Why Is Apple CarPlay Not Full Screen in My BMW — and How to Fix It

Apple CarPlay is designed to bring seamless iPhone integration to your BMW, enhancing your driving experience with real-time navigation, voice commands, and access to your favorite apps. But if you’ve noticed that CarPlay doesn’t take up your BMW’s full widescreen display, you're not alone.

Many BMW drivers are frustrated by this — especially those with wide iDrive screens where CarPlay appears stuck in a smaller window. Here’s why that happens, and more importantly, how to fix it.

1. Check Your BMW’s Software Compatibility

The most common reason CarPlay isn’t in full screen is software limitation. BMWs manufactured before 2018 often came with older versions of iDrive that don’t support full-screen CarPlay by default.

✅ Solution:

• Go to Menu > Settings > Software Update on your BMW screen.

• Check if an update is available.

• If you can't update yourself, contact your BMW dealer for help.

A software update may unlock full-screen support and other improvements.

2. Adjust CarPlay Settings in iDrive and iPhone

Sometimes, the issue is caused by settings — either in your BMW’s system or on your iPhone.

✅ Solution:

• On your BMW screen, go to Main Menu > CarPlay.

• If the option exists, enable “Full Screen” or “Use Widescreen” mode.

• On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > CarPlay.

  • Tap your BMW and choose Forget This Car.

  • Reconnect via USB or Bluetooth to trigger a fresh setup — this may enable full screen.

3. Full Screen CarPlay May Require Coding

In some cases, BMW disables full-screen CarPlay by default, and coding is required to unlock it. This is especially true for models with NTB EVO ID5/ID6 systems.

✅ Solution:

Visit a specialist like TheCarPlayer.com — we offer plug-and-play CarPlay modules and coding services for BMW. These solutions:

• Unlock full-screen CarPlay

• Add wireless CarPlay if your BMW doesn't already support it

• Optimize CarPlay for widescreen iDrive displays

4. Use a Compatible iPhone and Keep iOS Updated

If your iPhone is outdated, that could affect your CarPlay experience.

✅ Solution:

• CarPlay works on iPhone 5 and newer, with iOS 7.1+.

• Update your iPhone to the latest iOS:
  Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

A newer iOS version may fix bugs and ensure better CarPlay compatibility.

5. Why You Want Full-Screen CarPlay in Your BMW

Upgrading to full-screen CarPlay does more than just look better — it also improves usability and safety:

✅ Better navigation visibility: Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze use the full display
✅ Enhanced user experience: A widescreen layout makes apps easier to interact with
✅ Safer multitasking: You can view music controls and directions at the same time

Final Thoughts: Get the CarPlay Experience Your BMW Deserves

If Apple CarPlay isn’t in full screen on your BMW, don’t worry — in most cases, it can be fixed with a software update, adjusting settings, or activating hidden features through coding.

At TheCarPlayer.com, we offer BMW CarPlay retrofit kits and support for activating full-screen CarPlay across a wide range of BMW models. Our plug-and-play solutions are easy to install and fully compatible with your iDrive system.

🔧 Ready to upgrade?

👉 Explore our BMW CarPlay modules and bring your driving experience into the future.