BMW will equip Android Auto in its models from mid-2020

Less than a week after announcing a change in policy regarding Apple CarPlay, BMW has confirmed that it will introduce Android Auto connectivity in its cars starting in mid-2020, ending one of the biggest complaints from customers and fans of the German brand.

The Bavarian automaker may be late to the Android Auto party, offering only Apple CarPlay in recent years, but at least they are doing it wirelessly from the very first moment. Customers will be able to see all the important information not only on the central infotainment screen, but also on the instrument cluster and the head-up display.

“Many of our customers have pointed out how important it is for them to have Android Auto in a BMW so they can safely use a range of familiar Android smartphone features without taking their eyes off the road, in addition to the functions and services of BMW itself,” says Peter Henrich, Senior Vice President of Product Management at BMW. “We will offer this service to our customers starting in July 2020.”

The company was recently criticized for its decision to charge for Apple CarPlay as a subscription service, only to reverse it and make the feature free on new models.

New BMW models will equip the Android Auto system

BMW will demonstrate the Android Auto feature live for the first time at CES 2020, making the service available starting in July 2020 for all models equipped with operating system 7.0.

“We are excited to work with BMW to bring wireless Android Auto to their customers around the world next year,” said Patrick Brady, Google’s Vice President of Engineering. “Seamlessly connecting Android smartphones to BMW vehicles allows customers to hit the road faster while keeping access to all their favorite apps and services in a safer experience.”

As the Bavarian brand itself noted in its press release, “Android Auto is a simpler and safer way to use your smartphone in BMW vehicles, which makes it easier to access music, media and messaging apps. The wireless connection makes the process of pairing an Android smartphone with a BMW extremely easy, with a simplified interface. In addition, Android Auto integrates directly into BMW’s fully digital cockpit, meaning customers can see all the important information not only on the central control display, but also intelligently on the instrument cluster screen and on the Head-Up Display, where it appears directly in the driver’s line of sight.”

Additionally, BMW has published a list, you can check it here, of smartphones that support Android Auto with a wireless connection.