Does BMW Support Huawei HiCar?
2 Answers
BMW supports Huawei HiCar. HUAWEI HiCar is a full-scenario smart connectivity solution provided by Huawei, similar to Apple's CarPlay, Baidu's CarLife, and Google's Android Auto. These products can all be mirrored and used on the vehicle's infotainment system. However, HiCar is not just a simple screen mirroring solution. After deep integration with the vehicle's system, it can achieve mutual benefits between the phone and the car at the hardware level. For example, the phone can use the car's camera for video calls or enhance the accuracy of phone navigation with the vehicle's GPS. Currently, there are only a few ways for vehicles to support HUAWEI HiCar: 1. Native support, meaning the vehicle comes with HiCar pre-installed from the factory, similar to having HiCar, USB external modules, or HiCar USB interface modules. 2. Replacing the infotainment system with a third-party system that supports HiCar. 3. Adding a HiCar-compatible smart screen to the dashboard via adhesive. The direct-connect HiCar converter is not officially released by Huawei but is a third-party developed converter that can implement most HiCar functions. However, it still has limitations similar to CarPlay. For example, when using CarPlay, the multifunction steering wheel buttons cannot be controlled, and the same limitation applies after switching to the HiCar system. Currently, the direct-connect HiCar system only supports Huawei and Apple phones and does not support other phone brands. Additionally, some Huawei and Apple phone models are also incompatible with the HiCar system.
As a tech enthusiast, I've always been fascinated by car connectivity. BMW's post-2020 models like the X5 and 3 Series support Huawei HiCar, allowing direct control of navigation or music through your phone once connected, which is incredibly convenient. This makes driving smarter and reduces the need to glance at your phone. During setup, simply select the phone connectivity option in the vehicle's iDrive system—if unsure, check the user manual or ask the 4S store. Similar to Apple CarPlay, which is also available in many BMWs, HiCar is specifically designed for Huawei users. It generally runs smoothly in daily use, but be mindful not to lag behind on software updates to avoid disconnection issues. Overall, BMW's compatibility is impressive, significantly enhancing both driving pleasure and efficiency.