CarPlay MMI Prime Retrofit for BMWs and MINIs

CarPlay MMI Prime is a multimedia system connecting your phone to your BMW or MINI either wirelessly or via cable. It is fully integrated with the native iDrive display and controller, and feels and works like OEM BMW Apple CarPlay.

With its user-friendly and instinctive interface, this CarPlay retrofit makes it easy to use many of your iPhone's apps in full screen on your BMW’s or MINI’s native dashboard screen (The screen is NOT included in the CarPlay MMI Prime kit). 

Having a host of apps at hand you can choose whether you want to listen to your music or podcasts through Spotify, YouTube Music, or others, safely stay in touch with your family via WhatsApp or Messages, and always find the quickest routes via Google Maps or Waze without catching a ticket. To control and switch between apps you can use iDrive controller, Siri or steering wheel buttons (only in compatible vehicles).

Please note that it is not possible to play audio from CarPlay or Android Auto apps and audio from native iDrive apps (including radio) at the same time.

BimmerTech's CarPlay MMI Prime upgrade is compatible with E-Series and F-Series (only 5 / 6 / 7 and X3 - Series) BMWs and MINIs with CIC and CHAMP2 iDrive systems. It also requires Bluetooth or Voice Control features.

CarPlay MMI Prime 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 Prime – 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Don’t worry – this doesn’t mean the pre-LCI version is now outdated!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. 

Digital Bluetooth Audio

With our CarPlay MMI upgrade, no middlemen are needed when it comes to audio signal transmission. By enabling the Digital Bluetooth Audio option, sounds from your mobile device will skip the physical AUX connection and go straight to your BMW’s head unit. Or any other audio output you decide to pair it to – this feature 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 BMW lets you connect your iPhone wirelessly. It only takes one wireless pairing of your iPhone and CarPlay MMI Prime 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 Prime supports both wired and wireless phone connections.

USB Multimedia Port

Our BMW CarPlay solution comes with a USB port. It lets you use it for playing videos and music on your iDrive Screen from a USB thumb drive.



The MMI's USB port can also be used in the future for software updates. So, if you won't be using it for multimedia playback, make sure to place it in an accessible location for this purpose.

Full-Screen Mode

CarPlay MMI Prime lets you use all your favorite CarPlay-compatible iPhone apps on the original BMW display in full-screen. The retrofit's 1280x480 (10.25” and 8.8”) resolution 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 the MMI screen settings).

Screen Mirroring

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. This function is especially convenient if you want to stream a video from YouTube.

iPhones mirror wirelessly, while Android phones require a cable connection.

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 CarPlay MMI Prime.

Easy Control With iDrive

To navigate the BMW CarPlay apps, you can use your factory microphone (if present) for Siri voice commands or the iDrive controller. A microphone is required to use CarPlay or Android Auto. If you car isn't fitted with a built-in microphone, you can add a microphone to your kit above.

CarPlay MMI Prime 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 Android Auto Support

The kit’s Multimedia Interface (MMI) module 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

The MMI module makes it easy to add front and reversing cameras to your order for a much lower price. 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 audio output circuit in our BMW CarPlay upgrade 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.

The MMI also has a built-in 8-band equalizer which allows adjusting the sound to your liking. 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 iDrive system.

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).

CarPlay MMI Prime Software Update

We’re always working on improving our CarPlay MMI Prime, with regular software updates to unlock new features. Updating your software is easy, and can be done through the included USB port.

Click here to check the latest software available for your MMI.

When adding CarPlay to the CIC head unit there are no additional coding or permanent modifications required, however the installation process itself can be a bit tricky. Therefore, if you’d need a helping hand, here’s a list of our installers who will manage this process for you. 

The kit includes

The kit includes all parts necessary for a complete installation:

• MMI module
• Wiring harness

Keep in mind, the screen is NOT included in the CarPlay MMI Prime kit.

The installation instructions appear in the personal account within 72 hours after the purchased product is shipped. They are created and customized for each specific model and consist of dozens of pages with step-by step instructions, photos and graphics helping to manage the process easier.  But in case of any additional questions, our technical support is always ready to help.