No, BMW no longer charges for Apple CarPlay—it's now included as a standard, complimentary feature on all new BMW models. BMW reversed its controversial subscription policy in December 2019 after significant customer backlash[1]. If you're buying a new BMW today, Apple CarPlay comes free for the life of the vehicle. The same applies to most used BMWs from 2020 onward, though some 2019 models may still carry legacy restrictions depending on when they were originally sold.
BMW made headlines in 2019 as the only luxury automaker to charge recurring fees for Apple CarPlay—a feature that competitors like Audi and Mercedes-Benz offered for free[2].
Here's what BMW originally charged[3]:
| Package | Price |
|---|---|
| First year | Free trial |
| Annual subscription | $80/year |
| 3-year package | $255 |
| 20-year/lifetime | $300 |
The move was bizarre considering Honda offered CarPlay as standard on the $17,000 Fit Sport while BMW charged extra on vehicles starting over $34,000[4]. Car and Driver called it "a pretty outrageous ask, especially when many affordable manufacturers offer CarPlay and Android Auto free as standard"[5].
Customer backlash was swift and loud. BMW listened.
In December 2019, BMW of North America announced that Apple CarPlay would be free—no subscription required[1]. The decision came just months after implementing the subscription model, proving that customer feedback actually changed corporate policy.
BMW's official statement confirmed: "After careful consideration and much thought, BMW of North America has decided to not charge a subscription for Apple CarPlay"[1].
The reversal applied to:
For BMW owners at the time, this was welcome news. Anyone who'd been avoiding CarPlay due to the subscription suddenly had access at no cost.
The subscription only affected a narrow window of vehicles[3]:
| Model Year | CarPlay Status |
|---|---|
| 2016-2018 | $300 one-time activation fee |
| July 2019 - Dec 2019 | $80/year subscription (brief period) |
| Late 2019 onward | Free for life |
| 2020+ | Standard, complimentary |
If you're shopping for a used BMW, the 2019 model year is the only one where you might encounter legacy subscription issues. Even then, most 2019 vehicles have been updated or grandfathered into the free program[6].
Today, every new BMW sold in the U.S. includes Apple CarPlay as a complimentary, lifetime feature[6]. No activation fee. No subscription. No expiration.
BMW still doesn't support Android Auto on most models—a separate frustration for Android users. If your household has both iPhone and Android users, this is worth considering when shopping.
For those exploring Tesla charging compatibility with their BMW EV, note that infotainment features like CarPlay remain separate from charging network access.
Setting up CarPlay on a modern BMW takes about two minutes[7]:
Once paired, wireless CarPlay connects automatically whenever you enter the vehicle with your iPhone.
Some older BMWs (2016-2018) may require a one-time activation through BMW ConnectedDrive if it wasn't activated by the original owner.
If you're buying a used BMW, verify CarPlay status before purchase[6]:
| Model Year | What to Check |
|---|---|
| 2016-2018 | Was CarPlay activated? May need $300 activation if not |
| 2019 | Check if subscription was active or if it's grandfathered |
| 2020+ | Should be free—verify it works during test drive |
For 2016-2018 models, CarPlay activation requires an iDrive 5.0 or newer system plus the navigation package. Not all configurations support it. Ask the seller to demonstrate CarPlay working before you commit.
Some aftermarket solutions exist for older BMWs without factory CarPlay support. Companies like BimmerTech offer retrofit kits that add the functionality, though these involve additional costs beyond what factory CarPlay would entail.
BMW's reversal brought them in line with competitors[4][5]:
| Brand | Apple CarPlay | Android Auto | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW | Yes (wireless) | Limited | Free |
| Mercedes-Benz | Yes (wireless) | Yes | Free |
| Audi | Yes (wireless) | Yes | Free |
| Lexus | Yes (wired) | Yes | Free |
| Porsche | Yes (wireless) | Yes | Free |
| Tesla | No | No | N/A |
BMW remains one of the few luxury brands with limited Android Auto support, though their Apple integration is now on par with competitors.
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