[Gemini 2014]

Having been told that the cradle for my iPhone is not yet available I used my usb charger connecting cable and ran it outside of the central moulding to my armrest and it all worked correctly. As the cable was in white it meant that it stood out and could give some passing miscreant the obvious hint that there might well be an iPhone connected and worth nabbing, my thought was to get the same cable but in black and a bit longer in length, so that I could run it underneath the central moulding, coming out at the back and into the armrest. However, the one I purchased made the iPhone flash on an off and for the battery to be drained almost instantly. I took it out of the car and tried it using the mains charger and also the usb on my computer and it worked perfectly. Is there something I am missing in expecting the usb in the car to work correctly?

 

[johnan]

Having been told that the cradle for my iPhone is not yet available I used my usb charger connecting cable and ran it outside of the central moulding to my armrest and it all worked correctly. As the cable was in white it meant that it stood out and could give some passing miscreant the obvious hint that there might well be an iPhone connected and worth nabbing, my thought was to get the same cable but in black and a bit longer in length, so that I could run it underneath the central moulding, coming out at the back and into the armrest. However, the one I purchased made the iPhone flash on an off and for the battery to be drained almost instantly. I took it out of the car and tried it using the mains charger and also the usb on my computer and it worked perfectly. Is there something I am missing in expecting the usb in the car to work correctly?

I don't know the reason why, but my manual says the USB socket should not be used for recharging external devices, which I presume includes iphones.

Seems it is supposed to be used for importing/playing music files but not charging iphones.

Bit of a nuisance.

 

[TheScotsman]

Johnan that might be true in accordance with the manual, but in the description on the configurator the USB port was sold as being capable of charging connected devices. So if it doesn't charge Apple and Android products via USB I will be mighty pi$$ed.

 

[TheScotsman]

For further clarification I extracted this from the configurator.

Hands-free kit with USB interface as standard: Phone calls are now easier and more convenient than ever, thanks to the hands-free kit and USB interface integrated into every single new MINI Hatch. In addition, almost all commonly used MP3 players, iPhones, iPods and USB sticks can be connected to the audio system via the USB audio interface. When connected, it also charges the device battery.

 

[pjsjr13]

I use an iPod touch in my car via the USB port and it is fine. It charges and causes no problems so far.. May Mini want us to spend extra coin by telling us this.

 

[TheScotsman]

Having been told that the cradle for my iPhone is not yet available I used my usb charger connecting cable and ran it outside of the central moulding to my armrest and it all worked correctly. As the cable was in white it meant that it stood out and could give some passing miscreant the obvious hint that there might well be an iPhone connected and worth nabbing, my thought was to get the same cable but in black and a bit longer in length, so that I could run it underneath the central moulding, coming out at the back and into the armrest. However, the one I purchased made the iPhone flash on an off and for the battery to be drained almost instantly. I took it out of the car and tried it using the mains charger and also the usb on my computer and it worked perfectly. Is there something I am missing in expecting the usb in the car to work correctly?

If it works perfectly with the genuine Apple cable, but doesn't with the third party cable you purchased, then the problem lies with the quality of the third party cable and not the USB port itself.

 

[TheScotsman]

I use an iPod touch in my car via the USB port and it is fine. It charges and causes no problems so far.. May Mini want us to spend extra coin by telling us this.

Are you able to fully control the music, playlists and select different albums etc through the iDrive itself?

 

[pjsjr13]

Are you able to fully control the music, playlists and select different albums etc through the iDrive itself?

Yes I have full functionality with the idrive and steering wheel controls. I have used both the Apple USB and the Mini red and black braided one with the same performance

 

[Gemini 2014]

If it works perfectly with the genuine Apple cable, but doesn't with the third party cable you purchased, then the problem lies with the quality of the third party cable and not the USB port itself.

When I plugged the third party cable into the 240v socket charger and also into my tablet usb it worked correctly, which is why I wondered whether the usb in the car was not working as expected. I haveused the white Apple cable to transfer my music files to the MINI hard drive via the usb without any problem. Maybe I need to locate an Apple cable in black and all will then work correctly. Thanks for your help.

 

[kenl]

That is exactly what I am experiencing Mick. Totally bizarre and makes no sense at all.
It is music, not some computer folder!

 

[kenl]

That is exactly what I am experiencing Mick. Totally bizarre and makes no sense at all.
It is music, not some computer folder!

Oops! This was meant to be a reply in another thread. My iPad is misbehaving.

 

[crbrowniegirl]

I have been using my Ipod in my Mini cooper 2014 for almost the past year. Today I went into my Mini and there was no sound........shows the songs and the album on the screen but no volume! I am super frustrated and cannot figure out why all of a sudden it isn't working! Help!

 

[JohnWB]

Try turning the volume up, sometimes it looks as though the sound should come out but the volume has gone right down.

 

[Racerdog]

I had the same issue. I rebooted my iPhone and now it works fine.