Warning: BMW Wireless Charging May Break iPhone 15's Apple Pay Chip

[Jeaz]

The funny thing is that only Apple seems to have these problems. Apple and overheating problems also go hand in hand. Apple always wants special treatment and often ignores standards.

So, one can ask why Samsung or Huawei do not have these problems as well? Well, these companies rely on standards and use standard off-the-shelf components, such as charging, paired with standard drivers. Also, Apple wants to have the fastest processor, which is good for HPC laptops, but bad for mobile. So Applecould have developed an mobile version of their silicon, focusing on battery life and overheating.

For heaven's sake, Apple's efforts to develop its own mobile chip seem to be failing. Otherwise, we'd see the next generation suffer from constant dropouts on certain networks.


It's time for a change and Apple should start thinking differently again. Tim, Craig, Phil and all the other old hands should leave and hand over the leadership to a younger generation with fresh ideas.

If you go through the BMW forums, you can see that people with all sorts of brands are having the same problem - if the phone isn't at the exact right sweat spot for Qi-charging - it gets very hot.

It's not a new problem, and something BMW has had for some time now, without little action unfortunately.

However, it does look like the redesign of the internals for iPhone 15 Pro made the NFC chip more susceptible to overheating, and thus burns out with the overheating BMW qi-charger.

 

[KeepCalmPeople]

I just bought an Audi that has wireless charging in the armrest. I immediately turned it off and while I put my phone there, I use the USB-C charging port. For my phone, I always consider wireless charging to be a last resort.

 

[Simon89]

I had this issue when I update to the 17.1 Beta. As soon as it was done updating, I unlocked the phone and went straight to the data recovery screen. Thankfully once that completed, ApplePay started working after 10/15 minutes.

 

[iLog.Genius]

Curious to see which category the users who are reporting these issues fall into:

1. Always had an iPhone but just got a BMW.
2. Always had BMW but just upgraded to the 15.

If #1, I could see why they think it would be a fault of the BMW but they wouldn't know if the same thing would have happened to the iPhone 14 which leads to #2. If they always had the same BMW or got a new BMW with wireless charging, if the wireless charging puts out that much heat to affect the iPhone, it would have also affected all prior iPhone's that were capable of wireless charging. If not, then either the BMW is not to blame, or Apple changed something in the manufacturing or engineering process where the heat is now affecting the iPhone 15 where it didn't on prior models.

The user who reported that they have gone through 2 iPhone's because of their i4, that's still not conclusive that BMW is to blame. There could be something wrong with iPhone 15 but faulting BMW because it's the common thing that hasn't changed.

 

[Rogue AI]

Oh those poor rich people. I feel so bad for them. /s

 

[compwiz1202]

Maybe the BMW wireless charging subscription expired.

Yes and not only will it not work, it will sabotage things until you renew

 

[newyorksole]

The article was specifically about BMW's. Was everyone who mentioned a car of the German variety bragging?

Would you feel better if I said our Hyundai, 10-year old Buick and Volkswagen Beetle?

My wife and I have worked hard and had success we are grateful for. We happen to like cars and I drive on the track and in amateur road course races. If you saw it as bragging, subtle or not so, that's on you.

Would you like a ride in the Porsche?

lol I never said you were bragging. I literally said I like your post and that they’re nice cars. just because people laugh-reacted doesn’t mean I was being sarcastic.

you don’t have to justify anything to me or anyone else. you like what you like and have worked hard. you deserve it!

it is funny though that (as you said) the article is about BMW and you mentioned your other models instead of saying “other cars” or your “other German cars.”

people (myself included) are just interesting. and that’s ok!

 

[Mazda 3s]

In a case?

Yes, I’m not crazy enough to rock a $1,000+ phone without a case😂

 

[Infinitewisdom]

It is becoming pretty clear that the iPhone 15 is one to skip.

Are you even reading any of the comments? Clearly BMW has had issues with their wireless chargers for some time.

Most of us have zero issues with our new phones.

 

[That70sGAdawg]

On my 5th BMW in the last 20+ years. I just got an 2019 X3 a couple of months ago with the wireless Carplay & charging. It heated up my 14 Pro and I was going to ask the dealer to replace it while under warranty. My new 15 Pro has been on the charger briefly for 3-4 times. That's where I put the phone while driving as there is no other convienent place with the cup holder full. Between "heatgate" and this I'm considering starting a return on the 15 Pro while still eligible . Does anyone know if the 15 Plus is affected? Also, anyone get a BMW dealer to replace the wireless charging pad under warranty for the over heating?

 

[That70sGAdawg]

Issue is car is made in Germany.

Not true. My X3 and ALL X5's were made in Spartanburg, SC USA. I've toured the plant a few times.

 

[ijordano]

"We've reached out to an Apple spokesperson for comment, and we'll update this story if we receive a response."

What about asking BMW?

 

[G4er?]

I finally see the rationale for an Apple Car.

But then who would Apple blame when there is an issue between the car and the phone?

 

[gri]

You’d need to place it on the tray if you don’t carry the key fob, and just take your phone, or if you have one of the few BMW models that support ultra wideband for CarKey.

I don't think so as I often have the phone in my pocket and it doesn't matter, works as the key (iX)

 

[Derived]

It is a real shame that BMW's wireless charging is so poorly implemented, my 2018 G12 cooks my phone every time I put it in the wireless charging cradle, don't even bother to use it anymore. Apparently there is no real solution for this, and it seems this is still an ongoing issue.

 

[falainber]

"We've reached out to an Apple spokesperson for comment, and we'll update this story if we receive a response."

What about asking BMW?

It's the iPhone that is overheating not the car.

 

[I7guy]

It's the iPhone that is overheating not the car.

Strange it only happens on BMWs.

 

[iLog.Genius]

Strange it only happens on BMWs.

Also happens with Mercedes.

 

[KennyJr]

I tried to use wireless charging in my new MINI SE (a BMW product). My iPhone 13 Pro Max was too large for the charging pad - I was disappointed - but no longer after reading this. See! There's another good reason to get the Pro Max.

 

[killhippie]

Apples new iPhone 15 lack of Indicator usage feature has been released early I see.

 

[mystery hill]

I don't think so as I often have the phone in my pocket and it doesn't matter, works as the key (iX)

Yes, I’ve edited my post to clarify.

The iX was the first car to support CarKey via ultra wideband, which allows unlocking and starting the car without removing the phone from your pocket.

 

[flygbuss]

My 12 Mini gets hot in pretty much all the cars I tested wireless charging. Volkswagen, Audi, Hyundai, Tesla and BMW. I guess it’s just a bad combination of heat and and how the new iPhone is built. My Volkswagen dealer told me that the new models (Passat and Tiguan) will come with active cooling for their wireless chargers. So I guess the other brands will do the same soon.
This is an ongoing issue with many car brands, Tesla included, just have a look at the community boards.

 

[SunMac]

But you respect those who drive a BMW? 🤔

No, not really but they are luxary cars and shouldn't be blowing up iPhones! lol At a BMW price point they might as well buy a Tesla. The tech just blows those gas guzzlers out of the water. I wouldn't wireless charge in a Tesla either though..

 

[Apple fanboy]

I tried to use wireless charging in my new MINI SE (a BMW product). My iPhone 13 Pro Max was too large for the charging pad - I was disappointed - but no longer after reading this. See! There's another good reason to get the Pro Max.

You can get a 3D printed extension piece on eBay.

 

[Apple fanboy]

No, not really but they are luxary cars and shouldn't be blowing up iPhones! lol At a BMW price point they might as well buy a Tesla. The tech just blows those gas guzzlers out of the water. I wouldn't wireless charge in a Tesla either though..

I’d sooner walk than drive a Tesla. Obviously the Tesla has the natural cooling through the badly fit panels to prevent overheating when using Apple CarPlay. Oh wait, it doesn’t have that died it! 😀