2011 BMW 3 SERIES USB

Deleting an album
An album cannot be deleted while a track from
that album is being played.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"
3.Highlight the desired album.
4.Open "Options".
5."Delete album"
Deleting a track and directory
A track cannot be deleted while it is being
played.
A directory cannot be deleted while a track from
that directory is being played.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"
3.Highlight the directory or track.
4.Open "Options".
5."Delete folder" or "Delete track"
Free memory capacity
Display the free memory capacity in the music
collection.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"
3.Open "Options".
4."Free memory"
Music collection
Backing up the music collection
The entire music collection can be stored on a
USB device. Make sure there is enough free
memory capacity on the USB device.
Depending on the number of tracks, backing up
the music collection may take several hours.
Therefore, it is best to perform the backup dur‐
ing a long trip.
1.Starting the engine.
2.Connect the USB device to the USB inter‐
face in the glove compartment.
3."CD/Multimedia"
4."Music collection"
5.Open "Options".
6."Music data import/export"
7."Backup music on USB"
Storing the music collection in the vehicle
When storing from the USB device, the existing
music collection in the vehicle is replaced.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"
3.Open "Options".
4."Music data import/export"
5."Restore music from USB"
Seite 209
CD/multimediaEntertainment
209Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

Deleting the music collection
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"
3.Open "Options".
4."Delete music collection"
External devices
At a glance
Symbol Meaning
AUX-IN port
USB audio interface
Mobile phone audio interface
Bluetooth audio
AUX-IN port
At a glance
▷For connecting audio devices, e.g., MP3
player. The sound is output on the vehicle
loudspeakers.
▷Recommendation: use medium tone and
volume settings on the audio device. The
tone depends on the quality of the audio
files.
Connecting
The AUX-IN port is located in the center armrest.
Connect the headphones or line-out connector
of the device to the jack plug.
Playback
1.Connect the audio device, switch it on and
select a track on the audio device.
2."CD/Multimedia"
3.If necessary. "External devices".
4. "AUX front"
The sound is played back on the vehicle loud‐
speakers.
Volume
The volume of the sound output is dependent
on the audio device. If this volume differs mark‐
edly from the volume of the other audio sources,
it is advisable to adjust the volumes.
Adjusting the volume
1."CD/Multimedia"
2.If necessary. "External devices".
3. "AUX front"
4."Volume"
5.Turn the controller until the desired volume
is set and press the controller.
USB audio interface/mobile phone
audio interface
At a glance
It is possible to connect external audio devices.
Operation can be performed via iDrive. The
sound is output on the vehicle loudspeakers.
Seite 210
EntertainmentCD/multimedia
210Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

Connectors for external devices
▷Connection via USB audio interface: Apple
iPod/iPhone, USB devices, e.g., MP3 play‐
ers, USB flash drives, or mobile phones that
are supported by the USB audio interface.
▷Connection via snap-in adapter when equip‐
ped with extended connectivity of the music
player in the mobile phone: Apple iPhone or
mobile phones.
Playback is only possible when there is no
audio device attached to the AUX-IN port.
Due to the large number of different audio devi‐
ces available on the market, it cannot be ensured
that every audio device/mobile phone is opera‐
ble on the vehicle.
Ask your service center about suitable audio de‐
vices/mobile phones.
Audio files
Standard audio files can be played back:
▷MP3.
▷WMA.
▷WAV (PCM).
▷AAC, M4A.
▷Playback lists: M3U, WPL, PLS.
File systems
Popular file systems for USB devices are sup‐
ported. FAT 32 is the recommended format.
Connection of Apple iPod/iPhone via
USB audio interface
USB audio interface is located in the center arm‐
rest.
To connect the device, use the special cable
adapter for the Apple iPod/iPhone, available
from your service center, or a flexible adapter
cable.
Connect the Apple iPod/iPhone
with the AUX-IN port and USB in‐
terface using the special cable
adapter or with the USB interface
using the flexible adapter cable.
The Apple iPod/iPhone menu structure is sup‐
ported by the USB audio interface.
Connection of a USB device via the
USB audio interface
USB audio interface is located in the center arm‐
rest.
Connect using a flexible adapter cable to protect
the USB audio interface and the USB device
against physical damage.
Connect the USB device to the
USB interface.
After connecting for the first time
Information on all music tracks, e.g. artist or type
of music, as well as playback lists are transmit‐
ted into the vehicle. This may take some time,
depending on the USB device and the number
of tracks.
Seite 211
CD/multimediaEntertainment
211Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

During transmission, the tracks can be called up
via the file directory.
Number of tracks
Information from up to four USB devices or for
approx. 16,000 or 36,000 tracks can be stored
in the vehicle. If a fifth device is connected or if
more than 16,000 or 36,000 tracks are stored,
information on existing tracks may be deleted.
Copy protection
Music tracks with integrated Digital Rights Man‐
agement (DRM) cannot be played.
Playback
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3.Select the or symbol.
The playback starts with the first track.
On the split screen, the CD cover for the music
track might be displayed after a few seconds.
Track search
Selection is possible via:
▷Playback lists.
▷Information: type of music, artist, and, if
available, composer, album, track.
▷In addition, for USB devices: file directory
and, if available, composer.
Tracks are displayed if they have been saved in
the Latin alphabet.
Starting the track search
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3.Select the or symbol.
4. "Search"
5.Select the desired category, e.g., "Genre" or
"Artist".
All entries are displayed in a list.
▷Open "A-Z search" and input the de‐
sired entry. When a letter is entered, the
results are filtered using this letter as the
first letter. If multiple letters are entered,
all results that contain that sequence are
displayed.
▷Select the desired entry from the list.
6.Select other categories if you wish.
Not all categories need to be selected. For
example, if all of the tracks by a certain artist
are to be displayed, call up that artist only.
All of the tracks by that artist are then dis‐
played.
7."Start play"
Restarting a track search
"New search"
Playback lists
Calling up playback lists.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3.Select the or symbol.
4. "Playlists"
Seite 212
EntertainmentCD/multimedia
212Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

Current playback
List of tracks currently being played.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3.Select the or symbol.
4. "Current playback"
Random playback
The current list of tracks is played back in ran‐
dom order.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3."Options" Open.
4."Random"
Fast forward/reverse
Press and hold the button.
Video playback
At a glance
Video playback via snap-in adapter is possible.
Operation can be performed via iDrive. The
sound is output on the vehicle loudspeakers.
Playback
The video image is displayed on the front Con‐
trol Display up to a speed of approx. 2 mph/3 km/
h; in some countries, it is only displayed if the
parking brake is set or if the automatic trans‐
mission is in position P.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3. Select the symbol.
4. "Video"
5.Select the directory if necessary.
To go up a level in the directory: move the
controller to the left.
6.Select the desired video file to begin play‐
back.
Video menu
Symbol Function
Next video file
Previous video file
Double-click on an icon to play back
previous video file.
Notes
Do not expose the audio device to extreme en‐
vironmental conditions, such as very high tem‐
peratures; refer to the audio device operating
instructions.
Depending on the configuration of the audio
files, e.g., bit rates greater than 256 kbit/s, the
files may not play back correctly in each case.
Information on connection
▷The connected audio device is supplied with
a max. power of 500 mA if supported by the
device. Therefore, do not additionally con‐
nect the device to a socket in the vehicle;
otherwise, playback may be compromised.
▷Do not use force when plugging the con‐
nector into the USB interface.
▷Do not connect devices such as fans or
lamps to the USB audio interface.
▷Do not connect USB hard drives.
▷Do not use the USB audio interface to re‐
charge external devices.
Bluetooth audio
At a glance
▷Music files on external devices such as audio
devices or mobile phones can be played
back via Bluetooth.
Seite 213
CD/multimediaEntertainment
213Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

extended connectivity of the music player in the
mobile phone.
▷Disconnect one of the two connections; for
example, disconnect the audio connection,
refer to page 216, and restart playback.
If all points in this list have been checked and the
required function is still not available, please
contact the hotline or service center.
Software Update
The vehicle supports various external devices
depending on the current software version. With
a software update, the vehicle can support new
cell phones or new external device, for example.
The updating of the software is done via:
▷USB.
Updates and related current information is
available at www.bmw.com/update.
▷TeleService.
Existing software can be updated directly via
the vehicle.
Displaying the current version
The currently installed software is displayed.
1."Settings"
2."Software update"
3."Show current version"
SelectDesired version to displayAdditional in‐
formation.
Updating software via USB
The software may only be updated when the ve‐
hicle is stationary.
1.Store the file for the software-update in the
main director of a USB flash drive.
2.Insert the USB flash drive into the USB in‐
terface of the USB audio interface in the
center armrest. An update via the USB in‐
terface in the glove compartment is not pos‐
sible.
3."Settings"
4."Software update"
5."Update software"
6."Start update"
7."OK"
All listed software updates are installed.
Restoring the previous version
If it should become necessary, the software ver‐
sion prior to the last software update can be re‐
stored.
The previous version may only be restored when
the vehicle is stationary.
1."Settings"
2."Software update"
3."Restore previous version"
4."OK" Double-click.
All listed software updates are removed.
Note
While the software is being updated or a previ‐
ous version is being restoredBMW Assist, Office
functions and the connected devices are tem‐
porarily unavailable. Wait several minutes for the
functions to become available again.
Seite 217
CD/multimediaEntertainment
217Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

Installation position
In the center armrest.
Inserting the snap-in adapter
1.Press the button and remove the cover.
2.Insert the snap-in adapter at the front, ar‐
row 1, and press down, arrow 2, until it en‐
gages.
Inserting the mobile phone
1.Depending on the mobile phone, remove
the protective cap from the antenna con‐
nector and from the USB connection of the
mobile phone.
2.Slide the mobile phone with the buttons fac‐
ing up in the direction of the electrical con‐
nections, arrow 1, and push downward, ar‐
row 2 until it engages.
Removing the mobile phone
Press the button and remove the mobile phone.
Seite 237
Professional mobile phone preparation packageCommunication
237Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

"Update BMW Assist"
Data transfer
During the updating of BMW services, display
the status of the data transfer.
1."BMW Assist" or "ConnectedDrive"
2."Options" Open.
3."Data transfer"
Apps
At a glance
Certain software applications of a suitable cell
phone can be integrated in the vehicle. These
software applications are displayed on the Con‐
trol Display.
Operation can be performed via iDrive.
Requirements
▷The mobile phone is suitable.
▷The cell phone operating system supports
the software applications of Apps.
▷Software applications are installed on the
cell phone and ready to use.
▷Corresponding mobile wireless contract.
Any additionally incurred costs are not a part
of Apps.
▷Use only BMW approved software applica‐
tions; otherwise, it may result in malfunc‐
tions.
Information about suitable cell phones, available
software applications and their installation can
be found at www.bmw.com/connectivity or at
the service center.
Create the entries.
Make entries only when traffic and road
conditions allow. Otherwise, the vehicle occu‐
pants and other road users may be put in danger
because of the distraction from driving.
For reasons of safety, some software applica‐
tions are usable only while the vehicle is station‐
ary.◀
Use apps
1.Connect the cell phone via the snap-in
adapter or via the USB audio interface.
2."ConnectedDrive"
3.Select the desired software application.
Displaying status
Information about the currently available soft‐
ware applications can be displayed.
1."ConnectedDrive"
2."BMW apps"
PlugIn
Selected functions of the cell phone are dis‐
played on the Control Display. Operation can be
performed via iDrive.
1.Connect cell phone via the snap-in adapter.
2."ConnectedDrive"
3."PlugIn"
4."Activate PlugIn"
5.Navigate to the displayed functions via the
controller and select, for example, a desired
category or track.
Press button to switch within the cell
phone functions to a higher level or back.
Press button twice to switch back to the
main menu.
Notes
▷The ranges of Apps that can be displayed on
the Control Display depend on the range of
installed software applications on the cell
phone.
▷The data transmission of the software ap‐
plications from the cell phone to the vehicle
can last some time. Some software applica‐
Seite 255
ConnectedDriveCommunication
255Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490