BMW CarPlay Retrofit Kit for BMW & MINI | BimmerTech MMI Prime

Apple CarPlay is available on all BMW models with the iDrive 7 or newer operating system, starting from the 2020 model year. But this doesn't mean that the older cars also can't have it! The BMW CarPlay MMI Prime is a multimedia bridge connecting your phone to your BMW, MINI, or Supra either wirelessly or via cable. It is fully integrated with the native iDrive display and controller, and feels and works like OEM BMW Apple CarPlay.

With its user-friendly and instinctive interface, this CarPlay retrofit makes it easy to use many of your iPhone's apps in full screen on your BMW’s or MINI’s native dashboard screen (The screen is NOT included in the CarPlay MMI Prime kit). 

 

Having a host of apps at hand you can choose whether you want to:

• Listen to your music or podcasts through Spotify, YouTube Music, or others
• Safely stay in touch with your family via WhatsApp or Messages
• Always find the quickest routes via Google Maps or Waze without catching a ticket.

To operate it and switch between apps you can use iDrive controller, Siri, or steering wheel controls (only in compatible vehicles); just like you would with the regular BMW navigation system.

Please note that it is not possible to play audio from CarPlay or Android Auto apps and audio from native iDrive apps (including radio) at the same time.

BimmerTech's CarPlay MMI Prime upgrade is compatible with 95% of E-Series, F-Series, G-Series BMWs and MINIs with newer or older iDrive generations (e.g. CIC, ENTRY, ENTRYNAV, ENAVEVO, CHAMP2, NBT, NBT EVO ID4, NBT EVO ID5/ID6 etc.).

Which BMW CarPlay Retrofit Kit Should You Choose?

Features	MMI Lite	MMI Prime	MMI PRO
HDMI for Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV stick, or other players	X	X	✔
Adjustable screen aspect ratio for video playback	X	X	✔
Screen mirroring	X	✔	✔
Future software update support	X	✔	✔
Optional extended warranty	X	✔	✔
Standard warranty	3 months	1 year	1 year
USB multimedia	✔	✔	✔
Full-Screen Mode	✔	✔	✔
Easy control with iDrive	✔	✔	✔
Front and Rear View Camera retrofit support	✔	✔	✔
High-quality audio with an equalizer	✔	✔	✔
Utilizes iDrive screen	✔	✔	✔

BMW CarPlay Kit – MMI Prime 2025 LCI Upgrade

Now available as an optional early-access upgrade (check the add-ons section) is a refreshed version of our true and tested CarPlay MMI Prime – the 2025 LCI! That’s right, a Life Cycle Impulse. It’s got all the features our users already came to enjoy, but it also brings some additional improvements in terms of UI and phone connectivity (CarPlay, Android Auto, and Screen Mirroring).

To make the new MMI LCI upgrade units future-ready for any potential upgrade add-ons or peripheral devices, we’ve also introduced a couple of hardware changes, such as:

• Faster CPU
• More RAM (128 MB vs. 4 GB)
• Bluetooth 5.x chipset – quicker and with better connectivity
• New DSP audio chip – for even higher sound quality!
• Extra antenna (separate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antennae, instead of a shared one)
• Improved GPU (supporting 60 FPS instead of 30 FPS)

Don’t worry – this doesn’t mean the pre-LCI version is now outdated! We will still keep supporting it with new Software Updates in the future and you can always count on our Customer Service. 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. 

MMI version	MMI Prime (pre-LCI)	MMI Prime (LCI upgrade)
CPU	Single CPU	Dual CPU
RAM	128 MB	4 GB
GPU	Supports 30 FPS	Supports 60 FPS
Connectivity	1 shared antenna for Wi-Fi & Bluetooth	2 antenna – 1 x Wi-Fi, 1 x Bluetooth

Digital Bluetooth Audio

With our CarPlay MMI upgrade, no middlemen are needed when it comes to audio signal transmission. By enabling the Digital Bluetooth Audio option, sounds from your mobile device will skip the physical AUX connection and go straight to your BMW’s head unit. Or any other audio output you decide to pair it to – this feature allows you to play sound through external speakers without disconnecting the MMI and turning off CarPlay or Android Auto. 

Direct link is beneficial not only for listening to the music – it also provides OEM quality phone calls. Please note that for the direct connection to work with older BMWs, our Combox Media Retrofit may be required.

 

Access Phone Apps

This BMW CarPlay upgrade gives you direct access to many of your iPhone’s messaging and music apps, as well as other driver-focused solutions in the categories of parking, EV charging, or quick food-ordering. When it comes to navigation, with the MMI drivers can utilize native Apple Maps or third-party options like Google Maps and Waze for navigation in BMW vehicles.

Not sure what’s included? Take a look at some of the most popular CarPlay apps for your BMW.

 

Wireless and Convenient Use

BimmerTech CarPlay MMI unit for BMWs, MINIs, and Supras lets you connect your iPhone wirelessly. It only takes one wireless pairing of your iPhone and CarPlay MMI Prime to help the MMI recognize your iPhone each time you get in your car and connect wirelessly, without you even having to remove your phone from your pocket or bag. When using BMW CarPlay you'll be able to answer calls just like with a Bluetooth hands-free connection.

If you'd rather connect your iPhone with the use of cable, you are also free to do so. CarPlay MMI Prime supports both wired and wireless phone connections.

Please note that to use Apple CarPlay, you must have an iPhone 5 or newer running on iOS 9.3 or higher, along with an active data plan. For a successful connection to Apple CarPlay, ensure that Wi-Fi, Siri, and Bluetooth are enabled on your iPhone.

USB Cable and Flash Drive Multimedia Port

Our BMW CarPlay solution comes with a USB port. It lets you use it for playing videos and music on your iDrive Screen from a USB thumb drive.

The MMI's USB port can also be used in the future for software updates. So, if you won't be using it for multimedia playback, make sure to place it in an accessible location for this purpose anyway.

 

Apple CarPlay Full Screen Mode

CarPlay MMI Prime lets you use all your favorite CarPlay-compatible iPhone apps on the original BMW display in full-screen. The retrofit's 1440x540 (10.25”), 1280x480 (10.25” and 8.8”) resolutions for big screens and 800x480 (6.5”) resolution for small screens look great on all screen sizes.

Please note that the 10.25” and 12” screen full HD (1920x720) screen support is only available for the NBT EVO (ID5/ID6) head units.

Want to upgrade your screen to a bigger one with higher resolution? Check out our store for options compatible with your car or contact our Sales Team directly – there might be an option available for your head unit.
 

Note that in MINIs with a rounded screen, a small part of each corner of the CarPlay interface will be obscured when using full-screen mode (it is possible to adjust the screen size manually in the MMI screen settings).

 

Screen Mirroring

The Full-Screen mode also includes a Screen Mirroring option, which lets you cast the screen of your mobile device onto the BMW's, MINI’s, or Supra’s display, and stream audio through the car speakers. This function is especially convenient if you want to stream a video from YouTube.

iPhones mirror wirelessly, while Android phones require a cable connection.

Please note that mirroring of some apps or content using the Screen Mirroring feature may be blocked due to the copyright-holder's DRM. BimmerTech is not responsible for the continued compatibility of any third-party apps with CarPlay MMI Prime.

 

Easy Control With iDrive

To navigate the BMW CarPlay apps, you can use your factory microphone (if present) for Siri voice commands or the iDrive controller. In some vehicles there's also the option of control with steering wheel buttons, but keep in mind that it is dependent on your head unit version. Decode your VIN to see whether it will be enabled for your car.

 

CarPlay MMI Prime isn’t compatible with touch function, however, you can safely control the device with the steering wheel buttons, iDrive controller and Siri/Google Assistant. In the case of the iDrive controller, we’ve also implemented special shortcut and control features for the following buttons:

• MEDIA – open the music app.
• NAV – open the navigation app.
• TEL – open the phone book. 
• MENU – open the apps menu.

Additionally, the roller button can function for either scroll selection or forward/backward music selection.

 

Wireless Android Auto Support

The kit’s Multimedia Interface (MMI) module also adds Android Auto to your BMW or MINI. So if you have family members or friends with Android smartphones, it will be a breeze to connect and manage mobile devices they might have too!

To enjoy BMW Android Auto wirelessly your phone has to support the wireless Android Auto. If it doesn't, you'll still be able to use the Android Auto via USB.

 

Integration With Front and Rear View Cameras

The MMI module makes it easy to add front and reversing cameras to your order for a much lower price. The front view camera can easily be activated by holding the Option button for 2 seconds. To exit camera mode, just press Back. It can also be set up to appear automatically for up to 20 seconds when shifting from Reverse to Drive.

High-quality Audio With An Equalizer

The audio output circuit in our BMW CarPlay upgrade has been specifically selected to squeeze all the quality we can out of the iDrive AUX input, providing great audio quality for music and video. If your vehicle is not equipped with an AUX input in Media/Radio, we’ll have to code it. Enter your VIN for more details.ore details.

The MMI also has a built-in 8-band equalizer which allows adjusting the sound to your liking. Whether you like more bass and less treble, or the other way around, you can easily set it up in the MMI menu. It is a great feature especially if you don't have a multi-band Equalizer in your BMW iDrive system or MINI Connected. 

Please note that the MMI equalizer works only for audio transmitted via an AUX port. When using Bluetooth, use the EQ in your phone or iDrive (if applicable).

MINI Cooper CarPlay 

MINI owners – we didn’t forget about you! If your car lacks the original Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions, our MINI Cooper CarPlay upgrade will add these functionalities even to your 2011+ models. Enter your VIN to check compatibility.

 

 

CarPlay MMI Prime Software Update

We’re always working on improving our CarPlay MMI Prime, with regular software updates to unlock new features. Updating your software is easy, and can be done through the included USB port.

Click here to check the latest software available for your MMI.