BMW iDrive 7 Custom Apps (MGU)
Custom apps inside the original BMW iDrive 7 (MGU): virtual dyno, brake test, drag timer, shift light, G-force, warm-up, fault scanner and more – no extra hardware or screen. Installed remotely over ENET. €150.
How remote tuning works
All you need is:
- Laptop
- ENET cable
- Internet connection
- Connect your ENET cable to the car's OBD2 port and to your laptop.
- Open UltraViewer on your laptop (TeamViewer or AnyDesk also work).
- Let our technician connect to your laptop and run the session while you watch.
Remote tuning means we work on your car the same way a workshop tech would, except the technician is in another country. The cable, the laptop, and the OBD2 port do the heavy lifting; we drive the keyboard.
After you book the appointment, you follow the three steps above. Our technician handles everything from there: reading the ECU, applying the requested changes, verifying the result, writing it back. The session itself usually takes 30–60 minutes depending on the service.
You provide the laptop (Windows), a stable internet connection, a 12V power source for the car (a battery charger is recommended for longer sessions), and an ENET cable for your model. ENET cables are widely available online — if you already own one, that works too. We provide the diagnostic software, the step-by-step instructions, and the live technician.
If anything goes wrong during the session — connection drop, software hiccup, anything — we restore the original ECU file before disconnecting. Nothing leaves your car worse than we found it.
Service Overview
Extra apps inside your original BMW iDrive 7
BMW iDrive 7 custom apps add a set of enthusiast tools to the original MGU head unit of a compatible BMW: a virtual dyno, brake and drag timers, a shift light, a G-force meter, a warm-up monitor and a fault scanner. They appear on the factory screen next to the standard apps and are operated with the iDrive controller – without an extra display, a phone mount, an OBD dongle or any other hardware.
The apps are installed remotely: our technician joins your laptop, connected to the car with an ENET cable, and installs them on the head unit in one session. Compatibility depends on your head-unit software build, so we check it by VIN before you book.
An honest note first: this is an unofficial, independent modification of the head unit software and is not endorsed by BMW AG. Timers and performance apps are for closed roads and tracks; the head unit should be operated while the car is parked.
At a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Price | €150 (regular price €200) |
| Works on | BMW with the MGU head unit (iDrive 7) on a compatible software build |
| Extra hardware | None |
| How it is done | Remote session over ENET with a Windows laptop |
| Before you pay | VIN and head-unit software are checked |
The apps
| App | What it does | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Fault Scanner | Reads fault codes from the control units with descriptions, and can clear them | Read codes before clearing. Clearing does not repair anything – see BMW Remote Diagnostics for a proper diagnosis |
| Virtual Dyno | Estimates a power and torque curve from a full-throttle pull | Calculated from the car’s own signals – not a calibrated dyno. Best for comparing before and after a change |
| Brake Test | Times and records stops from 100 km/h to zero, and from 200 km/h | Closed road or track only |
| Drag Timer | Times 0–100 km/h, 100–200 km/h and quarter-mile runs with splits and saved bests | Closed road or track only |
| Redline | Shift light with a rev bar, a large gear display and shift scoring | Helps you learn the engine’s rev range |
| G-Force | Shows lateral and longitudinal g-forces with peaks | Uses the car’s sensors |
| Warm-Up | Shows oil and coolant temperature progress so you know when the engine is ready for full load | An estimate, not a replacement for good practice |
| M Vitals | Live gauges such as revs, boost, torque, temperatures and more | Which values appear depends on the engine and car |
| eDrive | Range estimate, battery information and energy use for plug-in hybrids and electric BMWs | Only useful on cars with an electrified drivetrain |
| Service | Read-only view of the car’s service items | It does not reset service intervals |
| Tetris | The classic falling-blocks puzzle game on the head unit, played with the iDrive controller | Only while the car is parked |
| Doom | A playable port of the classic shooter, controlled with the iDrive controller | Only while the car is parked |
| Paint | A simple drawing app on the head unit | Use it while the car is parked |
The app list can change as the project evolves.
The apps on the iDrive 7 screen
These photos were taken on the screen of a BMW with iDrive 7 after the installation. The apps appear in the standard “Installed apps” list, next to BMW’s own.
Virtual Dyno – estimated power and torque
The dyno sheet plots power and torque against engine speed and has a tab for saved runs. The curve is built from one full-throttle pull – the screen suggests 3rd gear from about 2,000 rpm to the limiter on a flat road, which is only for a closed road or track. The result is an estimate calculated from the car’s own signals, not a calibrated dyno, so use it to compare the same car before and after a change.
Fault Scanner – fault codes on the car’s screen
The faults page shows how many control units answered, how many faults are stored and how many are active right now, and lists each one with its code, control unit and description. There are also pages for Check Control messages and for the control units, and buttons to scan again or clear everything. Clearing removes the codes from every control unit – read a code before you clear it, because clearing does not repair the cause. For a proper diagnosis see BMW Remote Diagnostics.
M Vitals – live gauges
Live gauges are spread over four pages: engine, thermals, fuel and ignition, and chassis. A page shows a value only when the car supplies it – in the fuel and ignition photo the engine unit gave no reading – so which gauges you see depends on the engine and the car.
Warm-Up – oil and coolant temperature
Two bars show the oil and coolant temperature, with a status (COLD in the photo) and a safe rev limit. When the car is driving electrically the page shows that the engine is off. It is an estimate, not a replacement for good practice.
Service – service requirements
A read-only list of the car’s service requirements – in the photo engine oil, rear brake pads, vehicle check and brake fluid – with the remaining distance or date for each. It does not reset service intervals.
Tetris, Doom and Paint – for a parked car
The extras are for a parked car. In Tetris you turn or tilt the controller to move a piece, press to rotate it and tilt down or up to drop it, and the screen itself reminds you to play while parked. Doom and Paint are on the second page of the Installed apps list.
Which BMWs are supported?
| Head unit | iDrive | Custom apps with this service |
|---|---|---|
| MGU | iDrive 7 | Supported on compatible software builds – checked by VIN before booking |
| MGU | iDrive 8 and newer | Selected vehicles only – send your VIN and we will tell you |
| NBT EVO, NBT, CIC | Older systems | Not applicable – see Android Auto for NBT EVO for that generation |
iDrive 7 is typically found on G-series cars built from about 2018, with the wide control display. If you are unsure which system you have, read Which BMW iDrive do I have? or send us your VIN.
How the apps work
The apps run on the head unit and draw directly on the control display. They read the car’s live signals through the head unit and use its diagnostic gateway to talk to the control units, so you do not need an OBD dongle, a phone connection or an internet connection for the apps to work. That is also why the exact values available depend on your engine and equipment.
Read this before ordering
- Unofficial modification. The apps are an independent community project and change the head unit’s software. They are not endorsed by BMW AG.
- Use them safely. Brake Test, Drag Timer and Virtual Dyno are for closed roads and tracks only. Operate the head unit while parked and keep your attention on the road.
- Values are estimates. The virtual dyno, braking and range figures are calculated from sensor data. Flat, controlled runs give the most useful results.
- Fault Scanner clears codes in every control unit. Read a code before you clear it. A cleared code that comes back means the problem is still there.
- Software updates. A head-unit software update can hide the apps until they are reinstalled. Ask us before updating.
- Warranty. A modified infotainment system can affect related warranty claims. Discuss it with your dealer if the car is still covered.
How the remote session works
- Send your VIN. We confirm your head unit, the software build and the price.
- Park the car, connect it to your Windows laptop with the ENET cable and switch the ignition on. A battery charger is strongly recommended.
- Start the remote tool and let our technician join your laptop.
- We read the head unit’s state, install the apps and restart the system.
- You open the apps on the iDrive screen and we check that they run.
If you are near Vilnius, we can also install the apps in the workshop – ask us.
Price
BMW iDrive 7 custom apps cost €150 (regular price €200). The price covers the compatibility check, the remote installation of the available app set and a final check on the screen.
Frequently asked questions
What are BMW iDrive 7 custom apps?
They are extra apps installed inside the original iDrive 7 (MGU) head unit – for example a virtual dyno, brake and drag timers, a shift light, a G-force meter and a fault scanner – shown on the factory screen.
Do I need extra hardware?
No. There is no add-on display, OBD dongle or box. The apps run on the car’s own head unit.
Which BMWs does it work on?
BMWs with the MGU head unit (iDrive 7) on a compatible software build. iDrive 8 is possible on selected vehicles. Send your VIN and we reply with a clear yes or no before you book.
Is the Virtual Dyno accurate?
It is an estimate calculated from the car’s own signals, not a calibrated dyno. It is most useful for comparing the same car before and after a change on a flat, controlled run.
Can I use the apps while driving?
Use the head unit while parked. Brake Test, Drag Timer and Virtual Dyno are for closed roads and tracks only. Follow the traffic rules where you drive.
Can the Fault Scanner clear fault codes?
Yes, but read the code first. Clearing does not repair the fault, and a code that returns means the cause is still present. For a proper diagnosis see our BMW remote diagnostics service.
Will a software update remove the apps?
It can hide them until they are reinstalled. Ask us before updating the head unit.
Can the apps be removed?
Yes. We can remove them and return the head unit to its previous state on request.
Does it work offline?
The apps themselves do not need an internet connection. The remote installation session does.
Will it affect my warranty?
Modifying the infotainment software can affect warranty claims related to it. If your car is still under warranty, discuss it with your dealer first.
How long does the installation take?
Usually around one hour including the connection and the final check.
Request a compatibility check
Send your VIN and we will confirm whether your car can take the custom apps and the exact route before you pay. Browse all BMW remote services, see Apple CarPlay for iDrive 7 MGU, or contact us.
Benefits
Performance and diagnostic tools on the factory screen, from the driver’s seat
Nothing added to the car – the apps live in the head unit
Compatibility checked by VIN and software before you book
Done in one remote session over ENET
Independent apps that keep improving as the project develops
Key Features
- Custom apps installed inside the original iDrive 7 (MGU) system
- Fault Scanner – read fault codes with descriptions, and clear them
- Virtual Dyno – estimated power and torque curve from a full-throttle pull
- Brake Test and Drag Timer – 100–0 km/h stops and 0–100, 100–200 and quarter-mile runs
- Redline shift light, G-Force, Warm-Up and M Vitals live gauges
- eDrive and Service pages for hybrid and electric BMWs and service items
- No extra hardware, no OBD dongle and no additional display
Compatibility
Additional Information
Information
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