Get to Know BimmerTech's CarPlay & Android Auto MMI Retrofit Family

Not all bimmers are created equal – some of the older ones didn’t come equipped with CarPlay and Android Auto, for example. Luckily, if that is true for your car, there is a way for you to introduce smartphone integration to your BMW: BimmerTech’s CarPlay MMI Retrofit. 

When browsing our store, you might have noticed that it comes in a couple of variants, like the MMI Prime or MMI PRO, listed separately for Android Auto and CarPlay. Within the product pages, there are also add-ons like the MMI LCI Upgrade pack. We know, that’s a lot of acronyms. This is why we’ve decided to take a deeper look at the piece of our current lineup. 

Read on to learn what the differences are between all the MMI versions!

All About You Need to Know About the MMI Retrofits

First, let us clear out some naming confusion regarding the separation of the mobile operating systems. Each version of the MMI (Prime and PRO) is listed twice on our webstore – one for Android Auto, one for CarPlay. This doesn’t affect their respective feature sets and is only meant to help iOS and Android users find exactly what they are looking for. 

But what feature set is that exactly?

Before we discuss the differences between the MMI Prime and MMI PRO, let’s take a look at their shared capabilities. Yup, these two are different not just in their naming convention like AA or CP. More on that later though. 

So, what do the two main MMI Retrofits offer their users?

• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.
• Full integration with the factory iDrive controls.
• Digital Bluetooth Audio option for a direct sound signal transmission.
• Support of the Front and Rear View Camera retrofits.
• High quality audio with an equalizer to let you adjust the sound.
• USB port for playing videos and music from a thumb drive or installing future updates.
• Full-screen mode (for supported apps).
• Screen mirroring feature.

All of that in a package that integrates seamlessly with your iDrive system and doesn’t clutter your interior with cables or external modules. Our MMI Retrofit stays hidden under your dashboard, near your head unit. 

MMI Prime vs. MMI PRO – What’s the Difference?

Is MMI PRO a better version of the MMI Prime? Or is it the other way around? The answer is not as straightforward as a simple “yes” or “no,” but we can sum it up by saying that they both serve slightly different purposes. 

As mentioned earlier, both Prime and PRO share the same core features, meaning they both will enhance your smartphone integration and the overall infotainment experience. The main thing that sets them apart is the fact that the MMI PRO Retrofit comes with an HDMI port (and some minor technical tweaks to accommodate that).

Now why would you need an HDMI port in your BMW or MINI? 

In their feedback, some of our customers mentioned that they would love to be able to watch videos on their dashboard when taking a break from a longer journey. The addition of the HDMI port is meant exactly for that – it enables users to connect things like Google Chromecast or Amazon Fire TV stick for video playback. Heck, you can even plug in a PlayStation 5 or your laptop and display the view on the iDrive screen, so long as you find a way to power the device. 

NOTE: we strongly advise AGAINST trying to watch anything on your BMW iDrive screen when driving. This feature is meant to be used solely when parked, not in traffic. BimmerTech does not condone reckless behavior on the road and is not responsible for any damages, injuries, or death caused by using our products unlawfully. 

With that out of the way, the MMI PRO offers two other things over the MMI Prime, both related to the inclusion of the HDMI port. Firstly, the screen’s aspect ratio is adjustable for the video playback – Prime doesn’t have that because… well, it doesn’t have video playback. Secondly, MMI PRO is compatible with larger 10.25” and 12” screens.

Below is a table with a quick cheat sheet of the similarities and differences between the two.

Features	MMI Prime	MMI PRO
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support	✔	✔
Easy control with iDrive	✔	✔
Full-Screen Mode	✔	✔
Utilizes iDrive screen	✔	✔
Front and Rear View Camera retrofit support	✔	✔
High-quality audio with an equalizer	✔	✔
Screen mirroring	✔	✔
Software updates	✔	✔
USB multimedia	✔	✔
HDMI for Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV stick, or other players	X	✔
Adjustable screen aspect ratio for video playback	X	✔
Compatible with 10.25” and 12” displays	X	✔

Okay, that’s the theory – but which one should you choose? 

It all depends on what you are looking for. If you’re only after seamless enhancement of your BMW’s smartphone integration capabilities, the CarPlay MMI Prime Retrofit is the way to go. If you would like to gain the ability to watch your favorite Netflix series, YouTube videos, or movies on Prime Video through your iDrive screen, then you should grab the MMI PRO Retrofit. 

Regardless of which one you’ll choose, we guarantee you will enjoy the experience ;)

CarPlay MMI 2025 LCI Upgrade Pack

Those with a keen eye for detail might have spotted another acronym on the product page of our MMI Retrofits. In the add-ons section, you can find the “LCI Upgrade Pack,” the name of which probably sounds familiar to most BMW fans.

Just like for actual BMW cars, the Life Cycle Impulse in the case of our MMI means a “facelift,” of course to a degree. The module looks the same from the outside, but we’ve revamped its insides (hardware), making it even better than it already was.  

What changes does the LCI Upgrade Pack introduce? 

• Improved UI and phone connectivity (CarPlay, Android Auto, and Screen Mirroring).
• Faster dual CPU instead of a single one in the previous unit.
• More RAM – 4 GB instead of 128 MB.
• New Bluetooth 5.x chipset – quicker and with better connectivity.
• Better DSP audio chip – even higher sound quality.
• Extra antenna – 2 separate ones for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, instead of a shared one.
• More powerful GPU – supports 60 FPS instead of 30 FPS.

Does this mean that the pre-LCI version is now outdated? Of course not!

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. We will still keep supporting every MMI unit whether it’s pre- or post-LCI, providing the same level of professional assistance and upcoming Software Updates. 

How to Get CarPlay for a BMW or MINI?

If you're looking to add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality to your BMW or MINI, you have several options to achieve seamless smartphone integration. The best one for your vehicle depends on your current hardware configuration, budget considerations, and desired features.

You can read more about that in our “How to Retrofit BMW Apple CarPlay into a 2016 or Older Car” guide, but here’s a quick rundown of the available solutions.

1. CarPlay Activation Coding

For BMW owners with compatible hardware, software activation represents the most straightforward path to unlocking CarPlay and Android Auto. This option requires your vehicle to be equipped with the NBT Evo head unit running iDrive 5 or iDrive 6 software. Please note that even vehicles from 2014–2016 with relatively recent technology may only have iDrive 4 hardware or the older regular NBT head unit, making them incompatible with this activation method.

If your BMW has a compatible head unit, we can perform the software activation to enable Apple CarPlay functionality. Some vehicles may require the addition of a Wi-Fi antenna to establish wireless connectivity between your iPhone and the BMW head unit. 

2. CarPlay MMI Retrofit

The star of the show (i.e., this article), CarPlay MMI Prime Retrofit offers a budget-friendly solution for older BMWs – it’s compatible with almost all cars produced since 2008. This retrofit solution connects our specialized module to your existing head unit and iDrive screen, creating an integrated extension that seamlessly blends with your vehicle's infotainment system without any visible modifications.

The installation is designed as a plug-and-play upgrade that requires no coding and won't void your vehicle warranty. Unlike BMW's subscription model for some features, BimmerTech charges no ongoing fees – it's a one-time purchase. 

3. Head Unit Upgrade

For the complete original CarPlay experience in some of the older vehicles, upgrading to an NBT EVO head unit with ID6 software might be the most comprehensive solution. This retrofit includes numerous benefits beyond CarPlay, such as HD screen upgrade and iDrive Touch controller functionality.

To learn more about this method of adding CarPlay and Android Auto to your car, make sure to check out the product page linked above. You can also read this guide: NBT Evo ID5/ID6 iDrive Upgrade for BMW F- & G-Series.

What’s the Best MMI for You?

This is not the answer you might like, but here goes: it depends. 

If you don’t need any video streaming ability, the MMI Prime will be your answer. It offers the same smartphone integration capabilities, high-quality audio, full-screen mode, and other core features. 

However, if you’d like to get the added possibility of watching videos on your iDrive screen, you’d have to go with the MMI PRO retrofit with its HDMI port. For the latest, future-ready hardware, you could also grab the LCI Upgrade Pack add-on on top of your selected MMI unit.

If you are still not sure which option to choose, don’t hesitate to contact our Sales Team – they will be happy to answer any questions you may have. With their support, you’ll surely find a perfect solution for your needs.