How To Update Software In 2016 Bmw 321i

Engineering moves quickly; every year there comes a wave of new phones and laptops packing the latest features, and dropping features that used to be commonplace. Keeping a car — which could still be in production a decade after launch — upwardly-to-appointment with the shifting tech mural doesn't come up easy.

To brand sure your vehicle doesn't slip behind everything else you're using, BMW regularly releases new software updates, improving multimedia back up and compatibility with a wide range of popular mobile devices.

The large questions are: How to update BMW software? How do you detect out virtually them? What is the latest bmw software version? How practise you know if they are for your model BMW? And more importantly, tin can yous install the updates on your ain or practise you have to go to your dealer?

PLEASE Annotation: BimmerTech is not able to offer back up for software updates provided by BMW or whatever other company. For more than help updating your BMW's software, please contact your BMW dealer directly.

BMW software update in 2020

BimmerTech iDrive software update vs. BMW ConnectedDrive software updates

Let's give you a quick rundown on how it works. There are basically two kinds of BMW iDrive software updates.

1. BimmerTech iDrive software update is an update that upgrades the software version (i-Level) of your iDrive system. It is needed when installing some new software or hardware which is just supposed to piece of work with the latest software versions. The update is performed by BimmerTech technician via a remote coding session and takes upwardly to 1h. We strongly advise not to do it without a justifiable reason.
2. BMW ConnectedDrive software update, or media software update. This may cover things like multimedia, Bluetooth, Cyberspace connectivity, or mobile compatibility with the latest version of Apple iOS or Samsung/Android organization. Any owner can install this kind of update themselves as long every bit their automobile features a Combox, which works with iDrive and enhances many technology features in your BMW. Newer NBT and later iDrive systems have Combox functionality congenital-in, making things even easier. But even older models can be retrofitted with iDrive (at Bimmer-Tech.cyberspace) and Combox (check out the BimmerTech Combox Retrofit Kit ), calculation greater multimedia capabilities.

subscription_banner

BimmerTech iDrive software update

When it comes to updating your car's software, nigh people are looking at getting more from the iDrive infotainment arrangement. At BimmerTech, we offering iDrive software updates for a range of situations. What's more than, our innovative remote process ways yous won't even need to leave home. Merely connect with our skillful technician over the net, and all the hard work will be washed for you lot. Our MINI/BMW iDrive software update lets you individually update the software of your iDrive, letting you solve compatibility or other bug.

Please notation that iDrive software updates of this kind are not advised unless necessary to solve specific problems, and are not required as office of routine maintenance of your vehicle. With that in mind, be sure to arrive touch with united states earlier ordering to discuss whether an iDrive software update is suitable for your needs.

BMW software version

How exercise I know if my BMW needs an iDrive software update?

Updating your iDrive software is just required in a limited range of situations. For example, if you want to actuate a specific characteristic (like total-screen fashion for Apple CarPlay), but it isn't supported by your vehicle'southward current software version, updating your software could exist the answer. Information technology may as well be the solution when running into compatibility issues with third-party hardware that isn't designed to work with older iDrive software versions.

Without a clear goal in mind or a specific problem that needs fixing, your BMW will almost never need a software update.

How long does a BMW iDrive software update take?

Updating your BMW iDrive software only takes around an hour.

During that fourth dimension, however, your vehicle will demand to be connected to a 15A (minimum) bombardment charger, with the ignition on. Without a charger, you lot run the risk of having your car cut out during the session, peculiarly if your battery isn't already fully charged. If your BMW switches off before the update is complete, it could cause disquisitional errors to your vehicle's electronics.

BMW ConnectedDrive software update (remote software upgrade)

Download Software update via BMW website

If your vehicle came with a newer iDrive system from the factory, or is an older vehicle with a factory-installed Combox, you tin search for the latest ConnectedDrive software version for your vehicle on BMW'due south software update website.

subscription_banner

After entering your VIN, BMW volition check its records to see which software is already installed in your car. If there is a newer version, you'll be able to download the file (e.grand. upd07044 or UPD11024) straight from BMW's website, prepare to transfer to a formatted USB flash bulldoze. Inserting the flash drive into the USB port will let you install the software update. You'll so immediately be able to connect a wider variety of devices to your BMW and starting time enjoying more multimedia features in your motorcar, without having to take a trip to the dealer.

If in that location isn't a more recent version of the software available for your machine, BMW's software update website will tell you so. In that example, a simple software update isn't going to be enough to add any features you're missing.

Download Software update via My BMW App

The remote software upgrade is also available via My BMW App. Included in the BMW Connected Drive package, My BMW App is application integrating your Apple or Android smartphone with your car. You can use it for multiple functions, like programming destinations before y'all go into your motorcar, setting the climate command, unlocking your doors, but as well downloading a Remote Software upgrade via Wi-Fi.

Here'south how to practice the software upgrade via My BMW App:

Enter the app and find the Remote Software Upgrade menu.
Go to Remote Software Upgrade settings and cull the 'Wi-Fi only' download.
Click on 'Start download'.
When the download is completed connect your telephone to your vehicle via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
In your iDrive settings, check your connections in the 'Mobile devices' carte du jour.
- To establish a Wi-Fi connection click on 'new device'.
- Select 'Internet, apps'.
- Scan the QR code with your telephone.
- You'll receive a Wi-Fi token, which you'll have to accept to establish the connection.
With the Wi-Fi connectedness established, the software upgrade will be uploaded during your journey.

BMW iDrive Coding

If your BMW still lacks important features the tertiary option is coding.

BimmerTech offers BMW remote coding to improve connectivity with your smartphone and 3rd-party apps, with coding options including Enhanced Bluetooth , BMW Apps and Apple CarPlay . Like updating your software, BMW coding can be as unproblematic as plugging a flash drive into the USB port in your vehicle.

BMW iDrive coding

BimmerTech'southward range of multimedia products for BMW also includes a hardware Apple tree CarPlay retrofit as well every bit our SmartView HD ATV4 and SmartView Hard disk drive Flex , offering Apple tree Tv set and smartphone mirroring back up respectively.

subscription_banner

Want to know how to lawmaking your BMW at abode? Acquire all about BMW coding.

Updating a retrofit iDrive or combox

You volition only be able to download and install a software update file from BMW if your Combox or uniform iDrive is factory installed. If you installed the BimmerTech Combox Retrofit Kit or BimmerTech NBT Navigation Retrofit Kit , BMW's records will still reverberate that your auto doesn't have the new hardware, and therefore, won't show that you qualify for the software update. In that example, all you do is become in bear upon with us and nosotros'll get you lot the official BMW update.

Whether you get the update directly from BMW or us, installing the software update is no more complicated than updating your navigation's map . Merely put the file on a pollex drive or other USB memory stick, plug it into the armrest USB port and go to the Settings menu in iDrive. Locate the Software Update selection in the menu and follow the instructions on the screen.

Pretty straight-forward. Merely there'due south one final question: what if y'all add a Combox or NBT Navigation using a BimmerTech upgrade kit and BMW introduces an essential main software update onetime down the road? No worries. Simply remove the Combox/NBT before taking your BMW to your dealer for the update. And then reinstall it when you become information technology back. If it needs recoding equally sometimes happens, just contact our tech team and we'll get information technology going once again in no time.

Apple fans will also be excited nearly existence able to Retrofit Carplay into an older BMW if they decide on retrofitting NBT EVO with ID5/ID6 into their BMW.

The bottom line is, iDrive and Combox Media functionality can really make driving and using your BMW infinitely more enjoyable. And so if yous have the chance to upgrade, we say go for it. And, of course, we're here to help if you want to practice those upgrades yourself. Have questions or yet need some guidance? Just go in touch!

Delight NOTE: BimmerTech is not able to offer back up for software updates provided by BMW or any other visitor. For more help updating your BMW'southward software, please contact your BMW dealer directly. The information contained in this post is purely advisory.