iOS 13 Apple Music and BMW's iDrive problems

I have the same issue and it’s driving me crazy. Everything was working perfectly on iOS13 though. The issue started after updating to 13.1 and it still persists with 13.1.1. I also tried a Mercedes and the issue is also present. The problem has to do with iOS13.1

This is a huge functionality issue that Apple has to address. I’ve submitted to bug reports and encourage you to do the same. Hopefully this would get fixed with the next update.

Thanks for the replies about the creation of playlists. Trust me, I feel the pain as I'm not able to change tracks manually in a playlist too.

I thought I'd be clever and install Catalina into a VM running in Fusion, but it's thwarting this at present. I'm not alone with that, so hopefully there will be a workaround or fix, then I'll install Catalina and see wether there is anything to my theory there, I suspect not, but worth a try I guess.

Here's also hoping the next beta of 13.2 might address this problem.

The only other thing I can think of to suggest is to fill out the feedback form here: https://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

Perhaps we could come up with a standard response we could all send? Something like the below:

Since installing iOS 13.1.x onto my iOS device I have experienced a bug whereby I am unable to use the "Next" or "Previous" buttons on my car audio system to change the song when I am listening to a playlist. This issue did NOT occur with iOS 13.0.

It does not matter wether I use the buttons on a steering wheel, audio control interface, or "soft" buttons on the display od the audio system, the result is the same.

I have tried using a USB connection with a lightning cable, or a Bluetooth connection, and again the results are the same.

My Car is a <year> <make> <model>

Also happening to me.

2012 Honda Accord

iPhone Xs Max

iOS 13.1.2

Same exact bug - can't skip forward or backward in a playlist, but can with artists, albums, songs, etc.

I submitted feedback at https://feedbackassistant.apple.com/feedback/7351001:

Title: Unable to play next/previous songs only in a Music playlist using automobile controls

Please provide a descriptive title for your feedback:

Unable to play next/previous songs only in a Music playlist using automobile controls

Which area are you seeing an issue with?

Music

What type of feedback are you reporting?

Incorrect/Unexpected Behavior

Description: After iOS 13, I cannot skip forward or backward in a Music playlist when using my car's controls (either steering wheel or front console, 2012 Honda Accord with USB-lightning connection). Skipping forward or backward using the controls on the phone screen works as expected. Also, skipping forward or backward when listening to an album, artist or songs works as expected.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Plug iPhone with iOS 13 into external USB-lightning connection in a vehicle with forward/backward controls

2. Open Music app

3. Select a Playlist (and only a Playlist)

4. Play song in the playlist

5. Attempt to move forward/backward

Expected behavior: next/previous song in playlist will play

Actual behavior: Current song will briefly pause and then resume playing

I don't believe the title can be changed. Unless there is some kind of "report topic" option somewhere that lets some moderator / admin change it?

I *really* don't want anyone to think I am trying to take over things, certainly not my intent, but I do have a topic here too: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250693522 with a more generic title. That could be handy as it would show to those looking that there are more threads about this issue, which would hopefully equate to more exposure and, if we are really lucky, a fix for the issue.

I also agree with others about the response from Apple support to ask car manufacturer if there is an update. It's clearly not an issue with the car's audio system, it's something in 13.1.x. I suspect they're just using a standard response they have been given, so it's not really their fault. We just need to try and get it escalated somehow.

✅ FIX: Start your playlist with Miximum app. Then everything is working.

❤️ Please click “Helpful” button so everybody know about this workaround.

‼️ If you have the same problem, please write it directly to Apple here (so they know it’s a big issue): https://www.apple.com/feedback

You're welcome, I'm happy for this app too! :) Please click on Helpful button here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250676400?answerId=251392710022#251392710022 to get it to the first page so more people can send it to Apple as a direct feedback. Thanks!

Similar issue with my 2012 Audi A4 MMI. Skip and previous don't work after upgraded to iOS 13, fast forward and rewind work when holding buttons.

1. Already tried delete and re-pair device.
2. Tried another phone with iOS 12, and it's working fine.

• apple chat
• 
  
• I
• do honestly feel that the iOS 13.1.2 has outdated the software in the
• vehicles which means the new iOS version is not as compatible as it was
• before. There are no definite answers. I say this because there has been
• changes made to the iOS software which means every feature on the
• iphone is not going to function properly.
• I did check into my resources and I do see many users have reported the issue and they are mostly bmw owners.
• so why would they make changes that would impact the functionality
• 10:00
• 
  
• What
• I am saying is, every model car does not have this issue with the iOS
• 13. It is specifically the bmw cars with that specific software, which
• makes me believe, the issue is on both ends. The new update is not as
• compatible with the software in the vehicle.

I too have this issue with my Series 1 from 2016. I couldn’t change anything with my steering wheel knob.

However I’ve found a workaround. This worked for me every time I’ve tried it.

• Enter your car and turn it on
• The iDrive system turns on and immediately tries to connect to the last paired Bluetooth device (in my case it’s an iPhone X with iOS 13.3.1 developer beta 3)
• Force the connectivity by selecting your iPhone with your center console iDrive knob.

By some unknown reason if the car connects to your iPhone automatically and starts playing the music, you lose control over what’s playing through your steering wheel.

If you’re fast enough and you click the knob to select the iPhone to connect, the steering wheel knob works flawlessly along with your center display, the one in front of your steering wheel.

If you are not fast enough or don’t remember to do this every single time, just turn off your iPhone’s Bluetooth and turn it back on, force the connection on your iDrive and you’re good to go.

I am also having the same issue after updating to iOS 13 and then I updated to iOS 13.1 and the problem is still present. I tried reset my iPhone 11 Pro Max and the iDrive software on my BMW and the problem persisted. I am unable to use the iDrive to select songs from within a playlist.

i also have this same issue on a iphone x, bmw xdrive cant use the rotary nob or the steering wheel to change songs from local playlist on my phone. iOS 13.0 was fine something changed within iOS 13.1 that caused this problem for me.

I have the exact same issue, but in my Mercedes COMAND system and through the USB connection. It had worked perfectly for years. This is an absolutely make or break feature for me. I cannot rely on switching songs from my phone this is dangerous and leaves me with no reason to have Apple Music.

Exact same - local playlists that I’ve created is where the issue remains. Everything else works. Also, mine doesn’t work through rotary or steering wheel. It looks like it’s about to skip, the song displays the next song on my car infotainment screen, but then it goes back and same song continues to play.

I've just chatted with Apple support. It was referred to 2nd level tech named Travis. He said he thinks BMW needs to release a firmware update. He said that's frequently necessary when ios updates happen.

I asked if they are in contact with people at BMW to coordinate implementation. He said 'we provide software info to the developers of stereos and the bluetooth devices so issues (like) this can be resolved.'

I tested my phone paired with portable bluetooth speaker and music plays as expected, able to select another song and it starts.

While chatting with Apple, I called BMW Genius hotline. The rep said I was first call he's had on issue. His only suggestion was to re-pair phone and car, which I'd already done. Also, reboot phone.

I looked on the Connected app and didn't find info on software/firmware versions.

I happen to have my car in for first service appointment on Monday so I can have them look at it. Maybe the updated software is available and our cars just needs to be updated. Or we have to wait for new release.

This is not the case. It’s a bug with iOS. It works with other playlists or your “all tracks” list. It doesn’t work with your own playlists. I have this issue with my Mercedes. If every time iOS gets updated they expect millions of speakers, Bluetooth devices and cars to be updated they’re having a laugh. Sounds like travis should’ve kept quiet and reported up the line rather than tell people with nonsense. they release buggy software that’s not ready for release just so they can hit their deadlines and expect us to sit and patiently wait for them to fix it. Come on Apple. Fix it. Please continue to call back, raise the issue and ask for escalations.

I noticed today that I have the exact same problem too. I downloaded BMWs update software for my 2014 BMW and install that but it did not make a difference. This happened the day after installing iPhone 13.1.1