Wifi Hotspot Preperation

CommitConfirm · 12-05-2016, 11:04 AM

Collected my MY17 last week which was optioned with the enhanced Bluetooth. This option comes with Wifi Hotspot Preperation 6WD FoC.

I can't find much info on this option online and there is nothing on how to use it in the manual. So I thought I'd pay it forward and provide a mini review on it.

Firstly you have to enable it. Go into the iDrive Settings and then onto Mange Devices. At the bottom will be a ballon to enable it. So far so good. Bring up your wifi settings on you device and you can see the car wifi but what's the password?

Turns out that once you've ticked the ballon to enable wifi you need to press the Options button... this is the step that's not documented anywhere.... and from there you can change the wifi name and set a password

Now it's just a case of connecting to car and open a web browser. It's captive portal so in the UK at least you presented with the need to register. It's £11 a month with the first month free for 1Gb a month. Not the most data and easily burn though this with a Spotify playlist. .50p per Gb there after.

TucErDoc · 12-05-2016, 12:55 PM

Thanks for taking time to put this out there!

Do you know if there is a way to rename the Bluetooth network too?

packetpilot · 12-09-2016, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TucErDoc

Thanks for taking time to put this out there!

Do you know if there is a way to rename the Bluetooth network too?

There's definitely a way to do so via Tool32 w/ the nbtevo.prg file, but I doubt it's possible via iDrive.

[edit: apologies; I misread this as 'rename the wifi network'.]

Almaretto · 01-26-2017, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TucErDoc

Thanks for taking time to put this out there!

Do you know if there is a way to rename the Bluetooth network too?

Bluetooth network is based of VIN. You just want to pair to different name?

ZPrime · 02-09-2017, 02:11 AM

Some people prefer their Bluetooth list to say "so-and-so's BMW" rather than "BMW iDrive 8456" or something stupid.

I personally rename all of my Bluetooth stuff with my initials-devicename... I even rename my iphone and ipad (which thankfully you can still do, unlike Android which has now made it impossible to set the hostname without rooting, so every Android device shows up on a network as "android-32159087ylaskjhasdfljh"

)

Almaretto · 02-09-2017, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZPrime

I personally rename all of my Bluetooth stuff with my initials-devicename... I even rename my iphone and ipad (which thankfully you can still do, unlike Android which has now made it impossible to set the hostname without rooting, so every Android device shows up on a network as "android-32159087ylaskjhasdfljh"

)

I have rooted and unrooted Androids and I have them all renamed so they show up as desired on Network. Maybe it just depend on network; I am using TP-link routers.

Dirtboy · 10-04-2017, 12:09 PM

Here's a question- Does the wifi hotspot turn off when the car is turned off? If it does, is there a way to leave the wifi on when the car is off?

CommitConfirm · 10-04-2017, 12:12 PM

Ish it stays on for as long as the ignition is on and for a short period there after until you lock the car.

Dirtboy · 10-04-2017, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommitConfirm

Ish it stays on for as long as the ignition is on and for a short period there after until you lock the car.

You don't think it could be coded to stay on all the time? I'm trying to use the hotspot with my dashcam.

Almaretto · 10-04-2017, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirtboy

You don't think it could be coded to stay on all the time? I'm trying to use the hotspot with my dashcam.

That would unnecessarily drain vehicle battery.

ZPrime · 10-05-2017, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirtboy

You don't think it could be coded to stay on all the time? I'm trying to use the hotspot with my dashcam.

That's gonna chew through data on the hotspot too, assuming the dashcam is uploading video through it?

What you want is for the cam to be configured for your home wifi, so it uploads whenever you get home... doesn't help you much if the car is stolen, but the other connecteddrive stuff should help track it down at least.

Dirtboy · 10-05-2017, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZPrime

That's gonna chew through data on the hotspot too, assuming the dashcam is uploading video through it?

What you want is for the cam to be configured for your home wifi, so it uploads whenever you get home... doesn't help you much if the car is stolen, but the other connecteddrive stuff should help track it down at least.

My dashcam doesn't auto upload video, it only sends notifications to the mobile app. And you can customize which notifications for it to send. You can access the videos from the app and download them if you want, but you have to do that manually.

It's a Blackvue DR650GW-2CH btw.

ZPrime · 10-05-2017, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirtboy

My dashcam doesn't auto upload video, it only sends notifications to the mobile app. And you can customize which notifications for it to send. You can access the videos from the app and download them if you want, but you have to do that manually.

It's a Blackvue DR650GW-2CH btw.

Ah, that makes a lot more sense then. Can have it ping you if motion / shock is detected.

12-05-2016, 11:04 AM	#1
CommitConfirm Lieutenant 475 Rep 549 Posts Drives: The Bus Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Berkshire iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Ford Focus RS [0.00] 1971 Mk3 Austin Min ... [0.00] 2013 MINI R56 GP [0.00] 2013 MINI R55 Clubvan [0.00]	Wifi Hotspot Preperation - 6WD Collected my MY17 last week which was optioned with the enhanced Bluetooth. This option comes with Wifi Hotspot Preperation 6WD FoC. I can't find much info on this option online and there is nothing on how to use it in the manual. So I thought I'd pay it forward and provide a mini review on it. Firstly you have to enable it. Go into the iDrive Settings and then onto Mange Devices. At the bottom will be a ballon to enable it. So far so good. Bring up your wifi settings on you device and you can see the car wifi but what's the password? Turns out that once you've ticked the ballon to enable wifi you need to press the Options button... this is the step that's not documented anywhere.... and from there you can change the wifi name and set a password Now it's just a case of connecting to car and open a web browser. It's captive portal so in the UK at least you presented with the need to register. It's £11 a month with the first month free for 1Gb a month. Not the most data and easily burn though this with a Spotify playlist. .50p per Gb there after. Last edited by CommitConfirm; 12-05-2016 at 11:09 AM.. Reason: Autocorrect spelling errors
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12-05-2016, 12:55 PM	#2
TucErDoc Second Lieutenant 74 Rep 287 Posts Drives: x5 ans m2 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Tucson, AZ iTrader: (0)	Thanks for taking time to put this out there! Do you know if there is a way to rename the Bluetooth network too?
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02-09-2017, 02:11 AM	#5
ZPrime I INDIC8 612 Rep 1,286 Posts Drives: 2018 LBB M2, 6MT Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [9.50]	Some people prefer their Bluetooth list to say "so-and-so's BMW" rather than "BMW iDrive 8456" or something stupid. I personally rename all of my Bluetooth stuff with my initials-devicename... I even rename my iphone and ipad (which thankfully you can still do, unlike Android which has now made it impossible to set the hostname without rooting, so every Android device shows up on a network as "android-32159087ylaskjhasdfljh" ) __________________ 2004 Matrix XRS 6MT => 2008 VW R32 DSG => 2012 Audi TTRS 6MT => 2018 BMW ///M2 6MT I'm an IT guy by trade and tech nerd by choice. I like HPDEs, parts of US Hwy 129, NC 28, and the Cherohala Skyway. I'm also a fan of aural pleasure.
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10-04-2017, 12:09 PM	#7
Dirtboy Second Lieutenant 197 Rep 258 Posts Drives: F87, F97 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Dallas iTrader: (0)	Here's a question- Does the wifi hotspot turn off when the car is turned off? If it does, is there a way to leave the wifi on when the car is off?
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10-04-2017, 12:12 PM	#8
CommitConfirm Lieutenant 475 Rep 549 Posts Drives: The Bus Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Berkshire iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Ford Focus RS [0.00] 1971 Mk3 Austin Min ... [0.00] 2013 MINI R56 GP [0.00] 2013 MINI R55 Clubvan [0.00]	Ish it stays on for as long as the ignition is on and for a short period there after until you lock the car.
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