iDriveApps
Open installer

iDrive 7 apps, installed for you.

Custom apps for your BMW's iDrive 7 screen: Redline, M Vitals, G-Force, Drag Timer, Virtual Dyno, even Doom, drawn on the head unit's GPU at 60 fps. Plug in an ENET cable, open the installer in your browser, and we do the rest. No terminal, no SSH.

By , creator of the apps
I have a key See the apps
Redline, running on an iDrive 7 head unit. $50 = 2 installations · Pay with Bitcoin · No account

From the creator of the apps

I wrote these apps. They're free, and they stay free. This is the easy way to get them on your car.

cauliflowermossgrapeAuthor of idrive7-apps on GitHub

The apps are open source on GitHub under the MIT licence. If you're comfortable with SSH and a terminal, the README shows you how to install them yourself, for free.

iDriveApps is for everyone else. It does the fiddly parts for you: backs up your coding, enables root SSH, puts your coding back, and installs the MGU Store. You follow seven steps in the browser, with a button for each one.

Do it yourself

Terminal, SSH keys, build tools. Instructions on GitHub.

Free

Install with iDriveApps

Seven guided steps in your browser. Backup first.

$502 installs

The apps

They run on the car's own app platform, use the iDrive controller and the HMI's real menus, read live vehicle data and survive reboots. Each one is drawn by its own GPU render engine, so needles and bars glide instead of jump.

Doom (Freedoom) running full screen on an iDrive 7 head unit

M Vitals

Rpm, boost, speed and gear, power and torque, live from the engine.

  • RedlineFull-screen rev bar, shift lights, big gear and shift scoring.
  • M VitalsBoost, fuel pressures, ignition timing, misfires per cylinder, tyres and xDrive split.
  • G-ForceFriction circle with trail, grip envelope, peaks and records.
  • Drag TimerLive speed trace, splits and the quarter mile.
  • Brake Test100–0 distance, deceleration trace and fade.
  • Virtual DynoPower and torque curve from a full-throttle pull.
  • Warm-UpTime to working temperature and a safe rev limit while you wait.
  • eDriveReal electric range, battery health and a charge log for plug-in hybrids.
  • Live DataA gauge screen of your own, the trip computer and live values from the car's control units.
  • Fault ScannerFault codes from every control unit, with their texts. Read first, then clear.
  • ServiceService requirements, next service and details per item.
  • DoomFreedoom across the whole screen, on the iDrive controller. For when you're parked.

Use the apps parked or on a closed track. Once the MGU Store is on your car, you install these and other apps from its Store tile.

How it works

Seven steps, one session, all in your browser. A small helper app on your Windows PC talks to the car over the ENET cable. Your original coding is backed up before anything changes.

  1. Get a key

    Pay with Bitcoin. No account, no email. You get a license key.

  2. Run the helper

    Download the small Windows helper and leave its window open.

  3. Connect

    Ignition on, charger connected, ENET cable from the OBD port to your PC.

  4. Back up

    Your original coding is saved as a file on your own PC.

    Free

  5. Root SSH

    Opens the head unit for apps. Your SSH key is saved on your PC.

  6. Restore

    Your original coding goes back on, exactly as it was.

    Free

  7. Install apps

    The MGU Store goes on your car. Pick apps from its tile.

    1 installation

You'll need

  • A BMW with iDrive 7 (MGU head unit). Other iDrive generations don't work.
  • A wired ENET cable (OBD to Ethernet). Not WiFi.
  • A Windows PC with Chrome or Edge, and internet.
  • A battery charger on the car the whole time.

Read this first

  • Enabling root SSH flashes the head unit and wipes its coding. That's why we back it up first and restore it in step 6.
  • It deletes BMW Digital Key pairings. You'll need to pair your phone again.
  • There's a small risk of bricking the unit. Don't unplug anything while it works.

Pricing

The apps are free. You pay for the guided install, once, with Bitcoin.

$50
You get
2 installations. Installing the MGU Store on a car uses one.
Free
Backup, restore and root SSH never use an installation.
Failed
Failed installs are refunded to your key automatically.
Account
None. Pay through BTCPay and keep your license key.

Questions

Are the iDrive 7 apps free?

Yes. The apps are free and open source (MIT) on GitHub, and they stay free. You only pay iDriveApps for the guided installation. If you'd rather do it yourself, the README explains how.

Which cars does this work on?

BMWs with iDrive 7 and the MGU head unit. You also need a wired ENET (OBD to Ethernet) cable and a Windows PC. Other iDrive generations are not supported, and the installer asks you to confirm both before it connects.

What is the MGU Store?

An app store for the iDrive 7 head unit. Once installed it appears as a Store tile on the car's screen, where you install apps from GitHub repos, web links or a USB stick. Step 7 installs it for you.

Can I undo it?

Your original coding is backed up to your PC before anything changes, and restored in step 6. The apps can be removed again.

Is there a risk?

Enabling root SSH flashes the head unit. It wipes your coding (which we restore from your backup), deletes BMW Digital Key pairings, and carries a small risk of bricking the unit. Keep the car on a battery charger and don't unplug anything.

Do you store my data?

No names, emails or VINs. Our server keeps your license key, how many installations you have left, and a one-way hash of the VIN. Your backups and SSH keys are saved only on your PC.

Something went wrong — who do I contact?

Email [email protected] with your license key and a short description (and the log from the installer if you can). I'll help you sort it out.

Put your apps on the screen.

I have a key