Other Automakers May Follow BMW And Start Charging For Apple Car Play Usage

A year has passed since BMW released what it called OS7 – the seventh iteration of its iDrive infotainment system – but the first customers are now being asked to hand over money in order for some services to continue. Owners are now seeing the message: “Your free trial of Apple CarPlay is up. Would you like to renew? Please pay £85 for another year.” 

We’re used to automakers bundling in free infotainment features such as CarPlay and Android Auto, both of which migrate functions from your phone to the car’s multimedia system, but manufacturers are now starting to ask customers to pay for the services.

PUGPROUD - 9/12/2019 11:15:25 AM

+1 Boost

Surcharges know no limits...your water bill, your phone bill, your speeding ticket, your CarPlay, etc

skytop - 9/12/2019 4:17:28 PM

0 Boost

My 2019 GTI has Apple Car Play standard.

GeorgeD - 9/12/2019 5:19:05 PM

+4 Boost

Funny thing is, Apple doesn't charge to update the phone, and that is a $500-$1200 item. Car is 20x + the amount. It's not a cool and a pretty petty thing to charge for. I understand that software engineer's don't work for free, but why nickel & dime every single little thing.

Plus, some cars made you purchase factory nav in order to get CarPlay, which is silly.