Connecting Your Phone to CarPlay / Android Auto – BMW Retrofit Interface (CCC, CIC, NBT & EVO)

Connecting Your Phone to CarPlay / Android Auto (BMW CIC, NBT, EVO Systems)

Once your retrofit kit is installed, you can connect your phone to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. These steps apply to BMW CIC, NBT and EVO systems.

Apple CarPlay

If your BMW has Bluetooth calls and Bluetooth media streaming, you can configure the retrofit kit to use the OEM Bluetooth for sound output.
If your BMW does not support Bluetooth media streaming, you will need to set the audio source to AUX. Start from Step 4.

Steps to Connect

  1. On your iDrive, go into the MMI → Setup menu.
  2. Scroll down to Use Car’s BT Channel and turn this ON. The MMI will restart.
  3. Once restarted, connect your iPhone to the BMW factory Bluetooth. Make sure the phone is paired for calls + BMWo (audio streaming).
  4. Enter the CarPlay menu on your iDrive.
  5. On your iPhone, go to Settings → Bluetooth and look for EW-CPxxxxx.
  6. Make sure Bluetooth and WiFi are both ON.
  7. Select the EW-CPxxxxx connection from the device list.
  8. Scroll to the bottom and tap Use CarPlay.
  9. When prompted, tap Allow to grant CarPlay access.

Android Auto

If your BMW has Bluetooth calls and Bluetooth media streaming, you can configure the retrofit kit to use the OEM Bluetooth for sound output.
If your BMW does not support Bluetooth media streaming, you will need to set the audio source to AUX. Start from Step 4.

Steps to Connect

  1. On your iDrive, go into the MMI → Setup menu.
  2. Scroll down to Use Car’s BT Channel and turn this ON. The MMI will restart.
  3. Once restarted, connect your Android phone to the BMW factory Bluetooth. Make sure the phone is configured for calls + BMWo (audio streaming).
  4. Enter the Android Auto menu on your iDrive.
  5. On your phone, open Bluetooth settings and look for EW-CPxxxxx. Ensure both Bluetooth and WiFi are enabled.
  6. Select and pair with EW-CPxxxxx.
  7. Scroll down and confirm the Android Auto connection.
  8. Android Auto will launch on your iDrive display.

Notes

  • Using OEM Bluetooth is convenient but has limitations:
    • Certain Android Auto voice functions may not pass through correctly.
    • Screen mirroring and audio playback outside Android Auto may be restricted.
  • If the connection fails, delete the device profiles (BMW + EW-CPxxxxx), restart the phone and MMI, and retry.
  • For wireless stability, position the WiFi antenna away from metal parts.

Connecting Your Phone to CarPlay / Android Auto (BMW CCC Systems)

The BMW CCC retrofit kit uses the AUX input for both music and telephone audio. Unlike CIC, NBT, and EVO systems, CCC does not support OEM Bluetooth audio streaming.

Apple CarPlay Setup

  1. On the iDrive, go to the MMI → Setup menu.
  2. Leave Use Car’s BT Channel set to OFF.
  3. Set your iDrive audio source to AUX.
  4. Enter the CarPlay menu.
  5. On your iPhone, open Settings → Bluetooth and search for EW-CPxxxxx.
  6. Select it, and allow CarPlay access when prompted.
  7. CarPlay will now display on your iDrive screen, with all audio (music + calls) routed through AUX.

Android Auto Setup

  1. On the iDrive, go to the MMI → Setup menu.
  2. Leave Use Car’s BT Channel set to OFF.
  3. Set your iDrive audio source to AUX.
  4. Enter the Android Auto menu.
  5. On your phone, open Bluetooth settings, search for EW-CPxxxxx, and pair.
  6. Ensure both Bluetooth and WiFi are enabled.
  7. Confirm the connection, and Android Auto will launch on your iDrive display, with all audio routed through AUX.

Notes

  • All audio (music and calls) is handled via the AUX channel. The system uses your car’s factory microphone for calls.
  • If no sound is heard, ensure the AUX input is selected in iDrive and the volume is raised.
  • For stable wireless use, position the WiFi antenna away from metal parts.
Oct 2, 2025

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