[Lifted07Duramax]

Ok I have idrive and when I plug my iPhone 5 in to the USB port in my center console it charges it. But when I go to put it in aux it still plays the sound through my phone. And the USB option to the right of aux isn't lit up for me to select it. Not sure why.
Anyone have any clues?

[techy1]

you wont be able to use it like that. you need one of the ipod adapters from the dealership or search the sale forums I've seen some people selling them, can get your hand on one of these. its a good solution and inexpensive. you can get one on ebay for less than $10

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD...30-pin-adapter

[jetblackcoupe]

Question: 30-pin Y cable (not the BMW one) + lightning to 30 pin adapter = music (controlled on phone) and charging on iPhone 5 through lightning port?

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by jetblackcoupe

Question: 30-pin Y cable (not the BMW one) + lightning to 30 pin adapter = music (controlled on phone) and charging on iPhone 5 through lightning port?

That setup will let you control your music from the car since you're still connecting the phone to USB; I believe the phone controls will also work rather than being locked out, but I'm not certain. In any case, cars without Combox (which started as of September 2010 production with certain option configurations) require the Y-cable to play music. If you have an iPhone 5, you also need a Lightning to 30-pin dock adapter. Be aware that Apple offers two versions, one that's a rectangular piece of plastic and another that has a short length of cable between the Lightning connector and the dock connector; the former is $10 cheaper, but the latter is more likely to work with your phone without having to remove the case if you use one. Ask my wife how she knows.

If you just want phone-controlled music, you could just use a standard headphone cable from your iPhone's headphone jack to the car's AUX port, but that won't be as convenient or sound as good since in that setup the phone is sending amped audio rather than line level audio into the car.

[techy1]

you should have everything the same as if you had a iphone 3/3gs/4/4s. you'll still be able to control music though the usb. but you need the y cable. i have an adapter in mine i bought from china town locally, and works fine I have a 4s but my friends with a 5 use it and works fine.

[Lifted07Duramax]

Ok alil confused can someone throw me a link to the item I need?

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by Lifted07Duramax

Ok alil confused can someone throw me a link to the item I need?

The Y-cables are everywhere; you just need a cable with male dock connector on one end and male USB and headphone connectors on the other. For the Lightning to dock adapter, you need EITHER of the following, which would attach to the dock connector end of the Y-cable:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD...n-adapter-02-m

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD...30-pin-adapter

[Lifted07Duramax]

Hmm maybe everyone's confused. I have a USB to lightning connector for the phone already and do plug the phone into my USB in center console. So it is charging but it's not letting me use the idrive to play music from it.

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by Lifted07Duramax

Hmm maybe everyone's confused. I have a USB to lightning connector for the phone already and do plug the phone into my USB in center console. So it is charging but it's not letting me use the idrive to play music from it.

You can't use the Lightning to USB cable if you want music; in your car, that will only charge your phone since your car isn't new enough to accept music over USB. You need the Y-cable plus one of the adapters I mentioned above. Or you can TRY just using your current cable AND a regular headphone cable, but I'm not sure that would work, and even if it did you'd have inferior audio due to the amped vs. line level audio issue I also mentioned above.

[BMWTF?]

I suggest getting a Bluetooth audio streamer. Something like Blackberry Bluetooth Stereo Gateway. I think, this is the best solution for playing the music from your phone. First, it is wireless - no cables and very convenient. Second, when you turn on the car, it pairs automatically and switches right away to play music through the car stereo. Third, the quality is good as well. Forth, phone pairs with both car and gateway at the same time and accepts calls properly. Try it, you'll like it.

[techy1]

ok i think i know what he's asking....

ok bud here's the link for the y cable you need.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/iPhone-Adapt.../dp/B004E5J61G

on top of that you also need the adapter that jphughan posted:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD...n-adapter-02-m

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD...30-pin-adapter

the y cable you can find some people sell them in the for sale section here. or you can get it from the amazon link i sent. I heard that aftermarket ones don't work to well and best to get the OEM one.

you need to have one going into the iphone the other ends connect into the bmw usb and aux modules in the arm rest. but for iphone 5 you need those connectors from apple to fit into the iphone 5 connection.

[Roadrunner143]

I have this: http://dx.com/p/bluetooth-v2-0-edr-u...e-black-163694

Works just like the Blackberry Bluetooth Stereo Gateway at a fraction of the price. Free shipping. Keeps the car's bluetooth for phone calls. I'm using it with my iPhone 5. You can use the usb port to power it. Like iSerge said... try it, you'll like it!

[Dark_Knight_335]

Use Bluetooth and shuffle/ control from the iPhone. It is flaky so you may have to drop and re-add your phone several times for it to work. This is of course quite dangerous and defeats the whole purpose of hands free iPhone/ iPod control in the vehicle.

Just wait for the new BMW iphone 5 snap in combox adapter (if you have the hardware for it) in June.

By that time we should have the iPhone 6!

[christafurr]

I have a 2011 LCI with iDrive. I can successfully pair my iPhone 5 with bluetooth but cannot play music. The only way to play music is to use the Y cable with the lightning adaptor and USB plugged in. I don't mind this way because it charges my phone at the same time, but it's a hassle to plug my phone in every time. Is there a way to play it through bluetooth without buying the Blackberry Bluetooth Stereo Gateway?

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by christafurr

I have a 2011 LCI with iDrive. I can successfully pair my iPhone 5 with bluetooth but cannot play music. The only way to play music is to use the Y cable with the lightning adaptor and USB plugged in. I don't mind this way because it charges my phone at the same time, but it's a hassle to plug my phone in every time. Is there a way to play it through bluetooth without buying the Blackberry Bluetooth Stereo Gateway?

It depends on whether you have Combox. Easiest way to tell that is to use iDrive to go to Multimedia > External Devices and see whether "Bluetooth (audio)" is listed. If it is, go in there, press Options over your phone, and check the Audio checkbox there. If it's not, then you don't have Combox, in which case your options are either to purchase a third-party box like the one mentioned above or take advantage of Combox retrofit services offered by vendors on these boards like Mike Benvo.

[Lifted07Duramax]

So I need a USB to the old iPhone plug like end the 30pin? Then I need the adapter that goes from 30pin to the lightning?

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by Lifted07Duramax

So I need a USB to the old iPhone plug like end the 30pin? Then I need the adapter that goes from 30pin to the lightning?

No, you do NOT need a USB to dock cable. As we've been saying, you need the Y-cable, which has that PLUS a headphone connector. If you get a normal USB to dock cable and just add a Lightning port, you'll end up with exactly the same result you're seeing now.

Or you could buy a Combox retrofit for your car or a newer car that has a Combox from the factory. If you're curious as to WHY you need an adapter and a Y-cable, it's because that Lightning to Dock adapter includes an audio digital to analog converter chip, and then the Y-cable splits the audio signal off into the headphone jack. Using a Lightning to USB cable doesn't allow the iPhone 5 to deliver any audio to your car in a format that your car supports, nor would using a Lightning to dock adapter and then a normal dock to USB cable.

[skeee1]

When I use the Iphone 5 in my car I just use the cable that came with the phone plugged into the USB in the car. Trick is the phone has to be plugged into the cable before you put the key into the ignition and start the car.

[Lifted07Duramax]

Originally Posted by skeee1

When I use the Iphone 5 in my car I just use the cable that came with the phone plugged into the USB in the car. Trick is the phone has to be plugged into the cable before you put the key into the ignition and start the car.

That doesn't work either. Do you select aux or USB on your idrive

[BMWTF?]

Another solution would be to copy all your music to a flash drive and plug it directly into the USB port. then you'll have a complete control of your music (iDrive and non-iDrive) and don't have to mess with cables.

[Lifted07Duramax]

Originally Posted by iSerge

Another solution would be to copy all your music to a flash drive and plug it directly into the USB port. then you'll have a complete control of your music (iDrive and non-iDrive) and don't have to mess with cables.

I like this one. Ill need to see if I can get them off iTunes onto a USB.
And I went to best but to buy those two items in those two links and the apple guy told me the lightning delivers music thru USB so I walked out without one.

Why would I need the y adapter? I just need the USB to 30pin and 30pib to lightning adapters right?

[threethirtyfive]

Car is on the way so I haven't played with it yet but does it give you the ability to navigate folders etc?