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EnglishAT A GLANCE -> Voice activation system for your BMW 4 Series 2013-2020
Voice activation system
AT A GLANCE
Voice activation system
Vehicle features and
options
Requirements
Via the Control Display, set a language that is
also supported by the voice activation system so
that the spoken commands can be identified.
This chapter describes all standard, country-spe‐
cific and optional features offered with the series.
It also describes features that are not necessarily
available in your vehicle, e. g., due to the selected
options or country versions. This also applies to
safety-related functions and systems. When us‐
ing these functions and systems, the applicable
laws and regulations must be observed.
To set the language, refer to page 52.
Using the voice activation
system
Activating the voice activation
system
Concept
1.
Press button on the steering wheel.
Most functions displayed on the Control Display
can be operated by voice commands via the
voice activation system. The system supports
you with announcements during input.
2. Wait for the signal.
3. Say the command.
This symbol in the instrument cluster indi‐
cates that the voice activation system is active.
General information
If no other commands are possible, operate the
function via iDrive.
▷ Functions that can only be used when the ve‐
hicle is stationary can only be operated via
the voice activation system to a limited ex‐
tent.
Terminating the voice activation
system
Press the button on the steering wheel
or ›Cancel‹.
▷ The system uses a special microphone on
the driver's side.
▷ ›...‹ in the Owner's Manual denotes verbal in‐
structions to use with the voice activation
system.
Using a smartphone via voice
activation
▷ Say the commands, numbers, and letters
smoothly and with normal volume, emphasis,
and speed.
A smartphone connected to the vehicle can be
used via voice activation.
Activate voice command response on the smart‐
phone for this purpose.
▷ Always say commands in the language of the
voice activation system.
1. Press and hold the
button on the
steering wheel for approx. 3 seconds.
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Voice activation system
AT A GLANCE
Voice command response is activated on the
smartphone.
Example: opening the tone
settings
2. Release the
button.
The commands of the menu items are spoken
just as they are selected via the Controller.
If activation is successful, a confirmation ap‐
pears on the Control Display.
1. Switch on the Entertainment sound output, if
needed.
If it was not possible to activate voice command
response, the list of Bluetooth devices appears
on the Control Display.
2.
Press button on the steering wheel.
3. ›Media and radio‹
4. ›Tone‹
Possible commands
General information
Most menu items on the Control Display can be
voiced as commands.
Settings
Setting the voice dialog
You can set the system to use standard dialog or
a short version.
Commands from other menus can also be spo‐
ken.
You may select list entries such as phone list en‐
tries via voice activation. Read these list entries
out loud exactly as they are shown in the respec‐
tive list.
The short version of the voice dialog plays back
short messages in abbreviated form.
Via iDrive:
1. "My Vehicle"
Displaying possible commands
2. "iDrive settings"
3. "Language"
The following is displayed in the top area of the
Control Display:
▷ Some possible commands for the current
menu.
4. "Speech mode:"
5. Select the desired setting.
▷ Some possible commands from other me‐
nus.
Selecting the input language
For some languages, the input language can be
selected.
▷ Status of the voice recognition.
▷
Encrypted connection is not available.
Via iDrive:
Help on the voice activation
system
▷ To have information on the operating princi‐
ple of the voice activation system read out
loud: ›General information on voice control‹.
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "iDrive settings"
3. "Language"
4. "Voice control:"
5. Select the desired setting.
▷ To have help for the current menu read out
loud: ›Help‹.
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Voice activation system
AT A GLANCE
Activating voice recognition via
the server
The voice recognition feature via the server pro‐
vides a dictation function and a natural method of
entering destinations while improving the quality
of voice recognition. To use the functions, data is
transmitted to a service provider and locally
stored there.
Information on Emergency
Requests
Do not use the voice activation system to initiate
an Emergency Request. In stressful situations,
the voice and vocal pitch can change. This can
unnecessarily delay the establishment of a
phone connection.
Via iDrive:
Instead, use the SOS button, refer to page 281,
close to the interior mirror.
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "iDrive settings"
3. "Language"
Environmental conditions
4. "Server speech recognition"
▷ Keep the doors, windows, and glass sunroof
closed to prevent noise interference.
Speaking during voice output
▷ Avoid making other noise in the vehicle while
speaking.
It is possible to answer during inquiries of the
voice activation system. The function can be de‐
activated if inquiries are often undesirably inter‐
rupted, for instance due to background noise or
talking.
Via iDrive:
1. "My Vehicle"
2. "iDrive settings"
3. "Language"
4. "Speaking during voice output"
Adjusting the volume
Turn the volume button during the spoken in‐
structions until the desired volume is set.
▷ The volume remains constant even if the vol‐
ume of other audio sources is changed.
▷ The volume is stored for the driver profile
currently used.
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