Pairing iPhone for Text Messages

I have a 2013 328i with Nav & technology package & iPhone (latest iOS). My carwas recalled for "software upgrade" and I asked the dealer service rep about getting this pairing right so I could get my texts through the car. He said I would need to buy the iPhone cradle to be able to do that. I know there have been discussions here before about glitches with getting text messages & I didn't catch anything about needing the cradle. Is this true? I'm not convinced the dealer knows & expect you guys know better!

Originally Posted by Impatient

I have a 2013 328i with Nav & technology package & iPhone (latest iOS). My carwas recalled for "software upgrade" and I asked the dealer service rep about getting this pairing right so I could get my texts through the car. He said I would need to buy the iPhone cradle to be able to do that. I know there have been discussions here before about glitches with getting text messages & I didn't catch anything about needing the cradle. Is this true? I'm not convinced the dealer knows & expect you guys know better!

Not not true if you have the Enhanced Bluetooth with BMW Assist. Pair your phone with the car.

Then fallow BJ's steps:

1. Turn on "messages" under Telephone > Bluetooth settings in iDrive.

2. In the iPhone go to Settings > Messages and make sure notifications are on, change the number of notifications from what it's at now, choose 'alert' style, choose 'show on screen'.

3. In the iPhone go to Settings > Bluetooth and click on the BMW link and make sure "show on screen" is selected.

4. The thing that finally did it for me was to connect via the white Apple USB cable and the Connected app. That allowed the iPhone and iDrive to "see" each other that first time. Since then, no issues wirelessly.

Note: The iPhone must go to sleep during your testing. You can't hit the off button and force it. Have to let it sit (set to 1 minute in Settings) until it goes full-black, then send a test text from another phone.

FYI if your fast enough you can send a text to yourself. Just hit the off button immediately after you hit send. It will show up in the iDrive the same time you get a phone alert.