMW
Photo: BMW Doctor/YouTube
The iDrive will generate a passkey and will send it to your phone. You have to confirm that passkey and press "Ok." Now your phone will connect to the car, but it will prompt you and ask if you want to transfer the agenda into the vehicle. Thus, when someone who's on your list calls you, the infotainment system will display their name, not just the phone number.

But both your phone and your car can do more than just dial and receive calls. For instance, you can play the music stored on your phone via Bluetooth. For that, you have to go back to the "Menu" and select "external devices." That will lead you to a new menu, where you'll have to choose your phone's name.

Thus, the infotainment unit will play the music provided by your phone. Regardless if it's downloaded or from YouTube Music, Spotify, or other streaming services, the car will play them. In addition, you'll be able to use the rotary scroll button from your steering wheel to skip to the next or the previous song. In addition, you may also use the iDrive controller to do the same thing.

While using the button from the steering wheel will allow you to skip to the next song regardless of what's on the infotainment's unit display, the iDrive controller will work only if the player is selected and shown on the screen. Unfortunately, you can't see the playlist. You'll be able to see that only on your device.

Pairing an Android phone to a BMW
Photo: BMW Doctor/YouTube
But your phone can do even more. It can also help you with the navigation system. For that, you need to connect it to the USB port located inside the center storage compartment, under the armrest. When you connect it using a data cable, not a power cable, the phone will prompt you to allow the data transfer to your car. Allow it, and you'll be able to see more than just the streets on your navigation screen. In addition, the vehicle will get information about traffic problems. Moreover, using the "Connected Drive" feature, you can schedule your next appointment with a BMW dealer of your choice.

Some problems were reported regarding the connection between Android phones and BMW's iDrive unit. To solve them, first, you must ensure that your handheld device is up to date with the latest Android version. Then, go to your iDrive system and see what version it is running. If it's not the latest, you may ask your dealer to do that for you or update it by yourself using an official, licensed updated version that you can buy either from a BMW dealer or online from Amazon or other similar platforms.

If your phone or your car don't allow any other new updates, you might get dropped calls or random disconnections. When that happens, the radio will start playing instead of the phone call, which will continue on your handheld device, not on your car's speakers.

Some users found out that the problem was with the agenda. The issue was fixed by deleting the phone book from the car's memory. Although that solution won't allow you to see who's calling you. You'll only see the phone number, not the name.

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