According to reports, some new BMWs will not have Android Auto or Apple CarPlay

According to Automotive News Europe, BMW is temporarily shipping some new vehicles without compatibility for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay due to a change in chip suppliers. The new supplier’s processors are reportedly not yet compatible with Android Auto and CarPlay, and will require an update to make the software work.

“The chips built into these cars in the first four months of this year need updated software in order to be fully functional and offer Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Wi-Fi capability,” BMW said in an emailed statement to Automotive News Europe.

However, drivers may not have to wait long for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. According to Automotive News Europe, the carmaker expects to release an over-the-air (OTA) update to enable the capability “by the end of June at the latest.”

BMW did not indicate how many cars are affected or which models are affected, however vehicles with the manufacturing code “6P1” will not have Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. It’s unclear whether the problem is limited to certain locations; according to Automotive News Europe, drivers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and France have reported receiving new vehicles that lack either functionality.

This isn’t the first time BMW has made a concession owing to a chip scarcity. BMW announced in November that it had stopped shipping some of its new vehicles without touchscreens and backup assistant features, and that impacted customers would receive a $500 credit.

The scarcity hit other automobile manufactures as well, such as General Motors. Wireless charging was removed from a number of vehicles, a fuel management module was removed from several trucks, and the automated Super Cruise feature was removed from the Cadillac Escalade in 2022. Ford has began shipping and selling Explorer SUVs without rear heating and air conditioning controls on a trial basis.

According to Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, the chip scarcity, which affects a number of businesses in various ways, might endure until 2024.