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  • Drew Dowdell
    Drew Dowdell

    By Drew Dowdell •

    BMW Makes Apple CarPlay Free

      ...The subscription model didn't work out...

    In 2018, when BMW launched it's 7.0 operating system for its in-car infotainment, it included Apple Car Play for free for the first 12 months.  After that, the owner was asked to pay $80 for a 1 year subscription to Car Play or $300 for a 240 month subscription. This caused a stir among BMW owners because Apple Car Play is included at no charge in nearly every other brand out there and because Apple doesn't charge manufacturers to use Apple CarPlay in their models. Models as basic as the Chevrolet Sonic have CarPlay as standard and without any subscription fees. 

    Now BMW has confirmed it is backing away from the subscription model in order to keep customers happy. All compatible 2019 and 2020 vehicles sold will be offered a free unlimited subscription once the initial 12 months are up. Older models that have CarPlay such as the i3, i8, 4-series, and older 2-series will have to pay for a lifetime subscription. 

    For now, Android users are still stuck without a solution as BMW does not support Android Auto in its vehicles yet. 

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    USA-1

    Just another way to try to make recurring revenue that bit BMW in the arse.

    What is there that the app does that they would need to charge for? Sounds like they didn't understand how it worked. My Silverado MyLink has Apple CP and Android Auto apps preloaded, all it really does is allow your smartphone to connect to the in-car infotainment system to mirror your phone and like you stated, at no charge. 

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    ccap41
    5 minutes ago, USA-1 said:

    Just another way to try to make recurring revenue that bit BMW in the arse.

    What is there that the app does that they would need to charge for? Sounds like they didn't understand how it worked. My Silverado MyLink has Apple CP and Android Auto apps preloaded, all it really does is allow your smartphone to connect to the in-car infotainment system to mirror your phone and like you stated, at no charge. 

    I believe they're the only company with the rights to be wireless. Everybody else has to connect via a cable.

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    ykX

    You can get free Carplay AND Android Auto in Kia or Chevrolet, but you can't in BMW.  Hmmm, something wrong with that picture

    My friends have '19 530.  They had issues with infotainment.  Plus it drives like a 20 year old Lexus.

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    Drew Dowdell
    3 minutes ago, ykX said:

    You can get free Carplay AND Android Auto in Kia or Chevrolet, but you can't in BMW.  Hmmm, something wrong with that picture

    I think that was the big issue.... cheap cars coming with it standard. 

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    riviera74
    7 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

    I think that was the big issue.... cheap cars coming with it standard. 

    Almost everyone came with Apple CarPlay and/or Android Audio standard.  I am glad BMW was forced into making the sensible decision and ditch the annual fee.  BMW could build their own OnStar and charge fees for that instead.

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