Remote Serivces App

[Bertin]

Hi,

I purchased my very first BMW!!

Bought it second hand but love it!
The remote services is just very confusing to me.
Apparently you can lock/unlock your car using the remote app. I installed the app and registered on BMW connected drive. But when I log into the app, I only see my 118i smiling back at me but no lock/unlock feature.

I phoned customer care but getting mixed signals from them. Some say that because the car is manufactured after July 2014, I'll be able to install this feature (for R650) after they launch the connected drive store in April 2016. But some say my car doesn't meet the required hardware.

Does anyone have this app and got it working with the lock/unlock feature or at lease have some clue on the requirements to enable it?

I have connected drive and SOS using the buildt in SIM card...

Thanks!

 

[JG_RSA]

The BMW Remote app definitely already works in SA, but the car does need to have the SA6AP Remote Services option.
You can run your car's VIN on a VIN decoder to confirm.

Remote Services, enables usage of remote functions (e.g. door lock and unlock, horn blow, flash lights and vehicle finder – displays the current position of the vehicle on a map on your compatible Smartphone in order to find your parked vehicle within a radius of up to 1.5 km) by means of the My BMW Remote App (Remote Services only supported in South Africa)

For some reason I don't have the "horn blow" feature on the F82 (didn't have it on the F33 either), but I do have it on the F15 and F16. I also have the option to start the ventilation function on all of the cars, which isn't listed in the description (from the price list) above.

Whether or not this option can be added/retrofitted afterwards, you will have to find out from BMW. From my understanding, it would seem that it is just a service that needs to be activated and that you have the required hardware for it already.

 

[Bertin]

The BMW Remote app definitely already works in SA, but the car does need to have the SA6AP Remote Services option.
You can run your car's VIN on a VIN decoder to confirm.

Remote Services, enables usage of remote functions (e.g. door lock and unlock, horn blow, flash lights and vehicle finder – displays the current position of the vehicle on a map on your compatible Smartphone in order to find your parked vehicle within a radius of up to 1.5 km) by means of the My BMW Remote App (Remote Services only supported in South Africa)

For some reason I don't have the "horn blow" feature on the F82 (didn't have it on the F33 either), but I do have it on the F15 and F16. I also have the option to start the ventilation function on all of the cars, which isn't listed in the description (from the price list) above.

Whether or not this option can be added/retrofitted afterwards, you will have to find out from BMW. From my understanding, it would seem that it is just a service that needs to be activated and that you have the required hardware for it already.

Thanks for the reply!

Did you active remote services in the connected drive portal under services? I only have the battery guard option there.

This is what I found here:http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/connected_drive_services/services/information.html

Remote Services (SA6AP)
requirement for using the Remote Services (6AP) service: ConnectedDrive Services (6AK) and/or Intelligent Emergency Call (6AC)
requirement: registration in the My BMW ConnectedDrive customer portal
the vehicle can, for example, be locked and unlocked via the BMW Call Centre or My BMW Remote App (smartphone app)
My BMW Remote App is available on the App Store or on Google Play™
other Remote Services functions: localisation of the vehicle by flashing the lights/sounding the horn, temperature control inside the vehicle, sending POIs (Points of Interest) to the vehicle

So I know I have the Intelligent Emergency Call (6AC). Is the SA6AP physical hardware that needs to be installed or a software update/unlock?

 

[Eon]

This may sound stupid, but did you click on the Remote icon?

This should bring you to this screen:

 

[JG_RSA]

Did you activate remote services in the connected drive portal under services? I only have the battery guard option there.

Yes, my sales assistant did it for me with each of the vehicles during delivery, including initial registration. I just had to log in and she did the rest.
I also receive emails through the system, which has to be set up in there too.

So I know I have the Intelligent Emergency Call (6AC). Is the SA6AP physical hardware that needs to be installed or a software update/unlock?

6AC and 6AE are standard options in South Africa now, as far as I know.
From what I can tell, the rest are services (some of which are 36 month subscription services, which can be extended) so in theory they should be able to be added after production without additional hardware required.
But I am speculating.
Perhaps someone else can confirm. Ratslaaf@OBDWorx perhaps?
I doubt that it's something which can be enabled by third party coding though. It will be a paid for service done through BMW.

The number listed for BMW ConnectedDrive is 0800 627771. Perhaps phone them directly, if you haven't already done so.

I attach the info on the price list regarding ConnectedDrive if that's of any help. It's from an older price list which I have saved on my PC. BMW SA's model specific price lists aren't available at the moment, so I could not get a "fresh" copy.

 

[Bertin]

Did you activate remote services in the connected drive portal under services? I only have the battery guard option there.

Yes, my sales assistant did it for me with each of the vehicles during delivery, including initial registration. I just had to log in and she did the rest.
I also receive emails through the system, which has to be set up in there too.

So I know I have the Intelligent Emergency Call (6AC). Is the SA6AP physical hardware that needs to be installed or a software update/unlock?

6AC and 6AE are standard options in South Africa now, as far as I know.
From what I can tell, the rest are services (some of which are 36 month subscription services, which can be extended) so in theory they should be able to be added after production without additional hardware required.
But I am speculating.
Perhaps someone else can confirm. Ratslaaf@OBDWorx perhaps?
I doubt that it's something which can be enabled by third party coding though. It will be a paid for service done through BMW.

The number listed for BMW ConnectedDrive is 0800 627771. Perhaps phone them directly, if you haven't already done so.

I attach the info on the price list regarding ConnectedDrive if that's of any help. It's from an older price list which I have saved on my PC. BMW SA's model specific price lists aren't available at the moment, so I could not get a "fresh" copy.

.

Thank you. This info is very handy!

From my understanding then, if you have 6AC and 6AE you'll be able to activate 6AP for a fee... Ie remote services

I'll phone the connected drive people tomorrow and provide feedback.

 

[dvst8]

I have a F20 LCI with the connected drive package. All the funtions on the remote app work. Horn, flash lights, lock/unlock, ventilation. Using connected drive, i use the web radio funtion often, also able to remote my GoPro via the iDrive.

The profile was setup by the dealer when I bought the car and I just downloaded the app from the iStore.

 

[Bertin]

I have a F20 LCI with the connected drive package. All the funtions on the remote app work. Horn, flash lights, lock/unlock, ventilation. Using connected drive, i use the web radio funtion often, also able to remote my GoPro via the iDrive.

The profile was setup by the dealer when I bought the car and I just downloaded the app from the iStore.

Do you perhaps know the codes of the hardware in your car? Also how long ago did you buy it?

 

[JG_RSA]

Bertin,

Is your main goal to get the lock/unlock feature working from your phone?

If so, I wouldn't spend hours and excessive amounts of money on this to get it "retrofitted", assuming that it is possible (which I do believe is).

I'm perhaps stating what you already know, but this feature is no substitute for unlocking/locking the car via the key fob, especially so if you have comfort access. There is quite a delay between sending the lock/unlock command (I've frequently seen well over a minute, but it varies) from the app and the car actually processing the command. Taking your phone out of your pocket, opening the app (it is strongly advised to secure the app with a pin code if your phone isn't secured by one), going to the remote tab, holding lock/unlock in for a couple of seconds and then standing sheepishly by (I would not trust the service and walk away from my unlocked car and hope that nobody will open a door before it's locked) while the command is sent to BMW's servers and then to the car, will take FAR longer than doing it with the key fob. Locking the car via this app also does not activate the alarm system, which is a big no-no for me. Of course you still need the key on you to start the car in any case, so you might as well use it to lock/unlock.
It's really only useful in the (more and more unlikely event with modern cars) event that you've locked yourself out of the car or lost the key and at least want to be able to gain access to the car. Again, you won't be able to start the car without the key present.

Unless you frequently have trouble finding your car in a parking lot, the flash lights/horn feature isn't of much use either. Locating the car remotely via the map is cool, but takes a long time and you can't track it in real time if it's moving. Chances are your car already has a third party tracking device (assuming you really want the car back after it's been stolen...), should you need to locate/recover it.

The ventilation function isn't of much use (to me anyway) either as it can't activate the aircon (can't remote start the vehicle to use the AC compressor) so it only starts the fan, which is of little use to cool down the car. I suppose it could be useful to start warming up the car in winter if the car isn't garaged overnight.

Please do not be offended by this post (I assume you have done your research and I'm stating the obvious), but I see this as more of a party trick (which gets old real quick) than a must have. I haven't touched the app in months and I doubt that I've ever even used it on my latest vehicle.
It would not be a deal breaker for me if I find a used car / lot car that doesn't have the remote services option for some reason. The norm seems to be that cars are ordered with SA7S9, which includes SA6AP, though.

This is my take on it, others might strongly disagree of course.
If it for some reason can't be done or is more expensive that you are willing to pay to get it activated, then I hope that this makes you feel better about not having it at least.
Get it on the next one.

 

[Bertin]

Bertin,

Is your main goal to get the lock/unlock feature working from your phone?

If so, I wouldn't spend hours and excessive amounts of money on this to get it "retrofitted", assuming that it is possible (which I do believe is).

I'm perhaps stating what you already know, but this feature is no substitute for unlocking/locking the car via the key fob, especially so if you have comfort access. There is quite a delay between sending the lock/unlock command (I've frequently seen well over a minute, but it varies) from the app and the car actually processing the command. Taking your phone out of your pocket, opening the app (it is strongly advised to secure the app with a pin code if your phone isn't secured by one), going to the remote tab, holding lock/unlock in for a couple of seconds and then standing sheepishly by (I would not trust the service and walk away from my unlocked car and hope that nobody will open a door before it's locked) while the command is sent to BMW's servers and then to the car, will take FAR longer than doing it with the key fob. Locking the car via this app also does not activate the alarm system, which is a big no-no for me. Of course you still need the key on you to start the car in any case, so you might as well use it to lock/unlock.
It's really only useful in the (more and more unlikely event with modern cars) event that you've locked yourself out of the car or lost the key and at least want to be able to gain access to the car. Again, you won't be able to start the car without the key present.

Unless you frequently have trouble finding your car in a parking lot, the flash lights/horn feature isn't of much use either. Locating the car remotely via the map is cool, but takes a long time and you can't track it in real time if it's moving. Chances are your car already has a third party tracking device (assuming you really want the car back after it's been stolen...), should you need to locate/recover it.

The ventilation function isn't of much use (to me anyway) either as it can't activate the aircon (can't remote start the vehicle to use the AC compressor) so it only starts the fan, which is of little use to cool down the car. I suppose it could be useful to start warming up the car in winter if the car isn't garaged overnight.

Please do not be offended by this post (I assume you have done your research and I'm stating the obvious), but I see this as more of a party trick (which gets old real quick) than a must have. I haven't touched the app in months and I doubt that I've ever even used it on my latest vehicle.
It would not be a deal breaker for me if I find a used car / lot car that doesn't have the remote services option for some reason. The norm seems to be that cars are ordered with SA7S9, which includes SA6AP, though.

This is my take on it, others might strongly disagree of course.
If it for some reason can't be done or is more expensive that you are willing to pay to get it activated, then I hope that this makes you feel better about not having it at least.
Get it on the next one.

Thank you and no... Not offended at all. I agree that it's mostly a party trick but I'll find the horn/lights function of more use as its a frequent hunt for my car.

So once I figure out how to or how much it will cost to retrofit, I'll weigh this against the "cool factor" and usability and go from there.

 

[Bertin]

OK, the app got an update to activate remote services.

I selected it however it just keeps on spinning.....:smashScreen: