[fmarsjr]

Vehicle is a 2011 335i Manual with iDrive.

I can't connect to bluetooth, every time I check the box to connect it says it failed almost instantly.

Also, I tried plugging my iPhone into usb and it says not supported.

Any suggestions?

[ctuna]

Is this car new to you ?
Did it ever work?
Have you tried to see if someone else's phone will work?

If you want to know which option's your car came with
run the Vin through mdecoder.com

[dakine_surf]

What iPhone are you using? If it's older, the BT module could be going bad on the phone... it's common for older hardware to start having less range. Try pairing it with your phone right next to the BT module (system dependent: this could be in your trunk or built into the head unit) and see if you can get a steady connection.

Does your iPhone connect to other BT devices well? See if the range is limited on pairing those devices as well... as in, can you pair it from across the room. Do you have AirPods? If so, try pairing them and walking away from the phone, do they stay connected?

If you can rule out the phone, then you can start working on the car.

This happened with an old iPhone 6 and my Mini... even though the car was tiny I had to leave the phone in the back near the combox to get it paired and streaming. If I brought the phone to the driver's seat it would start cutting out and then it would lose the connection. It went away when I upgraded my phone.

[fmarsjr]

Originally Posted by dakine_surf

What iPhone are you using? If it's older, the BT module could be going bad on the phone... it's common for older hardware to start having less range. Try pairing it with your phone right next to the BT module (system dependent: this could be in your trunk or built into the head unit) and see if you can get a steady connection.

Does your iPhone connect to other BT devices well? See if the range is limited on pairing those devices as well... as in, can you pair it from across the room. Do you have AirPods? If so, try pairing them and walking away from the phone, do they stay connected?

If you can rule out the phone, then you can start working on the car.

This happened with an old iPhone 6 and my Mini... even though the car was tiny I had to leave the phone in the back near the combox to get it paired and streaming. If I brought the phone to the driver's seat it would start cutting out and then it would lose the connection. It went away when I upgraded my phone.

Nope, nothing pairs to the car. I check the box for bluetooth, the loading circle spins for 1 second then is says it failed. I have a brand new iPhone SE. Even tried my android that I have MHD on, but nothing.

No it never worked since I bought it.

[ctuna]

If it hasn't worked since you bought it how do you
know the option was installed. BMW is quite tight about
making you pay for every option things that would be standard
on any other car have to be ordered.
sometimes the hardware is there but not enabled.

Run your car Vin through mdecoder.com to see what is installed.

What kind of head unit do you have idrive or pro radio

Most of the time bluetooth comes from a Combox module in 2010 or
later modules.

Also you should look up the bluetooth and usb instructions on
ytube . You should also have some separate idrive a bluetooth manuals.

[fmarsjr]

Originally Posted by ctuna

If it hasn't worked since you bought it how do you
know the option was installed. BMW is quite tight about
making you pay for every option things that would be standard
on any other car have to be ordered.
sometimes the hardware is there bu not enabled.

Run your car Vin through mdecoder.com to see what is installed.

See attached, so if I don't have it, how do I get it?

[ctuna]

If it hasn't worked since you bought it how do you
know the option was installed. BMW is quite tight about
making you pay for every option things that would be standard
on any other car have to be ordered.
sometimes the hardware is there bu not enabled.

Run your car Vin through mdecoder.com to see what is installed.

When you see preparation for something that means its not installed
but may have some of the hardware needed.

Your next step would be to see which module is installed behind the US
side rear passenger seat under the trunk cover.

Not sure but I think it's option 6vc

[ctuna]

The fact you have 6fl means you should have a combox
which is wherer the bluetooth comes from .
This means you would probably need and bt antenna maybe
or maybe only coding.

If you have the right level Nav and Combox you can upgrade to
streaming bluetooth music and phone.

[fmarsjr]

Originally Posted by ctuna

The fact you have 6fl means you should have a combox
which is wherer the bluetooth comes from .
This means you would probably need and bt antenna maybe
or maybe only coding.

I've been researching some coding tools, is that something I can do myself? If so, any recommend tools? I was looking at Ista

[ctuna]

For doing programming or coding the only best to use Standard Tools
(Inpa suite ) . The thing is you may need a Icom cable to to this.
The questions are better answered on the coding and idrive subforum
where the expertise is on this kind of stuff.

[fmarsjr]

Originally Posted by ctuna

For doing programming or coding the only best to use Standard Tools
(Inpa suite ) . The thing is you may need a Icom cable to to this.
The questions are better answered on the coding and idrive subforum
where the expertise is on this kind of stuff.

Will do, appreciate the help.