Importing GPX files on BMW App

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Dugway
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Importing GPX files on BMW App

Post by Dugway »

I'm sure hoping that someone can help me; it's 4th of July coming up, Independance Day here in 'merica, three-day weekend and I intend to take the 'new to me' 2023 R1250RT out on a trip!

I created a big ride using Google Maps, destination to destination with intermediate waypoints (a route), converted that route to GPX format, and have emailed it to myself, as well as saved it in my iPhone 'Files' App. Background info: iPhone 13, it is small, it fits into the phone compartment just fine, software is all updated, but I am struggling mightily with this BMW Connected application!

Here are the directions from the BMW Motorrad Connected literature:

On iPhone, the procedure is similar:

1) Send the GPX file to your phone (Air Drop, mail or Files app).
2) Once received, open it with the application BMW Motorrad Connected.
3) It will automatically be added to your registered routes.

Tip : The application accepts GPX files containing a route defined by successive crossing points. Make sure the file is well structured (track or route), without any parasite data.


So, thus far I completed the initial planning, and I am through Step #1. Now onto Step #2, but maybe I am stoooopid! On the BMW Motorrad Connected app, there is no simple "Open" button to execute what they suggest is Step #2!!! How do I get the GPX file opened and/or saved into my Destinations and Route section of the software?

In the email to myself with the GPX file, if I touch it, I am given the opportunity to 'Download' but not 'Open with'. I did in fact download it, and that saved it to my Files app. And, in that Files app, if I touch it, I can Cut or Copy or Autofill or Translate or Search Web or Share or Edit Extension and I can even view the code language of the umpteen thousand lat. and long. coordinates ... but no 'Open with' option available within the Files app.

Under the 'Destinations and routes' section of the BMW Motorrad Connected app, all of the route subsections indicate "List is empty". Anybody know how to import a GPX route into the navigation system and kind enough to talk me through this?
Last edited by Dugway on Wed Jul 02, 2025 5:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
Just gimme just a second here … I am configuring it to “launch mode”! :o
Dugway
Posts: 26
Joined: Fri May 30, 2025 8:28 pm
Location: Reno, NV
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Re: Importing GPX Files on BMW App

Post by Dugway »

I finally found it; in order to repeat this I am making this post to the thread so I can go back and read it again at some later date.

I started the bike and put the phone in the compartment and the two sync up with each other to start with. Shut down the bike and took the phone to the living room to ponder…

On the “Make Life a Ride” Motorrad app Homepage, on the very bottom the icon that looks like the bikes cockpit is highlighted. With that it tells me various things about the current status of the bike like fuel state, local weather conditions, etc.

Adjacent to that icon is another that looks like a map, in fact if you highlight it, it is in fact a GPS coordinated interactive map.

Next to that is an icon that looks like mountains, this is the one that you use to import the GPX file of the route you created. First thing I had to do was allow it to record my trip, including speed, altitude, angle of attack, etc. I assume you have to give up the privacy settings or it will not allow you to go further. Once I did so, it put me to a screen that at the top say “recorded” and a big blue button that I can “Change” and adjust back some of those privacy settings.

The reason it is on “recorded” is that the left little icon at the top was highlighted, however highlighting the right little icon provides “imported”, and wouldn’t you know it, big blue button to “import route”. Victory! Oh, wait, no, Victory Motorcycles probably have a navigation system that is not so cumbersome!
Just gimme just a second here … I am configuring it to “launch mode”! :o
Dugway
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Re: Importing GPX files on BMW App

Post by Dugway »

Good thing I basically knew were I was going anyway! The Navigation was little (no) help to me at all.
Just gimme just a second here … I am configuring it to “launch mode”! :o
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exportman
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Re: Importing GPX files on BMW App

Post by exportman »

Hi

Has anyone found a way to import s GPX or similar file to add favorites to the BMW app?

I want to add some biker Cafes
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Glenn
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Re: Importing GPX files on BMW App

Post by Glenn »

I haven't got a TFT screen and use a Zumo XT. Is this any use?
simbo
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Re: Importing GPX files on BMW App

Post by simbo »

exportman wrote: Sun Apr 05, 2026 10:21 pm Hi

Has anyone found a way to import s GPX or similar file to add favorites to the BMW app?

I want to add some biker Cafes
I usually create the route on Tourstart.org using my laptop, then I save the route as a gpx file and email to my phone, open it with the motorrad app and from there you can add it to favourites. Once the route is on your phone you can send it other people via WhatsApp or Messenger or email and they can open it in the Motorrad app.
:thumb:
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exportman
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Re: Importing GPX files on BMW App

Post by exportman »

simbo wrote: Mon Apr 06, 2026 5:07 pm I usually create the route on Tourstart.org using my laptop, then I save the route as a gpx file and email to my phone, open it with the motorrad app and from there you can add it to favourites. Once the route is on your phone you can send it other people via WhatsApp or Messenger or email and they can open it in the Motorrad app.
I can't see an option to add a destination to favourites from a GPX route? opening the route there is no option in the menu to add this to faves. If I ride a GPX route then I can not see the destination listed in history that only shows places I have entered directly into the app.
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