BimmerTech MMI Lite Retrofit for BMWs and MINIs

If you want an easy way for improving your infotainment experience, our CarPlay MMI Lite Retrofit might be the right thing for you! With a host of just the necessary features and no needless extras, it’s the essential upgrade for improving the way you connect your phone to your BMW or MINI. So you can be certain it won’t overwhelm you – instead, it will overhaul the smartphone integration capabilities of your car.  

But what exactly is the MMI Lite Retrofit?

It’s the entry version of our proven CarPlay and Android Auto implementation solution for older BMWs and MINIs with the same essential features at a much lower cost. Seamlessly integrated with the native iDrive display (the screen is NOT included in the MMI box) and controller, it feels and works great; just like an OEM CarPlay option. All with even smoother software and a user-friendly interface.

With the MMI Lite, you’ll have a host of apps at hand, enabling you to:

• Listen to your favorite music or podcasts from Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, etc.
• Safely stay in touch with your family via WhatsApp or Messages.
• Find the quickest routes to your destination via Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze.

To control all these functions you can use the iDrive controller, Siri, or steering wheel buttons (only in compatible vehicles). The touch function of the display is not supported. Please note that it is not possible to play audio from CarPlay and Android Auto apps and audio from native iDrive apps (including radio) at the same time.

BimmerTech's CarPlay MMI Lite upgrade is compatible with 95% of E-Series, F-Series, G-Series BMWs and MINIs with newer or older iDrive generations (e.g. CIC, ENTRY, ENTRYNAV, ENAVEVO, CHAMP2, NBT, NBT EVO ID4, NBT EVO ID5/ID6 etc.).

Compare all BMW CarPlay retrofit kits.

Features	MMI Lite	MMI Prime	MMI PRO
HDMI for Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV stick, or other players	X	X	✔
Adjustable screen aspect ratio for video playback	X	X	✔
Screen mirroring	X	✔	✔
Future software update support	X	✔	✔
Optional extended warranty	X	✔	✔
Standard warranty	3 months	1 year	1 year
USB multimedia	✔	✔	✔
Full-Screen Mode	✔	✔	✔
Easy control with iDrive	✔	✔	✔
Front and Rear View Camera retrofit support	✔	✔	✔
High-quality audio with an equalizer	✔	✔	✔
Utilizes iDrive screen	✔	✔	✔

The primary differences between MMI Lite and other versions center around pricing, hardware specifications, port features, and long-term support.

BimmerTech MMI Lite 2025 LCI Upgrade

Now available as an optional early-access upgrade (check the add-ons section) is a refreshed version of our true and tested CarPlay MMI Lite – the 2025 LCI! That’s right, a Life Cycle Impulse. It’s got all the features our users already came to enjoy, but it also brings some additional improvements in terms of UI and phone connectivity (CarPlay, Android Auto, and Screen Mirroring).

To make the new MMI LCI upgrade units future-ready for any potential upgrade add-ons or peripheral devices, we’ve also introduced a couple of hardware changes, such as:

• Faster CPU
• More RAM (128 MB vs. 4 GB)
• Bluetooth 5.x chipset – quicker and with better connectivity
• New DSP audio chip – for even higher sound quality!
• Extra antenna (separate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antennae, instead of a shared one)
• Improved GPU (supporting 60 FPS instead of 30 FPS)

Don’t worry – this doesn’t mean the pre-LCI version is now outdated! We will still keep supporting it with new Software Updates in the future and you can always count on our Customer Service. All of these changes were just a part of our natural R&D process, futureproofing our bestselling product for years to come and making it even stronger for the most demanding tech geeks. 

MMI version	MMI Lite (pre-LCI)	MMI Lite (LCI upgrade)
CPU	Single CPU	Dual CPU
RAM	128 MB	4 GB
GPU	Supports 30 FPS	Supports 60 FPS
Connectivity	1 shared antenna for Wi-Fi & Bluetooth	2 antenna – 1 x Wi-Fi, 1 x Bluetooth

Digital Bluetooth Audio

Digital Bluetooth Audio in the MMI Lite system allows audio signals from mobile devices to connect directly to the vehicle's head unit, providing OEM quality for phone calls and music playback without the need for a physical AUX connection. This feature also allows you to play sound through external speakers without disconnecting the MMI and turning off CarPlay or Android Auto.

Direct link is beneficial not only for listening to the music – it also provides OEM quality phone calls. Please note that for the direct connection to work with older BMWs, our Combox Media Retrofit may be required.

 

Access Phone Apps

This BMW CarPlay upgrade gives you direct access to many of your iPhone’s navigation, messaging and music apps, as well as other driver-focused apps in the categories of parking, EV charging, or quick food-ordering.

Not sure what’s included? Take a look at some of the most popular CarPlay apps for your BMW.

 

Wireless Capability

BimmerTech’s CarPlay for BMWs and MINIs lets you connect your iPhone wirelessly. It only takes one wireless pairing of your iPhone and CarPlay MMI Lite to help the MMI recognize your iPhone each time you get in your car and connect wirelessly, without you even having to remove your phone from your pocket or bag. When using BMW CarPlay you'll be able to answer calls just like with a Bluetooth hands-free connection.

If you'd rather connect your iPhone with the use of cable, you are also free to do so. CarPlay MMI Lite supports both wired and wireless phone connections.

 

USB Multimedia

MMI Lite includes dedicated USB inputs for multimedia streaming from thumb drives.

 

BMW CarPlay Full Screen Mode 

CarPlay MMI Lite lets you use all your favorite CarPlay-compatible iPhone apps on the original BMW display in full-screen. The retrofit's 1440x540 (10.25”), 1280x480 (10.25” and 8.8”) resolutions for big screens and 800x480 (6.5”) resolution for small screens look 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 (it is possible to adjust the screen size manually in MMI screen settings).

 

Easy Control With iDrive

MMI Lite supports native controls allowing users to utilize the factory iDrive dial and built-in microphone for voice assistants (like Siri). If your car isn't fitted with a built-in microphone, you can add a microphone to your kit above. With this option (when available), the smartphone integration through MMI Lite helps minimize driver distraction by enabling voice control for navigation and communication apps.

 

CarPlay MMI Lite isn’t compatible with touch function, however you can safely control the device with the steering wheel buttons, iDrive controller and Siri/Google Assistant. In the case of the iDrive controller, we’ve also implemented special shortcut and control features for the following buttons:

• MEDIA – open the music app.
• NAV – open the navigation app.
• TEL – open the phone book. 
• MENU – open the apps menu.

Additionally, the roller button can function for either scroll selection or forward/backward music selection.

 

Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto Support

The kit contains a Multimedia Interface (MMI) — a module that also adds Android Auto to your BMW or MINI. So if you have family members or friends with Android smartphones, connecting their devices will be a breeze too!

To enjoy BMW 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.

 

Integration With Front & Rear View Cameras in One MMI Box

MMI Lite retains the capability to add aftermarket front and reversing cameras. The front view camera can easily be activated by holding the Option button for 2 seconds. To exit camera mode, just press Back. It can also be set up to appear automatically for up to 20 seconds when shifting from Reverse to Drive.

High-quality Audio With An Equalizer

The MMI Lite system features a built-in 8-band equalizer that allows users to adjust sound preferences, enhancing audio quality for music and video playback. Whether you like more bass and less treble, or the other way around, you can easily set it up in the MMI menu. It is a great feature especially if you don't have a multi-band Equalizer in your BMW iDrive system.

Additionally, its audio output circuit has been specifically selected to squeeze all the quality we can out of the iDrive AUX input, providing great audio quality for music and video. If your vehicle is not equipped with an AUX input in Media/Radio, we’ll have to code it. Enter your VIN for more details.

 

Please note that the MMI equalizer works only for audio transmitted via AUX. When using Bluetooth, use the EQ in your phone or iDrive (if applicable).

MINI Cooper MMI CarPlay

MINI owners – we didn’t forget about you! If your car lacks the original Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions, our MINI Cooper CarPlay upgrade will add these functionalities even to your 2011+ make. Enter your VIN to check compatibility.