BMW NBT versions: NBT vs NBT EVO and iDrive 4, 5, 6

The knob won't tell NBT from NBT EVO — the home screen and build date will.

Short answer: BMW used two NBT head units. NBT (about 2012–2016) runs iDrive 4 with list menus. NBT EVO (about 2016–2019) is newer hardware that shipped with iDrive 4, 5 or 6 software; with iDrive 5 and 6 it shows a home screen of large live tiles. Both have a touchpad on the iDrive knob, so the knob alone doesn't separate them. The home screen does.

NBT, NBT EVO, iDrive 4, 5, 6 — what the names mean

BMW uses two kinds of names, and they get mixed up:

NBT and NBT EVO are the head units — the computer behind the dash.
iDrive 4, 5 and 6 (also written ID4, ID5, ID6) are the software and menu design running on it.

NBT always runs iDrive 4. NBT EVO came first with ID4 software and then with ID5 and ID6. That is why two cars of the same model year can look different on screen.

Head unit	Typical years	Software	What you see
CIC (older)	2009–2012	iDrive 3	Plain knob, no touchpad, list menus
NBT	2012–2016	iDrive 4	Touchpad knob, list menus
NBT EVO ID4	about 2016–2017	iDrive 4	Touchpad knob, list menus, newer hardware
NBT EVO ID5 / ID6	2016–2019	iDrive 5 / 6	Touchpad knob, home screen of large tiles, often touch screen

Production changeovers happen mid-year and differ by model, so use the years as a guide and confirm with the checks below.

Check 1 — the knob

Run a finger across the top of the iDrive controller. If you can write a letter on it, the car has NBT or NBT EVO. A solid plastic top means CIC or older — see the BMW iDrive versions guide for those.

Check 2 — the home screen

List of menu items (Communication, Navigation, Media…) on a dark background — NBT, or NBT EVO with ID4 software.
Large tiles side by side with live content (map, now playing, phone) that you scroll sideways — NBT EVO with iDrive 5 or 6.

Many ID5 and ID6 cars also accept touch on the screen. Try tapping a tile.

Check 3 — when the screen still leaves you unsure

NBT and NBT EVO ID4 look nearly identical. To tell them apart:

Look at the build date on the door-pillar sticker. Cars built before mid-2016 are almost always NBT.
Ask us. Send the VIN or a photo of the screen and the knob, and we check it.

Why it matters for CarPlay

A CarPlay interface talks to the head unit over its video and control lines, and those differ between NBT and NBT EVO. A kit built for one gives a black screen on the other. That is why we sell them as separate products:

BMW CarPlay kit for NBT (2012–2016)
BMW CarPlay — Smart Multimedia for NBT EVO ID5 / ID6 (2016–2019)
BMW CarPlay kit for CIC (2009–2012), for cars without the touchpad

Some NBT EVO cars already have factory CarPlay as an option. If yours shows a CarPlay item in the menu, the feature may only need activating — check that before buying a kit.

Frequently asked

Is NBT the same as iDrive 4?

NBT always runs iDrive 4, but iDrive 4 also ran on early NBT EVO units. NBT is the hardware, iDrive 4 is the software.

How do I know if my BMW has NBT EVO?

If the home screen is a row of large live tiles, it is NBT EVO with iDrive 5 or 6. If it is a list menu and the car was built after mid-2016, it may be NBT EVO with ID4 — check the build date or send us the VIN.

Can I add CarPlay to NBT?

Yes. A plug-and-play interface adds wireless CarPlay and Android Auto to NBT, keeping the factory screen, radio and controls. Nothing is coded.

Not sure which one you have? Send us a photo of the screen and the knob and we confirm the kit within one business day.