I am reading a mixed discussion about whether you can stream spotify music (not bluetooth audio, which comes from your device storage) through bluetooth on a pre-LCI F56. Some says it has to have the connected XL some says wired upgrade. Can anyone confirm if you can stream spotify at all? Also, I heard the Mini connected app is replaced and is no longer downloadable for pre-LCI Mini. Will that affect the spotify streaming functionality? Has any owners here been affected by this change?

tx!

 

I have a Samsung Galaxy, and I am able to stream both apple music and pandora via bluetooth in my 2015 F56. It has the 6.5 inch screen upgrade, but no nav or anything else. Even if it doesn't have the screen, I can't think of a reason why it wouldn't work, since all F56s have bluetooth capability.

 

awesome! thank you! The reason I asked is because bluetooth technology comes in many forms. Some type of onboard computer doesn't have A2DP technology, the one that is in charge of bluetooth streaming (Spotify, Pandora, etc) while having the Bluetooth audio technology, which is in charge of your bluetooth phone call or your local device music. I read on some forum that some people cannot stream Spotify and I was concerned. But you cleared me up!

 

The only problem I have is that I can't change songs via the steering wheel controls, only change volume up and down.

 

can you elaborate a little on that? What year is your Mini? what package? were you streaming from bluetooth device audio or internet streaming like Spotify? Is this the only issue? Does the monitor correctly display your song progress/title/album cover?

 

I don't have Spotify, but I got YouTube to play through Bluetooth. The monitor displays unknown artist, unknown album, unknown song. When watching video, the audio is slightly delayed. This was on 2015 F55 S with visual boost package.

 

I'll do my best to answer you... unfortunately, I'm not sure what package my Mini came with, I'm the second owner and not sure how to check either. It's a 2016 MCS F55... sorry I know you said F56 specifically. I connect my phone (OnePlus 7T , previously had the 6T) and can take calls and listen to music via spotify, pandora, youtube and vlc. Really, it's all fine except attempting to change tracks using the steering wheel controls just gives me a message saying "unavailable" if I'm not mistaken but volume up and down works fine. The actual head unit works find to change tracks and everything, and so does the menu ****. I get all relevant info on the HU, including album covers when they're available.

I complained to Mini a couple of times and they say that it's just not available or that only itunes will work but I'm not an Apple user so I can't confirm that.

I think I've tried to upgrade the software before but it seemed like mine was the latest at the time, which was about a couple of years ago.

 

thank you! This is really helpful! Just to get a little more, is this what happen when you do bluetooth? Does the steering wheel control work if you do usb connection for spotify/youtube? Does your head unit specifically show a spotify icon on the left menu list (supposedly under media or mini connected) when you connect your phone? I am trying to figure out exactly what functions are compatible and there are millions of different footage on youtube with different versions unfortunately.

 

I have a 2017 Mini JCW with 8" screen and I am successfully using Bluetooth to listen to Spotify from my Android phone. In order to get the best sound and minimize cell plan usage, I download my Spotify playlist (set to highest quality) on my home Wifi. Before getting into my car I put Spotify into offline mode. When I get into my Mini I select External device (Samsung 7) and listen via Bluetooth. The audio quality is good on my Harmon Kardon system. I am not able to use forward/back buttons on steering wheel, but honestly I always used the same buttons on the head unit anyway. PCM screen shows artist, album name and track name. I generally do not get cover art displayed on Mini PCM even though I can see it on Spotify on my phone (once I turn off car mode). BTW, I can play the same playlist on my 2019 Porsche Cayman over Bluetooth and I do see cover art 90% of the time.

I previously was downloading Spotify to USB memory sticks using 3rd party app Sidify and loved the experience as the search function was available and I could pick from thousands of tracks by album, artist, etc. and I ALWAYS got the cover art. However, Spotify recently suspended my Spotify account saying i was not following the license agreement, so I am guessing Sidify finally triggered something on their system. BTW, I had always maintained a premium account with Spotify and was only using the music for my personal use. Anyway, I agreed to use Spotify per their agreement and am satisfied with Spotify (offline) over Bluetooth. I expect normal streaming Spotify would work the same, but I presume the sound quality would be slightly diminished.

I was never able to get Spotify to work hooking my phone up to the car using a wired USB connection. I did not try using a 2.5mm audio cable. I expect the audio quality would be comparable, but I don't think you would get any info on display screen or ability to use forward / back buttons and controlling via phone would be distracting and dangerous.