Send-to-car from Google maps on a PC stopped working

gugin · 01-10-2020, 08:53 AM

I am unable to send a location from Google maps in Chrome running on my PC to my 2019 X3 M40i (I get "We were unable to send this destination. Please try again."). The function worked fine last year. The last time I used it was in October/November 2019, so it stopped working sometime between then and now. I did remove the Connected app from my iPhone because I found it to be utterly useless. But the app was removed in the summer of 2019 and send-to-car continued to work after removing it, hence I don't think the lack of the app is the problem.

Anyone else having the same problem when it comes to sending locations from a PC?

AlteBMW · 01-10-2020, 09:39 AM

AFAIK, send to car fo BMW has not worked in quite a while, as BMW wants you to use the Connected App. I have not been able to send from Google maps for many months. The car is registered but destinations never get sent. I have been using the BMW Connected app and it works very well for sending destinations. BTW, the same situation seems to be in place for MB. I used to be able to send to my wifes '14 E350 wagon. Now, I need to use the MB app. If there is a solution for using Google I would like to know, because it is very convenient to do it that way.

Bob in IL · 01-10-2020, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlteBMW

AFAIK, send to car fo BMW has not worked in quite a while, as BMW wants you to use the Connected App. I have not been able to send from Google maps for many months. The car is registered but destinations never get sent. I have been using the BMW Connected app and it works very well for sending destinations. BTW, the same situation seems to be in place for MB. I used to be able to send to my wifes '14 E350 wagon. Now, I need to use the MB app. If there is a solution for using Google I would like to know, because it is very convenient to do it that way.

Same here. The send to car hasn't worked in some time in our BMW's. I use the Connected App and it works really well, and fast. I had the same issue with our Audi A6 and had to use their connected service which worked well too.

gugin · 01-10-2020, 08:50 PM

Hmm,that sucks. BMW seems to be all about taking convenient options away and forcing BS on us (I personally find a smartphone a poor substitute for a PC). I read a lot about "BMW genius" on this forum; I'd like to ask them to confirm the discontinuation of the send-to-car with Google maps. How do I get in touch with those people? Do I just go to a dealer and say I want to talk to a "genius" or is there a 1-800 number I need to call?

hinckley · 01-11-2020, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gugin

I personally find a smartphone a poor substitute for a PC.

OK Boomer (says the guy born in 1958)!

Quote:

Originally Posted by gugin

I read a lot about "BMW genius" on this forum; I'd like to ask them to confirm the discontinuation of the send-to-car with Google maps. How do I get in touch with those people? Do I just go to a dealer and say I want to talk to a "genius" or is there a 1-800 number I need to call?

Yes and yes. Dealer or 1.844.443.6487. However, you will find BMW "geniuses" at either of those places. On this forum, you will fine BMW "Geniuses". No joke. There's a greater knowledge base here among a group of curious and enthusiastic hands-on users than at BMW with a bunch of 20-somethings who've barely stepped inside these cars.

Barbja · 01-11-2020, 12:21 PM

I've been using the 'send-to-car' function in google for about 7 years. It works, and then it doesn't work. It works, and then it doesn't work. It works, and then it doesn't work. (You can insert days/weeks/months between each thing there.)

I always try googlemaps first since its so much easier to use than the connected app, especially if you have to send a rapid-fire series of destinations. I do a mental happy dance if it works, and cringe and move on to the phone if it doesn't.

clivem2 · 01-11-2020, 01:29 PM

How do you setup google to know the car? I don't know the sim card number for my car.

BMWZ4 · 01-11-2020, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clivem2

How do you setup google to know the car? I don't know the sim card number for my car.

From what I recall, you would select the car brand from a drop down menu i.e. BMW, then enter your email address (the one that would be in file with BMWNA for connected drive) and voila! Your destination would be forwarded to your in-car NAV system

gugin · 01-11-2020, 08:29 PM

Yes, that is it--use the same email address in Google maps that you used for bmwusa.com/mybmw. I think that's the source of the problem. Because Google does not know your car's SIM card, it relies on BMW to relay the information to your car. If there is a problem at BMW, it fails.

nabeelio · 01-13-2020, 02:37 PM

https://www.google.com/maps/sendtocar

It worked for my G30. I haven't tried for the G01... trying now

AlteBMW · 01-17-2020, 11:48 AM

On a hunch, I just tried a different browser on my PC (Mac), I had been using Firefox and it almost always said the destination could not be sent. I just tried in Safari for three different destinations and it said they were sent. I won't know for sure until I get in my car later and will edit to report whether in fact they were sent.

Edit: Send to car works for me when I use Google maps in Safari. All three destinations I "sent" earlier today went to the car. As of now it looks like a Firefox issue, as sending in Firefox does not work. Will try again later.

Edit 2: Firefox now works again. Good news.

nabeelio · 01-17-2020, 01:52 PM

Following up on mine, it is working, I've sent a few addresses.

Dandle · 01-17-2020, 03:19 PM

Works from chrome on my PC.

gugin · 01-17-2020, 09:35 PM

It works for me now as well from Chrome Version 79.0.3945.117 on my PC.

Bob in IL · 01-18-2020, 11:32 AM

After reading this thread I just tried sending a destination to the car from Chrome and it worked. The destination appeared in Messages same as Send To Car using the app. Thanks for the tips. I normally don't use Chrome and haven't been able to Send To Car for quite a while. I think using the app is a little more convenient for me, but this will come in handy when planning a trip etc.

AlteBMW · 01-18-2020, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob in IL

I think using the app is a little more convenient for me, but this will come in handy when planning a trip etc.

Yes, sitting at your computer and looking at destinations and alternate routes and then being able to send destinations to the car is big plus. Happy this is working again.

Ravenous666 · 01-18-2020, 01:49 PM

Gave me an error today. Did not work with Firefox or Opera.

wannax3? · 01-20-2020, 03:11 PM

Works with Connected app. Fails with Google Maps on PC, using Edge browser. Also fails on iMac using Safari browser.

That’s life I guess.

Ravenous666 · 01-21-2020, 07:55 AM

Works with google maps on PC using Firefox. Just tested today.

dinan5m3 · 01-27-2020, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

From what I recall, you would select the car brand from a drop down menu i.e. BMW, then enter your email address (the one that would be in file with BMWNA for connected drive) and voila! Your destination would be forwarded to your in-car NAV system

Quote:

Originally Posted by gugin

Yes, that is it--use the same email address in Google maps that you used for bmwusa.com/mybmw. I think that's the source of the problem. Because Google does not know your car's SIM card, it relies on BMW to relay the information to your car. If there is a problem at BMW, it fails.

So, if one has multiple cars, with single e-mail address registered for mybmw login, then when this is all working fine, then all 3 cards for instance, will get the map info?

I don't see how, with e-mail address alone for mybmw sign on, bmw knows which car to send to, other than send to all cars registered under that e-mail address.

Is that it?

andyg1966 · 01-28-2020, 02:44 AM

Mine didn't work when brand new (my previous F31 did work).

I spoke to BMW (connected drive support) over the phone. They took my VIN number and said they were reporting the non working VINS to google.

After about 3 weeks, mine now works.

Using the same account as the F31, just removed that card and added my X3.

BMWZ4 · 01-28-2020, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinan5m3

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

From what I recall, you would select the car brand from a drop down menu i.e. BMW, then enter your email address (the one that would be in file with BMWNA for connected drive) and voila! Your destination would be forwarded to your in-car NAV system

Quote:

Originally Posted by gugin

Yes, that is it--use the same email address in Google maps that you used for bmwusa.com/mybmw. I think that's the source of the problem. Because Google does not know your car's SIM card, it relies on BMW to relay the information to your car. If there is a problem at BMW, it fails.

So, if one has multiple cars, with single e-mail address registered for mybmw login, then when this is all working fine, then all 3 cards for instance, will get the map info?

I don't see how, with e-mail address alone for mybmw sign on, bmw knows which car to send to, other than send to all cars registered under that e-mail address.

Is that it?

Believe email addresses are supposed to be unique

01-10-2020, 08:53 AM	#1
gugin New member 318 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	Send-to-car from Google maps on a PC stopped working I am unable to send a location from Google maps in Chrome running on my PC to my 2019 X3 M40i (I get "We were unable to send this destination. Please try again."). The function worked fine last year. The last time I used it was in October/November 2019, so it stopped working sometime between then and now. I did remove the Connected app from my iPhone because I found it to be utterly useless. But the app was removed in the summer of 2019 and send-to-car continued to work after removing it, hence I don't think the lack of the app is the problem. Anyone else having the same problem when it comes to sending locations from a PC?
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01-10-2020, 09:39 AM	#2
AlteBMW Lieutenant Colonel 736 Rep 1,606 Posts Drives: '23 760ix; '23 X3; '23 MB wgn Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 X3 x30 [0.00] 2023 BMW 760ix [10.00] 2023 Mercedes E450 ... [0.00]	AFAIK, send to car fo BMW has not worked in quite a while, as BMW wants you to use the Connected App. I have not been able to send from Google maps for many months. The car is registered but destinations never get sent. I have been using the BMW Connected app and it works very well for sending destinations. BTW, the same situation seems to be in place for MB. I used to be able to send to my wifes '14 E350 wagon. Now, I need to use the MB app. If there is a solution for using Google I would like to know, because it is very convenient to do it that way. __________________ BMWCCA Current: 23 760ix (Carbon Black/Tartufo) (after first one totaled) '23 X3; '23 MB E Wagon Prior: BMWs (3,5,7 & 8 series (2x!)) X3, MB (C, E, and S), Alfa GTV, MGB, Audi (A4, A6), Saab, Volvo, Toyota, Lincoln, Chrysler, Oldsmobile, Chevy, Rambler.
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01-10-2020, 08:50 PM	#4
gugin New member 318 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	Hmm,that sucks. BMW seems to be all about taking convenient options away and forcing BS on us (I personally find a smartphone a poor substitute for a PC). I read a lot about "BMW genius" on this forum; I'd like to ask them to confirm the discontinuation of the send-to-car with Google maps. How do I get in touch with those people? Do I just go to a dealer and say I want to talk to a "genius" or is there a 1-800 number I need to call?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-11-2020, 12:21 PM	#6
Barbja Captain 149 Rep 666 Posts Drives: 2020 X4 M40i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	I've been using the 'send-to-car' function in google for about 7 years. It works, and then it doesn't work. It works, and then it doesn't work. It works, and then it doesn't work. (You can insert days/weeks/months between each thing there.) I always try googlemaps first since its so much easier to use than the connected app, especially if you have to send a rapid-fire series of destinations. I do a mental happy dance if it works, and cringe and move on to the phone if it doesn't.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-11-2020, 01:29 PM	#7
clivem2 Colonel 541 Rep 2,073 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	How do you setup google to know the car? I don't know the sim card number for my car.
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01-11-2020, 08:29 PM	#9
gugin New member 318 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	Yes, that is it--use the same email address in Google maps that you used for bmwusa.com/mybmw. I think that's the source of the problem. Because Google does not know your car's SIM card, it relies on BMW to relay the information to your car. If there is a problem at BMW, it fails.
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01-13-2020, 02:37 PM	#10
nabeelio New Member 4 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 14F30, 18G30, 20G01 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	https://www.google.com/maps/sendtocar It worked for my G30. I haven't tried for the G01... trying now
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01-17-2020, 11:48 AM	#11
AlteBMW Lieutenant Colonel 736 Rep 1,606 Posts Drives: '23 760ix; '23 X3; '23 MB wgn Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 X3 x30 [0.00] 2023 BMW 760ix [10.00] 2023 Mercedes E450 ... [0.00]	On a hunch, I just tried a different browser on my PC (Mac), I had been using Firefox and it almost always said the destination could not be sent. I just tried in Safari for three different destinations and it said they were sent. I won't know for sure until I get in my car later and will edit to report whether in fact they were sent. Edit: Send to car works for me when I use Google maps in Safari. All three destinations I "sent" earlier today went to the car. As of now it looks like a Firefox issue, as sending in Firefox does not work. Will try again later. Edit 2: Firefox now works again. Good news. __________________ BMWCCA Current: 23 760ix (Carbon Black/Tartufo) (after first one totaled) '23 X3; '23 MB E Wagon Prior: BMWs (3,5,7 & 8 series (2x!)) X3, MB (C, E, and S), Alfa GTV, MGB, Audi (A4, A6), Saab, Volvo, Toyota, Lincoln, Chrysler, Oldsmobile, Chevy, Rambler. Last edited by AlteBMW; 01-17-2020 at 07:25 PM..
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01-17-2020, 01:52 PM	#12
nabeelio New Member 4 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 14F30, 18G30, 20G01 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Following up on mine, it is working, I've sent a few addresses.
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01-17-2020, 03:19 PM	#13
Dandle Lieutenant 214 Rep 538 Posts Drives: G05 X5 M50i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: West London iTrader: (0)	Works from chrome on my PC.
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01-17-2020, 09:35 PM	#14
gugin New member 318 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	It works for me now as well from Chrome Version 79.0.3945.117 on my PC.
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01-18-2020, 11:32 AM	#15
Bob in IL Captain 793 Rep 999 Posts Drives: 2024 G01 X3, 2019 G30 5 Series Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Chicago area iTrader: (0)	After reading this thread I just tried sending a destination to the car from Chrome and it worked. The destination appeared in Messages same as Send To Car using the app. Thanks for the tips. I normally don't use Chrome and haven't been able to Send To Car for quite a while. I think using the app is a little more convenient for me, but this will come in handy when planning a trip etc.
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01-18-2020, 01:49 PM	#17
Ravenous666 Captain 532 Rep 744 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW X3 & 2024 BMW X3 Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Hamburg iTrader: (0)	Gave me an error today. Did not work with Firefox or Opera.
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01-20-2020, 03:11 PM	#18
wannax3? Enlisted Member 14 Rep 43 Posts Drives: X3 M40i in future Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: N of Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	Works with Connected app. Fails with Google Maps on PC, using Edge browser. Also fails on iMac using Safari browser. That’s life I guess. __________________ 2019 BMW X3 M40i - just arrived 2011 Ford Mustang GT - Roushcharged 2008 Acura MDX - gone
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01-21-2020, 07:55 AM	#19
Ravenous666 Captain 532 Rep 744 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW X3 & 2024 BMW X3 Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Hamburg iTrader: (0)	Works with google maps on PC using Firefox. Just tested today.
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01-28-2020, 02:44 AM	#21
andyg1966 Enlisted Member 3 Rep 43 Posts Drives: BMW X3 30d M Sport Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Petersfield iTrader: (0)	Mine didn't work when brand new (my previous F31 did work). I spoke to BMW (connected drive support) over the phone. They took my VIN number and said they were reporting the non working VINS to google. After about 3 weeks, mine now works. Using the same account as the F31, just removed that card and added my X3.
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