How to Use Bluetooth in BMW 5 Series?
3 Answers
First, click "Telephone" to bring up the "Options". Then click "Bluetooth System" to check and turn it on, setting it to visible mode. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and set it to visible to all devices. Search for the vehicle's Bluetooth device to pair and connect. Once done, your phone and the car's Bluetooth device will automatically connect. The phone will appear at the top of the list, and the supported functions of the registered phone and audio will be displayed as icons.
Last time I helped my friend set up the Bluetooth on his BMW 5 Series, it was actually quite simple. Just go to ‘Vehicle Settings’ on the central control screen, enter ‘Bluetooth Connection’, turn on the phone’s Bluetooth, search for the CARPLAY signal, and click to pair. Make sure to enable Bluetooth visibility on both the car system and the phone, and confirm the verification code displayed during pairing. Once connected, calls will automatically use the car’s microphone, and music can be played by switching to the Bluetooth audio source. If it doesn’t connect, try restarting the car’s system or deleting the old BMW pairing record on the phone and reconnecting. Also, remember not to enable power-saving mode on the phone as it may affect the signal, and Android phones might sometimes have compatibility issues.
The Bluetooth pairing for this generation's iDrive system in the BMW 5 Series is much smoother than the older models. I usually turn on my phone's Bluetooth before getting in the car, and after ignition, I just say 'Hey BMW, open Bluetooth connection' to activate it via voice command. Alternatively, I can press the voice button on the steering wheel and say 'connect Bluetooth.' The car's system will search for the device name, and I just need to confirm. Once connected, phone and media controls are separate—use the left-side steering wheel buttons for calls and the right-side for music. For multiple users, the system can store up to 8 devices in the settings and automatically connects to the last used phone. After pairing, it's recommended to sync your contacts in the mobile device settings for easier calling. Apple users should remember to check CarPlay permissions, as sometimes it won't work if permissions aren't enabled.
