Did you know that the first vehicle with Bluetooth was released in 2000? (No, it wasn’t BMW, just a Chrysler). And 18 years later this technology is still one of the most important means of bringing your phone’s features into your favorite car.
In BMWs there are two types of features you can get depending on the package or on the vehicle configurations you choose: 1) Basic Bluetooth & 2) Enhanced Bluetooth (EBT).
Please keep in mind that the EBT features strongly depend on your model, your phone and even the network operator. Some cars equipped with Basic Bluetooth may have more options than they're supposed to have, and some BMWs having Enhanced Bluetooh may be limited to a smaller number of features than generally assigned to this functionality. In order to know for sure what you will get with the EBT package, follow the link.
Now let’s see what’s the fuss around EBT is all about.
|
Feature |
Basic Bluetooth |
Enhanced Bluetooth |
|
Hands-free calling |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|
Access to the phone’s contact book |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|
Pairing two phones |
❌ |
✔️ |
|
Connecting iOS devices through the USB cable |
❌ (possible with the Y-connector) |
✔️ |
|
Music streaming |
❌ |
✔️ |
|
Playing music from a phone through a USB port |
❌ |
✔️ |
|
Album art covers |
❌ |
✔️ |
|
Office (reading/sending SMS, calendar, tasks, notes) |
❌ |
✔️ |
What Happens When Your Pair Two Phones with Bluetooth
BMW Bluetooth Audio Streaming
If you BMW is equipped with the CIC / ENTRY iDrive system, you will only be able to skip to the previous or next song. The NBT & NBT Evo head units provide the possibility to browse the playlist and choose any song to play.
Not sure which iDrive system you have? Check here.
USB Activation
Unlocking Enhanced Bluetooth in your BMW also activates the USB port for playing music from the phone, allowing for digital audio.
It doesn’t mean that without EBT, the USB port doesn’t work. With the Basic Bluetooth and S6FLA option, it is possible to play music via USB, but only from a USB stick with MP3 files.
Some Myths Busted
Enhanced Bluetooth doesn’t add features to your car that it isn’t supposed to add.
Many people on the forums may state that unlocking EBT you also get BMW Assist feature, which is not true. This functionality depends on the telematics module. It also doesn’t add a wireless charging module or BMW apps which are completely different products.
Software Activation or Hardware Upgrade? That is the question!
So, if you finally decided that your BMW needs all the EBT functions, they can be added in one of two ways:
|
Model & Head unit |
Type of activation |
|
BMW 5-Series E60/E61 & 6-Series E63/E64 + CIC |
Combox retrofit |
|
BMW 3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93 before 09/10 + CIC |
Combox retrofit |
|
BMW 3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93 after 09/10 + CIC |
Cable coding activation |
|
BMW F-Series + CIC /ENTRY*/CHAMP2 |
Cable coding activation |
|
BMW F-Series + ENTRYNAV/ENTRYNAVEVO |
Cable coding activation |
|
BMW F-Series + NBT/NBT Evo |
USB/cable coding activation |
* BMWs with the ENTRY iDrive system can sometimes require the Combox retrofit or even an additional head unit swap.
In case you want to know whether your BMW is compatible with USB or cable coding activation, type in your VIN here and the website will give you the answer.