This does not require a PhD in Electrical Engineering or Computer science, but it sure comes close!
Whenever I help someone with iDrive and iPhone integration, I ask them to complete the following steps before trying any other troubleshooting:
Disclaimer: This works with IOS 7 and Bluetooth and Media software carried in update UPD01006 as installed in my 3/11 build 535i. Also, in order for this to work, your phone has to be locked so let it lock before testing the setup.
Get your car’s latest Bluetooth and Media software
(You will need the last seven characters of your VIN and a small capacity (10MB) USB data stick):
Go to the BMW Software Update site:
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/nav...update_vin.jsp
Enter your VIN in the data field and press Enter to make the web site read your VIN
Download the latest version of software and copy it to a USB data stick
Remove your Car from your phone
Go to your car with your phone and the USB data stick
Turn your phone’s Bluetooth OFF
Start your car
Insert the USB data stick in the USB socket in the center console armrest storage area
Remove your phone from iDrive
Update the car’s software
Using the iDrive armrest controller,
Press the iDrive MENU button, navigate to:
Settings => Software Update => Update Software
Follow the prompts and allow the car to update the software
(You can always revert to an older version using the same menu)
Configure the CAR’s Bluetooth features
Select all of the features that apply to your situation.
For example, my features are Bluetooth Audio, Office, Show images, and Additional telephone
Rediscover and connect your phone
Turn on your phone’s Bluetooth
Add your phone
During the configuration, select all of the features that apply to your situation.
For example, my only configuration option selected is Telephone
(I have a snap-in adapter, so Audio doesn’t come through Bluetooth)
Configure your Phone’s SMS and email notification settings
Settings => Notifications => Messages or Mail (The same parameters apply to both)
Notification Center: ON
Alert Style: Alerts
Badge App Icon: ON
Show Preview: ON
View in Lock Screen: ON
Configure your Phone’s Bluetooth notification settings
Settings => Bluetooth
On your car’s label, click on the little blue circle with the white arrow on the right side
Turn on "show notifications."