I feel a bit left out seeing how smoothly everything works for others, while I’m stuck grappling with a myriad of issues, primarily with the user interface and its interoperability with other systems. The usual trick of turning Wi-Fi off and back on only works sporadically for getting CarPlay to recognize my device—successful about 40% of the time. Otherwise, it’s a total reset each drive. Six months down the line with my iX, my Plug and Charge contract mysteriously vanished. Countless calls with BMW and Electrify America have gotten me nowhere; they just point fingers at each other. Now, it’s on my husband to foot the bill at EA chargers. On top of this, my car has taken to locking itself with my belongings inside—quite the puzzle trying to get back in without access to my locked-in phone. And oh, the automatic window feature is a hit or miss, mostly missing when I need it most. Despite liking the car, these ongoing issues are testing my patience.
That’s odd! My wife and I find CarPlay to work seamlessly, easily switching between our phones. It’s a step up from the system in our old Audi Q7. You might consider disabling the automatic lock feature. We’ve stopped using our phones as keys to avoid similar hassles and stick to the traditional key fobs.
@August
I’ve reverted to using the key fob too. Using the phone as a key was problematic. I had already turned off the ‘lock when walk away’ feature, yet the car won’t fully shut down unless locked. This quirk seems common across our BMWs, affecting both my husband’s M850 and my daughter’s X2.
@Lian
A quick fix to turn off any BMW is to hold down the volume button for two seconds. There’s also a ‘turn car off at end of trip’ setting that automatically shuts the car off when you open the door. This feature works across all BMW models. I’d steer clear of the Digital Key—traditional key fobs are the way to go!
@Skyler
Didn’t know about the volume button trick—thanks! I’ve noticed the car stays on too long after trips, so I’m eager to try this.
@Skyler
I’ll try that volume button trick and look for the ‘turn off at end of trip’ setting—thanks! And yes, I’m learning the hard way that Digital Key is more trouble than it’s worth. As much as I like the convenience of not carrying a key, avoiding these problems is more important.
@Skyler
After removing the Digital Key, CarPlay still intermittently fails to recognize my music. Is this an issue with iOS perhaps?
@August
The iX has been flawless for us, possibly because it’s a 2024 model with the latest software. Everything, including CarPlay, works perfectly even with the phone tucked away in a purse. If that’s not your experience, it’s baffling what could be going wrong.
@Skyler
When you mention ‘seamless,’ are you referring to using your phone to unlock the car?
Remy said:
@Skyler
When you mention ‘seamless,’ are you referring to using your phone to unlock the car?
Yes, the car unlocks as we approach and locks when we leave. CarPlay connects wirelessly and automatically detects who is in the car by our phones. It feels like the future—no manual handling required unlike my old Hyundai, where placement had to be precise.
@Skyler
It seems the level of seamlessness varies. My previous Tesla felt more technologically advanced in comparison, though the iX is still an upgrade over my 2020 Mercedes GLS which required a cable for CarPlay.
What software version is your iX running? Also, which iPhone model and iOS version are you using?
Peyton said:
What software version is your iX running? Also, which iPhone model and iOS version are you using?
This issue has been ongoing for over a year now. I’m on iOS 18, and my iX software was updated a few days ago, but it hasn’t resolved the issues.
@Lian
Have you been using the same iPhone throughout this period? You might try resetting the network settings on your iPhone. This will require you to reconnect to your Wi-Fi networks, but it could solve the problem. Also, consider deleting old Bluetooth devices saved on your phone. A full reset of the BMW infotainment system might also help—there are online guides for this.
@Peyton
I’ve tried all of these steps multiple times already! I’m going to revert to using the key fob and hope that resolves at least some of these issues.
Peyton said:
What software version is your iX running? Also, which iPhone model and iOS version are you using?
Just checked, and my iX is on version 3/2024.53.
I faced similar CarPlay issues with my '21 X7. The problems seemed tied to my phone, an iPhone 12 Pro Max. Whenever my husband connected his phone, my settings would glitch until I performed a full reset. It was maddening, and I’m hoping it doesn’t recur with the iX.
@Adrian
We experienced that nightmare too! Took the car in, and after a week with no clear diagnosis, a system update seemed to fix it. Such tech issues seem isolated to my car and not my husband’s M850, which is frustrating.
It’s disheartening to hear about your struggles. For CarPlay issues, I’ve found that sometimes, turning Bluetooth off and then on again helps establish the initial connection. Maybe try toggling both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi next time.
@Logan
I appreciate your suggestion. I always keep both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on, so it’s puzzling. I’m planning a visit to the dealer for a full system reset.