If you don’t know how to connect your phone to your vehicle when you have a car that can connect to a phone, you should learn. You’ll thank yourself later. Connecting a phone to a car can unlock navigation, audio streaming, hands-free calling, and much more. Setting up the connection isn’t all that difficult either, although you may need a few pointers depending on how familiar you are with modern technology. If you want some help figuring out how to connect your phone to your 2020 BMW X5, continue reading.
What Kind of Phones Can Connect to the 2020 BMW X5?
The iDrive 7.0 Operating System is the computer in your car that lets your phone connect to it. The touchscreen on your dashboard is your gateway to both Android and iPhone connectivity. Most Android phones and iPhones made in the last five years can connect to the 2020 BMW X5 without any issues.
How To Connect your Android or iPhone to the 2020 BMW X5
To activate Android Auto™ for your Android phone or Apple CarPlay® for your iPhone, you will need to use a USB cable that physically connects your phone to your X5. The charging cable your phone came with will usually work. If you want an extra cord to keep in your car, find a Micro-USB or a USB-C cord for your Android (depending on the model) or a Lightning cable for your iPhone.
Plug the large rectangular end of your charging cable into the matching USB port in the front of your X5. Plug the other end into your phone and turn your car on. You may need to select “File Transfer” on your phone to let your phone interface with the car. An option to use Android Auto™ or Apple CarPlay® should appear on your infotainment screen, select this option. You will need to do a little first-time setup, then you should have fun learning how to use your favorite apps on the touchscreen.
What driver assist technologies are available for the 2020 BMW X5?
How to Use Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay®
The interface is meant to be intuitive and simple, so just spend a few minutes to get used to it, and you will master it in no time. You will need to plug your phone in every time you want to use Android Auto™ or Apple CarPlay®. Your phone will be charging the entire time it is plugged in, so you don’t have to worry about your phone running out of battery power.
