How To Connect To BMW WIFI?

BMW vehicles equipped with BMW ConnectedDrive allow you to turn your car into a rolling WiFi hotspot. This gives you fast internet access on the go to connect all your devices. You can use BMW WiFi to work while commuting, stream entertainment, get online on road trips, and more.

When you activate your BMW’s WiFi hotspot capability, you create a wireless network that devices can join. This uses the built-in car connectivity and shares a cellular data connection to give WiFi access within about a 150 foot range around the vehicle.

So what can you actually do when connected to your BMW’s WiFi network? Here are some of the most popular uses:

Check emails and browse the web on laptops, tablets and smartphones
Stream music and video to devices like iPads for rear passengers
Play online games, use apps, and connect while on the road
Get work done and access files in the cloud during your commute
Connect IoT devices like smartwatches that need an internet connection

Keep reading to learn step-by-step how to set up, connect devices to, and get the most out of BMW WiFi right from your vehicle.

Checking If Your BMW Has WiFi Capabilities

Not all BMW models come equipped with BMW’s ConnectedDrive system and built-in vehicle WiFi hotspot. Here is how you can check if your specific car has the capability:

1. Check model year and trim package – WiFi hotspot hardware began being included standard in many BMWs starting mainly in 2017 model year vehicles. It is also only available in certain luxury packages on newer models.
2. Look for ConnectedDrive menu options – Turn on your BMW and check the main menu options on your iDrive display. If you see menu choices like “Communication” or “ConnectedDrive” this is a sign WiFi is equipped.
3. Confirm active ConnectedDrive subscription – You’ll need an active service plan subscription to use the hotspot. Call 1-888-333-6118 or log into your My BMW ConnectedDrive portal to confirm current subscription status. If inactive, you will need to activate.

Once you’ve confirmed that both the WiFi hardware capability and connected service is active in your BMW, you’re ready to start using it!

Activating Your BMW WiFi Hotspot

If this is your first time using BMW WiFi in your vehicle, you’ll need to activate it through a few quick steps:

Using Your BMW iDrive Display

Press the “Menu” button on your BMW iDrive controller and select “Communication”
Choose “Mobile Devices, Connect New Device”
Select the “Internet Hotspot” option
When prompted enter your provided voucher code and follow additional activation steps

This will connect your car’s telematics system to the cellular network and register your specific vehicle for hotspot usage.

Using the My BMW ConnectedDrive Website

You can also activate remotely from your ConnectedDrive account:

Login to My BMW ConnectedDrive portal
Click on your registered vehicle
Select “Activate Services” under the Subscription Services section
Check the box next to “WiFi Hotspot” and enter voucher code if needed
Agree to terms and select “Activate Now”

Once activated, your BMW WiFi hotspot will be ready to connect devices.

Connecting Devices to BMW WiFi

The process for connecting devices depends if it is your first WiFi connection or an additional device:

First-Time Connecting to BMW WiFi

The first time you or passengers want to access the WiFi network, follow these exact steps:

Press “Menu” and select “Communication”>”Mobile Devices”>”Internet Hotspot” on your BMW’s iDrive display
Confirm the hotspot is enabled (an “Active” status will display)
Select “Connect New Device”>”Internet Hotspot”
Your BMW WiFi name and password will now be displayed
- Default network name is: My BMW Hotspot #### (with the last 4 characters of your VIN)
Open WiFi settings on your phone, laptop, or device and select the hotspot name
When prompted enter the provided WiFi password to connect

Remember, the hotspot password is case-sensitive so enter it exactly as displayed on your iDrive screen.

Connecting Additional Devices

Once the WiFi hotspot has been configured, connecting more devices only takes a few quick steps:

Make sure BMW WiFi hotspot is enabled on iDrive
Open WiFi settings on the new device
Select your car’s WiFi name from the list
Enter WiFi password when prompted
You will now be connected!

In total, up to 8 wireless devices can be connected simultaneously to take advantage of your BMW’s mobile hotspot.

Managing Connected BMW WiFi Devices

Wondering what devices are connected or want to block certain ones? Manage connections through these steps:

Select “Communication”>”Mobile Devices”>”Internet Hotspot”
Choose “View Devices” to see all currently connected devices
Tap on a specific device name to block or allow its connection

You can always get the latest WiFi password by going back into the main hotspot menu on iDrive as well.

Using an External Antenna to Boost BMW WiFi Range

In some cases you may find the 150 foot WiFi range from your BMW to be limited. If you want to boost signals further for camping or use in remote areas, adding a range extender antenna is an easy upgrade.

There are two main options:

Magnetic mount antenna – Attaches to the vehicle’s exterior metal body using built-in magnets. Easy to install but visible exterior accessory.
Glass mount antenna – Mounts on inside of window using suction cups. More concealed install look but can partially obstruct vision.

Both antenna types simply wire back into your BMW’s telematics box to significantly boost WiFi signals in all directions. Install is about 15 minutes following included instructions.

Here are two top-rated BMW WiFi antenna options:

BMW 3G 4G LTE External Magnetic Antenna
BMW WiFi Glass Mount Signal Booster Antenna

Using one of these antennas, you can expand your WiFi range from 150 feet up to 300+ feet in ideal conditions.

Troubleshooting BMW WiFi Connection Problems

In some cases, you or passengers may run into issues first connecting devices to your BMW’s WiFi or experience drops in service.

Here is a BMW WiFi troubleshooting checklist:

Confirm hotspot subscription is active in your ConnectedDrive account
Check iDrive menu that WiFi hotspot is enabled
Verify device WiFi settings show BMW network name
Re-enter WiFi password carefully on device (case sensitive)
Try moving device closer to BMW vehicle
Disable and re-enable hotspot function on BMW
Consider adding external antenna for boosted range
Try disconnecting all devices and reconnect one at a time

If problems continue to persist, contacting BMW support is recommended for further customized troubleshooting.

Getting More Data for Your BMW WiFi

All new BMW ConnectedDrive subscriptions come with an initial free 3GB or 3-month trial of WiFi data, whichever comes first.

Once this is used up, you will need to purchase additional data if you would like to keep using the in-car WiFi hotspot. There are a few options:

Short term data – Plans in 1GB increments up to 10GB are available for ~$10-$20 per GB. These expire at the end of 1 month.
Monthly recurring data – Ongoing monthly data plans from 3GB up to 18GB for $20-$85 per month
Add vehicle to existing AT&T shared plan – If you have AT&T mobile service you can add your BMW’s WiFi data onto a Mobile Share plan for $10-$20 per month depending on data amount needed.

To view or purchase BMW WiFi data plans:

Press “ConnectedDrive” from main iDrive menu
Choose “Subscription Services”
Select “WiFi Hotspot Data Volume”
View available data plan options and follow prompts to purchase more data

This will bill the selected plan to your main ConnectedDrive account payment method on file. You can also manage and refresh data plans as needed through the My BMW ConnectedDrive website as well after logging into your account.

Using BMW WiFi Safety Features

BMW offers built-in controls for using your vehicle’s WiFi safely and responsibly:

Family Safe Search – Enable family friendly content filters when browsing online
Password protected – Set a unique WiFi password to prevent unauthorized access
Vehicle proximity limited – Hotspot only works within about 150 feet of your car

You can manage additional restrictions:

Select “Communication” on iDrive
Choose “Internet Hotspot Settings”
Tap “Family Safe Search” to enable safe browsing

BMW WiFi also uses the latest security protocols and encryption to keep data safe. Monitoring all usage in real-time from the ConnectedDrive portal is also recommended.

Conclusion

Having WiFi in your BMW allows you to stay connected and access entertainment on the go. Following this guide, you should now be able to successfully set up your hotspot, connect devices like smartphones and tablets, troubleshoot any connection issues, and manage BMW WiFi data usage.

With your devices now online throughout your drive, you can get work done, keep passengers happy, and take advantage of all connected apps and services. Enjoy your new in-car connectivity and don’t hesitate to contact BMW support teams if any additional questions come up!