[rikwynnpa]

Can someone with a MY23 G29 tell me if BMW has improved the function of the optional wireless phone charger? I've had it in my Z4 since early 2020 and it only cooks the phone - it doesnt really charge. Its basically worthless. If it hasnt been improved I wont order it in my MY24.

thanks

[Wynnsiensheng]

Originally Posted by rikwynnpa

Can someone with a MY23 G29 tell me if BMW has improved the function of the optional wireless phone charger? I've had it in my Z4 since early 2020 and it only cooks the phone - it doesnt really charge. Its basically worthless. If it hasnt been improved I wont order it in my MY24.

thanks

I just bought a brand new G29. Phone gets scary hot on the wireless charger

[MisanoblueZ4]

I have an IPhone 11, not noticing any overheating.

[Wynnsiensheng]

My phone is 14 max. Another issue is that it barely fits in the charging tray and doesn’t fit at all if using a flip open case. It also doesn’t fit in the Centre console if using a lead.

Guess I need a smaller phone

[RigaTony1982]

One in my 2023 Z4 is better than the one that was in my 2021 M340i. Still far from perfect, but I have not had it get to the point where the phone shuts off due to heat, which happened numerous times in my 2021 car.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

One in my 2023 Z4 is better than the one that was in my 2021 M340i. Still far from perfect, but I have not had it get to the point where the phone shuts off due to heat, which happened numerous times in my 2021 car.

IMHO the wireless phone charger has had too many overheating complaints and a waste of money. Just use an inexpensive old fashioned charging cable and save some money that can be better spend on other options when you build your car.

[MisanoblueZ4]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

IMHO the wireless phone charger has had too many overheating complaints and a waste of money. Just use an inexpensive old fashioned charging cable and save some money that can be better spend on other options when you build your car.

This is the first wireless charger in an automobile for me, thus far it has worked well. I’m glad the OG owner spent the $ on this option lol

If I had a newer IPhone (15) I’d be pissed with all the heat issues.

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by MisanoblueZ4

This is the first wireless charger in an automobile for me, thus far it has worked well. I’m glad the OG owner spent the $ on this option lol

If I had a newer IPhone (15) I’d be pissed with all the heat issues.

I have an iPhone 15 Pro Max. They did a software update a month or two back that fixed the heat issues.

[Wynnsiensheng]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

I have an iPhone 15 Pro Max. They did a software update a month or two back that fixed the heat issues.

If the update was as recent as a month or two, it’s possible that my car pre dated it. But I would have thought the dealer would have installed all outstanding updates pre delivery? Or maybe I’ll get it at first service?

Who knows

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by Wynnsiensheng

If the update was as recent as a month or two, it’s possible that my car pre dated it. But I would have thought the dealer would have installed all outstanding updates pre delivery? Or maybe I’ll get it at first service?

Who knows

The update was an iOS update. It came from Apple.

iOS 17.1.1:
In rare circumstances, Apple Pay and other NFC features may become unavailable on iPhone 15 models after wireless charging in certain cars

[Wynnsiensheng]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

The update was an iOS update. It came from Apple.

iOS 17.1.1:
In rare circumstances, Apple Pay and other NFC features may become unavailable on iPhone 15 models after wireless charging in certain cars

Hmm, well my phone would be updated automatically for sure. Next time I use the car I’ll make a point of checking temperature levels on it. But from what you say, the update would be pre my collecting my car. I’ll check it again anyway.

[Horseman]

Cable is safer. I got my M40i without it because it is a useless option to spend money on.

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by Wynnsiensheng

Hmm, well my phone would be updated automatically for sure. Next time I use the car I’ll make a point of checking temperature levels on it. But from what you say, the update would be pre my collecting my car. I’ll check it again anyway.

It still gets warm (as does all wireless charging). Just not to the point of powering the phone off.

[Horseman]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

It still gets warm (as does all wireless charging). Just not to the point of powering the phone off.

I have multiple wireless charging in my house and none of them get my iphone 13 pro hot. The wireless charger I had in my car absolutely did. I'm sure there are some reason for it:

1. It's connected via carplay or android connect apps
2. Navigation
3. Especially with top down, that sun is beating down on it.

Regardless of 2 and 3, my phone was always overheating to the point of it having to shut off during warmer months. Someone in the forums designed and fabricated some USB powered fans that worked well enough to keep the phone from shutting down, but still got the phone warm enough to dim the screen when i was ready to use it again.

Either way, it's not an option worth spending money on.

[Westside Guy]

IMHO, many times low tech solutions like a charging cable are perfectly fine and you don’t have to spend a fortune and reinvent the wheel. 😉

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

IMHO, many times low tech solutions like a charging cable are perfectly fine and you don’t have to spend a fortune and reinvent the wheel. 😉

As long as there is a logical alternate charging spot I agree

Isn’t the front phone charging area smaller without the charger?

[Wynnsiensheng]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

It still gets warm (as does all wireless charging). Just not to the point of powering the phone off.

Warm is ok, that’s normal. There’s no doubt that my phone gets noticeably hot though.

Having said that, it has never powered off. But it does get hotter than I can comfortably hold.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by Wynnsiensheng

Warm is ok, that’s normal. There’s no doubt that my phone gets noticeably hot though.

Having said that, it has never powered off. But it does get hotter than I can comfortably hold.

What case are you running?

[Wynnsiensheng]

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

What case are you running?

I’ve had a couple. Originally I was using a flip open faux leather type case. But that made the phone too bulky to sit in the charging tray. So then I changed to plastic cover that just covers the back and sides of the phone, leaving the front open. It just fits in, although a bit fiddly.Of course I have protective film on the front as well.
Not really seeing it as a phone issue tbh, I have another car with wireless charging, phone gets warm, but not noticeably hot.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by Wynnsiensheng

I’ve had a couple. Originally I was using a flip open faux leather type case. But that made the phone too bulky to sit in the charging tray. So then I changed to plastic cover that just covers the back and sides of the phone, leaving the front open. It just fits in, although a bit fiddly.Of course I have protective film on the front as well.
Not really seeing it as a phone issue tbh, I have another car with wireless charging, phone gets warm, but not noticeably hot.

Some aftermarket cases have breathing issues as well as audio issues because the holes on the bottom of the phone do not allow correct breathing

[rikwynnpa]

When I try to use the wireless phone pad i take the case off the phone to try to reduce the heat. summer, winter, top up or top down it doesn't matter. iPhone XR or 12 it doesn't matter. The phone gets so hot that it shuts down on a heat overload usually right when i'm in an area I don't know and carplay goes away and the phone wont restart. I cant believe BMW would accept this kind of performance from a vendor's part. If I supplied this to BMW Id have to pay for a recall. The solution is to put the phone on the seat with a wire attached. Not very elegant.

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

Some aftermarket cases have breathing issues as well as audio issues because the holes on the bottom of the phone do not allow correct breathing

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by rikwynnpa

When I try to use the wireless phone pad i take the case off the phone to try to reduce the heat. summer, winter, top up or top down it doesn't matter. iPhone XR or 12 it doesn't matter. The phone gets so hot that it shuts down on a heat overload usually right when i'm in an area I don't know and carplay goes away and the phone wont restart. I cant believe BMW would accept this kind of performance from a vendor's part. If I supplied this to BMW Id have to pay for a recall. The solution is to put the phone on the seat with a wire attached. Not very elegant.

Interesting, I had an iPhone 11 and now I have a 14 pro and I’m not having any problems like your describing

However, I do notice that the charger doesn’t really charge the phone much other then maintaining the existing charge