iPhone X and technology changes

[Chicone]

How are you guys dealing with this? I have the BMW apps with the cradle for iPhone SE. I use Pandora, Tunein, and the BMW Connected app etc on there. Despite its shortcomings I like it. Now I’ve had to upgrade to the iPhone Xs for work. My first thought was to leave the SE installed in the cradle and have it connect to the iPhone Xs via the personal hotspot. That works but it’s cumbersome to get everything connecting again when you get back in the car.

I found a cradle for the X, part number 84212365786 , but it apparently doesn’t fit our car, It seems the cradles out there are different.

I see that some have removed the cradle altogether, is there a cable that converts the BMW propritary cradle connector to usb? If not I’m thinking of potentially taking apart the SE cradle and attempting a modification.

Sigh...ultimately I’d love to do the the Android auto/ CarPlay /rear camera mod but I don’t have a big enough garage or time to get it done, at least in winter, and despite it’s shortcomings I like the cradle setup, being able to hide away your phone there but still access it’s features.

Thanks for any input.

[BeEmVe]

I bought a used lightening adaptor, ripped out the electronics and then ripped out the cradle and its electronics. Mated everything together added an extension lightening cable and shoved everything into the space in the back of the console. Had to remove the cigarette lighter to do that. The result was an open console with an extension cable which works nicely except the cable was crap and works half the time.

[Chicone]

Just ordered a Weathertech CupFone, new product. a cup holder/ phone holder. https://amzn.to/2t34kDs I’ll place it in the passenger cup holder which is close to the cigarette lighter. Now to tear out the cradle in the console at a future date, would be nice to convert that to a regular USB port in there, I’ll have to figure out how to do that.

[LevinBR]

Originally Posted by Chicone

Just ordered a Weathertech CupFone, new product. a cup holder/ phone holder. https://amzn.to/2t34kDs I’ll place it in the passenger cup holder which is close to the cigarette lighter. Now to tear out the cradle in the console at a future date, would be nice to convert that to a regular USB port in there, I’ll have to figure out how to do that.

Here's a DIY thread I wrote about removing the console cradle:

https://e84.xbimmers.com/forums/show....php?t=1317250

[Chicone]

Thanks! Just ordered the console trim panel. Not sure what I’ll do with the wires yet, but I do have the iPhone 5/SE cradle I can take apart. Just want a clean final result. Ideally, a USB port somewhere in the console.

[4llr]

I removed the phone cradle and installed a standard USB from there so I can have a hard drive or USB key hidden in the arm rest. It works great.

I purchased this on eBay https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F272362863898

You have to take apart the green USB from the plastic case, cut a little bit of plastic on the blue plug where the cradle was plugged in and it’s done.

[Chicone]

Originally Posted by 4llr

You have to take apart the green USB from the plastic case, cut a little bit of plastic on the blue plug where the cradle was plugged in and it’s done.

I love it! Thank you. I’m blind what the wires/ connectors look like since I haven't ripped it open yet. You separated the green usb away from the aux jack in the case? I take it the aux jack does nothing here. On the other end you spliced wires to connect this cable up to the wires in the console or does this cable adapter plug right into something there?

[4llr]

Correct you don’t use the aux jack, just need that green USB. No splicing, you just plug it. The only thing is there is a little bit of plastic preventing you from fitting it correctly. You just need to remove it using a small knife.

See here for more info https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1051389&page=4

[Chicone]

Awesome, I ordered the cable, it will realistically be a couple months before I can complete this mod though. Will report back. Thank you 4llr