[greyhound93]

I purchased a '22 x7 m50i over the summer. The car is equipped with a wifi hotspot and I've been in trial mode. However, I have had the absolute worst time trying to determine how to purchase an actual plan-- even after calling BMWAssist, my dealer, t-mobile, and using the MyBMW (aka connected drive) app.

- If I go to the T-mobile website, it just directs you to the BMW app.
- Once in the BMW app, under 3rd party services, the only option is the eSIM, which looks to be only applicable for the iX and x4. So no dice there.
- I see BMW is still an option on AT&T's site, so I wondered if that's what we're using. But my MSISDN number (which I finally got by pushing the SOS button), is 15 digits so I can't get that accepted there.

Judging by the fact that a search of this forum didn't turn up a lot, I'm sensing I'm missing something.

Am i the only one struggling with this? I've had several cars with wifi plans and i've never been more frustrated than i am right now with something that should be very simple to do.

[bagekko]

Just curious why does a person want their car to have wifi and be a hotspot? My parents do this with crappy onstar, the rates are horrible. I have had Fi for many years and they do not charge anything for tethering or hotspot data. I still cant understand how people don't get that the majors are gouging them charging for that.

[blutob2]

Originally Posted by bagekko

Just curious why does a person want their car to have wifi and be a hotspot? My parents do this with crappy onstar, the rates are horrible. I have had Fi for many years and they do not charge anything for tethering or hotspot data. I still cant understand how people don't get that the majors are gouging them charging for that.

I agree and my only thought would be if you had a different phone carrier so wanted to expand your coverage. I've taken the X7 to some remote places with zero phone coverage but I also have T-Mobile so don't think having it enabled in the X7 would have changed that.

[Missduvy]

I have a package from AT&T. $25/month. It helps provide quicker service in areas with spotty coverage and my kids use it on their devices that don’t have cellular capability.

[Al Pinã]

It's almost as though BMW and Tmobile don't want you to find the website.. It took me weeks to get it all figured out, and if I'm honest the old AT&T service from my 750 was waaaaay better than what I'm experiencing now.

https://www.bmw.hotspotdrive.com/#/

[NLRMS]

Originally Posted by bagekko

Just curious why does a person want their car to have wifi and be a hotspot? My parents do this with crappy onstar, the rates are horrible. I have had Fi for many years and they do not charge anything for tethering or hotspot data. I still cant understand how people don't get that the majors are gouging them charging for that.

It's very convenient for cars with rear seat entertainment. Having my streaming stick connected to the car's hotspot instead of using one of my tethering phones works better for me.

I only use it 2-3 times a year for long trips with the kids but to me it is still worth it.

[adamjs83]

If you have the AT&T system you have to log onto the wifi in the car and browse through the captive portal it provides in order to sign up.

[Missduvy]

Originally Posted by adamjs83

If you have the AT&T system you have to log onto the wifi in the car and browse through the captive portal it provides in order to sign up.

Not sure what you mean here. To get onto my car’s wifi, a new device simply scans a QR code on the screen. Once you’ve used it, every other time you get into the car, it automatically connects to the cars wifi.

[Al Pinã]

Be mindful of the legions of people who haven't a clue what they're talking about.

Follow the link in my previous post to sign up. The service itself is average at best and expect to have to reboot the wifi from time to time.

[Missduvy]

Originally Posted by Al Pinã

Be mindful of the legions of people who haven't a clue what they're talking about.

Follow the link in my previous post to sign up. The service itself is average at best and expect to have to reboot the wifi from time to time.

Maybe it depends on where you live? I’ve had zero problems with mine. No spotiness and no reboot.

[greyhound93]

Originally Posted by Al Pinã

Be mindful of the legions of people who haven't a clue what they're talking about.

Follow the link in my previous post to sign up. The service itself is average at best and expect to have to reboot the wifi from time to time.

I wish I could, but I'm in the U.S. and unless I'm mistaken, that site is only for Europe. But thanks anyway!

[Al Pinã]

Originally Posted by greyhound93

I wish I could, but I'm in the U.S. and unless I'm mistaken, that site is only for Europe. But thanks anyway!

I'm in America as well. Try this link instead:

https://www.bmwna.hotspotdrive.com/?#/

[MancladLA]

Originally Posted by greyhound93

I purchased a '22 x7 m50i over the summer. The car is equipped with a wifi hotspot and I've been in trial mode. However, I have had the absolute worst time trying to determine how to purchase an actual plan-- even after calling BMWAssist, my dealer, t-mobile, and using the MyBMW (aka connected drive) app.

- If I go to the T-mobile website, it just directs you to the BMW app.
- Once in the BMW app, under 3rd party services, the only option is the eSIM, which looks to be only applicable for the iX and x4. So no dice there.
- I see BMW is still an option on AT&T's site, so I wondered if that's what we're using. But my MSISDN number (which I finally got by pushing the SOS button), is 15 digits so I can't get that accepted there.

Judging by the fact that a search of this forum didn't turn up a lot, I'm sensing I'm missing something.

Am i the only one struggling with this? I've had several cars with wifi plans and i've never been more frustrated than i am right now with something that should be very simple to do.

How long does the trial last? I got my x7 in June. Can you only get the hot spot through T mobile? Also how much is it a month or can you buy an annual plan.

[jrmMD]

Originally Posted by Al Pinã

It's almost as though BMW and Tmobile don't want you to find the website.. It took me weeks to get it all figured out, and if I'm honest the old AT&T service from my 750 was waaaaay better than what I'm experiencing now.

https://www.bmw.hotspotdrive.com/#/

I agree, my service with AT&T on my '19 X5 is more reliable than the Deutsche Telecom (T-Mobile) on my '22 X7, but when it's working, the T-Mobile is faster, 35+mbps vs. 12-18 mbps...

Also seems weird, some 'sites' won't load with T-Mobile, others super speedy...for example, ESPN app won't load with T-Mobile, but as soon as I turn off WiFi, boom it's there on cell service. Others like Instagram work fine...variable and very strange..

I generally rely on cell service, and use the hotspot for devices that don't have cell service (like my wife's iPad), etc.

[MystroX5]

I use it a lot and ATT has been about perfect coverage from PA to Florida.

[Al Pinã]

Originally Posted by jrmMD

I agree, my service with AT&T on my '19 X5 is more reliable than the Deutsche Telecom (T-Mobile) on my '22 X7, but when it's working, the T-Mobile is faster, 35+mbps vs. 12-18 mbps...

Also seems weird, some 'sites' won't load with T-Mobile, others super speedy...for example, ESPN app won't load with T-Mobile, but as soon as I turn off WiFi, boom it's there on cell service. Others like Instagram work fine...variable and very strange..

I generally rely on cell service, and use the hotspot for devices that don't have cell service (like my wife's iPad), etc.

Exactly what I'm experiencing. For me it's the Gmail app that absolutely refuses to load when on wifi.

[adamjs83]

Originally Posted by Missduvy

Not sure what you mean here. To get onto my car’s wifi, a new device simply scans a QR code on the screen. Once you’ve used it, every other time you get into the car, it automatically connects to the cars wifi.

Yes and then if you browse the internet it will take you to the sign up page.

[jmciver]

IIRC, BMW uses AT&T as the service provider for the in-car WiFi. So when the free trial period is over, you need to either purchase a wireless plan from AT&T to have continued service in your BMW, or, if you are already an AT&T customer, you need to add your BMW to your existing AT&T plan - basically just like adding another cell phone line to your plan. Unlike most cell phones, where you can change the SIM chip from one carrier to another, you can't change the SIM chip in your BMW as it is hardwired - so you are stuck with AT&T if you want to have in car WiFi.

Beginning with '23 models, I believe BMW added eSIM capability which means you can use any service provider you want. But this feature can't be easily retrofitted to older models.

I have a '20 model and I am on Verizon. So once my original trial period was up, the $25/mo AT&T plan was not worth it to me. Had I been an AT&T customer at the time, I believe the cost was $10/mo, which I might have paid, but I was not going to switch carriers just for WiFi in the X7.

[Al Pinã]

They switched over to T-Mobile last year. No more AT&T.

[greyhound93]

Originally Posted by Al Pinã

I'm in America as well. Try this link instead:

https://www.bmwna.hotspotdrive.com/?#/

Thank you very much for this. First time I had seen this anywhere. Don't know why they aren't making this more clear vs. just telling people to go to T-mobile.

I've signed up and will see how this goes!

[greyhound93]

Originally Posted by Al Pinã

They switched over to T-Mobile last year. No more AT&T.

I think that's why it was confusing. Per other people on this board, some people still have AT&T and if you go to the AT&T website, BMW is still an option you can choose. Maybe that's more for existing customers (i.e., BMW didn't make them switch to T-mobile).

[Al Pinã]

Originally Posted by greyhound93

I think that's why it was confusing. Per other people on this board, some people still have AT&T and if you go to the AT&T website, BMW is still an option you can choose. Maybe that's more for existing customers (i.e., BMW didn't make them switch to T-mobile).

Actually if you bought a vehicle from '22 onward I think it's T-Mobile. My previous car was a 2019 750i and it had the AT&T service, which was great. When I bought the Alpina I was forced to switch over.

Glad I could be of some help getting you sorted out.