BMW NBT EVO CarPlay: Factory Activation vs a Retrofit Interface

If your BMW has NBT EVO (roughly 2016 onwards), you may have two routes to CarPlay: activating the feature in the factory system, or fitting a retrofit interface. Which one makes sense depends on your exact variant and what you want from it.

The two routes

• Factory activation: on some NBT EVO configurations, CarPlay support can be enabled in the existing system. Availability depends on the variant, software and hardware fitted.
• Retrofit interface: a module that adds wireless CarPlay and Android Auto alongside the original iDrive menus. It is available for a wider range of cars and adds Android Auto too.

Which NBT EVO variant you have

NBT EVO comes in ID4, ID5 and ID6. ID4 looks like the older NBT menu, while ID5 and ID6 use horizontal tiles. Our iDrive guide shows how to tell them apart.

How we recommend an option

When you send your details, we look at the variant, the features you want (for example Android Auto, or keeping a particular audio route) and the hardware fitted. Where activation suits better than a retrofit, we will tell you rather than sell you an interface you do not need.

Frequently asked questions

Can every NBT EVO BMW get factory CarPlay?

No. It depends on the variant, software and hardware. We review your car before recommending activation or a retrofit.

Does a retrofit add Android Auto?

Yes. The retrofit interface supports both wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto on supported configurations.