When I try to program the voice dialing feature the system just keeps telling me the phonebook is empty. I'm using a first generation iPhone with a 2009 MINI S. Anyone have any advice?

 

Search is your friend. there are lots of posts on this exact subject.

See the sticky at the top of the thread list and read thru it.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=129431

Other threads to read

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=142564

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=141997

 

The quick answer is the phone has to support voice dialing. The iPhone does not so you can't use that feature of the car. Maybe 3rd generation iPhone will have voice dialing.

 

This is NOT true.

The mini has its own 20 contact voice dial list. This function is separate from the phone voice dial, although it does have problems with some phones that do have voice dialing capabilities. I.E. my phone which has voice dial features will not dial a name that is in the contact list but will dial a name if the name AND number are not in the phones contact list. Other phone work flawlessly with or with out voice dial features in the phone.

Read thru the second and third links carefully and you will find that the programing words have changed. I.E. it used to be "add name" and it changed to "save name" and it may have changed again.

This may be the biggest part of you problem, not using the correct words to generate the voice dial contact.

EDIT: BTW the NAV and Non Nav voice dial features do work differently as well.

 

Originally, my list was keeping manual/automatic info for voice dialing on the phones, but it turns out that is nav/non-nav related. I've kept the column in the spreadsheet, since people still specifically report that it works. Apologies if it gave the impression that the phone needs to have voice dial support but as Schatzy said, it should go as long as the phone will pair up and dial.