Get CONTROLS -> BMW iDrive Guide for BMW X2 4 Door Second Generation (2023-2025)

BMW iDrive

CONTROLS

BMW iDrive

the systems and devices while the vehicle is

stationary.

Vehicle features and options

This chapter describes model-specific equip-

ment, systems, and functions that are currently

available, or may become available in the fu-

ture, even if they are not present in the vehicle.

Input and display

Entering letters and numbers

Letters and numbers can be entered, e.g.,

when inputting destinations.

Additional information:

Vehicle equipment, refer to page 8.

Letters and numbers can be entered using the

control display or voice control.

Display and operating

concept

Icon

Function

Change between capital and

lower-case letters.

Principle

BMW iDrive is the vehicle’s display and operat-

ing concept and includes a wide range of func-

tions. Using BMW iDrive, you can input letters

and characters when entering a destination or

activate or deactivate functions.

Enter a blank space.

Switching between languages.

Use voice control.

Confirm entry.

Depending on vehicle equipment, the functions

can be operated as follows:

Tap icon: delete a letter or a

number.

▷

Via the control display.

Via the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.

Using the operating elements in the vehicle.

Press and hold the icon: delete

all letters or numbers.

Additional information:

Entry comparison

Instrument cluster, refer to page 45.

When entering data from a database such as

contacts, the selection is gradually narrowed

down for each character entered, with charac-

ters being added as necessary.

Safety information

Warning

Activating/deactivating the functions

Some menu items are preceded by an icon. To

activate or deactivate the function, select the

menu item.

Operating the integrated information systems

and communication devices while driving can

distract from surrounding traffic. It is possible

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

accident, injury, and property damage. Only

use the systems or devices when the traffic

situation allows. As warranted, stop and use

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BMW iDrive

CONTROLS

Icon

Meaning

Instrument cluster

Function is activated.

Principle

The instrument cluster comprises various digi-

tal displays, e.g., a speedometer, time, range,

temperature as well as indicator and warning

lights.

Function is deactivated.

Functions can be activated or

deactivated using the button

on the control display. If the

button is highlighted in color,

the function is activated.

The buttons on the steering wheel can be

used to configure the layout of the instrument

cluster and the contents of the central display

area, e.g., trip data. Additional views can be

set on the control display, e.g., a second actual

speed.

BMW Curved Display

Safety information

Principle

The BMW Curved Display is a single-screen

display in the instrument panel that is curved

towards the driver. The BMW Curved Display

comprises the instrument cluster on the driv-

er's side and the control display.

Warning

If the driving information displays on the in-

strument cluster fail, e.g., the speedometer,

do not use the vehicle. There is a risk of

accident, injury, and property damage. Imme-

diately park the vehicle in a safe manner.

Turning drive-ready state off and on again

may correct the malfunction, allowing you to

continue driving. If the malfunction cannot be

corrected, have the vehicle checked by an au-

thorized service center or another qualified

service center or repair shop.

Follow the instructions for cleaning the BMW

Curved Display in the Care chapter.

Additional information:

Caring for special components, refer to

page 372.

Overview

1

Instrument cluster 45

Control display 47

2

Instrument cluster.

45

BMW iDrive

CONTROLS

Indicator/warning lights, refer to page 134.

Display ranges on the instrument

cluster

Operating elements on the steering

wheel

Operating Function

element

Display the menu bar on the in-

strument cluster.

Turn knurled wheel: scroll selec-

tion up or down.

1

Speedometer

Tilt knurled wheel in corre-

sponding direction: Move selec-

tion to left or right.

2

Driver assistance systems 208

Parking assistance systems 235

Driver Attention Camera 202

Check Control 134

3

4

Press knurled wheel: confirm

selection.

Selector lever display 119

Gear shift indicator 141

Selection lists 140

Configuring the layout

The layout of the instrument cluster adapts to

the respective driving mode.

Efficiency trainer 306

Power gauge 142

In Personal Mode drive mode, the layout in

the instrument cluster can be individually con-

figured and displayed.

5

Tachometer 143

6

7

Engine temperature 143

Outside temperature 144

Central display range 144

Shift lights 144

1.

Press the Settings button on the

steering wheel.

8

A menu bar is displayed in the instrument

cluster.

9

My Modes drive mode 126

10 Speed Limit Info 208

Speed Limit Assistant 230

11 Time 147

2. "LAYOUT"

Select the menu by tilting the knurled wheel

on the steering wheel where applicable.

12 Fuel gauge 147

Range 148

3. Select the desired setting using the knurled

wheel on the steering wheel.

The positions of some displays may vary,

e.g., the selector lever display.

Some of the displays in the instrument cluster

may differ from the illustrations in the Owner's

Manual.

Additional information:

46

BMW iDrive

CONTROLS

Settings

Warning

Specific displays can be configured individu-

ally, e.g., a second actual speed.

Objects in the area in front of a display can

slip and damage the display. There is a risk

of injury and risk of property damage. Do not

place objects in the area in front of a display.

1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "Vehicle" / "Displays" / "Instrument

cluster"

2. Select the desired setting.

Overview

Control display

Principle

The iDrive functions are displayed on the con-

trol display.

The control display switches on automatically

when it is needed for operation or when the

vehicle is unlocked.

The control display is located on the instru-

ment panel above the center console.

The control display can also be turned on/off

manually.

The main menu of BMW iDrive is divided into

different areas, e.g., menu bar, status informa-

tion, and widgets.

Buttons on the control display

When operating the control display, the but-

tons on the control display illuminate.

You can configure various settings such as the

brightness of the control display.

Button Function

Go to previous menu.

Safety information

Warning

Go to Media menu.

When driving, loose items or devices con-

nected to the vehicle with a cable, i.e., mobile

phones, may be thrown around the vehicle,

e.g., in the event of an accident or when brak-

ing or performing evasive maneuvers. There

is a risk of injury and risk of property damage.

Secure loose objects or devices that are con-

nected to the vehicle via a cable.

Call up the Communication menu.

Go to Navigation menu.

Turning the control display on/off

The control display is turned on automatically

when the vehicle is unlocked or as soon as the

control display is needed for operation.

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BMW iDrive

CONTROLS

In certain situations, the control display is

switched off automatically, for instance if no

operation is performed on the vehicle for sev-

eral minutes.

Main menu

The main menu can be opened from any

menu.

The control display can also be switched off

manually.

Climate menu

The Climate menu provides access to all

climate control functions.

1. Swipe from top to bottom on the control

display.

Apps menu

2. "Control display off"

The Apps menu provides access to all apps

and vehicle functions. You can use a filter to

make it easier to find a specific app. The last

selected filter is stored. To display the desired

app, change the filter as necessary.

Tap the control display to turn it on again.

Main menu

General information

Apple CarPlay©

The main menu on the control display is div-

ided into different areas.

The Apple CarPlay menu is displayed in

the main menu depending on national-market

version and connected function. Apple CarPlay

enables the secure use of certain functions of a

compatible Apple iPhone via iDrive.

Overview

Android Auto©

The Android Auto menu is displayed in

the main menu, depending on national-market

version and associated function. Android Auto

enables the secure use of certain functions of a

compatible Android smartphone via iDrive.

1

Widgets

2

3

4

Status information

Temperature setting

Menu bar

Widgets show real-time information and dy-

namic content such as the navigation map.

Widgets also serve as buttons and allow you to

jump to the respective menu or most important

functions.

Menu bar

Status information

General information

The menu bar may not be displayed when us-

ing third-party apps. To display the menu bar

again, swipe up from the lower edge of the

control display or press a button.

General information

Status information is displayed at the top of

the control display in the form of icons. De-

pending on the equipment and national-mar-

ket version, different icons are available.

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BMW iDrive

CONTROLS

Telephone status information

Other status information

Icon

Meaning

Icon Meaning

Active call.

Sound output active.

Signal strength.

SIM card missing.

Wireless charging active.

Sound output deactivated.

Activation word active.

BMW ID or driver profile.

Destination guidance active.

Go to quick access.

Entertainment status information

Icon Meaning

Bluetooth audio.

Smartphone audio.

Connected Music with Spotify.

Time shift.

Park Distance Control: sound deacti-

vated.

Quick access

Certain functions and individual shortcuts can

be opened via quick access.

Function

Operation

Wi-Fi.

Show quick Swipe from top to bottom on the

Apple CarPlay.

link.

control display.

Android Auto.

Tap the icon at the top of the

screen.

Satellite radio is switched on.

Hide quick Swipe from the bottom up on

Status information messages

link.

the control display.

Icon

Meaning

Shortcuts

Number of notifications.

Check Control message.

Do not disturb.

Principle

Shortcuts provide quick access to functions

such as those that are frequently used. Short-

cuts are opened via the quick link and can be

defined individually. The following functions,

for example, are defined as shortcuts:

Message.

Additional information:

▷

The radio stations.

Owner's Manual for Navigation, Entertain-

ment, and Communication, refer to page 6.

The navigation destinations.

The phone numbers.

The jump-ins to menus.

The functions.

49

BMW iDrive

CONTROLS

Saving shortcuts

Enabling/disabling audible feedback

Shortcuts can only be created with an active

BMW ID or a driver profile.

1. To enable/disable audio confirmation for

the control display, go through the menu as

follows: Apps menu / "Vehicle" / "System

settings" / "Sound".

1. Press and hold the desired function.

2. "Add to shortcuts"

2. Select the desired setting.

Shortcuts can also be saved directly via the

quick link.

System limits

In the case of very high temperatures on the

control display, for instance due to intense so-

lar radiation, the brightness may be reduced

down to complete deactivation. Once the

temperature is reduced, for instance through

shade or air conditioning, the normal functions

are restored.

Selecting shortcuts

1. To select shortcuts, swipe from top to bot-

tom on the control display.

2. Select the desired shortcut.

The function will work immediately. This

means for instance that the connection is es-

tablished when a phone number is selected.

Operation via control display

Sorting shortcuts

1. To sort shortcuts, swipe from top to bottom

on the control display.

Principle

The control display is equipped with a touch-

screen.

2. Press and hold the desired shortcut and

move it to the desired position.

You can tap on menu items and widgets.

Touch the control display with your fingers, do

not use any objects.

Deleting shortcuts

1. To delete shortcuts, swipe from top to bot-

tom on the control display.

Adjusting widgets

2. Press and hold the desired shortcut.

The widgets can be adjusted in the main

menu. The adjustments can only be performed

when the vehicle is stationary.

3.

Tap the icon for deleting the desired

shortcut.

Settings

1. If necessary,

tap the icon.

2. Press and hold the widget.

Setting the brightness

3. The following adjustments can be made:

1. To adjust the brightness of the control dis-

play, go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "Vehicle" / "Displays" / "Cockpit

brightness" / "Brightness at night".

▷

Tap the add icon.

A new widget can be added below the

selected widget.

▷

Tap the delete icon.

The widget is deleted.

Tap the sort icon.

2. Select the desired setting.

Depending on the light conditions, the bright-

ness control may not be clearly visible.

The widget can be moved to the desired

position.

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BMW iDrive

CONTROLS

Sorting apps

The order of apps can be adjusted in the Apps

menu.

Direct access buttons

Principle

1. Open the Apps menu.

There are buttons for jumping directly to cer-

tain functions in the vehicle. These buttons

can be used to bring up the respective menu

directly on the control display. Then continue

operation via iDrive.

2. Press and hold the desired app icon and

move it to the desired position.

Calling up the context menu

Depending on the menu item, a context menu

with additional options can be displayed.

Overview

The direct access buttons are located on the

center console, between the steering wheel

and driver’s door, and in the headliner.

To bring up the Context menu, press and hold

the desired menu item.

The menu consists of various areas, for in-

stance:

Button Function

▷

"General help": The Integrated Owner's

Manual opens.

Go to the Drive Settings menu on

the center console.

▷

"Add to shortcuts": The menu item is de-

fined as a shortcut.

Go to the Exterior Lighting menu be-

tween the steering wheel and driv-

er’s door.

Using the map

The navigation map can be moved on the con-

trol display.

Go to the Interior Lighting menu on

the headliner.

Function

Operation

Move map.

Swipe in the appropriate

direction.

BMW Intelligent Personal

Assistant

Enlarge/shrink

map.

Drag in or out with the fin-

gers.

Principle

Display menu.

Tap once.

The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is a

personal assistant that enables natural voice

operation of various vehicle functions.

Using alphabetical lists

Contacts are listed in alphabetical order.

The Personal Assistant provides proactive

suggestions to make it easier to operate the

vehicle. The Personal Assistant is available de-

pending on national-market version. The func-

tion scope and detection may vary depending

on national-market version.

To navigate to a desired initial letter in a list of

more than 30 entries, select the letter on the

letter bar and scroll up or down.

Favorites are displayed at the top of the list.

Entries with numbers are displayed at the end

of the list.

You can use supported voice assistants from

third parties in your vehicle after pairing your

smartphone.

51

BMW iDrive

CONTROLS

You can configure various settings such as the

suggestions from the Personal Assistant.

▷

Setting the system language, refer to

page 54.

The system includes special microphones on

the driver side and the front passenger side.

Online speech processing, refer to

page 54.

▷

Data protection, refer to page 61.

Activation word, refer to page 52.

Get suggestions, refer to page 54.

Using the voice activation system

›...‹: In the Owner's Manual, commands that

can be spoken are indicated by brackets.

When saying commands, note the following:

Activating the voice control system

▷

Say the commands at a normal volume.

Speaking directly into the microphone does

not improve voice recognition.

General information

You can activate voice control as follows:

▷

Say the commands fluently and with nor-

mal volume, emphasis, and speed.

▷

Briefly press the microphone button

on the steering wheel.

Say the activation word.

Functional requirements

The following functional requirements apply for

the Personal Assistant:

Microphone button on steering wheel

▷

A language that is supported by the Per-

sonal Assistant must be set via iDrive.

1.

To activate voice control with the

microphone button, briefly press the voice

control button on the steering wheel.

▷

Download the corresponding language

package before using the Personal Assis-

tant for the first time.

The microphone on the driver's side is ac-

tive.

▷

Commands must always be spoken in the

selected system language.

2. Say the desired command.

Activation word

Principle

For the full range of functions, you must acti-

vate or purchase the following functions:

▷

Online speech processing is enabled.

All settings under Data privacy are enabled.

The activation word is enabled.

Saying the activation word will start the

Personal Assistant: ›Hello BMW‹. The micro-

phones on the driver's or front passenger's

side are active with the following voice control,

depending on where the activation word was

spoken.

Suggestions are activated.

A BMW ID or driver profile is activated.

Corresponding ConnectedDrive services

are purchased in the ConnectedDrive Store.

▷

The BMW Digital Premium subscription has

been purchased.

Then say the command. The activation word

and the command can be spoken without

pause in one sentence.

Additional information:

Enabling/disabling the activation word

The activation word can be enabled and disa-

bled.

52

BMW iDrive

CONTROLS

Go through the menu as follows: Apps menu /

"All" / "Personal Assistant" / "Settings" /

"General" / "Activation with voice control".

Help for voice control

You can say the following commands to get

help with voice control:

▷

›Voice commands‹: Possible example com-

mands are announced.

Activation word from third-party providers

Depending on the national-market version,

some third-party providers provide digital voice

assistants such as Siri or Amazon Alexa.

▷

›General information on voice control‹: In-

formation on how voice control operates is

announced.

To use Siri, the smartphone must be con-

nected via Apple CarPlay.

▷

›Help‹: Tips and example commands for

voice control are announced.

Supported voice assistants can be used in the

vehicle after you have connected your smart-

phone.

Sample commands

The following voice commands serve as exam-

ples.

The activation word for voice assistants from

associated third-party providers can be used

in addition to your preset activation word from

BMW.

▷

›Call John Smith‹

›Drive me to JFK airport‹

›Increase volume‹ or ›Decrease volume‹

›Activate the climate control‹

›What is my remaining range‹

›Sport mode‹

1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "Vehicle" / "System settings" /

"Voice control" / "Other assistants".

2. Select the desired setting.

Additional example commands can be dis-

played on the control display.

Canceling voice control

You can cancel voice control as follows:

Go through the menu as follows: Apps menu /

"Vehicle" / "Personal Assistant" / "Example

commands".

▷

Press the voice control button on

the steering wheel again.

Say the following command: ›Cancel‹

Sample commands are displayed in the BMW

Intelligent Personal Assistant widget.

Menu items

Possible voice commands

The Personal Assistant can open menu items

directly. Say the menu items as they are dis-

played on the control display. You do not have

to follow the order of the menu items when

speaking them out loud.

Principle

Voice commands can be used to give instruc-

tions or ask questions, with the Personal As-

sistant providing assistance.

1. Activate voice control.

2. ›Media‹

It is possible, for example, to call contacts, nav-

igate to an address, change settings, or control

vehicle functions, e.g., air conditioning, by voice

command.

3. ›Presets‹

The stored stations are displayed on the

control display.

You can reach most content on the control dis-

play, e.g., menu items or lists, using spoken

commands.

53

BMW iDrive

CONTROLS

Configuring the visualization

Settings

How the Personal Assistant is visualized can

be set.

Setting the system language

You must set a system language that is sup-

ported by the Personal Assistant. A language

package can be downloaded.

1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "All" / "Personal Assistant" /

"Settings" / "General" / "Visualization".

1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "Vehicle" / "System settings" /

"Language".

2. Select the desired setting.

Voice control from third-party

providers

2. Select the desired setting.

Depending on vehicle equipment, third-party

voice control can be activated by pressing and

holding the microphone button on the steering

wheel.

Managing language packages

1. To manage language packages, go

through the menu as follows: Apps menu /

"All" / "Personal Assistant" / "Settings" /

"Language".

1. Go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "Vehicle" / "System settings" /

"Voice control".

2. Select the desired setting.

Suggestions

The Personal Assistant provides helpful, indi-

vidual suggestions. Suggestions can be ena-

bled or disabled. Suggestions can be custom-

ized, e.g., which categories suggestions are

based on or whether to emit a signal tone.

Adjusting the volume

Turn the volume button during the voice guid-

ance until the desired volume is set.

The volume remains constant even if the vol-

ume of other audio sources is changed.

1. To configure the settings, go through

the menu as follows: Apps menu /

"All" / "Personal Assistant" / "Settings" /

"Suggestions".

Using the voice activation of the

smartphone

Depending on the device, a smartphone con-

nected to the vehicle can be used via voice

control.

2. Select the desired setting.

Online speech processing

The device must be connected via Apple Car-

Play or Android Auto.

Online speech processing improves the quality

of the speech recognition and search results

for points of interest. To use the functions,

data is transmitted to a service provider via an

encrypted connection and stored locally there.

Online speech processing is not available in all

languages. Online voice processing can be de-

activated depending on national-market ver-

sion.

1.

Press and hold the voice control

button on the steering wheel for approx.

3 seconds.

The voice activation of the smartphone is

activated.

Go through the menu as follows: Apps menu /

"All" / "Personal Assistant" / "Settings" /

"General" / "Online speech processing".

54

BMW iDrive

CONTROLS

If activation is successful, a confirmation

appears on the control display.

System limits

▷

The Personal Assistant provides informa-

tion about vehicle functions that may not be

installed in the vehicle. This also applies to

safety functions and systems.

2.

Press the voice control button on

the steering wheel to cancel the smart-

phone voice control.

▷

Certain noises can be detected and may

lead to problems. Keep the doors and win-

dows closed.

Amazon Alexa Car Integration

Noises from the front passenger or occu-

pants can impair the system. Avoid making

other noise in the vehicle while speaking.

Principle

Amazon Alexa Car Integration is available de-

pending on vehicle equipment and national-

market version. Alexa is a digital assistant

from Amazon. With Amazon Alexa Car Integra-

tion, Alexa can be used in the vehicle. For

safety reasons, the use of some Alexa func-

tions may be restricted while driving your vehi-

cle.

▷

Major language dialects can cause prob-

lems with the speech recognition feature.

A poor data connection influences the re-

sponse time of the Personal Assistant and

the Search.

Connecting mobile devices

to the vehicle

Functional requirements

▷

A BMW ID or driver profile is activated.

▷

An active Amazon account must exist.

Principle

Various connection modes are available for us-

ing mobile devices in the vehicle. The connec-

tion mode to select depends on the mobile de-

vice and desired function.

Activating Amazon Alexa Car

Integration

Amazon Alexa Car Integration is activated in

the vehicle.

Follow the instructions from the Amazon Alexa

app to set it up in the vehicle.

General information

Detailed information on the functions and con-

nection modes is provided in the following me-

dia from the Owner's Manual under the speci-

fied keyword:

1. To activate Amazon Alexa Car Integration,

go through the menu as follows: Apps

menu / "All" / "Alexa".

2. Select the desired setting.

▷

Integrated Owner's Manual in the vehicle.

After setting it up, use Amazon Alexa in the

vehicle as follows:

Printed Owner's Manual for navigation,

communication and entertainment.

Say the activation word "Alexa" and the de-

sired command.

The following information sources can also be

used:

Information about the active function is dis-

played on the control display.

▷

Driver’s Guide app.

Driver’s Guide Web.

55

BMW iDrive

CONTROLS

situation allows. As warranted, stop and use

the systems and devices while the vehicle is

stationary.

Safety information

Warning

Operating the integrated information systems

and communication devices while driving can

distract from surrounding traffic. It is possible

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

accident, injury, and property damage. Only

use the systems or devices when the traffic

Overview

The following overview shows possible func-

tions and suitable connection modes for them.

The functions available depend on the vehicle

equipment and connected mobile device.

Function

Connection mode

Icon

Making calls via the hands-free sys- Bluetooth.

tem.

Keyword: Bluetooth connection.

Using phone functions via iDrive.

Keyword: calling via Bluetooth.

Playing music from a mobile device.

Keyword: audio.

Bluetooth audio.

Keyword: Bluetooth connection.

Calling without a mobile phone.

Personal eSIM.

Keyword: calling with the Personal

eSIM.

Keyword: Personal eSIM.

Data exchange between mobile de-

vice and vehicle.

Wi-Fi.

Keyword: vehicle WLAN.

Use Internet access via the personal Wi-Fi via personal hotspot.

hotspot.

Keyword: personal hotspot.

Using Apple CarPlay via iDrive and

via voice control.

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Keyword: Bluetooth connection and

vehicle Wi-Fi.

Keyword: Apple CarPlay.

Using Android Auto via iDrive and via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

voice control.

Keyword: Bluetooth connection and

vehicle Wi-Fi.

Keyword: Android Auto.

56

CONTROLS -> BMW iDrive for Your BMW X2 4 Door Second Generation (2023-2025)

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