iOS 13 Apple Music and BMW's iDrive problems

I have the same issue ever since I updated to IOS 13.1.1.

I think it might be related to the length of playlists as it is still working in albums.

I saw an update that states the solution should come from BMW but that does not seem logical.

It is not the first time something working gets bricked after an IOS update, it is frustrating.

At this stage, honestly, I don’t think there is any doubt: the bug is on Apple side.

1/ Many are reporting this issue on this forum thread. The reports are issued by drivers of BMW, Audi, Toyota, Mercedes.

2/ Moreover, as I described earlier, the issue does not appear if you start playing the playlist on your iPhone by triggering it from the Apple Watch music app. However, the issue is systematically reproduced if you start to play either from the iPhone music app directly or from the embedded car systems. So, somehow, the piece of software code for playing a playlist is not the same while in the very own ecosystem of Apple. For the end users, there is absolutely no reason to have a difference of behaviour whether you start playing the playlist from the watch or from the phone.

3/ The issue only appeared since the iOS iOS 13.1. .As far as I know, playing a playlist Is something standardised at least in Bluetooth protocol. I don’t see why carmakers should produce updates if it is a standard protocol broken by Apple update. And I would expect Apple to ensure backward compatibility.you are not going to change your car because of the phone upgrades, are you?

To conclude, I believe that kind of issue can pop up. It happens. but I really expect from Apple not to move in denial mode. At this stage, their best option is to have one of the official representative posting in this forum thread in order to simply announce that the problem has been confirmed and recorded by the engineering team if perspective of its fix.

philippe

ps This last post was made while in the car in a traffic jam,… using Siri that still works. So, if there is any typo, it’s not my fault but I’ll try to fix it later. :)

Same here (in Canada), BMW ConnectedDrive Support indicated they are aware of the issue and working not, also that it was "back and forth" between BMW and Apple. If your vehicle supports over-the-air updates it would come automatically; if not, would be a trip to the dealer.

It bothered me that much, I just restored my iPhone to iOS 12.4.1.

Procedure according to: https://ios.gadgethacks.com/how-to/downgrade-ios-13-back-ios-12-4-1-your-iphone-using-itunes-finder-0198642/

I’ve even reporting this to Apple since iOS 13 beta 3!

Just spoke To 2 friends, New audi and new Ford platinum... Guess what doesn't work? Usb or Bluetooth. Same issues.

This company died when Steve Jobs did.

They did a great job on the emojis tho! 👍

Especially dangerous if you are used to looking at playlist on HUD. So, instead of launching the song you want while not removing eyes from the road, you have to unlock the phone, get to the Music app, find the playlist and then scroll for the song. They need to sort it out very quickly.

I too am facing this issue on my Mercedes CLC since updating my iPhone X from iOS 12 to iOS 13. When connecting my phone to the car via Bluetooth I am unable to change song using the car’s controls when listening any playlist on the iPhone Music app. This issue seems to be specific to playlists as the controls work to change song when my main library is playing.

I would encourage all users facing this issue to report this to Apple as this seems to be widespread and we really do need a fix!

I did try this, I can regain control of my music wirelessly only by controlling with my Apple Watch, but unfortunately the issue still persists on my BMW iDrive, it doesn't seem to make any difference through the car. Thanks for the update though!

Here's a quick question for people experiencing the issue when trying to change tracks while listening to a playlist when running iOS 13.1.x.

Where did you create the playlist? Was it on the iOS device? Was it in iTunes and copied over?

I wonder if someone were to create a new playlist on their iOS 13.1.x device, if the problem would persist?

Also, if anyone happens to have installed macOS Catalina, then try creating a new playlist there, and copying it over to your iOS 13.1.x device and see if that works.

My thought process on this is that Catalina kills off iTunes, and in turn that removed the support of XML files used by people for iTunes, and I thought that maybe that could be related to what is happening, and if a playlist was created (maybe even just edited) on Catalina that it might "fix" the problem. I suspect it won't, but could be worth a shot.

Just sent your suggested response to Apple...hopefully that will help. I am glad to see that others have been having the same issues as myself. I must have reset my phone and bluetooth numerous times before finding this thread. I haven't tried any of the work arounds yet (i.e. using the Apple Watch, etc.), but plan on seeing if any might work. I have a 2016 BMW X3 and I remember that when the iPhone 7 came out I had problems then too. I'm not sure if there was also a new IOS released at the same time or not. At that time other cars besides BMW were also having problems. I made many phone calls, Apple was blaming BMW and BMW was blaming Apple, and it took months before things were finally back to normal. Let's hope this gets cleared up quickly.

For all those without an Apple Watch, I’ve seen to have found a very annoying temporary workaround.

if you download the app “Miximum”, it lets you start playing your Apple Music playlist from that app. It actually triggers the running off the standard Music app in the background As soon as it starts playing, minimise the app and enter the music app. From there on you can continue to use the music app and forward and rewind your music. However, you can’t change playlists without going back to the app, etc. It’s just a way to kick start a playlist.

DEFINITELY not a fix. But better than nothing

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.

Same here with 2019 Mini Cooper JCW since iOS 13. It's seriously p i s s i n g me off! Neither Aple or Mini have any fixes, and from what I have understood, nobody at Mini has been contacted by Apple to help solve the issue with Apple's software!

Use Feedback Assistant on Mac or iPhone to send a report to Apple. Did it yeaterday. They take a long time to read it but they do it. Maybe if the get lots of reports they will consider fixing the issue soon.

So guys, i just checked the update portal of BMW (German Website). It looks like there is a fix. The changelog says:

Connectivity

▷ Verbessert die Telefonfunktion mit Apple iPhone.

What means: improvements for communication with Apple iPhone. I will install update later after work and let you know, if it is fixed for me. BMW 2 Active Tourer 2018 Navi Plus. The update is new to me, last time there was a fix for Samsung Devices.