BMW Remote Software Upgrade User Guide

: June 3, 2024
: BMW

Table of Contents

Remote Software Upgrade
Version information
Installing the upgrade
Validity of Owner’s Handbook
Documents / Resources

Remote Software Upgrade

Remote Software Upgrade

CONTROLS
Vehicle equipment
This chapter describes equipment, systems and functions which are offered or will be offered on a model-specific basis, even if they are not included in the vehicle in question.
For further information: Vehicle equipment, see page 7.

BMW Remote Software Upgrade
Principle
Remote Software Upgrade can be used to update the entire software of the vehicle. This makes new functions, functional enhancements or quality improvements available.
General
BMW recommends carrying out the Remote Software Upgrade as soon as it becomes available.
Safety note
WARNING
Unsupervised children or pets in the vehicle can set the vehicle in motion and endanger themselves or other road users, for example by the following actions:

Pressing the Start/Stop button.
Releasing the parking brake.
Opening and closing doors or windows.
Engaging selector lever position N.
Operating vehicle equipment.

There is a risk of accident or injury. Do not leave children or pets unsupervised in the vehicle. When leaving the vehicle, take the vehicle key with you and lock the vehicle.
Operating requirements

Active ConnectedDrive contract.
The integrated SIM card in the vehicle has been activated.
Mobile reception.
A consent for the transmission of the corresponding data was given in the Data Protection menu.

Search for an upgrade
The standby state must be turned on to search for a software upgrade.
Automatic search
The vehicle regularly searches for updates in the background.
Manual search

“MENU”
“All apps”
“System settings”
“Remote Software Upgrade”
“Search for upgrades”
Follow the instructions on the control display.

Download of an upgrade
Automatic download
If available, the data for a Remote Software Upgrade is automatically downloaded to the vehicle.
There is no need to consent to the download.
Via BMW app
If an upgrade is available, information about the new software version is displayed in the BMW app.
The data for the upgrade can then be downloaded to a mobile device, for example via an existing Wi-Fi connection.
The data can then be transferred from the mobile device to the vehicle.
This transmission method accelerates the download of the data, for example in areas with limited mobile network availability.

Download the upgrade in the BMW app to the smartphone.
Follow the instructions in the BMW app.
Establish the connection to the vehicle.
▷ iOS: connect Bluetooth audio and WLAN.
▷ Android: connect Bluetooth® audio and WLAN.
The data transfer of the upgrade from the mobile device to the vehicle occurs in the background only while driving.
Follow the instructions on the control display.

For further information:
Connect mobile devices to the vehicle, see page 82.

Version information

General
The version information describes the updates contained in the Remote Software Upgrade. The version information can be shown on the control display during the download and following successful completion of the installation.
This information is also available in the Connected Drive customer portal.
Displaying information
Display in the vehicle:

“MENU”
“All apps”
“System settings”
“Remote Software Upgrade”
▷ Display currently installed version: “Installed version:”
▷ Display new available version: “Info on version”
Follow the instructions on the control display.

Display in the ConnectedDrive customer portal on the Internet: www.bmw- connecteddrive.com.

Installing the upgrade

General

Installing the upgrade may cause software modifications not made by the vehicle manufacturer to be deleted (increases in performance, for example).
The installation can take around 20 to 30 minutes.
Installation cannot be interrupted.
The vehicle cannot be used during installation.
You may leave the vehicle during installation.
The installation does not occur until the consent was given.
The vehicle charging process is interrupte by the installation.
Following the successful installation, chargingthe vehicle may not continue automatically.

Prerequisites for the installation

The vehicle battery is sufficiently charged.
Outside temperature is above -10 ℃/14 ℉.
Vehicle is standing on level ground.
Hazard warning lights are turned off.
Selector lever position P is engaged.
Drive-ready state is turned off.

If applicable, follow the notes for further prerequisites on the control display.
If the prerequisites are not met, for example a sufficient vehicle battery charge state, the upgrade will not be offered for installation.
Pay attention to an offer for installation, for example after extended driving.

Preparing the vehicle

Park the vehicle safely away from the public road.
Cellular network reception must be ensured so that a fault message can be sent to the vehicle manufacturer, for example if the installation is terminated.
Close the windows.
Close the tailgate.
Remove devices that consume energy, for example mobile phone.
The vehicle key must be located in the vehicle for the consent for installation.
Switch off the exterior lights.
Remove connected devices from the OBD socket.

Install immediately
The upgrade can be installed immediately when all prerequisites have been met.

“MENU”
“All apps”
“System settings”
“Remote Software Upgrade”
“Start upgrade now”
Follow the instructions on the control display.

Installing with timer
At the end of the journey, a timer can be used to install the upgrade automatically at a configured time, for example, during the night. A later installation may make sense to meet functional requirements, for example, a sufficiently charged vehicle battery.

“MENU”
“All apps”
“System settings”
“Remote Software Upgrade”
Enter the desired timer settings.

The installation starts automatically when:

All prerequisites for the installation have been established correctly.
All prerequisites continue to be met at the time of installation.

The timer is turned off when the drive-ready state is turned on.

Functional limitations
During the upgrade, many of the functions are temporarily unavailable, for example:

Hazard warning lights.
Central locking system and, if necessary, Comfort Access.
Side lights.
Horn.
Alarm system.
Emergency call.
Electric windows.
Glass sunroof.
Operation of the tailgate.
Charging socket flap lock.
Exit warning.

The driver’s door can be unlocked and locked from outside with the integrated key.
In vehicles with an electrical lock, the lock may temporarily not work. In this case, the vehicle can be exited by unlocking the driver’s door manually.
For further information: Central locking buttons, see page 105.
After successful upgrade
The vehicle can be used again immediately.
Booked services, for example, RTTI or Remote Services, will be reactivated automatically during the next trip.
After an extended stationary period, charge the vehicle battery with an extended drive.
Malfunction
In the event of a malfunction, follow the instructions on the control display or in the BMW app.
If the malfunction cannot be rectified, contact a Service Partner of the manufacturer or another qualified Service Partner or a specialist workshop.

Validity of Owner’s Handbook

Vehicle production
When the vehicle leaves the factory, the contents of the printed Owner’s Handbook are up to date.
After a software update in the vehicle
After a vehicle software update, for example, via Remote Software Upgrade, the Integrated Owner’s Handbook for the vehicle will contain the latest information.

Online Edition for Part no. 01405A38CB9 – VI/21

Documents / Resources

| BMW Remote Software Upgrade [pdf] User Guide
Remote Software Upgrade, Remote, Software Upgrade, Software
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| BMW Remote Software Upgrade [pdf] Instructions
Remote Software Upgrade, Remote Software