I'm really getting frustrated with MINI and all the "it works" on mine but others "it does not work" option for getting text/SMS messages to display on the car's display. For reference this is a F56/2014 MINI S, production date of May 2014.

I have now tried with 4 different phones, 2 of which MINI USA confirms on the web site and with a phone call should work fine.

iPhone 6, iPhone 5, Nexus 5, and Galaxy S5.

None of them will show my text/SMS messages on my car's display. I have Connected+Boost (no navigation, and not XL)

In all the phone's bluethooth settings and car settings there is no option to show notifications from text/SMS text.

I also can not update my vehicles software. When I put my 7 last of Vin into MINI or BMW it says my software is up to date. I have no idea how a web site knows my software is up to date. I've even changed the Vin number online to get the software, but it will not install on the car.

Dealer and MINI advise the software is current, both don't know what I am talking about regarding text/SMS messages showing in the car. They both seem to think it "should" be possible but answer with a standard canned reply: Must be a compatibility issues with your phone. Come on folks... really?!? If you don't know just say you don't know.

Is there something I am missing here? It works for some and not for others. Is there some option I needed to make this work? I see stuff about "MINI Office" but I don't even see an option for such nor can I find any reference of it online. Anyone know what the heck MINI Office is? Was it an option in 2014?

Anyone have any true insight/ideas on this subject, please? It's driving me nuts. If it will not work fine, but all indications lead to believe it should.

 

I've used 2 phones in my 2015 F56S, a Galaxy Note 3 and a Windows Phone (running WP8.1) and only the Note 3 worked. Note that I have the Wired Package (Connected + Nav + Visual Boost XL), but both of our cars should have the same basic level of functionality as far as the Bluetooth/phone is concerned.

If it's going to work, (on Android at least) once you pair for the first time, your phone will pop up a message asking if the car can access your address book, and after saying yes/no, another popup should appear asking if the car can access your messages. If you don't get that second popup, you won't be able to view texts on the in-car display.

I couldn't begin to tell you why other phones will/won't work, and I don't have any iOS experience, but that's how it works for me.

 

The only way I got mine to work is had to make these adjustments to my iPhone

 

You do have to go to MINI office in your car to see the texts/emails. I can take a picture of it for you at lunch. Be about 15-30 minutes

 

+1

Where is MINI office in the car? I don't see it on my screen. Screen shot would be awesome!

I do have my notifications under messages on the iPhone set as you do; however, under Bluetooth -> MINIXXXX and then pressing the (i) button there is no "show notifications" as some people here are saying must be ON. I don't even have that option. Running iOS 8.4 now.

Thanks!

 

Here is the "i " in Bluetooth settings...

 

Here is MINI office in my car.

 

Then after you click that should look like this...

 

Then this...

 

I'm running the newest IOS that just came out this week on iPhone 6plus. Hopefully this will help. It took me forever to figure it out. MINI corp even told me that my phone wasn't compatible. WTF? it's a iPhone! But I never gave up.

 

Thank you!

I don't have Office on my screen... and I still don't have the "show notifications" under bluetooth (i) even with iOS 8.4 (just came out) -- however, my wife's Acura MDX where I also link with bluetooth when I drive it does show my text messages on the screen and I have the "show notifications" under bluetooth (i) with her vehicle (Acura Handsfree)

I don't understand at all but I'm not giving up. Was MINI Office an option in 2014? I don't recall seeing it in the online config tool. Maybe that is the part/option I am missing.

 

Hmmm that's strange...not sure why it wouldn't show up the "i" part. If you noticed I had 2 mini listed and one was a loaner car and it worked in it also. As MINI office being a option in a 2014 that's what my car is. Not sure maybe it's a connectXL option. Did you update your Bluetooth software to the latest in the car? You can update it with your vin number on the site with a flash drive. Not sure if it will help but it fixes lots of stuff including Spotify.

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/connected_drive_services/mobile_devices/bluetooth_software_update.html

 

Thanks for your help. I did try the above link and the one from MINI. Both sites say my software is up to date. I even tried a different VIN number, downloaded the software, but it would not install on the car. My dealer claims my software is up to date as well.

Just don't understand it all, but thank you for the help. I may try a different dealer and see what answers they give me.

 

I noticed the same issue. My wife has a 2015 F56 with a build date of Nov 2014 and her screen does not show "Office" (says "Contacts" instead) and the bluetooth settings on the phone do not have "Show Notifications," however my 2015 F55 with a June 2015 build date does have "Office" and does have "Show Notifications."

Note that both cars are equipped with the MINI Connected/Visual Boost packages.

I asked my dealer about it and they didn't seem to have any idea that the software is different.

Also, both cars were able to install the most recent software update from the MINI website.

 

This is what's so frustrating!

My dealer updated my car to the latest available software which allowed me to install the web site software download. Now I have the "Office" icon on my menu but still no "show notification" button on my phone.

I had to beg my dealer for this update as well -- was originally told no updates available.

The dealer has no idea, MINI USA says my phone, an iPhone 5 is not compatible with Office features.

SMH

 

Did your car have the Media package installed or just the Connected/Visual Boost by itself? Enhanced Bluetooth is needed for office functions and only comes with the Media package.

If your car does indeed have Media package, go to your Bluetooth devices menu (the list of all your paired devices) and hit the OPTION button on the iDrive controller, then Configure Bluetooth. Make sure all the boxes are checked. If they weren't, check them and try re-pairing your phone (delete first then re-pair).

 

I do have EBT. Without EBT you don't get the "Office" menu on the iDrive main menu.

I've also configured Bluetooth and checked the "Office" button. Phone still does not have show notification which is what is missing/needed to enable the car/display to show the SMS/Text messages. I've tried deleting the phone both ways, from the car devices and the phone itself and then re-pair. Same results each time.

 

Very strange!

 

That is weird, I can read emails and txt messages from the display. Running a Note 4 and haven't had issues. Have the MINI Connected/Visual Boost/Navigation XL with the Enhanced Bluetooth. Not sure if you need to get the full package for it to work correctly. I wanted to be able to stream bluetooth so I had to get the works, took the dealer forever to find the right car with all the parts I needed. I am wondering if you are missing something or do not have all the stuff you need to display txt and other messages.

 

So I picked up a new phone last week, Samsung Galaxy S6 and still no SMS options, even though the MINI USA web site specifically says it works. No option under the phones Bluetooth options for SMS/TEXT only for the Phonebook with is enabled and works. I give up on this ever working.

 

I just picked up a 2015 MCS with Media Package and Nav.
I use the IPhone 6s.
In my newly traded in 2012 Countryman with Nav, I had Office and text and some Email notifications.
In the new MCS, only contacts.
I did update with the latest version of the software, but haven't noticed a difference.
Since I had Office with this iPhone, it seems the issue lies with the car.

 

Yours should have text notifications...

-Make sure "Show Notifications" is on on your iPhone's bluetooth settings (SETTINGS -> BLUETOOTH -> click the "i" next to MINIXXXXX)

- Make sure office functions are turned on on the MINI as well. Go to TELEPHONE -> BLUETOOTH DEVICES, click the OPTION button in the iDrive controller and select CONFIGURE BLUETOOTH. Everything should be checked. If it wasn't, check them on and unpair/repair.

 

Did all of the above with an iPhone 6. Still no good.

 

If my picture posts, I don't have the " Show Notifications " option on my phone.

 

That is the same problem I have. I've since picked up an iPhone 6S and still don't have "show notifications".

MINI support is worthless, telling my iPhone's do not support in-car text message even thought I've explained to them others have it working they don't believe me. They could not answer why my Galaxy does not work, only telling me it must be a technical issue with my actual phone as the car supports the feature. Brilliant!

I know for a 100% fact the issue lies with the car, however, MINI will not admit or offer any solutions/update/fix/inspection. The car MUST tell the phone it allows notifications via MAP (Message Access Profile) but for whatever reason some MINI's are not telling phones to allow MAP which prevents the phone from showing "show notifications" feature or allowing the display/read of text messages.

This is a MINI issue and not related to our/your phone. Call MINI and complain as I have done, maybe the more people logging this issue will get some results.