Deutsch
EnglishCONTROLS -> iDrive for your BMW 5 Series 2017-2023
iDrive
CONTROLS
iDrive
systems and devices while the vehicle is sta‐
tionary.
Vehicle features and
options
This chapter describes all standard, country-spe‐
cific and optional features offered with the series.
It also describes features and functions 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 sys‐
tems. When using these functions and systems,
the applicable laws and regulations must be ob‐
served.
Input and display
Main menu
General information
The main menu is divided into two areas. The
left area contains menu items that can be used
to call up all the iDrive functions. The right area
contains widgets that provide quick access to
certain functions.
Operating concept
Principle
iDrive is the operating concept of the infotain‐
ment system and includes a large number of
functions.
General information
These functions can be operated as follows:
Media/Radio
▷ Via the Controller.
All functions of the entertainment system,
e.g., radio stations or connection with external
devices.
▷ Via the touchscreen.
▷ Via the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.
▷ Depending on the equipment: with the ges‐
ture control.
Communication
Phone and message functions, e-mail and
calendar, and also the connection and manage‐
ment of mobile devices, such as smartphones.
Safety information
Warning
Navigation
Operating the integrated information systems
and communication devices while driving can
distract from traffic. It is possible to lose control
of the vehicle. There is a risk of accident. Only
use the systems or devices when the traffic sit‐
uation allows. As warranted, stop and use the
Access to the navigation system, destination
input and traffic bulletins. Configurable map
views and other functions, such as points of in‐
terest and areas to be avoided.
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My Car
Information about vehicle status and trips.
▷ Only those letters and numbers are offered
during entry for which data is available.
Access to the Integrated Owner's Manual and
also administration of driver profiles and range of
adjustments for vehicle and iDrive.
▷ Destination search: place names can be en‐
tered in all languages that are available in
iDrive.
Apps
Activating/deactivating the
functions
Several menu items are preceded by a check‐
box. The checkbox indicates whether the func‐
tion is activated or deactivated. Selecting the
menu item activates or deactivates the function.
Management of apps, access to apps and ve‐
hicle functions. Additional apps and vehicle func‐
tions can be purchased from the BMW Store.
Widgets
Widgets provide quick access to fre‐
quently used functions. The configured widgets
display dynamic contents such as the navigation
map, and serve as interfaces at the same time.
Function is activated.
Function is deactivated.
Status information
Letters and numbers
Letters and numbers can be selected when mak‐
ing the destination input, for example.
General information
The status field can be found in the upper area of
the Control Display. Status information is dis‐
played in the form of symbols.
Letters and numbers can be entered using the
Controller, the touchpad, touchscreen or voice
control. The keyboard's display changes auto‐
matically.
Radio symbols
Icon
Meaning
Icon
Function
HD Radio station is being received.
Satellite radio is switched on.
Change between capital and
lower-case letters.
Enter a blank space.
Switching between languages.
Use voice control.
Telephone symbols
Icon Meaning
Incoming or outgoing call.
Confirm entry.
Missed call.
Slide the input area to the left or
right.
Signal strength of mobile phone net‐
work.
Entry comparison
Network search.
When entering names and addresses, the choice
is narrowed down with every letter and number
and added automatically as needed.
Mobile phone network is not available.
The critical charge state of the mobile
phone has been reached.
Entries are continuously compared with data
stored in the vehicle.
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Icon Meaning
Icon Meaning
Roaming is active.
Locating is active.
Stop.
Data protection.
SMS text message received.
Message received.
Reminder.
Destination guidance active.
Passengers on board.
Do not disturb.
Sending not possible.
Programmable memory buttons
General information
Entertainment symbols
The iDrive functions can be stored on the pro‐
grammable memory buttons and called up di‐
rectly, for instance radio stations, navigation des‐
tinations, phone numbers and menu entries.
Icon
Meaning
Bluetooth audio.
USB device.
Connected Music.
WLAN.
Overview
Apple CarPlay.
Android Auto.
Other symbols
Icon Meaning
Check Control message.
Programmable memory buttons
Sound output active.
Sound output deactivated.
Voice activation system active.
Storing a function
A function can be stored on a programmable
memory button. A button with a stored function
can be overwritten with another function.
Request for the current vehicle posi‐
tion.
1. Select function via iDrive, for instance radio
station.
Checking the current vehicle position.
Driver profile.
2.
Press and hold the desired button
until the displayed bar on the Control Display
has loaded completely.
Notifications.
Service notifications.
Information.
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Executing a function
Control Display
Safety information
Press the button.
The function will work immediately. This means,
for instance that the number is dialed when a
phone number is selected.
NOTICE
Objects in the area in the front of the Control
Display can shift and damage the Control Dis‐
play. There is a risk of damage to property,
among other potential damage. Do not place
objects in the area in front of the Control Dis‐
play.
Displaying the key assignment
Touch buttons with finger. Do not wear gloves or
use objects.
The assignment of the buttons is displayed in
the upper area of the Control Display.
Switching on/off automatically
Deleting all button assignments
All button assignments can be deleted.
The Control Display is turned on automatically
when the vehicle is unlocked or as soon as the
control display is needed for operation.
1. Press and hold buttons 1 and
ously for approx. 5 seconds.
simultane‐
In certain situations, the Control Display is
switched off automatically, for instance if no op‐
eration is performed on the vehicle for several
minutes.
2. "OK"
Control Display and
Controller
Switching on/off manually
The Control Display can also be switched off
manually.
Principle
The iDrive functions are displayed on the Control
Display. The Control Display can be operated us‐
ing the Controller, touchpad, and touchscreen.
1. Tip the Controller up.
2. "Screen off"
Press the Controller or any button on the Con‐
troller to switch it back on again.
Overview
System limits
In the case of very high temperatures on the
Control Display, for instance due to intense solar
radiation, the brightness may be reduced down
to complete deactivation. Once the temperature
is reduced, for instance through shade or air con‐
ditioning, the normal functions are restored.
1
2
Control Display with touchscreen
Controller with buttons and touchpad
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Buttons on the Controller
Controller
Button Function
General information
The buttons can be used to open the menus di‐
rectly. The Controller can be used to select
menu items and enter the settings.
Go to the main menu.
Go to the Media/Radio menu.
Go to the Communication menu.
Go to navigation map.
Some iDrive functions can be operated using the
touchpad on the Controller.
Operation
▷ Turn to switch between menu items, for ex‐
ample.
Go to destination input menu for navi‐
gation.
Go to the previous display.
Go to the Options menu.
Operating via the
Controller
▷ Press to select a menu item, for example.
Opening the main menu
Press the button.
▷ Tilt in four directions to switch between dis‐
plays, for example.
The main menu is displayed.
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Adjusting contents
Selecting a menu
Depending on the equipment, the contents of
menus "MEDIA", "COM" and "NAV" can be ad‐
justed, for instance to remove the entries of
functions that are not used from the menu.
Selecting menu items
1. Turn the Controller until the desired menu
item is highlighted.
2. Press the Controller.
1. Select the menu.
2. "Personalize menu"
3. Select the desired setting.
Select a widget
1. Move the Controller in the main menu to the
right.
Changing between displays
After a menu item is selected, for instance
"Settings", a new display appears.
2. Turn the Controller until the desired widget is
selected.
3. Press the Controller.
▷ Tilt the Controller to the left.
It is also possible to select widgets in the instru‐
ment cluster.
The current display closes and the previous
display is shown.
Adjusting the menu
Adjusting widgets
The widgets can be adjusted in the main menu.
It is possible to create multiple pages with widg‐
ets and switch between pages. The adjustments
can only be performed when the vehicle is sta‐
tionary.
▷
Press the button.
The previous display re-opens.
▷ Tilt the Controller to the right.
The new display opens.
An arrow indicates that additional displays can be
opened.
Going to the Options menu
1. Select the desired page in the main menu.
Only the currently selected page can be ad‐
justed.
Press the button.
2. Tip the Controller up.
The "Options" menu is displayed.
3. "Adjust main menu"
The menu consists of various areas, for instance:
4. Select the desired adjustment:
▷ "MEDIA": control options for the selected
main menu.
▷
Symbol and select desired widget: add
new widget.
▷ "Help": help for the selected menu.
▷ "Control display off": system settings.
The requested widget will be inserted in
the relevant position. A maximum of four
widgets can be displayed per page.
Entering letters and numbers
▷
Select icon: delete selected widget.
Input
▷ Add new page: "Add page".
1. Turn the Controller: select letter or number.
▷ Delete selected page: "Delete page".
2.
: confirm entry.
▷ Adjust the content of the widget: select
widget.
5. "Done"
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Deleting
Entering special characters
Icon Function
Input
Operation
Press the Controller: delete letter or
number.
Delete a charac‐ Swipe to the left on the
ter.
touchpad.
Hold the Controller down: delete all let‐
ters or numbers.
Enter a blank
space.
Swipe to the right in the
center of the touchpad.
Enter a hyphen. Swipe to the right in the up‐
per area of the touchpad.
Using alphabetical lists
For alphabetical lists with more than 30 entries,
the letters for which an entry exists can be dis‐
played in a text box.
Enter an under‐ Swipe to the right in the
score.
lower area of the touchpad.
1. Turn the Controller to the left or right quickly.
2. Select the first letter of the desired entry.
Using the map
The map in the navigation system can be moved
via the touchpad.
The first entry of the selected letter is dis‐
played in the list.
Function
Operation
Move map.
Swipe in the appropriate di‐
rection.
Operation via touchpad
Enlarge/shrink
map.
Drag in or out on the touch‐
pad with fingers.
General information
Some iDrive functions can be operated using the
touchpad on the Controller.
Display menu.
Tap once.
Using alphabetical lists
Alphabetical lists with more than 30 entries per‐
mit a direct jump to letters for which an entry ex‐
ists.
Selecting functions
1. "CAR"
2. "Settings"
3. "General settings"
4. "Touchpad"
Enter the first letter on the touchpad.
The first entry of the entered letter is displayed in
the list.
5. Select the desired setting.
Entering letters and numbers
Operation via touchscreen
▷ Enter characters as they are displayed on the
Control Display.
▷ Always enter associated characters, such as
accents or periods so that the letter can be
clearly recognized.
General information
The Control Display is equipped with a touch‐
screen.
▷ The set language determines what input is
possible. Where necessary, enter special
characters via the Controller.
You can tap on menu items and widgets. Touch
the touchscreen with your fingers. Do not use
any objects.
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▷ To show the display bar, pull down the dis‐
play bar at the top edge of the screen.
Opening the main menu
Tap on the icon.
▷ To hide the display bar, pull up the display bar
at the top edge of the screen.
Changing between displays
After a menu item is selected, a new display
opens.
An arrow indicates that additional displays can be
opened.
▷ Swipe to the left.
▷ Tap arrow.
The main menu is displayed.
The new display opens.
Adjusting widgets
The widgets can be adjusted in the main menu.
It is possible to create multiple pages with widg‐
ets and switch between pages. The adjustments
can only be performed when the vehicle is sta‐
tionary.
Entering letters and numbers
Input
1. Depending on the equipment version, tap
the
icon on the touchscreen or a key‐
1. Select the desired page in the main menu.
Only the currently selected page can be ad‐
justed.
board is displayed on the Control Display
when the touchscreen is approached.
2. Enter desired letters and numbers.
2.
Tap the icon in the main menu.
Deleting
3. Select the desired adjustment:
▷
Tap icon and select desired widget:
add new widget.
Icon Function
Tapping the icon: deletes the letter or
number.
The requested widget will be inserted in
the relevant position. A maximum of four
widgets can be displayed per page.
Tapping and holding the icon all letters:
deletes all letters or numbers.
▷
Tap icon: delete selected widget.
▷ Add new page: tap "Add page".
▷ Delete selected page: tap "Delete page".
Using the map
The navigation map can be moved using the
touchscreen.
▷ Adjust content of the widget: tap center of
widget.
4. Tap "Done".
Showing/hiding the display bar
In the upper area of the Control Display, it is pos‐
sible to show or hide a display bar with additional
functions.
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Functional requirements
Function
Operation
▷ A language that is supported by the Personal
Assistant must be set via iDrive.
Move map.
Swipe in the appropriate di‐
rection.
Setting the system language, refer to
page 62.
Enlarge/shrink
map.
Drag in or out with the fin‐
gers.
▷ Always say commands in the configured sys‐
tem language.
Display menu.
Tap once.
Enter the following settings to access the full
range of functions:
Using alphabetical lists
For alphabetical lists with more than 30 entries,
the letters for which an entry exists can be dis‐
played in a text box.
▷ "Online speech processing" is activated.
▷ All settings under "BMW ConnectedDrive"
activated.
▷ Activation word is activated.
▷ The Driver profile is activated.
1. Tap the letter in front of the list.
A letter box is displayed.
▷ "Synchronize driver profile" under
"Personalization" is activated.
2. Tap the first letter of the desired entry.
▷ Relevant ConnectedDrive Services pur‐
chased from the ConnectedDrive Store.
BMW Intelligent Personal
Assistant
Activating the voice control
system
Principle
The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is a per‐
sonal assistant that enables natural voice opera‐
tion of various vehicle functions. The Personal
Assistant simplifies the operation of the vehicle
with the automation of processes and habits.
General information
There are various methods for activating the
voice control feature:
▷
Press the button on the steering
wheel.
General information
▷ BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is availa‐
ble depending on the national-market ver‐
sion.
The microphone on the driver's side is active.
▷ Say the wake word ›Hello BMW‹ or a personal
wake word.
The microphones on the driver's or front pas‐
senger's side are active with the following
voice control, depending on where the activa‐
tion word was spoken.
▷ The system includes special microphones on
the driver side and the front passenger side.
▷ Say commands at a normal volume. Speaking
directly into the microphone does not im‐
prove the speech recognition.
Then say the command. The activation word and
the command can be spoken without pause in
one sentence. No other commands may be avail‐
able. In this case, operate the function via iDrive.
▷ Say the commands and numbers fluently as
well as with normal volume, emphasis, and
speed.
▷ ›...‹ identifies commands that can be spoken.
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Activation word from third-party providers
Button on the steering wheel
Depending on the national-market version, some
third-party providers provide digital voice assis‐
tants, e.g., Siri, Amazon Alexa or Google Assis‐
tant.
1.
Press the button on the steering
wheel briefly.
2. Say the command.
Supported voice assistants can be used with a
connected smartphone in the vehicle. In addition
to the preset or personal activation word, the ac‐
tivation word from connected third-party provid‐
ers can be used.
Wake word
General information
Speaking the wake word ›Hello BMW‹ or the per‐
sonal wake word will start the system.
1. "CAR"
2. "Settings"
Preset wake word
3. "General settings"
4. If necessary, "Personal assistant"
5. "Voice control"
The preset wake word ›Hello BMW‹ can be acti‐
vated and deactivated.
1. "CAR"
6. "Third-party providers"
7. Select the desired setting.
2. "Settings"
3. "General settings"
4. If necessary, "Personal assistant"
5. "Voice control"
6. "Wake word"
Ending voice control
▷
Press the button on the steering
wheel again.
▷ ›Cancel‹
7. "Wake word"
Personal wake word
▷ Tilt the Controller to the right or left.
▷ Press the Controller.
In addition to a preset activation word ›Hello
BMW‹, a personal activation word can be set up
in the active driver profile. The personal activa‐
tion word can also be changed or deleted.
Possible commands
General information
Most contents on the Control Display can be
spoken as commands, e.g. menu items or list en‐
tries. Say list entries as shown.
The activation word should consist of multiple
syllables to ensure good recognition. An addition,
such as ›Hello‹ is not necessary.
1. "CAR"
2. "Settings"
Instructions can be issued or questions can be
asked where the Personal Assistant provides
support.
3. "General settings"
4. If necessary, "Personal assistant"
5. "Voice control"
6. "Wake word"
7. "Personal wake word"
8. "Set wake word"
9. Select the desired setting.
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The voice control system and the feedback it
provides does not replace the printed or
Integrated Owner's Manual. The speech recog‐
nition and quality of the feedback may vary.
Function examples
Vehicle status and vehicle information
▷ ›Is my tire pressure still OK?‹
▷ ›Show me the sport displays.‹
▷ ›Open Owner's Manual.‹
›How can the passenger airbag be deactivated‹
The Personal Assistant returns feedback. When
stationary, the section of the integrated Owner's
Manual is displayed on the Control Display.
Navigation
▷ ›Drive me to 300 Chestnut Ridge Road,
Woodcliff Lake in New Jersey.‹
Menu items
The commands of the menu items are spoken
just as they are selected via the Controller.
▷ ›Take me home.‹
▷ ›Are there any traffic messages?‹
1. Activating the voice control system.
2. ›MEDIA‹
Communication
3. ›Presets‹
For example, when a mobile phone is connected,
calls can be started or SMS can be sent.
The stored stations are displayed on the Control
Display.
▷ ›Call John Doe on cell phone.‹
▷ ›Dial the number 1 8 0 0 8 3 1 1 1 1 7.‹
Help for voice control
▷ ›New text message to John Doe: I'll be right
there.‹
▷ ›Voice commands‹: to have the available spo‐
ken commands announced.
▷ ›General information on voice control‹: have
information on the operating principle of the
voice control announced.
Entertainment
▷ ›What song is this?‹
▷ ›Play Blue Suede Shoes by Elvis Presley‹
▷ ›Next title.‹
▷ ›Help‹: have help for the current menu read
out loud.
Climate control
Settings
▷ ›Turn off the air conditioning.‹
▷ ›Activate fresh air.‹
▷ ›I'm cold.‹
Setting the voice control
You can set the system to use standard dialog or
a short version.
Windows and light
The short version of the voice control plays back
short messages in abbreviated form.
▷ ›Open the windows automatically.‹
▷ ›Delete activation point for automatic power
window.‹
1. "CAR"
2. "Settings"
▷ ›Ambient lighting.‹
3. "General settings"
4. If necessary, "Personal assistant"
5. "Voice control"
Owner's Manual via voice operation
You can ask simple questions about vehicle
functions and the operation of the vehicle.
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6. "Response length"
The device must be connected via Apple Car‐
Play or Android Auto.
7. Select the desired setting.
1.
Press and hold the button on the
steering wheel for approx. 3 seconds.
Speaking during voice output
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
conversations in the vehicle.
The voice activation of the smartphone is ac‐
tivated.
2.
Release the button.
If activation is successful, a confirmation ap‐
pears on the Control Display.
1. "CAR"
2. "Settings"
3. "General settings"
4. If necessary, "Personal assistant"
5. "Voice control"
Automating routines
General information
The Personal Assistant can automate routines,
for instance the automatic activation of the seat
heating from a specific outside temperature.
Rules are created for this purpose, which can be
activated and deactivated at any time.
6. "Speaking during voice output"
Online speech processing
Online voice processing improves the quality of
the speech recognition and search results for
points of interest. To use the functions, data is
transmitted to a service provider via an encrypted
connection and stored locally there.
Activate/deactivate
1. "APPS"
2. "Installed apps"
1. "CAR"
3. "Personal assistant"
4. "Automate habits"
5. Select the desired setting.
2. "Settings"
3. "General settings"
4. If necessary, "Personal assistant"
5. "Voice control"
Caring Car
Principle
Different vehicle functions in the car's interior are
harmonized for the driver in a short-term pro‐
gram.
6. "Online speech processing"
Adjusting the volume
Turn the volume button during the voice guid‐
ance until the desired volume is set.
The volume remains constant even if the volume
of other audio sources is changed.
General information
By selecting a program, the interior lighting, cli‐
mate control and music selection will be ad‐
justed. A program takes 3 minutes.
Using the voice activation of the
smartphone
Depending on the device, a smartphone con‐
nected to the vehicle can be used via voice con‐
trol.
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Activate/deactivate
1. "CAR"
Overview
2. "Caring Car"
3. Select the desired program.
The program can be stopped prematurely:
"End program"
Adjusting a program
1. "CAR"
The camera in the headliner detects gestures
that are carried out in the area of the center con‐
sole at the height of the Control Display.
2. "Caring Car"
3. Select the desired program.
4. "Music settings"
5. Select the desired setting.
Activate/deactivate
1. "CAR"
System limits
▷ The Personal Assistant provides information
about vehicle functions that may not be in‐
stalled in the vehicle.
2. "Settings"
3. "General settings"
4. "Gesture control"
5. "Gesture control"
This also applies to safety-related functions
and systems.
Settings
1. "CAR"
▷ Certain noises can be detected and may lead
to problems. Keep the doors, windows, and
glass sunroof closed.
2. "Settings"
▷ Noises from the front passenger or the occu‐
pants can impair the system. Avoid making
other noise in the vehicle while speaking.
3. "General settings"
4. "Gesture control"
5. Select the desired setting.
▷ Major language dialects can cause problems
with the speech recognition feature.
Carrying out gestures
▷ Perform gestures underneath the interior mir‐
ror and next to the steering wheel.
▷ A poor data connection influences the re‐
sponse time of the Personal Assistant and
the Search.
▷ Execute gestures clearly.
▷ The gestures can also be executed from the
front-passenger side.
BMW Gesture Control
Principle
Several iDrive functions can be operated by hand
motion using BMW Gesture Control.
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Possible gestures
Gesture
Operation
Function
Move index finger forward and backward in the di‐ Accept call.
rection of the screen.
Select a highlighted entry in a
list during voice control.
Confirm pop-up.
Move hand across the width of the Control Display Reject call.
in the direction of the front-passenger side.
Close pop-up.
End voice control.
Slowly move hand clockwise in a circular pattern
with the index finger stretched out forward.
Increase the volume.
Gesture is detected after one circular motion.
Slowly move forearm counterclockwise in a circular Reduce the volume.
pattern with the index finger stretched out forward.
Gesture is detected after one circular motion.
Pinch with thumb and index finger and move hand Surround View: turn camera
horizontally to the right or left.
view.
This gesture can only be exe‐
cuted while the vehicle is sta‐
tionary.
Move stretched out index and middle finger for‐
ward.
Individually assignable gesture.
Move fist with thumb extended to the left back and Reverse Skip function.
forth.
The previous title is played.
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Gesture
Operation
Function
Move fist with thumb extended to right left back
and forth.
Forward Skip function.
The next title is played.
Stretch out five fingers, form a fist and stretch five
fingers out again.
Individually assignable gesture.
▷ The gesture is executed outside of the de‐
tection range.
Assigning gesture individually
General information
Two gestures can be assigned individually and
can be configured for certain functions, such as:
▷ Wearing of gloves or jewelry.
▷ Smoking in the car's interior.
▷ Destination guidance to home address.
▷ Mute/Playback
▷ Control Display on/off
Select function
1. "CAR"
2. "Settings"
3. "General settings"
4. "Gesture control"
5. "Function assignment gesture 1" or
"Function assignment gesture 2"
6. Select the desired setting.
System limits
Gesture recognition by the camera in the head‐
liner can be disturbed by the following circum‐
stances:
▷ The camera lens is covered.
▷ Objects are located on the interior mirror.
▷ The camera lens is dirty, clean camera lens.
Sensors and camera lenses, refer to
page 384.
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