[Chicago Beemer]

Apple car play does not work until I connect WIFI.
Bluetooth is not consistent and never connects in one touch on my X7.
Any one has same issues with Bluetooth.
Appreciate any help.

[toddwalton]

You need to have both the wi-fi and the Bluetooth on your iPhone turned on at all times.

If you connected your iPhone to the BMW using the old-school Bluetooth connection, you need to delete that from both the iPhone settings and the iDrive settings, then go back in to your iPhone under Settings > CarPlay, and follow the instructions here.

Most connection problems with CarPlay are because of either a) failure to turn on both wi-fi and Bluetooth antennas or b) setting up the iPhone as a regular Bluetooth connection instead of a CarPlay connection.

[Chicago Beemer]

Thanks will try. You are right I have done it old school way.
When getting through car play it is asking to press and hold voice control button.
Tried before nothing happened will try again today. Will keep you posted.
Thanks immediate response. Appreciate it.

[Chicago Beemer]

Just tried as you said Toddwalton.
Tried through apple car play through phone.
But the car play only connects when I connect to BMW Hotspot and turn wifi on.
Does car play does not work with just bluetooth.
As I did not extend my wifi/ hotspot through att.
Please help

[calbears]

Originally Posted by Chicago Beemer

Just tried as you said Toddwalton.
Tried through apple car play through phone.
But the car play only connects when I connect to BMW Hotspot and turn wifi on.
Does car play does not work with just bluetooth.
As I did not extend my wifi/ hotspot through att.
Please help

This video shows the set up process and there's some troubleshooting as well.

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by Chicago Beemer

Just tried as you said Toddwalton.
Tried through apple car play through phone.
But the car play only connects when I connect to BMW Hotspot and turn wifi on.
Does car play does not work with just bluetooth.
As I did not extend my wifi/ hotspot through att.
Please help

Sorry, I did not check yesterday and see this message, and I see you saw a video that another poster put up. Are you still having problems or did it resolve itself?

[Chicago Beemer]

It is connecting. But only question is when wifi is on it connects to BMW Hotspot of the vehicle. Still curious if I stop wifi will the car play will work?? I saw the Audio and done exactly as mentioned.

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by Chicago Beemer

It is connecting. But only question is when wifi is on it connects to BMW Hotspot of the vehicle. Still curious if I stop wifi will the car play will work?? I saw the Audio and done exactly as mentioned.

When you say “BMW hotspot of the vehicle” are you paying for an in car Wi-Fi dataplan? Meaning like your family can connect their devices to the car Wi-Fi and stream YouTube?

[Chicago Beemer]

My car is pretty new still under the three months free plan with ATT. CAR WIFI

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by Chicago Beemer

My car is pretty new still under the three months free plan with ATT. CAR WIFI

CarPlay connectivity and the WiFi hotspot (which is provided by AT&T) are two separate functions in the car. For CarPlay functionality, you need to have WiFi and Bluetooth turned on on your phone. Your phone can connect via CarPlay and the WiFi hotspot at the same time - the phone keeps the two wifi signals separate for each function.

You can "turn off" the in-car wifi hotspot and CarPlay will still work as long as you followed the procedure to use CarPlay in your car with your phone.

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by Chicago Beemer

My car is pretty new still under the three months free plan with ATT. CAR WIFI

jmc explained it well, just to clarify one point: CarPlay does not require Wi-Fi data. The only reason Wi-Fi comes into the equation at all is that it is the way that CarPlay connects to your phone. So when the three month in car Wi-Fi trial expires, just keep the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antennas on your iPhone in the “on” position and CarPlay will still function. It uses the data off of your iPhone, not the data from ATT in-car Wi-Fi.

[Chicago Beemer]

Thanks Genius guys for explanation. I mostly got it and will try once my ATT subscription ends. Love the drive as of now. Too early to say at 600 miles.

[2013M3]

So if i do not have Wi-Fi planned for the car, but want to use CarPlay, I can’t play YouTube audio, correct?
As youtube requires phone to be on cellular or wifi.

[2013M3]

Anyone with an answer about the wifi thing?

My wife’s phone (iphone 14) will not connect to Carplay unless the phone is connected to the ‘BMW wifi’ in the car. But once you do that you loose all cellphone signals and internet and email etc since it is NOW connected to the car (which has no wifi plan).

Using only bluetooth doesn’t work with car play.

Somehow my phone (iphone 15) doesnt’ seem to have that problem. Car play works fine with bluetooth and so can still use internet on phone.

[Wbwynn]

I started experiencing CarPlay issues specifically with Spotify; volume was way depressed from normal. So I accessed the Spotify app directly and all was fine. BTW my X7 is just two weeks old. I remain confused over the differences between Personal e-SIM, wi-fi in car, and ATT car connection services.

CarPlay should not have these glitches; I will continue to follow this thread for advice and will report back any successful outcomes.