BMW confirms Android Auto for Australian range

BMW has confirmed it will finally introduce Android Auto to its Australian range next year, adding the phone mirroring software to new models as well as some existing cars.

Weeks after it ditched ongoing subscription fees for the equivalent Apple CarPlay, the Australian arm has confirmed owners will not be charged for the Android Auto software – either in the purchase price or as an ongoing subscription fee.

However, not every BMW owner will have access. Android Auto will only be available on vehicles fitted to vehicles fitted with BMW Connected Package Professional as standard. It is understood those models  include 1 Series, 3 Series, 7 Series, 8 Series, X5, X7 and Z4.

“We plan to introduce Android Auto in 2020 for Australian customers. It will be integrated to BMW Connected Package Professional as standard after July 2020 and available with unlimited runtime without subscription,” a BMW Australia spokesman confirmed to carsales.

“We are also working on how it will be integrated to existing customers’ vehicles and will announce more on this by the middle of next year.”

Unlike CarPlay, which can be utilised via tethered or wireless connections in BMWs, the new Android Auto software will be accessed solely wirelessly. That means it is only supported by smartphones with the latest Android software, including the Samsung S8, S9, S10, Note 8, Note 9 and Note 10, Nexus 5X and 6P and Google Pixel, Pixel 2 and Pixel 3.

On the plus side, the Android Auto integration will offer mirroring in the centre screen, digital instrument cluster and head-up display.

Until recently, BMW Australia was charging customers a nominal subscription fee for access to Apple CarPlay beyond the first 12 months of ownership, despite the software being free on a $15,000 city car.