Any idea what this thing is?

[cdog2964]

This is in my center console and i assume its aftermarket given i cant find any info about it in the owner manual, but whatever it is, it looks pretty built in. Assuming it has something to do with cell phones. Any ideas and if it can be removed? Takes up half my center console. thanks

[Billyperks]

That's the charger for the IPHONE- I'll take it if you don't want it.
I believe that's for the Iphone 6.

[JDMSteven]

It's a phone dock, useless now. I saw a post on here instructing on how to remove it, I'll probably do it on my M6 at some point.

[hugo_nz]

It’s BMWs answer to the Mercedes UCI and Audi AMI. You could buy a series of snap-in adaptors for various phone models to allow charging, signal boost and (if equipped) access to media functions and apps on iDrive.

It’s not entirely useless; theres a universal wireless charger adapter that can fit up to iPhone 12/13 size phones (not the Max though). Here’s a link: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...102449887~geb/

Removing the base plate and its support it is not super difficult but it does leave a gaping hole in your armrest cubby which you’ll want to cover up. Apart from looking ugly anything that falls in there requires extensive disassembly of the console to retrieve.

[Henkan]

As per earlier replies, that is the, useless, generic phone cradle. I replaced mine with the wireless charger that fits right in the frame. There are instructions of how to remove the cradle here somewhere. It includes removing the rubber lining on the console floor and pushing the frame back- or forwards.

Edit: hugo_nz beat me by two minutes.

[Qsilver7]

Ditto the explanations above…it is NOT an aftermarket component…but is the base plate for multiple phone applications:

base plate:

Depending on your model year (which you didn’t give or list) and connectivity types…it could still be useful depending on what type of cell phone you have. You can see some of the various components that can be attached to it from the BMW part database. The oldest f12/13 six series are over a decade old at this point…and technology can change as fast as every 6-12 months. When these cars first came out…there weren’t things like dedicated wireless charging…which now you can get in an inexpensive Ford Focus. The base plate allowed for dedicated phone charging and upgrades over the decade:
Apple Snap-in Adapters


Universal Snap-in Adapter


Samsung Snap-in Adapters


Wireless Charging Device:

[cdog2964]

Thanks everyone, and it was just odd that there was no mention of it in the owners manual. Especially since it isnt aftermarket.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by cdog2964

Thanks everyone, and it was just odd that there was no mention of it in the owners manual. Especially since it isnt aftermarket.

It’s probably mentioned in one of the other owners manuals that came in the binder. For instance, iDrive is briefly covered in the regular owners manual…but there’s another Entertainment manual that goes into way more details about iDrive, entertainment, and telephony. Look for that owners manual if you still have the binder in the glove box.

And you may want to check the owners manual built into iDrive. It has a search feature, so if you open it…search for “SNAP IN ADAPTER”…it may cover it and may also throw in a video. I say that because I have used it before and on some topics there were videos to enhance the built in owners manual experience.

EDIT…yep, I have a digital copy of the NBT owners manual and you can see the cover, contents, and page that covers this info. The snap-in adapter is covered in the COMMUNICATION chapters.