[Jahmalj]

Hey Folks,

I am a newbie to this forum as well as BMW's, I recently purchased a AWESOME 2011 550i and I am trying to play music from my iPhone 6. I have paired the car bluetooth with my phone and can make calls no probably. But need help working through the music issue, I have researched and not really interested in purchasing a cuddle but would love to get some sort of USB work around, any help would be greatly appreciated.

[DDD31]

Why not just play music through Bluetooth?

When pairing your phone, make sure the Audio box is checked when you configure your phone (here are the steps for that):

1. "CD/Multimedia"
2. "Bluetooth® (audio)"
3. Highlight the desired device.
4. Open "Options".
5. "Configure phone
6. "Audio"
7. OK

Once that is accomplished, start music on phone and then go to Media in iDrive and choose External devices. Your iPhone should show up there (assuming it's paired correctly), choose your iPhone and music should play.

Hope this helps.

[mrashton]

For the above to work you need to make sure you have the Enhanced Bluetooth option. You can find a BMW VIN decoder on the Internet to find that out.

Have you tried using the original white iPhone lightning cable and plugged your iPhone 6 into the USB port in the central armrest? (Assuming you have that option too )

[cipher5]

I used to use USB, but after iOS 9, it doesn't work that well so I opted for Bluetooth. This of course depends on what options you have.

[Quicksilv3r]

Yea try to use Bluetooth if you can, it's 1000% better

[mrashton]

I stopped using my phone altogether. I have a 64GB USB memory stick with an export of my iTunes library and all of my playlists. It is one of those tiny Sandisk USB 3.0 drives and I leave it plugged in all the time. Works perfectly in my F11 and my wife's F45.

[dadysev]

Originally Posted by mrashton

I stopped using my phone altogether. I have a 64GB USB memory stick with an export of my iTunes library and all of my playlists. It is one of those tiny Sandisk USB 3.0 drives and I leave it plugged in all the time. Works perfectly in my F11 and my wife's F45.

+1

[SonicEndeavor]

Originally Posted by mrashton

For the above to work you need to make sure you have the Enhanced Bluetooth option. You can find a BMW VIN decoder on the Internet to find that out.

+1. Depending on the build date, 2011's may not have Bluetooth audio streaming.

[Mtnguy321]

My 2011 550i Xdrive with 2011-07-12 has BT streaming ... Love it

[BDO]

BT streaming is great, but annoying that you have no album art/playlist search functionality with CIC.

[DDD31]

Originally Posted by BDO

BT streaming is great, but annoying that you have no album art/playlist search functionality with CIC.

That is another nice feature about NBT compared to my old car that had CIC.

Off topic but do you find that the audio quality streaming through bluetooth is better than when connected via USB? To me, it seems better through bluetooth.

[BDO]

Originally Posted by DDD31

That is another nice feature about NBT compared to my old car that had CIC.

Off topic but do you find that the audio quality streaming through bluetooth is better than when connected via USB? To me, it seems better through bluetooth.

I can't tell any difference. I know my audiophile friends maintain that USB is superior, but I just can't hear any difference either way.

[Nalod]

I put in an old ipod I had not used in years and it sounds great!!!

[Jahmalj]

Hey all, thanks for all the great recommendations. I don't believe my 550i has the enhanced bluetooth option. But I have be able to use the original iPhone lightning cable. But the external USB thumb drive idea. Thanks.