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. BimmerTech’s Android Auto MMI Prime upgrade is compatible with F-series cars that have both newer and older iDrive generations (e.g. ENTRY, NBT, NBT EVO ID4, etc.). Its additional feature is CarPlay functionality.
Android Auto MMI Prime features:
- USB connection for Android Auto and Android Screen Mirroring
- USB port for multimedia
- Full-Screen Mode
- Easy control with iDrive and steering wheel buttons
- Supports CarPlay for iPhones
- Integration with Front and Rear View Cameras
- High-quality audio with an equalizer
1. USB connection for Android Auto and Android Screen Mirroring
Simply connect your Android phone to our MMI Prime and start using Android Auto while charging your phone. You won’t need to adjust any Bluetooth settings, just plug it in and have fun. 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.
It's also 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 port for multimedia
The USB port can also be used for playing videos and music files on your iDrive Screen from a USB thumb drive.
3. 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.
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.
4. Controlled with iDrive and steering wheel buttons
To navigate the Android Auto apps, you can use Google Assistant (with a press of the voice command button), the iDrive controller or even the steering wheel buttons including the roller button.
5. Supports 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!
6. 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.
7. 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, streaming and calls.
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
- In case you don’t have an AUX port, we can code your car to enable the input.
- 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.
How to install Android Auto in BMW? Type in your VIN and get the necessary details on its installation as well as the kit contents.
Read more about Android Auto, or check out our introduction to Android Auto.
