[six]

Am I correct in thinking if you are using CarPlay you can't also connect your iPhone to the in-car WiFi?

If the iPhone's WiFi is connected to service CarPay can the BMW data service route data to the iPhone from the in car subscription or must your iPhone use its own 4G/whatever data connection while connected to CarPlay?

[akerekes001]

As far as I understand, the WiFi Hotspot is for CarPlay. You must be connected to it to have it... I’m not sure for what other reason it could be used, though I guess streaming music over WiFi is a better idea without CarPlay as well, but never used it. Though if you use CarPlay you don’t need manually connect to WiFi as this is done automatically...

[Mikli]

Yes. You can use your bmw’s data instead of your phone’s while connected to CarPlay.

[wdlvega]

In the U.S. the built-in WiFi is a promotional period of either 1-3 months (cannot recall the exact timeframe) thereafter a data plan must be purchased from a Mobile Provider.

But yes you can certainly use the data plan from the X5 rather than your own.

I would check to see what the pricing options are in the U.K. Also, of note is that in the United States the carrier is "locked in" as a certain carrier (AT&T) I am not aware that you can plug in a SIM card of your own.

Perhaps someone can speak to adding a different SIM card for the built-in WiFi.

[six]

I don’t think there is any way to use your own SIM, which is a real shame. You have to sign up to the BMW plan which is run by T-Mobile here in the UK with very expensive pricing compared to what you can get elsewhere!

[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by wdlvega

I am not aware that you can plug in a SIM card of your own.
Perhaps someone can speak to adding a different SIM card for the built-in WiFi.

There is no SIM "Card" in your car, so no, there is no way to change it.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by nosnoop

There is no SIM "Card" in your car, so no, there is no way to change it.

There is a SIM card in the TCU. it is not accessible or changeable by the owner though.

[dream54ing]

Originally Posted by wdlvega

In the U.S. the built-in WiFi is a promotional period of either 1-3 months (cannot recall the exact timeframe) thereafter a data plan must be purchased from a Mobile Provider.

But yes you can certainly use the data plan from the X5 rather than your own.

I would check to see what the pricing options are in the U.K. Also, of note is that in the United States the carrier is "locked in" as a certain carrier (AT&T) I am not aware that you can plug in a SIM card of your own.

Perhaps someone can speak to adding a different SIM card for the built-in WiFi.

I thought it was for a year, can someone confirm?

[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

There is a SIM card in the TCU. it is not accessible or changeable by the owner though.

As far as I know, the TCB uses USIM - it is programmed onto the board itself and there is no physical card. That's how I interpreted being "integrated" into the TCB. Is there a tear down of the TCB somewhere?

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by nosnoop

As far as I know, the TCB uses USIM - it is programmed onto the board itself and there is no physical card. That's how I interpreted being "integrated" into the TCB. Is there a tear down of the TCB somewhere?

I'm sure there is someplace. I'm just going by the tech manual since it says SIM card. I guess that could be a removable one or an integrated one.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by dream54ing

I thought it was for a year, can someone confirm?

The WiFi Hotspot is three months. CarPlay is a year so maybe that is what you are thinking about.

[dream54ing]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

The WiFi Hotspot is three months. CarPlay is a year so maybe that is what you are thinking about.

ah yes, i was confused. sucks barbecue its passed the 3 months for us and just realize we had it. probably never going to use it since we can tether from our phones. thanks for the info anyways

[Mikli]

In Canada is AT&T too with 3 months free with x#of GB. I didn’t activate it. lol

[kkpat]

I am confused. There are three things right and they are not interdependent!

CarPlay- it's free for a year and you pay yearly after that. It connect your phone to the car.

WiFi hotspot - that gives three month free internet inside your car when you connect your device to it. After that you buy the monthly pls. From T-Mobile or ATT. BUt if you don't buy it your car play still should work. And you still can access the internet on iPad if you turn in your hotspot from phone. Is that correct?

BMW sim - this is independent of T-Mobile or ATT sim. This gives free OTA map updates and bmw idrive updates. Also runs your idrive apps in car and helps find and remote start your car via phone connected drive app. No subscription needed right forever? It's free for the life of the car?

Correct me please if I am wrong on any of this.

[TurtleBoy]

You are correct in the elements but the services that are provided through the BMW SIM are not free for the life of the car. In most cases they are for four years and then you need to pay for them after that. if you go onto the ConnectedDrive account for your vehicle you can see them listed and when the current subscription expires.