[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

New functions and content for the My BMW App

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July 12, 2021

Munich. Since it was launched in July 2020, the My BMW App has established itself in 46 countries on five continents as a universal interface enabling seamless communication between drivers, vehicles and their digital world. The My BMW App provides both a direct interface between the driver and their vehicle, and a communication channel with BMW dealers and the BMW brand. For example, the My BMW App allows information on the vehicle’s status to be accessed clearly and destination addresses to be sent from a smartphone to the vehicle’s navigation system. Depending on the vehicle specification, remote functions such as locking and unlocking the doors, Remote Horn and Remote 3D can also be accessed. In addition, the My BMW App alerts the customer when a vehicle service is required and enables them to contact an authorised BMW Service workshop directly. The My BMW App has also been expanded to include the new Explore BMW area. Here the user regularly receives exclusive content from the world of BMW, e.g. on new products, innovations, design topics and events, as well as tips & tricks for everyday mobility. Specific functions for electrified vehicles have also been added.

The My BMW App is available for both Apple iOS and Android operating systems and can be downloaded free of charge from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The BMW Connected App expired on 30 June 2021 and has been replaced by the My BMW App.


New features of the My BMW App:

The updates in May and July 2021 have added more important new features to the My BMW App. These are:

A new map style including further functional enhancements for the navigation map display. Integration of predictive route planning, which shows traffic on the planned route in real time and enables comparison of fuel prices. (Since 5/21)

The new features also include the visualization of the remote air conditioning function. From now on, the scheduled functions (ventilation, air conditioning or heating) and their remaining times are displayed in the My BMW app. (from 07/21)

A new function also enables contact-free scheduling and reservation of service appointments outside the dealer’s opening times. The My BMW App reminds the user of scheduled appointments and also offers the option of payment online. This function is another important step in providing contact-free services. (From 07/21)

The Personalised Service Video increases transparency and delivers more information on the vehicle’s status without the customer needing to be present. A personalised video of the customer’s vehicle is recorded by service advisors and shows the result of a vehicle check – e.g. tyre and brake pad wear. Customers can use the videos to decide what work they want to have carried out beyond regular servicing. This function is not available in the USA, Canada and China. (Since 05/21)

With the new Explore BMW area, the My BMW App now invites users in 26 countries to regularly check out up-to-date and emotionally engaging editorial content from around the world of BMW. The broad spectrum of topics covering every aspect of the brand and mobility initially includes New Products, Design, Arts & Culture and Innovations, while “How to” articles on selected functions and products are also available. Explore BMW has been available since 05/21, with content-sharing possible from 07/21.

Customers can add a debit card to their payment options and, in so doing, save time when making their monthly payments (since 05/21, only available in the USA).


Functions of the My BMW App tailored to electrified vehicles:

The Charging area – provided specifically for owners of electrified vehicles (either with a plug-in hybrid drive system or purely electrically powered) – in the new My BMW App contains everything you need to know about charging functions. It integrates clearly presented, at-a-glance information on charging activity, charges in progress, Scan & Charge, and control of charging and climate settings. (From 05/21)

BMW Points offers a wealth of additional function updates:

Collect points by charging: The vehicle must be charged 20 times per month and charge for at least 15 minutes on each occasion.

Collect points by driving: Points are collected for kilometres driven on electric power and for every kilometre covered on electric power within an eDrive Zone.

Redeem points: Vouchers can be redeemed via BMW Charging.

My Activity summary: Shows the points collected, the number of kilometres driven on electric power inside and outside eDrive Zones, and the number of kilometres driven on combustion-engine power. Distance figures are displayed in km and %. Information covers a particular period of time (this week/last week).

BMW Points will also be rolled out in Norway, Sweden and the UK from 07/21.

EVgo Integration (only available in the USA) links the My BMW App with the BMW Charging App (by EVgo), which users can open directly at any time when they want to find a charging station or start a charge. (From 05/21)

Charging Management (available in Canada from 05/21; USA from 07/21) offers a detailed overview of a charge in progress (start time and duration of the charge, range, pre-conditioning and current vehicle settings, scheduled departure) in the Charging Plan. Previous charges including the associated costs are shown clearly in the Charging History.

[davidRos]

Still no Apple Watch companion or calendar integration. These existed the previous app and still have not been added to this app. So very frustrating to make an update with fewer features than its predecessor 😭

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by davidRos

Still no Apple Watch companion or calendar integration. These existed the previous app and still have not been added to this app. So very frustrating to make an update with fewer features than its predecessor 😭

I like the new app, and slightly miss those features.

[rodness]

The good news is they keep adding significant functionality in each update. So it's clearly still under very active development, and thus the hope that they'll add the (different) features we're all hoping for.

Still has less capability than the old Connected app. In particular the Apple Watch integration. I liked being able to start the climate function from my watch as I walked to my car with stuff in my hands and couldn't dig in my pocket for my phone. However, given the app complexity that a watch app adds, I can't really blame them if they drop it, lots of other companies have also, but it's a shame because it was actually useful.

And what the hell are BMW points???

[MarkDemma]

Originally Posted by rodness

And what the hell are BMW points???

I was wondering the same thing. I can't think of any good reason to need to gamify this app.

[shadowfax]

Originally Posted by rodness

....And what the hell are BMW points???

"Redeem points: Vouchers can be redeemed via BMW Charging."

[///M TOWN]

Still has glitches and isn't trust worthy like the old app

Over the weekend I couldn't even lock or unlock my doors it said I had to do readiness before I could do that stupid I waited a day and then it worked

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by davidRos

Still no Apple Watch companion or calendar integration. These existed the previous app and still have not been added to this app. So very frustrating to make an update with fewer features than its predecessor 😭

Yeah well isn't that a joke

If you stay ready you don't have to get ready BMW

[Vucko]

that 8series, on last photo...looks different, could it be LCI with new bumper? or just glitch?

[TiredGeek]

I'd just like it to work. I send routes from my phone to the car and now they never get there. With the old app they'd be there in 10 mins.....

[PLF69]

Originally Posted by TiredGeek

I'd just like it to work. I send routes from my phone to the car and now they never get there. With the old app they'd be there in 10 mins.....

Mine works flawlessly, Its a bit inconsistent in the delay though.

[Jockey]

So that's why the old app stopped working and kept crashing

Thanks for the head's up BMW!

[DJ_BMW_CA]

I miss being able to send directions to my CIC navigation via USB cable using the old app…

[RedKloud]

Would be nice if the current features worked too.

[Kolianovskyi]

Huge, warm hugs to 3G car owners))).

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by davidRos

Still no Apple Watch companion or calendar integration. These existed the previous app and still have not been added to this app. So very frustrating to make an update with fewer features than its predecessor 😭

Agreed. They took out honk the horn too.

Who uses the ventilation feature, does it help? When is a good time to schedule it for? I always assume if the inside of my car is hot and stuffy, it's probably hot and stuffy outside so what would ventilation help anyway

[F85MTuNED]

Nothing's perfect I'm sure they'll get it right soon.

[PNWM3]

All these new features but they haven’t fixed the bug where an XB7 shows up as an X7 M50i. Picture is correct but label is wrong…

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by antzcrashing

Agreed. They took out honk the horn too.

Who uses the ventilation feature, does it help? When is a good time to schedule it for? I always assume if the inside of my car is hot and stuffy, it's probably hot and stuffy outside so what would ventilation help anyway

The horn function was not there when it first came out but it got updated a few days later.

As for the ventilation it does help but its not AC.

[clutchdj]

This app makes simple things more complicated. Takes longer to do basic things. Background should be black. Unlock/lock car should be in red/amber or white. “Check status” is tiny. “All Good” is huge. “All Good” is laid back slang .. doesn’t really convey a message. I shouldn’t have the option to lock the car if it’s already locked. The previous layout was better.

[Kolianovskyi]

Originally Posted by PNWM3

All these new features but they haven’t fixed the bug where an XB7 shows up as an X7 M50i. Picture is correct but label is wrong…

Honestly, how many people here can recognize x7 alpina and x7m?))))