[Balr14]

I am hearing impaired, so I haven't had much use for any phone, since my hearing loss. I carry an old flip phone for emergency use, but it averages 15 minutes of use per year. So, I can't justify paying for a smart phone I will never use.

That leaves me with a problem of getting software and map upgrades. I asked my BMW dealer about it and they were not a lot of help. Anyone have any suggestions?

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by Balr14

I am hearing impaired, so I haven't had much use for any phone, since my hearing loss. I carry an old flip phone for emergency use, but it averages 15 minutes of use per year. So, I can't justify paying for a smart phone I will never use.

That leaves me with a problem of getting software and map upgrades. I asked my BMW dealer about it and they were not a lot of help. Anyone have any suggestions?

Don't need a smartphone for map updates. They are OTA without.

Easiest option would be to buy an old, used smartphone. You don't need a cell plan on it, just connect it to wifi and can use to get the updates and such. Could ask a friend/relative if they have an old one laying around and just use that.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

Don't need a smartphone for map updates. They are OTA without.

Easiest option would be to buy an old, used smartphone. You don't need a cell plan on it, just connect it to wifi and can use to get the updates and such. Could ask a friend/relative if they have an old one laying around and just use that.

That said you can connect to home WiFi or another strong WiFi signal elsewhere

[stlcdr]

As a comedian said “the least used app on my phone…is the phone”.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by stlcdr

As a comedian said “the least used app on my phone…is the phone”.

I use my phone as a phone

I could really care less about the apps

[Balr14]

I think my daughter may be due for a new smart phone. I'll ask her.

[RavenGX]

i don't think you need a smartphone to update the car.
Regular software updates get pushed directly to the car, i believe the app on the phone is only used to make it go faster since you can download it when not driving and install it from the phone.

The map updates are not automatic (but i have outdated software because of my tune, so it may have changed).
You'll need to download them from the connected drive website and load them onto a usb stick then plug that in to your car.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by RavenGX

i don't think you need a smartphone to update the car.
Regular software updates get pushed directly to the car, i believe the app on the phone is only used to make it go faster since you can download it when not driving and install it from the phone.

The map updates are not automatic (but i have outdated software because of my tune, so it may have changed).
You'll need to download them from the connected drive website and load them onto a usb stick then plug that in to your car.

If the myBMW APP Subscription is paid for then, yes otherwise you’d have to put it into a thumb drive and load it through the USB to the car

[RavenGX]

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

If the myBMW APP Subscription is paid for then, yes otherwise you’d have to put it into a thumb drive and load it through the USB to the car

must be since a recent update then, mine never did map update on its own. but i think i'm still on software version 2020.3

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by RavenGX

must be since a recent update then, mine never did map update on its own. but i think i'm still on software version 2020.3

May be a country thing. The map updates in the US are automatic, over the air. In fact, I just had one pop up last week.