BMW: Update navigation system - how it works

If you want to update your BMW Navi, you have to buy the update first. You can get it either as a download or already on a USB stick.

BMW Navi Update: find the right update

To update your BMW Navi, you need the right update.

• To find the right update, select "Navigation" in the main menu of your BMW with the iDrive controller, press the iDrive down once and then the "Options" direct entry button.
• In the options, turn to "Version navigation system" and press the iDrive controller again.
• The display now shows the currently installed card with version information.
• If you have any problems with the selection, the service staff of the BaumBMW shop is at your side. You can contact us by phone, email or chat.
• Once you have found the right update, add it to the shopping cart and go through the purchase process. Here you have the choice whether you want the update to be downloaded or whether you prefer to send a USB stick. The latter takes longer, but saves you work.
• You must also order the correct activation code and enter your chassis number during the process.

BMW Navi update with download - how it works

If you have decided to download the update, you will receive two emails after the purchase.

1. In the first email you will receive your personal ID and your PIN.
2. With the second mail you will receive your activation code separately. You will need this later to activate the update.
3. Open the shop's download portal in the browser and log in with the access data that you received by email.
4. Download all the files that are displayed to your computer. The files are packed with WinRar so that they work for both Mac and Windows computers. The files can also only be extracted using WinRar.
5. When the download is complete, open the respective folder on your computer and unzip the zip file with Winrar into a new folder. This may take several minutes.
6. Then open the new folder with the extracted files and select the entire content. Drag all the files it contains onto a USB stick. This must be FAT 32 formatted and have a memory size of at least 32 GB. The transfer of the files can again take a few minutes.
7. Now insert the prepared USB stick in your BMW into the USB socket and the update area on the navigation system will open automatically.
8. If you activate the update with "Start activation", you will be asked for the activation code that you received in the separate mail. Now enter this code.
9. While the update is loading, the progress is shown in percent. As soon as 100% progress is achieved, your navigation system is up to date and you can remove the USB stick.

BMW Navi Update USB stick - it's that easy

If you have the update sent to you on a USB stick, you won't have to unzip and transfer the files. However, this version is also a little more expensive.

1. If you insert the USB stick with the Navi Update into the USB socket, the update starts automatically.
2. All you have to do is enter the activation code and the navigation system updates itself automatically as explained in the previous section.

We will explain how to update a TomTom navigation system in the next practical tip.