How to import music (USB) into iDrive

Both the USB connection in the glove compartment and the centre console can read and/or write to a USB drive. However, ONLY the center console has the audio connection for the iPod

and that's why BMW recommend you plugin the iPod in the center console. Some USB drives have small programs (for security reasons) that run on them which sometimes require authentication

before full access is granted to the USB drive or data on it. Some Kingston usb drives fall into this category and may not work in your BMW.

Instructions on how to import music from a USB drive onto the iDrive hard drive:

***Car SHOULD be OFF***

1) Insert the USB drive into any of the USB connection(s); Center console OR Glove compartment.

2)Turn the car ON

3) Press the Menu button and select CD/Multimedia OR press the CD button


4)Select External devices


5)Select the USB icon Not Connected. NOTE: Even though your USB drive is connected, it'll still show Not Connected.


6) Press the Option button OR move the iDrive knob to the right. Scroll down and select Music data import/export


7) Click on Import new music (USB)


8) You should now see Importing music...


NOTE: If it says No USB device detected


Do the following:

• Unplug the USB drive
• Turn the car off
• Exit the car and lock/arm it
• Wait for about four (4) minutes and repeat steps 1) thru 8).

If still No USB device detected, i recommend you try another USB drive.

9) When the import is complete, click OK. That's it.


The music collection you just imported will be labelled USB 1 (assuming this is your first).
To rename it, do the following:

1. Select USB 1 and Press the Option button OR move the iDrive knob to the right. Select Rename album
   
   
   
2. Use the back key |<- to delete USB 1
   
   
   
3. Enter a name for your music collection and click OK
   
   
   
4. Music collection USB 1 is now renamed
   

NOTE: There MAY be several and different ways to accomplish importing music (usb) and i hope you find this one useful.

Have fun!

Nice write up! The only thing is- I was told that if you have the iPod connection in the center console it can not import from a USB there and you must use the other USB connector in the front passenger side. Not sure if you have run into this issue or even if this is still true (the car I had was an early run on the original software).

-M

Hmm. E90 manual indicates import works for glovebox port and playback for console port. No mention of the other way around...I expect F01 is more featurefull.

Originally Posted by DJHakim

Hmm. E90 manual indicates import works for glovebox port and playback for console port. No mention of the other way around...I expect F01 is more featurefull.

That's BMW recommendation. However i'm able to play my iPod when connected to the glovebox usb connection but I DON'T get any SOUND since there's no audio connection in there. On the other hand I can import music using the usb port in the center console. In order not to keep unplugin' my iPod from the center console, I primarily use the glovebox usb connection for reading (importing profiles, importing music & restoring music) and writing (exporting profiles & backing up my iDrive music collection).

Originally Posted by asaseaban

That's BMW recommendation. However i'm able to play my iPod when connected to the glovebox usb connection but I DON'T get any SOUND since there's no audio connection in there. On the other hand I can import music using the usb port in the center console. In order not to keep unplugin' my iPod from the center console, I primarily use the glovebox usb connection for reading (importing profiles, importing music & restoring music) and writing (exporting profiles & backing up my iDrive music collection).

I thought that was the BMW recommendation- there must be a reason they say not to use the center one, I have a feeling it has more to do with the iPod being detected and possibly corrupting something as they are connected to different modules in the car. The other USB locations will not trigger the iDrive to go into iPod mode. I personally would not use the center iPod USB for loading music to the car- but that is just me (I know the engineers do things for a specific reason).

-M

Originally Posted by mapezzul

I thought that was the BMW recommendation- there must be a reason they say not to use the center one, I have a feeling it has more to do with the iPod being detected and possibly corrupting something as they are connected to different modules in the car. The other USB locations will not trigger the iDrive to go into iPod mode. I personally would not use the center iPod USB for loading music to the car- but that is just me (I know the engineers do things for a specific reason).

-M

Agree. I only used the center console to import music and plug the iPod into the glovebox to prove that it can be done BUT NOT RECOMMENDED.

Just to add, and then a question...

In my 2011 740, I can import songs from a USB drive when connected to the glovebox port, but cannot play directly from the drive. If I connect the USB drive to the center console use port, I can play from the drive. Haven't not tried importing from the center console port yet.

When using the bmw's USB menu when accessing the stick directly, there is an option to browse playlists, but of course just dragging folders from my iTunes library onto the stock doesn't give me any browsable playlists - is there a format I can export from iTunes for playlists, and is the bimmer smart enough to find the tracks on the stick to play them wherever they are?

Originally Posted by asaseaban

That's BMW recommendation. However i'm able to play my iPod when connected to the glovebox usb connection but I DON'T get any SOUND since there's no audio connection in there. On the other hand I can import music using the usb port in the center console. In order not to keep unplugin' my iPod from the center console, I primarily use the glovebox usb connection for reading (importing profiles, importing music & restoring music) and writing (exporting profiles & backing up my iDrive music collection).

A,

May be you can help me with this,

I have nearly 22gig of music om my Itouch. How do do I export only 8gig to selected music to my USB. I just do not know how to export music to a USB If I understand it correctly the system only has 8 gig memory?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

ZedJes

Originally Posted by ZedJes

A,

May be you can help me with this,

I have nearly 22gig of music om my Itouch. How do do I export only 8gig to selected music to my USB. I just do not know how to export music to a USB If I understand it correctly the system only has 8 gig memory?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

ZedJes

Save that 8 gigs of music on the iPod (usb mode) and then import into your car.

Originally Posted by thrang

Just to add, and then a question...

In my , I can import songs from a USB drive when connected to the glovebox port, but cannot play directly from the drive. If I connect the USB drive to the center console use port, I can play from the drive. Haven't not tried importing from the center console port yet.

When using the bmw's USB menu when accessing the stick directly, there is an option to browse playlists, but of course just dragging folders from my iTunes library onto the stock doesn't give me any browsable playlists - is there a format I can export from iTunes for playlists, and is the bimmer smart enough to find the singsong the stick to play them wherever they are?

I don't seem to have that usb menu to browse. Can you post some pictures?

Originally Posted by asaseaban

I don't seem to have that usb menu to browse. Can you post some pictures?

I'll try and take a shot tomorrow and post - but if you disconnect the iPod cable (USB portion) from the center console, and plug in a flashdrive, you should be able to select the drive in External Devices in the iDrive system..

Originally Posted by asaseaban

Save that 8 gigs of music on the iPod (usb mode) and then import into your car.

A,

Thats my dilemma, how do I do that?

Z

Originally Posted by ZedJes

A,

Thats my dilemma, how do I do that?

Z

Plug the iPod into your computer and enable Disk use. The iPod should now show as a drive and you can copy your 8 gigs of music unto the iPod and then plug it in to your car.

Another option is to get a usb drive (1GB or whatever you can find) and copy the music into and then import the music onto the iDrive hard drive. When complete.

Originally Posted by asaseaban

I don't seem to have that usb menu to browse. Can you post some pictures?

Here are some shots of the USB interface.

I exported some.m3u files from iTunes tonight, dumped them onto the drive, and I'll see tomorrow if they appear in the playlist...

Originally Posted by thrang

Here are some shots of the USB interface.

I exported some.m3u files from iTunes tonight, dumped them onto the drive, and I'll see tomorrow if they appear in the playlist...

The music files still have to be .mp3. Only the playlist file need to be .m3u (you may have to open the playlist file (.m3u) and edit it to remove any path to the music file location. Example, if your playlist file shows c:\bmwmusic\jazz\some day.mp3, remove the c:\bmwmusic\jazz (only the some day.mp3 should remain, assuming you saved all your music at the root of the usb) and then save the playlist. If you save your music in folders on the usb, then change the path to include the folder and not the drive letter.

Originally Posted by asaseaban

The music files still have to be .mp3. Only the playlist file need to be .m3u (you may have to open the playlist file (.m3u) and edit it to remove any path to the music file location. Example, if your playlist file shows c:\bmwmusic\jazz\some day.mp3, remove the c:\bmwmusic\jazz (only the some day.mp3 should remain, assuming you saved all your music at the root of the usb) and then save the playlist. If you save your music in folders on the usb, then change the path to include the folder and not the drive letter.

No, I understood about the music format, but thanks for the clarification on the m3u file...

so if a song is located on a memory stick named "740i"

and in a folder path thusly:

iTunes > iTunes Music > Odelay

the entry in the m3u file (located on the root level of the flash drive) would look like:

\740i\iTunes\iTunes Music\Beck\Odelay\08 Where It's At.m4a

or something different?

Thanks

[/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by thrang

No, I understood about the music format, but thanks for the clarification on the m3u file...

so if a song is located on a memory stick named "740i"

and in a folder path thusly:

iTunes > iTunes Music > Odelay

the entry in the m3u file (located on the root level of the flash drive) would look like:

\740i\iTunes\iTunes Music\Beck\Odelay\08 Where It's At.m4a

or something different?

Thanks

If the song is located on a memory stick named 740i then the playlist file should only show 08 Where It's At.m4a. However, if the song is located in a folder structure such as iTunes\iTunes Music\Beck\Odelay on a memory stick named 740i then the playlist file should show iTunes\iTunes Music\Beck\Odelay\08 Where It's At.m4a

Here are some screenshots...hope it helps.

If the song is located on a memory stick named 740i then the playlist file should only show 08 Where It's At.m4a. However, if the song is located in a folder structure such as iTunes\iTunes Music\Beck\Odelay on a memory stick named 740i then the playlist file should show iTunes\iTunes Music\Beck\Odelay\08 Where It's At.m4a

Here are some screenshots...hope it helps.

[/QUOTE]

Well, they would help but the new memory stick I'm using, a larger capacity 64 gb stick, is not working. All I can do is browse the directory structure of the different folders - I see the titles, but when I try to play them, nothing (I've gotten rid of the m3u files for now, and all the artist/album folders are at the root level of the stick)

This method worked for a smaller 4 gb stick, where I could at least browse and play...is there a limit to the size of the flash drive the BMW system will support? I formatted the drive in MS-DOS format on my mac, just like the smaller 4gb model...

The stick appears fine on the computer, and I can at least browse the folders, but cannot play anything....

Thrang,

The iDrive is not good at reading complex folder structures. I recommend you create a single folder for each of your Artist/Genre and put the music/songs in their respective folders.

I did a test with these playlist and the iDrive couldn't play any of the songs or playlist :

Legend.m3u
#EXTM3U
#EXTINF:172,Bob Marley - Africa Unite
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Bob Marley\Legend\Africa Unite.mp3
#EXTINF:256,Bob Marley - By the Rivers of Babylon
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Bob Marley\Legend\By the Rivers of Babylon.mp3
#EXTINF:226,Bob Marley - Catch A Fire
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Bob Marley\Legend\Catch A Fire.mp3
#EXTINF:235,Bob Marley - Could You Be Love
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Bob Marley\Legend\Could You Be Love.mp3
#EXTINF:197,Bob Marley - Crazy Baldheads
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Bob Marley\Legend\Crazy Baldheads.mp3
#EXTINF:234,Bob Marley - Don't Worry, Be Happy
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Bob Marley\Legend\Don't Worry, Be Happy.mp3
#EXTINF:257,Bob Marley - Exodus
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Bob Marley\Legend\Exodus.mp3
#EXTINF:196,Bob Marley - Get Up Stand Up
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Bob Marley\Legend\Get Up Stand Up.mp3
#EXTINF:196,Bob Marley - I Can See Clearly Now
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Bob Marley\Legend\I Can See Clearly Now.mp3

Kenny G HITS.m3u
#EXTM3U
#EXTINF:222,Kenny G - Breathless
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Kenny G\Kenny Greatest Hits\Breathless.mp3
#EXTINF:321,Kenny G - Can You Feel The Love Tonight
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Kenny G\Kenny Greatest Hits\Can You Feel The Love Tonight.mp3
#EXTINF:299,Kenny G - Forever In Love
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Kenny G\Kenny Greatest Hits\Forever In Love.mp3
#EXTINF:282,Kenny G - Jasmine Flower
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Kenny G\Kenny Greatest Hits\Jasmine Flower.mp3
#EXTINF:356,Kenny G - Moonlight
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Kenny G\Kenny Greatest Hits\Moonlight.mp3
#EXTINF:303,Kenny G - rain
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Kenny G\Kenny Greatest Hits\rain.mp3
#EXTINF:270,Kenny G - Saxophone Solo
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Kenny G\Kenny Greatest Hits\Saxophone Solo.mp3
#EXTINF:258,Kenny G - Sentimental
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Kenny G\Kenny Greatest Hits\Sentimental.mp3

I removed the Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\ and created a single folder at the root of the usb memory stick for my Artist:

Legend.m3u
#EXTM3U
#EXTINF:172,Bob Marley - Africa Unite
Legend\Africa Unite.mp3
#EXTINF:256,Bob Marley - By the Rivers of Babylon
Legend\By the Rivers of Babylon.mp3
#EXTINF:226,Bob Marley - Catch A Fire
Legend\Catch A Fire.mp3
#EXTINF:235,Bob Marley - Could You Be Love
Legend\Could You Be Love.mp3
#EXTINF:197,Bob Marley - Crazy Baldheads
Legend\Crazy Baldheads.mp3
#EXTINF:234,Bob Marley - Don't Worry, Be Happy
Legend\Don't Worry, Be Happy.mp3
#EXTINF:257,Bob Marley - Exodus
Legend\Exodus.mp3
#EXTINF:196,Bob Marley - Get Up Stand Up
Legend\Get Up Stand Up.mp3
#EXTINF:196,Bob Marley - I Can See Clearly Now
Legend\I Can See Clearly Now.mp3

Kenny G HITS.m3u
#EXTM3U
#EXTINF:222,Kenny G - Breathless
Kenny Greatest Hits\Breathless.mp3
#EXTINF:321,Kenny G - Can You Feel The Love Tonight
Kenny Greatest Hits\Can You Feel The Love Tonight.mp3
#EXTINF:299,Kenny G - Forever In Love
Kenny Greatest Hits\Forever In Love.mp3
#EXTINF:282,Kenny G - Jasmine Flower
Kenny Greatest Hits\Jasmine Flower.mp3
#EXTINF:356,Kenny G - Moonlight
Kenny Greatest Hits\Moonlight.mp3
#EXTINF:303,Kenny G - rain
Kenny Greatest Hits\rain.mp3
#EXTINF:270,Kenny G - Saxophone Solo
Kenny Greatest Hits\Saxophone Solo.mp3
#EXTINF:258,Kenny G - Sentimental
Kenny Greatest Hits\Sentimental.mp3

and the iDrive was able to play the songs and play lists.

I know it seems like a lot of manual work but unfortunately that's the only way i know how. You can always just plug in your iPod and enjoy life

Yeah, I bought a 160gb ipod today to leave in the car....

Originally Posted by asaseaban

Thrang,

The iDrive is not good at reading complex folder structures. I recommend you create a single folder for each of your Artist/Genre and put the music/songs in their respective folders.

I did a test with these playlist and the iDrive couldn't play any of the songs or playlist :

Legend.m3u
#EXTM3U
#EXTINF:172,Bob Marley - Africa Unite
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Bob Marley\Legend\Africa Unite.mp3
#EXTINF:256,Bob Marley - By the Rivers of Babylon
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Bob Marley\Legend\By the Rivers of Babylon.mp3
#EXTINF:226,Bob Marley - Catch A Fire
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Bob Marley\Legend\Catch A Fire.mp3
#EXTINF:235,Bob Marley - Could You Be Love
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Bob Marley\Legend\Could You Be Love.mp3
#EXTINF:197,Bob Marley - Crazy Baldheads
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Bob Marley\Legend\Crazy Baldheads.mp3
#EXTINF:234,Bob Marley - Don't Worry, Be Happy
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Bob Marley\Legend\Don't Worry, Be Happy.mp3
#EXTINF:257,Bob Marley - Exodus
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Bob Marley\Legend\Exodus.mp3
#EXTINF:196,Bob Marley - Get Up Stand Up
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Bob Marley\Legend\Get Up Stand Up.mp3
#EXTINF:196,Bob Marley - I Can See Clearly Now
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Bob Marley\Legend\I Can See Clearly Now.mp3

Kenny G HITS.m3u
#EXTM3U
#EXTINF:222,Kenny G - Breathless
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Kenny G\Kenny Greatest Hits\Breathless.mp3
#EXTINF:321,Kenny G - Can You Feel The Love Tonight
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Kenny G\Kenny Greatest Hits\Can You Feel The Love Tonight.mp3
#EXTINF:299,Kenny G - Forever In Love
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Kenny G\Kenny Greatest Hits\Forever In Love.mp3
#EXTINF:282,Kenny G - Jasmine Flower
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Kenny G\Kenny Greatest Hits\Jasmine Flower.mp3
#EXTINF:356,Kenny G - Moonlight
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Kenny G\Kenny Greatest Hits\Moonlight.mp3
#EXTINF:303,Kenny G - rain
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Kenny G\Kenny Greatest Hits\rain.mp3
#EXTINF:270,Kenny G - Saxophone Solo
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Kenny G\Kenny Greatest Hits\Saxophone Solo.mp3
#EXTINF:258,Kenny G - Sentimental
Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Kenny G\Kenny Greatest Hits\Sentimental.mp3

I removed the Profiles\Asaseaban\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\ and created a single folder at the root of the usb memory stick for my Artist:

Legend.m3u
#EXTM3U
#EXTINF:172,Bob Marley - Africa Unite
Legend\Africa Unite.mp3
#EXTINF:256,Bob Marley - By the Rivers of Babylon
Legend\By the Rivers of Babylon.mp3
#EXTINF:226,Bob Marley - Catch A Fire
Legend\Catch A Fire.mp3
#EXTINF:235,Bob Marley - Could You Be Love
Legend\Could You Be Love.mp3
#EXTINF:197,Bob Marley - Crazy Baldheads
Legend\Crazy Baldheads.mp3
#EXTINF:234,Bob Marley - Don't Worry, Be Happy
Legend\Don't Worry, Be Happy.mp3
#EXTINF:257,Bob Marley - Exodus
Legend\Exodus.mp3
#EXTINF:196,Bob Marley - Get Up Stand Up
Legend\Get Up Stand Up.mp3
#EXTINF:196,Bob Marley - I Can See Clearly Now
Legend\I Can See Clearly Now.mp3

Kenny G HITS.m3u
#EXTM3U
#EXTINF:222,Kenny G - Breathless
Kenny Greatest Hits\Breathless.mp3
#EXTINF:321,Kenny G - Can You Feel The Love Tonight
Kenny Greatest Hits\Can You Feel The Love Tonight.mp3
#EXTINF:299,Kenny G - Forever In Love
Kenny Greatest Hits\Forever In Love.mp3
#EXTINF:282,Kenny G - Jasmine Flower
Kenny Greatest Hits\Jasmine Flower.mp3
#EXTINF:356,Kenny G - Moonlight
Kenny Greatest Hits\Moonlight.mp3
#EXTINF:303,Kenny G - rain
Kenny Greatest Hits\rain.mp3
#EXTINF:270,Kenny G - Saxophone Solo
Kenny Greatest Hits\Saxophone Solo.mp3
#EXTINF:258,Kenny G - Sentimental
Kenny Greatest Hits\Sentimental.mp3

and the iDrive was able to play the songs and play lists.

I know it seems like a lot of manual work but unfortunately that's the only way i know how. You can always just plug in your iPod and enjoy life

FYI - for anyone trying to export a song list from itunes to a USB flash drive, it's not all that straight forward (at least if you are using a Mac). It's easy to drag and drop from Finder to a USB drive, but not from the itunes playlist (you can't drag or copy/paste from itunes to Finder). My library is 50gb or something and I have a 10gb playlist I want to get onto the USB to import into by F10. Using drag or drop would have been agonizing to find all the right songs. So, to do it I used a free piece of software from ericdaugherty.com (although I gave the guy a donation because he seems to come up with all kinds of useful stuff - keep at it Eric!).

It's called iTunes Export. Brilliantly simple. It can export a playlist form itunes (along with the songs or just the playlist file) into a folder structure or a flat folder (all songs in one folder) on a USB drive.

I did this with the 10gb playlist last night (took maybe an hour to convert / copy the whole thing to a flash drive) and then imported into my 550xi this morning. That import took about 40-50 minutes (I've heard some people complain about it taking much longer than that; from what I've read, not all USB drives are the same; I used a Corvair high speed 16gb flash drive).

If you have an ipod that you could just keep in the car (in the center armrest), that seems to be a good way to go as well. I don't have a dedicated ipod and didn't want to buy another one to leave there, so I went this route. I'm sure the ipod solution will be easier to maintain over time, although I tend to add songs only so often and tend not to remove many from my playlists, so I'm not overly concerned with that.

How many gigs can the iDrive's hard disk hold? Thanks!

12gb capacity on the hard drive

Originally Posted by Libbing

12gb capacity on the hard drive

Thanks! I guess I will need another ipod classic.

Thanx, guys, this thread really did the trick for me.