Ask MF: Connecting an iPhone

Gabe Jul 23rd, 2007 Link

I’m told it works with the official iPod adapter (for R50, R52 and R53 MINIs) as long as you put it in “airplane mode”.

GSKChicago Jul 26th, 2007 Link

It seems that putting the phone in Airplane mode kind of defeats the purpose to a degree of having the iPhone. It eliminates the phone aspect of the device while listening to music.

I don’t have the iPod adapter, but did recently pick-up the Apple Hi-Fi and it pops up when I connect my iPhone to put it in Airplane mode to avoid interference. I’ve used the Hi-Fi while in Airplane mode and out of Airplane mode…. I have experienced ZERO difference in performance in either mode.

So not sure if maybe you need to trick the adapter by first putting in the mode and then take it out.

Doubt this is helpful per se, but thought there was some minor validity.

Josh Wardell Jul 26th, 2007 Link

Wouldn’t it make more sense for Apple and the car manufacturers to forget about the adaptors altogether and do everything over bluetooth? Both for handsfree phone integration and for audio through the stereo. (Yes, I know the iphone currently doesn’t support the profile, which is dumb) No one would ever have to bother with adapters again and you wouldn’t have to so much as take your ipod/cellphone/iphone out of your pocket.

Dave Z Jul 26th, 2007 Link

I have a 2005 MCS with the factory iPod connection. My iPhone works with it quite well. It is not necessary to put it into airplane mode, when the iPhone asks, just say no. This will allow you to control the iPod function with the factory head unit and use the phone features. When the phone rings it automatically pauses the music to allow you to answer a call (with my BlueTooth ear piece). The only drawback would depend on where you iPod connection is located, mine is in the glove box, so seeing who is calling is difficult to impossible. I’m looking into moving the connection so I can better utilize the phone function. Trying to figure out how to transform my cupholder into an iPhone holder.

Chad Jul 26th, 2007 Link

Does the MINI support bluetooth A2DP? Actually does anyone have a list of what profiles are supported?

RB Jul 26th, 2007 Link

Hey Gabe Speaking of iPod musak, did ya ever get that Japanese video musak stopped? I had to shut down my browser to get to quit. =;¬)

stacy Jul 26th, 2007 Link

I tried at the at&t store I could not get the iphone to play through the speakers. Do I need to create a mini play list??

dickdavid Jul 26th, 2007 Link

There’s a guy on my local board with an R53 with aftermarket Bluetooth and an IceLink who says it works for him:

I didn’t know they sold aftermarket BT for the MINI.

Noel Jackson Jul 27th, 2007 Link

Bluetooth is not a viable option for a high quality audio transmission. Unfortunately that will never be an option (unless they create a different wireless protocol better than bluetooth).

cjupin.com » Blog Archive » Connecting an iPhone in a MINI Jul 27th, 2007 Link

[...] reading over on motoringfile about people trying to connect their iPhone to their MINI I decided to try it out myself. The [...]

Dave Z Jul 27th, 2007 Link

I didn’t name any of the play lists on my iPhone MINI 1, 2 etc. It plays the one play list I have on it which is named iPhone.

It might be worth a try to see if naming them as you would with an iPod makes a difference.

Stacy Jul 27th, 2007 Link

OK.. Thank you so much for your suggestions I plugged the iphone in said no to the airplane it played the music through the phone not through my speakers what do I need to do th have it play through the mini speakers??

stacy Jul 28th, 2007 Link

I do not have the blue tooth option in my car . While I am driving I was hoping just to listen to the iphone as an ipod.

DB Jul 28th, 2007 Link

If you follow the link above to cjupin’s blog, he has pictures and everything. Using the OEM iPod adapter and the iPhone.

stacy Jul 28th, 2007 Link

I have done everything from cjupins blog it was very helpful but no luck still.

DB Aug 6th, 2007 Link

The latest update to the iPhone might help you out.

The iPhone can now play music through many previously incompatible car adapters and other external speakers originally designed for the iPod. In the first software build, the phone wasn’t recognized as a music source by some of these devices, which get the music through the iPod connector on the bottom rather than the headphone jack. For instance, after I did the update, I was suddenly able to route the iPhone’s music output through my car iPod adapter, which the iPhone had previously recognized only as a charger, even though it acted as both a charger and an audio adapter for my iPod.

[via]

anna Oct 24th, 2007 Link

I have had mixed luck with the iphone in the adapter. Sometimes it works beautifully. Sometimes the music plays through the phone speaker and not the car’s speakers. (luck of the draw) But, I have to say, i have had NO luck CHARGING the phone with the adapter. I have the factor installed ipod adapter. Has anyone else had bad luck with it charging? The latest apple upgrade doesn’t seem to have helped.

Dave A. Apr 14th, 2008 Link

My wife and I have 2 iphones. At first hers was fine and mine would only play through the phone speakers. I exchanged my phone at an apple store because I was having other glitches. I left the apple store and walked to my mini, got in, plugged back in my wife’s iphone, and suddenly her phone now only comes out of the speakers on her phone and not the car speakers. I got home, updated my software and music, went out to the mini - mine plays fine and hers does not. Hers is functioning semi- normal with bluetooth. Mine does not. I have not found any consistency in anything except lack of consistency.

Sigh… I am not sure who to be disappointed in. Unfortunately, I will never go back to pc. I am a slave to the apple.