2011 BMW 550I display

Vehicle information*
Computer content can be displayed. Operation
is only possible in the front.
Options menu
The split screen is not available and there is no
Integrated Owner's Manual.
Operation
is the same as for the front menu op‐
tions, refer to page 18.
Enabling
Enabling operation in the rear
Only possible via the iDrive in the front.
1. "Settings"
2. "Allow rear control"
3. Select the desired priority. Priority options
The driver has priority
▷
The source selected via iDrive in the front is
output

on the vehicle loudspeakers and can
be selected but not operated from the rear.
Other audio or video sources can be oper‐
ated.
▷ Sound can only be output in the rear via
headphones.
▷ The source that is to be displayed in the rear
can be set via the iDrive in the front.
To set the source in the rear via the iDrive in the
front: 1.
"CD/Multimedia" or"Radio"
2. Open "Options".
3. "Select rear source"
4. Select the desired audio or video source.
Same priority
▷ All audio and video sources can be operated
via the iDrive in the front and rear.
▷ Sound is output in the rear via headphones:
the

source selected via the iDrive in the front
is output on the vehicle loudspeakers.
▷ Sound is output via loudspeakers: the
source

selected last via the iDrive in the front
or rear is output via the vehicle loudspeak‐
ers.
The rear has priority
▷ When the source selected in the rear is
played on headphones, it can be selected
but

not operated via iDrive in the front. Other
audio or video sources can be operated.
▷ Sound is output in the rear via headphones:
the

source selected via the iDrive in the front
is output on the vehicle loudspeakers.
▷ Sound is output via loudspeakers: the
source selected in the rear is output on the
vehicle loudspeakers. Audio or video sour‐
ces cannot be selected via the iDrive in the
front.
Switching off the rear DVD
▷ Rear entertainment is switched off.
▷ To switch rear entertainment back on: select
a different priority via the iDrive in the front
and switch on the system, refer to
page 201.
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Rear entertainment

Headphones, vehicle
loudspeakers
Connecting the headphones
Normal headphones
Connect via the jack 1/8"/3.5 mm, refer to
page
201, on the rear CD/DVD player.
Infrared headphones
Connection via the infrared interface on the
lower edge of the screen.
Fitting infrared headphones and information on
which headphones are supported can be ob‐
tained from your service center.
When using infrared headphones, ensure that
the connection between the headphones and
the infrared interface is not disrupted:
▷ Do not place an obstacle between the inter‐
face and headphones.
▷ Do not cover the interface.
▷ Do not scratch the interface.
Fold up display screens for interference-free re‐
ception.
Unfavorable light conditions such as bright am‐
bient light can impair reception.
Sound output on the headphones or
vehicle loudspeakers
Operation is only possible in the rear.
1. Open "Options".
2. "Headphones" or "Loudspeakers"
With the following setting, sound output in the
rear is not possible via the vehicle speakers:
"Driver control".
External devices
General information
External audio and video devices and digital
cameras
can be connected to cinch sockets, re‐
fer to page 201, on the CD/DVD player. Opera‐
tion takes place on the external device. Due to the large number of different audio and
video devices available on the market, it cannot
be ensured that every audio and video device
will be displayed correctly on the screen.
Connecting an external device
1.
Fold down the cover in front of the cinch
sockets on the CD/DVD player.
2. Connect the external device to the RCA
sockets.
▷Video: yellow socket.
▷ Audio: white and red socket.
Starting playback
1. "CD/Multimedia"
2. "External devices"
3. Select the or symbol.
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
The volume can only be adjusted if no external
video device is connected.
1. "CD/Multimedia"
2. "External devices"
3. Select the or symbol.
4. "Volume" 5.
Turn the controller until the desired volume
is set and press the controller.
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Reference Mobility Communication
Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Telephone*
At a glance
The concept
Mobile
phones or other external devices such as
audio players can be connected to the vehicle
via Bluetooth.
After these devices are paired once, they are
recognized automatically when the ignition is
switched on as soon as they are inside the ve‐
hicle and can be operated via iDrive, the buttons
on the steering wheel, and via voice activation*.
Depending on their functionality, external devi‐
ces can be used via the vehicle as a telephone
or as an audio source.
The telephone functions are described in the
following. Operating the audio functions, refer to
page 196.
Up to four external devices can be paired.
Certain functions may need to be enabled by the
mobile phone provider or service provider.
Using the mobile phone while driving
Make entries only when traffic and road
conditions allow. Do not hold the mobile phone
in your hand while you are driving; use the
hands-free system instead. If you do not ob‐
serve this precaution, you can endanger the ve‐
hicle occupants and other road users.◀
Snap-in adapter*
The snap-in adapter is used to:
▷ Hold the mobile phone.
▷ Recharge the battery.
▷ Connect the mobile phone to an outside an‐
tenna of the vehicle.
This provides for better network reception
and consistent sound quality.
Approved mobile phones
Details on which mobile phones and external
devices with a Bluetooth interface are sup‐
ported by the mobile phone preparation pack‐ age can be obtained at www.bmwusa.com/blue‐
tooth.
Displaying the vehicle identification
number and software part number
The vehicle identification number and software
part
number are needed to determine which mo‐
bile phones are supported by the mobile phone
preparation package. The software version of
the mobile phone may also be required.
1. "Telephone"
2. Open "Options".
3. "Bluetooth® info"
4. "Display system information"
These approved mobile phones with a certain
software version, support the vehicle functions
described below.
Malfunctions may occur with other mobile
phones or software versions.
Do

not operate a mobile phone that is connected
to the vehicle on the mobile phone keypad, as
this may lead to a malfunction.
A software update can be performed if neces‐
sary.
Pairing/unpairing the mobile
phone
General information
The following functions are available:
▷ Use of a mobile phone as a telephone.
▷ Use of a mobile phone as an additional tele‐
phone.
▷ Use of a mobile phone as an audio source.
▷ Use of an audio device as an audio source,
refer to page 196.
Requirements
▷ The mobile phone is suitable.
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Telephone

▷
The mobile phone is ready for operation.
▷ Bluetooth is activated in the vehicle and on
the mobile phone.
▷ Bluetooth presettings may need to be made
on the mobile phone, e.g., for a connection
without
confirmation or visibility, refer to the
mobile phone operating instructions.
▷ Deactivate Bluetooth audio if necessary.
▷ A number with at least four and a maximum
of 16 digits was defined as the Bluetooth
passkey. It is only required once for pairing.
▷ The ignition is switched on.
Activating/deactivating Bluetooth
Bluetooth
is not permitted everywhere. Comply
with all safety guidelines and regulations.
1. "Telephone"
2. Open "Options".
3. "Bluetooth®"
Additional functions
General information
Activate the functions before pairing to be able
to use them in the vehicle. Information on suit‐
able

mobile phones, refer to page 210, that sup‐
port these functions.
Additional telephone
A mobile phone can be used as an additional
telephone.
The additional telephone can be used to accept
incoming calls, refer to page 214. While a call is
active on the additional telephone, incoming
calls are displayed on the Control Display.
Audio source
A mobile phone can be used as an audio source.
Activating/deactivating the additional
functions
1. "Telephone"
2. "Bluetooth® (phone)" 3.
Open "Options".
4. Select the desired additional function.
▷"Additional telephone"
▷ "Office"
▷ "Bluetooth® audio"
Pairing and connecting a device Pairing a device
To

avoid becoming distracted and posing
an unnecessary hazard both to your own vehi‐
cle's occupants and to other road users, only
pair the device while the vehicle is stationary.◀
Pair the vehicle entirely on the front or rear Con‐
trol Display.
1. "Telephone"
2. "Bluetooth® (phone)"
3. "Add new phone"
The Bluetooth name of the vehicle is dis‐
played.
4. To perform additional steps on the mobile
phone, refer to the mobile phone operating
instructions:

for instance, search for or con‐
nect the Bluetooth device or a new device.
The Bluetooth name of the vehicle appears
on the mobile phone display.
5. Select the Bluetooth name of the vehicle on
the mobile phone display.
Prompt

via iDrive or the mobile phone to en‐
ter the same Bluetooth passkey.
6. Enter the passkey and confirm. 7.
Select the functions for which the mobile
phone is to be used.
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Reference Mobility
Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

If the pairing was successful, the mobile phone
appears at the top of the list of mobile phones.
The functions supported by the mobile phone
and
audio device are displayed as symbols when
paired.
White symbol: the function is active.
Gray symbol: the function is inactive. Symbol Function
Telephone.
Additional telephone.

Audio source. Four devices can be paired with the vehicle at
once.

Three devices can be connected with the
vehicle at once.
If pairing was unsuccessful: What to do if..., refer
to page 212.
Following the initial pairing
▷ The mobile phone is detected/connected in
the vehicle within a short period of time
when

the engine is running or the ignition is
switched on.
▷ The phone book entries of the telephone
stored

on the SIM card* or mobile phone are
transmitted to the vehicle after detection,
depending on the mobile phone.
▷ Four devices can be paired.
▷ Specific settings may be necessary in some
mobile phones, e.g., authorization or a se‐
cure connection; refer to the mobile phone
operating instructions.
Connecting a specific device
If
more than one device is detected by the vehi‐
cle, the device at the top of the list is connected.
A different device can be connected by select‐
ing it.
1. "Telephone"
2. "Bluetooth® (phone)"
3. Select the device that is to be connected. The functions that were assigned to the device
before unpairing are assigned to the device
when it is reconnected. If the device is already
connected, these functions are deactivated.
Configuring the devices
Additional functions can be activated or deacti‐
vated for paired and connected devices.
1.
"Telephone"
2. "Bluetooth® (phone)"
3. Highlight the device to be configured.
4. Open "Options".
5. "Configure phone"
6. At least one function must be selected.
▷"Telephone"
▷ "Additional telephone"
▷ "Audio"
7. "OK"
If a function is assigned to a device, the function
will be deactivated where appropriate for a de‐
vice

that is already connected and the device will
be unpaired.
Swapping the telephone and additional
telephone
The function of the telephone and additional tel‐
ephone can be swapped automatically.
1. "Telephone"
2. "Bluetooth® (phone)"
3. "Swap phone/addit. phone"
Unpairing a device
1. "Telephone"
2. "Bluetooth® (phone)"
3. Highlight the device that is to be unpaired.
4. Open "Options".
5. "Remove phone from list"
What to do if...
Information on suitable mobile phones, refer to
page 210.
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Telephone

The mobile phone could not be paired or con‐
nected.
▷
Is Bluetooth activated in the vehicle and on
the
mobile phone? Activate Bluetooth in the
vehicle and on the mobile phone.
▷ Do the Bluetooth passkeys on the mobile
phone and the vehicle match? Enter the
same passkey on the mobile phone and via
iDrive.
▷ Did it take longer than 30 seconds to enter
the

passkey? Repeat the pairing procedure.
▷ Are too many Bluetooth devices connected
to

the mobile phone or vehicle? Delete con‐
nections with other devices if necessary.
▷ Is the audio connection activated? Deacti‐
vate the audio connection.
▷ Is the mobile phone in power-save mode or
does

it have only a limited remaining battery
life? Charge the mobile phone in the snap-
in adapter* or via the charging cable.
▷ Depending on the mobile phone, it is possi‐
ble that only one device can be connected
to the vehicle. Unpair the connected device
from the vehicle and pair and connect only
one device.
▷ The mobile phone no longer reacts? Switch
the mobile phone off and on again. Repeat
the pairing procedure.
The telephone functions are not available.
▷ Is the mobile phone paired as an additional
telephone and is the additional telephone
function

deactivated? Activate the function.
▷ Is an outgoing call not possible? Connect
the mobile phone as a telephone.
No or not all phone book entries are displayed,
or they are incomplete.
▷ Transmission of the phone book entries is
not yet complete.
▷ It is possible that only the phone book en‐
tries of the mobile phone or the

SIM card*
are transmitted.
▷ It may not be possible to display phone book
entries with special characters. ▷
The number of phone book entries being
stored is too high.
▷ Is the data volume of the contact too large,
e.g., due to stored information such as
notes? Reduce the data volume of the con‐
tact.
▷ Is the mobile phone connected as an audio
source

or additional telephone? The mobile
phone must be connected as a telephone.
The phone connection quality is poor.
▷ The strength of the Bluetooth signal on the
mobile phone can be adjusted, depending
on the mobile phone.
▷ Insert the mobile phone into the snap-in
adapter* or place it in the area of the center
console.
▷ Adjust the volume of the microphone and
loudspeakers separately.
If all points in this list have been checked and the
required function is still not available, please
contact the hotline or service center.
Controls
Adjusting the volume
Turn the knob until the desired volume is se‐
lected.

The setting is stored for the remote con‐
trol currently in use.
The vehicle automatically adjusts the volume of
the microphone on the telephone and the vol‐
ume of the called party. Depending on the mo‐
bile phone, the volumes may need to be ad‐
justed. The settings can only be created during
a call and must be adjusted separately for each
telephone. The settings are deleted when the
telephone is unpaired.
1. "Settings"
2. "Tone"
3. "Volume settings"
4. Select the desired setting: "Microphone" or
"Loudspeak."
5. To adjust: turn the controller.
6. To store: press the controller.
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Reference Mobility
Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance

Incoming call
Receiving calls
If
the number of the caller is stored in the phone
book and is transmitted by the network, the
name of the contact is displayed. Otherwise,
only the phone number is displayed.
If more than one phone number is assigned to a
contact, only the name of the contact is dis‐
played.
For calls on the additional telephone, the num‐
ber is only displayed if it is transmitted by the
network.
An incoming call to the additional telephone is
automatically rejected if there is an active call on
the other telephone.
Accepting a call
Via iDrive "Accept"
Via the button on the steering wheel
Press the button.
Via the instrument cluster

*
"Accept"
Rejecting a call
Via iDrive "Reject"
Via the instrument cluster
*
"Reject" Ending a call
Via iDrive
"End call"
Via the button on the steering wheel Press the button.
Via the instrument cluster

*
"End call"
Entering a phone number
Dialing a number
1. "Telephone"
2. "Dial number"
3. Select the digits individually.
4. Select the symbol.
The phone number can also be entered by voice.
Calls with multiple participants
General information
You can switch between calls or connect two
calls

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Telephone

must be supported by the mobile phone and
service provider.
Accepting a call while speaking to
another party
This function might have to be activated by the
service provider and the mobile phone must be
adjusted accordingly.
If
a second call comes in during an ongoing call,
a call waiting signal is sounded where appropri‐
ate. "Accept"
The call is accepted and the existing call is put
on hold.
Establishing a second call
Establish

an additional call during an active call.
1. "Telephone"
2. "Active calls"
3. "Hold"
The existing call is put on hold. 4.
Dial the new phone number or select it from
a list. "Return"
The call on hold is resumed.
Switching between two calls, hold call
The active call is displayed in color.
The call on hold is displayed in gray. "Swap calls"
The call on hold is resumed. Establishing a conference call
Two calls can be connected to a single tele‐
phone conference call.
1.
Establish two calls.
2. "Conference call"
When terminating a conference call, both calls
are ended. If one call is terminated by another
party, the other call can be continued.
Switching the microphone to mute
When a call is active, the microphone can be
muted.
1. "Telephone"
2. "Active calls"
3. "Microphone mute"
A microphone that has been switched to mute
is automatically reactivated:
▷ When a new connection is established.
▷ When switching between call parties.
DTMF suffix dialing
DTMF suffix dialing can be used for gaining ac‐
cess

to network services or for controlling devi‐
ces, e.g., to make a remote inquiry of an answer‐
ing machine. The DTMF code is needed for this
purpose.
1. "Telephone"
2. Select the contact from a list or "Dial
number".
3. "Keypad dialing"
4. Enter the DTMF code via iDrive.
Phone book
Displays
The phone book accesses the contacts and
shows all contacts for which a phone number
has

been stored. The entries can be selected to
make a call.
1. "Telephone"
2. "Phone book"
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Reference Mobility
Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance