Apple CarPlay & iDrive 5 competing for contacts

[Fake News 2017]

Has anyone had success retaining contacts in both Apple CarPlay and iDrive 5?
When I connect iPhone 6s via CarPlay contacts don’t sync with iDrive. Contacts sync fine connecting iPhone to iDrive only. If I then retry connecting CarPlay it deletes iDrive contacts. Seems to be an either or system for contacts. BMW Genius confirmed it is either or for now but are working on fix. Anyone had luck retaining contacts in both systems?

[Fake News 2017]

Anyway, iDrive 5 is pretty nice and I'm not running CarPlay until this issue is fixed. CarPlay is a waste of $300 IMO and Siri still works without it.

[Fake News 2017]

This seems to be the problem, must select iDrive or CarPlay to manage bluetooth stuff. They don't play together well. IMO don't waste $$$ on CarPlay as iDrive 5 paired with Siri works pretty well.

[nszzya]

Same problem in my F87. Shouldn't be an either or for contacts. I prefer using BMW navigation and contacts, but I can't use them and have Carplay selected. Hoping a fix comes soon.

[Fake News 2017]

Yep, CarPlay is a waste of money!!! I turned it off since navigation and contacts function better in iDrive. Plus, Siri still works if I need it. I've also discovered iDrive won't perform a majority of communication functions listed in the manual. iDrive won't read text or emails like it will with Android phones.

[nszzya]

It's so new that I'm reluctant to say it is a waste of money. I'm hoping it evolves into something good and for that it was a $300 risk that I willingly took and would do it again.

Are you saying that Siri won't read messages in car? It works in my F15. Just hold down the voice recognition button until the Siri prompt and you can say things like "Tell John Smith..." and it will create and send a text. Or "Play Messages" and it will read your messages. Haven't tried with iDrive 5.0 though.

[Fake News 2017]

Originally Posted by nszzya

It's so new that I'm reluctant to say it is a waste of money. I'm hoping it evolves into something good and for that it was a $300 risk that I willingly took and would do it again.

Are you saying that Siri won't read messages in car? It works in my F15. Just hold down the voice recognition button until the Siri prompt and you can say things like "Tell John Smith..." and it will create and send a text. Or "Play Messages" and it will read your messages. Haven't tried with iDrive 5.0 though.

I also hope it will evolve. A "Contacts" icon would improve CarPlay immensely!!! I can't find a way to browse contacts in CarPlay without talking to Siri first.

Yes, Siri works in the car without CarPlay. That is the main reason I called it a waste of money. Siri will read and send text through iDrive. Don't know about email, I haven't tried that yet. With iPhone, iDrive alone will not read text or notifications

However, I'm told iDrive will read text, email and notifications via Android.
Too bad I'm stuck in the Apple universe with all my personal devices.
Having spoken with several BMW genius people the consensus is Android integration is the way to go for full functionality. Apple just wants you to use CarPlay and doesn't really care about integration with iDrive. Example, contacts live either in iDrive or CarPlay but not both. I don't understand why this isn't an easy fix Both navigation systems work at the same time

[itrsteve]

Meh, call me crazy but I think it's a great feature... Is if free from flaws, hell no. But it has the ability to be improved and future proof your car.

Plus, it was $300 sooooooooo. If anything, I'm bummed on wireless charging being useless if you have an iPhone.

[Vetsky]

Just as an FYI, Apple Car Play in a Ferrari is $4k. Best $300 I ever spent, even if I never use it.

[Fake News 2017]

Originally Posted by Vetsky

Just as an FYI, Apple Car Play in a Ferrari is $4k. Best $300 I ever spent, even if I never use it.

Yep it is only $300 and I would use it if they fix the contacts issue. For now I'm just leaving it off. Damn sure not switching to Android.

[gtrsam]

Originally Posted by Vetsky

Just as an FYI, Apple Car Play in a Ferrari is $4k. Best $300 I ever spent, even if I never use it.

And $300 is still good? Should be free. It was free for my q7. I can live without it in my 2016. I didn't realize the 2017 came with it but you have to pay for it? That is ridiculous

[itrsteve]

Originally Posted by TypeM4

Yep it is only $300 and I would use it if they fix the contacts issue. For now I'm just leaving it off. Damn sure not switching to Android.

Granted I'm still a little new to this car, but from what I've played around it appears that your either or answer is correct.

Either way, I've love this feature and strictly use instead it instead of iDrive. Siri has been pretty smart on locating contacts or locations when I need them.

[Fake News 2017]

Originally Posted by itrsteve

Granted I'm still a little new to this car, but from what I've played around it appears that your either or answer is correct.

Either way, I've love this feature and strictly use instead it instead of iDrive. Siri has been pretty smart on locating contacts or locations when I need them.

I should probably load it up for a one month test,,,,if I can last that long

BTW, I am an Apple person with everything but CarPlay so I'm not just hating.

[Flbmwm3]

Can the dealer add on CarPlay yet to recent cars without that option originally?

[itrsteve]

Originally Posted by TypeM4

I should probably load it up for a one month test,,,,if I can last that long

BTW, I am an Apple person with everything but CarPlay so I'm not just hating.

My largest complaint so far is that if you go to use the phone, it often switches up what is showing up on the screen, i.e. If I have maps running and go to check a text, the messages app flies up on the screen. I'm sure it's to discourage people from messing with their phone while driving and it's working.

I wish they will eventually enable the calendar app for CarPlay though.

[Fake News 2017]

Originally Posted by Flbmwm3

Can the dealer add on CarPlay yet to recent cars without that option originally?

Still not worth adding IMHO...Siri through iDrive can do anything CarPlay can!!!

I wouldn't add it!!!