How to use Android Auto in BMW? Easy - install our Android Auto MMI Prime and enjoy your favorite apps on the BMW's screen, without using your phone. Now you don't have to envy the owners of other car makes because your car can have it as well. Identify your BMW to check compatibility.
In order to use Android Auto for BMW, download the free Android Auto app from Google Play and enjoy using, Google Maps, Waze, Spotify, WhatsApp, Messenger and other applications. You can also take advantage of Google Assistant for voice commands not to take your eyes off the road!
Please note that you need to make sure that the Android Auto app will work on your smartphone. To know more about Android Auto compatible phones, visit the official website.
The kit for Android Auto-compatible cars contains a Multimedia Interface (MMI) — an original BimmerTech module that also adds Apple CarPlay functionality to your BMW. In addition, it makes it easy to add a rear & front view camera to your order for a much lower price. For maximum convenience, control and navigate between apps with your vehicle's built-in controls, or with your voice thanks to Google Assistant at just a press of a button.
BimmerTech's Android Auto MMI Prime upgrade is compatible with E- series and F-series cars with newer or older iDrive generations (e.g. CIC, ENTRY, ENTRYNAV, CHAMP2, NBT, NBT EVO ID4, etc.). It also features CarPlay functionality for iPhones.
Android Auto MMI Prime features:
- Wireless and USB connection for Android Auto
- USB connection for Android Screen Mirroring
- USB port for multimedia
- Full-Screen Mode
- Easy control with iDrive
- Supports wireless CarPlay for iPhones
- Integration with Front and Rear View Cameras
- High-quality audio with an equalizer
1. Wireless and USB connection for Android Auto
Simply connect your Android phone either wirelessly or with the use of USB cable to our MMI Prime and start using Android Auto while charging your phone. To enjoy Android Auto wirelessly your phone has to support the wireless Android Auto. If it doesn't, you'll still be able to use the Android Auto via USB - just make sure you have the Android Auto app installed.
It's possible to use Android Auto wirelessly with any of the following phones:
| Phone Make and Model |
Android Version |
| Pixel or Pixel XL |
Android 8.0 or higher |
| Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL |
Android 8.0 or higher |
| Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL |
Android 8.0 or higher |
| Pixel 4 or Pixel 4 XL |
Android 10.0 or higher |
| Nexus 5X or 6P |
Android 8.0 or higher |
| Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8+ |
Android 9.0 or higher |
| Samsung Galaxy S9 or S9+ |
Android 9.0 or higher |
| Samsung Galaxy S10 or S10+ |
Android 9.0 or higher |
| Samsung Note 8, Note 9 and Note 10 |
Android 9.0 or higher |
2. USB connection for Android Screen Mirroring
When using Android Auto you'll be able to answer calls just like with a Bluetooth hands-free connection. For Screen Mirroring you'll need to use the Android Autolink app.
The USB port can also be used for playing videos and music files on your iDrive Screen from a USB thumb drive.
What's more it's important for the future software updates. So, if you won't be using it to enjoy multimedia - make sure to place it in an accessible location.
4. Full-Screen Mode
Android Auto MMI Prime lets you use your favorite Android Auto apps on the original BMW display in full-screen. The retrofit's 1280x480 resolution for big screens and 800x480 resolution for small screens look just great on all screen sizes.
Note that in MINIs with a rounded screen, a small part of each corner of the CarPlay interface will be obscured when using full-screen mode.
The Full-Screen mode also includes a Screen Mirroring option, which lets you cast the screen of your mobile device onto the BMW's display, and stream audio through the car speakers with the help of the Android Autolink app.
Please note that mirroring of some apps or content using the Screen Mirroring feature may be blocked due to the copyright-holder's DRM. BimmerTech is not responsible for the continued compatibility of any third-party apps with Android Auto MMI Prime.
5. Controlled with iDrive
To navigate the Android Auto apps, you can use Google Assistant or the iDrive controller. In some vehicles there's also the option of control with steering wheel buttons, but keep in mind that it is dependent on your head unit version. Decode your VIN to see whether it will be enabled for your car.
6. Supports wireless CarPlay for iPhones
The kit contains a Multimedia Interface (MMI) — a module that also adds CarPlay to your BMW. So if you have family members or friends with iPhones, connecting their devices will be a breeze too! Following their preferences, they'll be able to connect their iPhones with the use of USB or wirelessly.
7. Ready for integrating Front and Rear View Cameras
The MMI module makes it easy to add a front and reversing cameras to your order for a much lower price. The front view camera can be activated by holding the Option button for 2 seconds. To exit the camera mode, just press Back. It can also be set up to appear automatically on the screen for up to 20 seconds when the gear is shifted from Reverse to Drive.
8. High quality audio with an equalizer
The audio output circuit in the Android Auto MMI Prime has been specifically selected to squeeze all the quality we can out of the iDrive AUX input, providing great audio quality for music and streaming.
The MMI also has a built-in 8-band equalizer. It is a great feature for adjusting the sound in your BMW especially if you don't have a multi-band Equalizer in your iDrive system.
The Android Auto MMI Prime retrofit requires the phone to be connected to the MMI's USB port, unless using one of the phones listed above.
- Provides audio playback through your BMW's AUX port
- BimmerTech is not able to verify whether your phone is compatible with the Android Auto app. It is strongly advised to confirm compatibility before purchase. According to Android Auto you can use the app with an Android phone running Android 5.0 (Lollipop) and up with a data plan. For best performance, the Android Auto team recommends Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) and up. You can check your phone's software version by looking at the About Device section under Settings.
- If the Android Auto app isn't available in your Google Play account due to the regional limitations, you can download the .apk file from an alternative source. Please note that Google does not take responsibility for any damage to your phone or loss of data that may result from using unknown apps.
