2011 BMW 550I XDRIVE service

Connecting
The AUX-IN port is 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"
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.
They can be operated via iDrive. The sound is
output on the vehicle loudspeakers.
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.
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.
Connection of Apple iPod/iPhone via
USB audio interface The USB audio interface is in the center armrest.
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▷
Adjust the volume settings on the device.
Playback is disturbed when buttons are pressed
or by other messages on the device.
▷ Switch off the button tones and other signal
tones on the device.
Playback is interrupted by a telephone call or
traffic bulletin and is not resumed automatically.
▷ Switch the radio off and on again.
Playback is not possible if the mobile phone is
connected
both via Bluetooth Audio and via the
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 198, 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 devices*.
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.
If necessary. "USB".
7. "Start update"
8. "OK"
All listed software updates are installed.
Updating software via

TeleService*
The software may only be updated when the ve‐
hicle is stationary.
1. Switch on the ignition.
2. "Settings"
3. "Software update"
4. "Update software"
5. If necessary "TeleService".
6. If necessary, "Start update".
7. "Start update"
8. "OK"
All listed software updates are installed.
To interrupt updating:
"Cancel".
Restoring the previous version
If it should become necessary, the software ver‐
sion prior to the last software update can be re‐
stored.
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Remote control
In the center armrest in the rear
Storage is possible in a horizontal position in the
center armrest.
Menu navigation
Press the but‐
ton
Function Operating concept as for the
front controller.
Turn the wheel: highlight a
menu item.
Press the center knob: con‐
firm the selection.
Pressing arrow keys corre‐
sponds to moving controller:
switching between panels.
Open the main menu.
Displays the previous menu.
Opens the "Options" menu.
Changes the station, track or
chapter.
Press and hold the button:
fast forward/reverse. Press the but‐
ton
Function Adjusts the volume.
Switches the volume adjust‐
ment to the left/right.
With Professional rear enter‐
tainment*: Toggles between
the screens.
The transmission time of the remote control is
limited by law. To execute a function again,
press or turn the required button again.
Replacing the batteries
No rechargeable batteries
Do not use rechargeable batteries, as
damage may result from the substances in the
batteries.◀ 1.
Remove the cover. Press on the cover, ar‐
row 1, and push forward, arrow 2.
2. Insert batteries of the same type.
3. Close the cover.
Take the used battery to a recycling cen‐
ter or to your service center.
Controls
Almost
all functions can be operated in the same
manner as they are in the front. Special features
of operating the system in the rear are described
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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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Communication
All of the options available to you for mobile
communication with family, friends, business
partners, and service providers are described in this chapter.
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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 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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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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Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips Controls At a glance