[o1sowise]

We've had the new 2025 i5 xDrive 40 for a few weeks now and we love it!

When I get a text message, I see it appear on the screen, and I can read it if I take my eyes off the road and press the VIEW button on the screen. I'd much prefer to press the BMW Assistant button on the steering wheel and ask it to read the text to me (like CarPlay does). Can I do that?

[o1sowise]

We’ve tried asking it to “read last text” or “read my texts” or “read out text” - things that work in CarPlay, but no luck. What’s the secret?

[DrVenture]

I have been mainly using CarPlay, but would like to hear any suggestions on voice texting via iDrive, as well. I'd prefer to stay in iDrive for HUD nav and perhaps other features. Not sure if that provides more functionality or not, but it seems to.

[o1sowise]

Exactly. I really like the builtin nav. It’s especially helpful in the heads-u display. It even tells us where to find a charge (since we’re 100% EV) if our trip is longer that the remaining charge. It’s really awesome.

We can make and receive calls via iDrive. The only thing missing, is the texts.

[DrVenture]

The nav/entertain/com owners manual has a section on responding to text via the "com" menu. After selecting the message thread, you choose "dictate". I haven't tried it. Not sure if any incoming texts provide a pop-up for incoming messages to then select and respond using "dictate".

[o1sowise]

We tried that. You can PRESS the screen to read, but the Personal Assiatant does not recognize that command.

[o1sowise]

Also, the pop-up on the screen doesn’t make a sound. Basically, we want CarPlay-like functions inside the Personal Assistant.

[Rob_G77]

I find the PA to be rather inept except for the most basic, straight forward instructions. And even then there are gaps in what it can and cannot do.

Rob

[allBAY]

New pet peeve has entered the room. It's all personal preference but I would smash my dashboard if it started reading texts outloud. 😂