Phone compatibility

[jparnes1]

What's the deal with phone compatibility? My wife bought a Volvo and there's no issue with using any phone (although her car does not display a contact list and she can't initiate a call by voice, only by touchpad). Why does BMW make a big deal about this? What would happen if you used a "non-compatible" phone?

[STOOF]

a non-compatible phone wouldnt even sync to the car...since its non-compatible lol

[mstevens]

I've *never* had a phone on the "compatible" list, but that's never been a problem.

Being on the list means the phone has been thoroughly tested and is known to function properly. Not being on the list just means it hasn't been tested. Basically, what it really means is that it's a current model since apart from iPhones and some Blackberries the world moves too fast for BMW to test everything.

I've used a pretty big range of devices with the Bluetooth in our cars. All have worked fine.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

What's the deal with phone compatibility? My wife bought a Volvo and there's no issue with using any phone (although her car does not display a contact list and she can't initiate a call by voice, only by touchpad). Why does BMW make a big deal about this? What would happen if you used a "non-compatible" phone?

This may help you out ===>Or take the Phone and Car to your friendly Dealership CLICK

[bmwmick]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

What would happen if you used a "non-compatible" phone?

J,
I believe it would function as a basic phone with no info (other than the call) being transferred to the vehicle. I just paired my new Motorola RAZR to our Z4 and it works very well. All the numbers in the Contacts list are there but the names aren't. I can voice dial just great but I need to say the number.

When I paired it to my Garmin Zumo, it transferred ALL the info, names, numbers, everything. This Zumo is a LOT older than the car. I just assume the car wants some half-eaten fruit to make it happy.

[Memphis1]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

What's the deal with phone compatibility?... "(although her car does not display a contact list and she can't initiate a call by voice, only by touchpad)."

that is the issue... you loose functionalities or unable to sync altogether. it's not like bluetooth is not compatible, that's a standard, but you loose functions, or the profile gets dropped, it's not like it will self destruct the car. it's kinda like when they tell you to only use mobil one 0w-40... people that live in warm weather year round don't have to follow that rule.

[BMWZ4]

Dealership won't be of ANY help on this Rolf, whatsoever.

I recently turned in my BB Torch for a Sammy GS2....up front, I didn't expect to have all previous functionality, but once paired, I had everything I had previously e.g. contacts etc.

Additionally, in my '11 X3, I have the Office feature. This was something I fully expected to lose with the GS2, however, I'm able to receive texts & emails as I did before.

So....can't explain why this droid phone works, but it does.

Dave

[bmwmick]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

What's the deal with phone compatibility?

J,
I think I might have missed something on the first pairing. Supposedly the car will send one request for access to the contact list, if you don't reply, it won't ask again until you delete the phone and add it again. I'll try that when I get home to Tucson where the car is.

I've spoken to someone who has the Motorola Bionic and it transferred the contact list after asking permission. If it works with a Bionic, it SHOULD work with the my RAZR.

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by bmwmick

J,
I think I might have missed something on the first pairing. Supposedly the car will send one request for access to the contact list, if you don't reply, it won't ask again until you delete the phone and add it again. I'll try that when I get home to Tucson where the car is.

I've spoken to someone who has the Motorola Bionic and it transferred the contact list after asking permission. If it works with a Bionic, it SHOULD work with the my RAZR.

I haven't tried it with my Z4, but I did with my 2006 525 and it paired but no contacts showed up. It doesn't specifically ask for access to contacts. So, I'd like a phone that works in both cars, obviously. I haven o use for a smart phone and otherwise my options are fairly limited.

[bmwmick]

I just confirmed that you have to give permission TWICE on your phone to allow the car to access the contact list.

I had the numbers but no contact names after pairing my Motorola RAZR. I deleted the phone and re-paired/connected and this time I kept the phone in my hand. Within 45 seconds, the phone prompted me for the permissions.

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by bmwmick

I just confirmed that you have to give permission TWICE on your phone to allow the car to access the contact list.

I had the numbers but no contact names after pairing my Motorola RAZR. I deleted the phone and re-paired/connected and this time I kept the phone in my hand. Within 45 seconds, the phone prompted me for the permissions.

That's interesting since the RAZR isn't a compatible phone like mine, but I had not names or numbers. I can't remember if I paired it 1 or more times. What do you mean you kept the phone in your hand? What did you do with it the first time?

[bmwmick]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

That's interesting since the RAZR isn't a compatible phone like mine, but I had not names or numbers. I can't remember if I paired it 1 or more times. What do you mean you kept the phone in your hand? What did you do with it the first time?

You only pair it once, it then asks permission twice. I usually just leave my phone in my fanny pack, I never see it while I'm using it in the car.