Receiving text messages on iDrive...

tolwyn · 07-29-2016, 10:39 AM

Hi everyone,

I purchased a new 2016 BMW 535xi about 3 months ago and got a fantastic deal as the F10 models are slowly vanishing. Anyhow, no issues or complaints but I've been meaning to ask this question for a while.

On my old 2013 BMW 335, I was able to connect my iPhone (5 through to 6) via Bluetooth and received text messages in the Messages section of iDrive when I’m in the car. On the new 2016 BMW 535, it has the same Messages section in iDrive and it will show any messages sent to the car via the BMW App or Google Website but it will not show any text messages.

I even looked up to see if I needed any software updates, but apparently what’s installed on this car is newer than anything on bmw.com/updates.
Vehicle ID: G252751
Media: MN-003.001.002
Telephone: TN-003.001.002

Any thoughts? It was a really handy thing to have.

DDD31 · 07-29-2016, 11:14 AM

Make sure your iPhone settings are correct:

1) Go to Settings
2) Go to Notifications
3) Under Notification Style, choose Messages
4) Make sure Allow Notifications is green and activated
5) Make sure Show in Notification Center is green

Also once phone is paired with your car, they're two different settings to check. First is under Bluetooth settings, the second under configure iPhone (see below). Hope this helps.

2SwiFt29 · 07-29-2016, 01:10 PM

Thank you for this. I was meaning to ask this as well. I know how to do the notification on the phone as this was the same when I had the GS350 but I didn't have to have the setting changed on the car screen as well. My messages do show only on the top right screen but there's no notification as to a popup on the screen. Do you have an example screenshot of how a text message pops up on the iDrive screen?

AVIMAX · 07-29-2016, 01:27 PM

First check if you see the OFFICE features in i-drive. You likely don't have the enhanced bluetooth option. I had the same problem. My 2011 F10 with bluetooth would receive text and email form my BB, so when I ordered my 2014 F10, I made the assumption that bluetooth would be the same. Wrong! For the LCI, BMW separated out the office features into a $600 option called Convenience Telephony with Extended Smartphone Connectivity (code 6NS I think), leaving "basic" bluetooth as a standard feature, so I had no text or e-mail. Nice move BMW! This was not an extra option when I ordered my 2011, the only option was bluetooth. Your only option is to have iturned on by coding, I had it done by bimmer-tech.

DDD31 · 07-29-2016, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2SwiFt29

Thank you for this. I was meaning to ask this as well. I know how to do the notification on the phone as this was the same when I had the GS350 but I didn't have to have the setting changed on the car screen as well. My messages do show only on the top right screen but there's no notification as to a popup on the screen. Do you have an example screenshot of how a text message pops up on the iDrive screen?

All you get is the envelope icon in the top right of the navigation screen, no special popup notification.

DDD31 · 07-29-2016, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVIMAX

First check if you see the OFFICE features in i-drive. You likely don't have the enhanced bluetooth option. I had the same problem. My 2011 F10 with bluetooth would receive text and email form my BB, so when I ordered my 2014 F10, I made the assumption that bluetooth would be the same. Wrong! For the LCI, BMW separated out the office features into a $600 option called Convenience Telephony with Extended Smartphone Connectivity (code 6NS I think), leaving "basic" bluetooth as a standard feature, so I had no text or e-mail. Nice move BMW! This was not an extra option when I ordered my 2011, the only option was bluetooth. Your only option is to have iturned on by coding, I had it done by bimmer-tech.

According to the US 2016 5 series ordering guide, all 5 series come standard with Enhanced USB and Bluetooth (option 6NP). Since it appears your car is Canadian, your car might not have standard Enhanced Bluetooth.

AVIMAX · 07-29-2016, 02:54 PM

Still a $600 option for Canadian 2016 F10s, at least according to the build and price part of the website.

tolwyn · 07-29-2016, 03:31 PM

Thanks guys.

I've checked the Notifications on Messages on my iPhone, all is well there.

I did a quick check on the feature sheet of my BMW using MyBMW; and I don't see those codes at all but then again it doesn't even mention Bluetooth so I don't think it's a full list.

I've fired off a note to my service advisor to see what he knows; going to be pretty disappointed if this was left out on my model. With few exceptions, this car is loaded with a mess of stuff that I don't care for or use.

Thanks again guys, I'll let you know if I find out anything else.

Stück · 07-29-2016, 09:46 PM

I honestly find reason a text on the screen to be more of a distraction than on the phone...

Holding the speech button for a second brings up Siri, and you can ask her to read your messages aloud and dictate a reply. With the phone in your pocket... I much prefer this.

2SwiFt29 · 08-03-2016, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDD31

All you get is the envelope icon in the top right of the navigation screen, no special popup notification.

Yea noticed that. Thank you! Wish it had a ding or a bigger pop up. I had both on the previous GS350.

mob17 · 08-04-2016, 11:39 AM

Does this feature definitely work with an iPhone 6? Apparantly its not supported according to BMW...

wrickem · 08-04-2016, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mob17

Does this feature definitely work with an iPhone 6? Apparantly its not supported according to BMW...

Yes, my '14 528 works perfectly with an iPhone 6.

DDD31 · 08-04-2016, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mob17

Does this feature definitely work with an iPhone 6? Apparantly its not supported according to BMW...

iPhone 6 Plus here, works properly with my 2016 550.

07-29-2016, 10:39 AM	#1
tolwyn New Member 2 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW 535xi Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Calgary, AB iTrader: (0)	Receiving text messages on iDrive... Hi everyone, I purchased a new 2016 BMW 535xi about 3 months ago and got a fantastic deal as the F10 models are slowly vanishing. Anyhow, no issues or complaints but I've been meaning to ask this question for a while. On my old 2013 BMW 335, I was able to connect my iPhone (5 through to 6) via Bluetooth and received text messages in the Messages section of iDrive when I’m in the car. On the new 2016 BMW 535, it has the same Messages section in iDrive and it will show any messages sent to the car via the BMW App or Google Website but it will not show any text messages. I even looked up to see if I needed any software updates, but apparently what’s installed on this car is newer than anything on bmw.com/updates. Vehicle ID: G252751 Media: MN-003.001.002 Telephone: TN-003.001.002 Any thoughts? It was a really handy thing to have.
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07-29-2016, 11:14 AM	#2
DDD31 Captain 1649 Rep 891 Posts Drives: 24 M3CS, 95 E320, 85 300CD Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Make sure your iPhone settings are correct: 1) Go to Settings 2) Go to Notifications 3) Under Notification Style, choose Messages 4) Make sure Allow Notifications is green and activated 5) Make sure Show in Notification Center is green Also once phone is paired with your car, they're two different settings to check. First is under Bluetooth settings, the second under configure iPhone (see below). Hope this helps. Attached Images __________________ 2021 MBB M5C (retired) 2018 Daytona Violet M3 ZCP (retired), 2016 AW 550i (retired) 2013 EBII 335i (retired), 2008 Platinum Bronze 535xi (retired), 2007 Monaco Blue 335i (retired) 1999 Hellrot M3 coupe (retired)
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07-29-2016, 01:10 PM	#3
2SwiFt29 2GR-FSE 210 Rep 16,790 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW X5 M Sport Join Date: May 2007 Location: El Monte, CA iTrader: (1)	Thank you for this. I was meaning to ask this as well. I know how to do the notification on the phone as this was the same when I had the GS350 but I didn't have to have the setting changed on the car screen as well. My messages do show only on the top right screen but there's no notification as to a popup on the screen. Do you have an example screenshot of how a text message pops up on the iDrive screen? __________________ 2014 Lexus GS350 F-Sport Ultra White w/ Cabernet Interior - Vinyl Wrapped Front and Roof
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07-29-2016, 01:27 PM	#4
AVIMAX Second Lieutenant 26 Rep 228 Posts Drives: last BMW was 2014 535xd Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	First check if you see the OFFICE features in i-drive. You likely don't have the enhanced bluetooth option. I had the same problem. My 2011 F10 with bluetooth would receive text and email form my BB, so when I ordered my 2014 F10, I made the assumption that bluetooth would be the same. Wrong! For the LCI, BMW separated out the office features into a $600 option called Convenience Telephony with Extended Smartphone Connectivity (code 6NS I think), leaving "basic" bluetooth as a standard feature, so I had no text or e-mail. Nice move BMW! This was not an extra option when I ordered my 2011, the only option was bluetooth. Your only option is to have iturned on by coding, I had it done by bimmer-tech. Last edited by AVIMAX; 07-29-2016 at 01:36 PM..
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07-29-2016, 02:54 PM	#7
AVIMAX Second Lieutenant 26 Rep 228 Posts Drives: last BMW was 2014 535xd Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Still a $600 option for Canadian 2016 F10s, at least according to the build and price part of the website.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-29-2016, 03:31 PM	#8
tolwyn New Member 2 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW 535xi Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Calgary, AB iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys. I've checked the Notifications on Messages on my iPhone, all is well there. I did a quick check on the feature sheet of my BMW using MyBMW; and I don't see those codes at all but then again it doesn't even mention Bluetooth so I don't think it's a full list. I've fired off a note to my service advisor to see what he knows; going to be pretty disappointed if this was left out on my model. With few exceptions, this car is loaded with a mess of stuff that I don't care for or use. Thanks again guys, I'll let you know if I find out anything else.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-29-2016, 09:46 PM	#9
Stück Major 801 Rep 1,214 Posts Drives: F15 X5, E46 330i, R56 Mini.S Join Date: May 2016 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (4)	I honestly find reason a text on the screen to be more of a distraction than on the phone... Holding the speech button for a second brings up Siri, and you can ask her to read your messages aloud and dictate a reply. With the phone in your pocket... I much prefer this.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-04-2016, 11:39 AM	#11
mob17 Major General 400 Rep 5,623 Posts Drives: E92 335D Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: East Midlands, UK iTrader: (5)	Does this feature definitely work with an iPhone 6? Apparantly its not supported according to BMW...
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