Get At a glance -> iDrive Guide for BMW 6 Series 4 Door Fourth Generation (2017-2023)

At a glance

iDrive

Vehicle features and options

Overview of control elements

This chapter describes all standard, country-

specific and optional features offered with the

series. It also describes features that are not

necessarily available in your vehicle, e. g., due

to the selected options or country versions.

This also applies to safety-related functions

and systems. When using these functions and

systems, the applicable laws and regulations

must be observed.

Operation

Concept

The iDrive combines the functions of many

switches. Thus, these functions can be oper‐

ated from a central location.

1

2

Control Display

Controller with buttons and, depending on

the equipment version, with touchpad

Control Display

Safety information

General information

To clean the Control Display, follow the care

instructions.

WARNING

Operating the integrated information

systems and communication devices while

driving can distract from traffic. It is possible to

lose control of the vehicle. There is a risk of an

accident. Only use the systems or devices

when the traffic situation allows. If necessary,

stop and use the systems and devices while

the vehicle is stationary.◀

Do not place objects close to the Control Dis‐

play; otherwise, the Control Display can be

damaged.

In the case of very high temperatures on the

Control Display, e.g., due to intense solar radi‐

ation, the brightness may be reduced down to

complete deactivation. Once the temperature

is reduced, e.g., through shadow or climate

control system, the normal functions are re‐

stored.

Switching on

1. Switch on the ignition.

2. Press the controller.

Switching off

1.

Press button.

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iDrive

At a glance

2. "Turn off control display"

3. Move in four directions.

Controller

Buttons on the controller

The buttons can be used to open the menus

directly. The controller can be used to select

menu items and enter the settings.

Button

MENU

RADIO

MEDIA

NAV

Function

Opens the main menu.

Opens the Radio menu.

Opens the Multimedia menu.

Opens the Navigation menu.

Opens the Phone menu.

Displays the previous panel.

Some iDrive functions can be operated using

the touchpad on the controller.

1. Turn.

TEL

BACK

OPTION Open the Options menu.

Operating concept

2. Press.

Opening the main menu

Press button.

The main menu is displayed.

All iDrive functions can be called up via the

main menu.

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At a glance

iDrive

White arrows pointing to the left or right indi‐

cate that additional panels can be opened.

Selecting menu items

Highlighted menu items can be selected.

1. Turn the controller until the desired menu

item is highlighted.

Opening the Options menu

Press button.

The "Options" menu is displayed.

2. Press the controller.

Menu items in the Owner's Manual

Additional options: move the controller to the

right repeatedly until the "Options" menu is

displayed.

In the Owner's Manual, menu items that can be

selected are set in quotation marks, e.g.,

"Settings".

Options menu

The "Options" menu consists of various areas:

Changing between panels

After a menu item is selected, e.g., "Radio", a

new panel is displayed. Panels can overlap.

▷

Screen settings, e.g., "Split screen".

Control options for the selected main

menu, e.g., for "Radio".

▷

Move the controller to the left.

Closes current panel and shows previous

display.

▷

If applicable, further operating options for

the selected menu, e.g., "Store station".

Reopens previous display by pressing

BACK button. In this case, the current

panel is not closed.

Changing settings

1. Select a field.

▷

Move the controller to the right.

2. Turn the controller until the desired setting

is displayed.

Opens new panel on top of previous

screen.

3. Press the controller.

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iDrive

At a glance

▷

To delete a character, swipe to the left on

the touchpad.

Activating/deactivating the functions

Several menu items are preceded by a check‐

box. It indicates whether the function is acti‐

vated or deactivated. Selecting the menu item

activates or deactivates the function.

To enter a blank space, swipe to the right

in the center of the touchpad.

To enter a hyphen, swipe to the right in the

upper area of the touchpad.

Function is activated.

Function is deactivated.

To enter an underscore, swipe to the right

in the lower area of the touchpad.

Using the interactive map and Internet

Touchpad

Some iDrive functions can be operated using

the touchpad on the controller.

The interactive map in the navigation system

and Internet pages can be moved using the

touchpad.

Selecting functions

1. "Settings"

Function

Operation

Move interactive map or Swipe into re‐

Internet pages.

2. "Touchpad"

spective direc‐

tion.

3. Select the desired function.

▷

"Speller": enter letters and numbers.

Enlarge/shrink interactive Drag in or out on

map or Internet pages.

the touchpad with

fingers.

"Interactive map": use the interactive

map.

▷

"Browser": enter Internet addresses.

Display the menu or open Tap once.

a link on the Internet.

"Audio feedback": pronounces entered

letters and numbers.

Changing settings

Entering letters and numbers

You can use the touchpad to change Control

Display settings, e.g., volume. Swipe left or

right accordingly.

Entering letters requires some practice at the

beginning. When entering, pay attention to the

following:

▷

The system distinguishes between upper

and lower-case letters and numbers. For

entries, it may be necessary to change be‐

tween upper and lower-case letters, num‐

bers and characters, refer to page 25.

▷

Enter characters as they are displayed on

the Control Display.

Always enter associated characters, such

as accents or periods so that the letter can

be clearly recognized. The set language

determines what input is possible. Where

necessary, enter special characters via the

controller.

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At a glance

iDrive

6. Turn the controller to set the hours, and

then press the controller.

Example: setting the clock

Setting the clock

On the Control Display:

7. Turn the controller to set the minutes, and

then press the controller.

1.

Press button. The main menu is dis‐

played.

Status information

2. Turn the controller until "Settings" is high‐

lighted, and then press the controller.

Status field

The following information is displayed in the

status field at the top right:

▷

Time.

Current entertainment source.

Sound output, on/off.

Wireless network reception strength.

Phone status.

Traffic bulletin reception.

3. If necessary, move the controller to the left

to display "Time/Date".

Status field symbols

The symbols are grouped as follows:

4. Turn the controller until "Time/Date" is

highlighted, and then press the controller.

Radio symbols

Symbol Meaning

HD Radio station is being received.

Satellite radio is switched on.

Telephone symbols

Symbol Meaning

Incoming or outgoing call.

Missed call.

5. Turn the controller until "Time:" is high‐

lighted, and then press the controller.

Wireless network reception

strength.

Symbol flashes: network search.

Wireless network is not available.

Bluetooth is switched on.

Roaming is active.

22

iDrive

At a glance

Switching the split screen on/off

On the Control Display:

Symbol Meaning

Text message was received.

Check the SIM card.

SIM card is blocked.

SIM card is missing.

Enter PIN.

1.

Press button.

2. "Split screen"

Selecting the display

On the Control Display:

1.

Press button.

Entertainment symbols

2. "Split screen"

Symbol Meaning

CD/DVD player.

3. Move the controller until the split screen is

selected.

4. Press the controller or select "Split screen

content".

Music collection.

Gracenote® database.

AUX-IN port.

5. Select the desired menu item.

USB audio interface.

Mobile phone audio interface.

Additional symbols

Symbol Meaning

Spoken instructions are turned off.

Check the current vehicle position.

Programmable memory

buttons

Split screen

General information

The iDrive functions can be stored on the pro‐

grammable memory buttons and called up di‐

rectly, for instance radio stations, navigation

destinations, phone numbers and menu en‐

tries.

General information

Additional information can be displayed on the

right side of the split screen, e.g., information

from the onboard computer.

In the divided screen view, the so-called split

screen, this information remains visible even

when switching to another menu.

Settings are stored for the profile currently

used.

Saving a function

1. Highlight the function via iDrive.

23

At a glance

iDrive

▷

Personal Profile settings.

Stored radio stations.

2.

Press and hold the desired button,

until a signal sounds.

Stored Favorites buttons.

Travel and onboard computer information.

Music collection.

Running a function

Press button.

Navigation, for instance stored destina‐

tions.

The function will work immediately.

This means, e.g., that the number is dialed

when a phone number is selected.

▷

Phone book.

Online data, for instance Favorites, cook‐

ies.

Displaying the key assignment

▷

Voice notes.

Touch buttons with finger. Do not wear gloves

or use objects.

Login accounts.

The button assignment is displayed at the top

edge of screen.

Altogether, the deletion of the data can take up

to 30 minutes.

Functional requirement

Data can only be deleted while stationary.

Deleting data

Heed and follow the instructions on the Con‐

trol Display.

1. Switch on the ignition.

2. "Settings"

Deleting the button assignments

1. Press buttons 1 and 8 simultaneously for

approx. 5 seconds.

3. Open "Options".

4. "Delete personal data"

5. "Continue"

2. "OK"

6. "OK"

Deleting personal data in the

vehicle

Entering letters and numbers

General information

On the Control Display:

Concept

Depending on the usage, the vehicle saves

personal data, such as stored radio stations.

This personal data can be permanently deleted

using iDrive.

1. Turn the controller: select letters or num‐

bers.

2. Select additional letters or numbers, if

needed.

General information

3. "OK": confirm the entry.

Depending on the equipment package, the fol‐

lowing data can be deleted:

24

iDrive

At a glance

Symbol Function

Press the controller: delete letters

or number.

Press the controller for an extended

period: delete all letters or numbers.

Switching between upper/lower case,

numbers and characters

Depending on the menu, you can switch be‐

tween entering upper and lower case letters

and numbers:

Symbol

Function

Enter the letters.

Enter the numbers.

Tip the controller up.

or

Without navigation system

Select the symbol.

Entry comparison

When entering names and addresses, the

choice is narrowed down with every letter en‐

tered and letters may be added automatically.

Entries are continuously compared with data

stored in the vehicle.

▷

Only those letters are offered during entry

for which data is available.

▷

Destination search: place names can be

entered in all languages that are available

on the Control Display.

25

At a glance -> iDrive for Your BMW 6 Series 4 Door Fourth Generation (2017-2023)

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