Over-the-air upgrades have proven to be useful and even fun for many car owners. Companies like Tesla have been using the feature for quite some time now, giving users fun updates for everything from software enhancements, bug fixes, and even fun features and Easter eggs. Several other popular manufacturers have stepped up to the plate to offer the option for over-the-air software updates, and for as many as one million BMW owners, that could mean the biggest software update yet.

Updates to already existing features

While there are a lot of new and exciting things coming with the latest update, there are a few already existing features that are getting an upgrade. With the user driver’s profile, users will now have the option to add a personalized profile picture which can be easily added using the MY BMW app. To protect user identity, the vehicle factory reset will also clear any personal data, also.

Newest additions with the update

If you didn’t already love your BMW and all of the nifty features it had before, chances are this upgrade will only enhance your opinion. Some companies have begun including Alexa integration into their cars, and with the latest update to the system, BMW owners will now have this luxury too and will be available as an upgrade in Germany, Austria, Spain, and the UK. The feature owners might love the most is the ability to transfer driver profiles between cars using a simple QR code, making it quick and easy to change between cars when purchasing, leasing, or even renting a different BMW than your own.

The BMW operating system

The ability to get over-the-air updates to the operating system is still relatively new. Since 2018, the option for over-the-air updates has become available through BMW Operating System 7 along with the Remote Software Upgrade facility. According to BMW Group, even the largest recalls, like this latest one, shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes to completely install and implement, making it one of the most convenient ways for users to get any issues fixed and any new features installed.

The use of over-the-air updates is a pretty big deal for many owners, and while they currently seem like something that makes life easier, it will truly prove to be a convenience in the future. With problems like the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down so many major cities and businesses, it goes to show that we are able to continue making fixes to some issues without users even needing to leave their homes, and while that does sometimes come with new quirks and conveniences like Alexa voice integration, it’s also a big deal for seamlessly fixing program problems and bugs.