How to Check Your BMW iDrive Software Version
Where to find your head unit and software version on CIC, NBT, NBT EVO and iDrive 7 to 8.5, plus the exact iStep with E-Sys. One-page PDF included.
Before you code, flash or buy an activation, you need two answers: which head unit the car has, and what software it runs. Here's where to find both, from CIC to iDrive 8.5. The same table is in a one-page PDF attached to this post, if you'd rather print it.
In the iDrive Menu
| Head unit | Fitted from | Where to look | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIC | about 2008 | NAV → Option → Navigation system version | Map named PREMIUM, MOVE or MOTION |
| NBT | 07/2012 | NAV → Option → Navigation system version | Map named NEXT |
| NBT EVO (ID4, ID5, ID6) | 03/2014 | NAV → Option → Navigation system version, or Position and version on some software | Map named EVO, software NBTevo_ plus a letter |
| Entry Nav | 03/2014 | NAV → Option → Navigation system version | Map named ROUTE or WAY |
| iDrive 7 | 2018 | My Car → Settings → General settings → Remote Software Upgrade | Installed software version |
| iDrive 8 and 8.5 | 2021 | Menu → All apps → System settings → Remote Software Upgrade | Installed software version |
Option is the button next to the iDrive controller. In the navigation options, the version entry is at the bottom of the list. Menu names shift a little with software and language, so pick the closest match.
On CIC and NBT, that screen is about the map. The map name tells you which head unit you have. For the software itself, use E-Sys (below).
NBT EVO: The Letter Matters
On NBT EVO, the version screen shows something like NBTevo_O followed by numbers. The letter after NBTevo_ is the software family, and later letters are newer. In our iStep update guide, NBTevo_L was iStep 17-07 and NBTevo_O was 18-07.
Coders and activation sellers ask for this letter first. It decides what can be done over USB, what needs an ENET cable and which options exist in coding.
The Exact iStep: E-Sys
For the car's exact integration level, connect E-Sys and open Expert Mode → VCM. On the Master tab, click Read under I-Steps. You get three values:
- I-Step (shipment): what the car left the factory with
- I-Step (last): the level before the most recent update
- I-Step (current): the level now, for example F020-18-07-549
This works on cars without navigation too, where there's no NAV menu to check. ISTA reads the same values when it identifies the car.
When the Screen and E-Sys Disagree
E-Sys shows the iStep stored in the car, not the head unit's own software. If only the head unit was flashed with the VCM update switched off, as in our iStep guide, the stored iStep stays at the old value while the head unit runs newer software. Trust the iDrive screen for the head unit and E-Sys for the rest of the car.
Not covered here: CCC, the system in E-series cars before about 2008.
Sources
The NAV → Option path and the NBT, NBT EVO and Entry Nav dates are from BMW's service bulletin SI B65 13 12. The iDrive 7 path is from BMW's Remote Software Upgrade page. The iDrive 8 path and the NBT EVO letter come from owners on BimmerPost.
Need newer software? Our E-Sys flashing guide shows how, or I can do it remotely.
Files
- BMW-iDrive-Software-Check.pdf