2014+ BMW X5 F15 phone cradle removal 

You’re the man! Thank you thank you! I’ve hated that damn cradle for years. It’s always in the way and the dealership told me that “it can’t be removed”. F them. Love BMW, hate the dealership.

That thing has annoyed me for 5 years. Thanks for the video...free space at last!

I'm so happy I have done this. More room and thanks for the video and link to the trim.

Thanks for the video! Bedankt ☺️ I love having the fan though, because it cools my redbull can! Is there any way in keeping the fan but removing the top cell phone stuff???

Thanks for posting the phone cradle removal!

Great tips and very helpful. But this can be made much easier by simply unscrewing the phone holder and cutting the wires. One is only a small co-axial, so just put a bit of tape over the end. The other is small five core. Just peel back the outer sheath and keep each wire separate and again tape up. You could put a blob of silicone on of you wanted to seal it fully. I didn't. Then just tuck the wire back in to the recess before covering. I made a simple card cover with folds in the right places. Then covered it with sticky back plastic (you could use vinyl wrap). Cheap and easy. Looks ok.

Thanks for posting the video! I've been wanting to remove that darn phone holder since the day I got my X5! Now I can do it, thanks to you!! :)

Worked a treat for my 2018 X6 F16. The vehicle didn’t have a fan fitted. I found that after taking a good look at the connectors before applying any pulling force, it is very straight-forward and an easy thing to do.

I remember my 2013 X5 had the cradle. When I traded in for a 2017 X5 I was so happy that it didn't have a cradle.

Thanks for the video! Been looking for something that covered this removal for awhile.

Thanks so much for these instructions on removing that annoying phone cradle! It worked! Hard part for me was detaching the cords - was hard to do in such an awkward, small space. But it’s done!

Thank you for this video! Totally worked! Hard part for me was detaching the cords - hard to do in such an awkward, small space. But so glad the cradle is removed!

Thnx man! My 2016 f15 did not have a fan, all the rest was the same

Great video, thank you! Worked perfectly on a 2015 X5.

Thank you for this video, worked perfectly!! The only hard part was detaching the cables. Looks way better now ;)

Thanks, i removed to. But why did you use that plastic cover? I used the original one without the phone modul. I would keep the fun. I cut i piece of rubber carpet to cover the hole. It is absolute nice looking.

It would be nice if you can leave fan in place.

Thanks for this video! This worked perfectly! So much better to have storage space.

Piece of cake! Thanks for the tutorial.

This is great!! We just yesterday, bought a 2012 BMW x5 35D and it has this big thing in it and the dealership had no clue what it was. We assumed something for an old phone but it takes up SO much room. We were super bummed as we had to drive 10 hours to get it and they didn't show that so were hoping there was an easy/inexpensive fix :) thanks a bunch!! Edit....ok...so mine is a 2012...when I looked up the part it says not for mine...but it looks exactly the same as what you show here. Hopefully they have the same part for a 2012 🥺😭 already having buyers remorse

Thanks, going to tackle this one. question: did you experience any ongoing error codes displayed after you removed the phone hookup?

Nice video that thing makes me crazy but just to forewarn anyone about the heat conditions in there. I have space gray and my 2014 X5 got so hot in the cabin that it melted a pair of my reading glasses. It was 140 degrees in NY and leave a lot of things in those compartment so by taking the fan out it is worth the trade off because that phone apparatus will be of no use: or will it can we tap into the power and put lights in there. I like the blue lights in the cabin I wish they were brighter. Thanks for the straight forward way of explaining the process.

I did it after drawing some blood trying to remove the fan cable. Other cables are easier. Just press the tabs and pull!

Just did this, thanks so much! It was really easy following your video!

Is it possible to simply remove the phone cradle itself and then reuse the existing back panel? 'Coz I like the fan in the console, it helps keep the inside of the console cool when I have the A/C on.

On mine the carpet screw holder near the front is broken off. Not sure if there is a way to fix it. I have it jammed back in pretty tight.. something that just annoys me now 😃

Very helpful

Wish somebody made a video like this for the F01 7 series of this same generation. The cradle is attached differently so unfortunately this video is no help in my case.

What did you do with the connectors ? Did plug any dumies ? Cos I red that when disconnected it result in no sound/no BT/ on USB !! Kindly clear that point

man i noticed that on my f15 i have a fridge that makes this area very cold so once i remove the fan i will not have cold air in the fridge is there a cover that i can keep the fan so it will stay cold all the time regards

Some of tabs are hard to get off. I ended up clipping the wires and taping as i nor anyone should have need to have this installed. I also would suggest putting a small towel over the back once yiu pry the cradle away as there are some sharp parts that wil cut your hand as you try to reach down t ok undo the wires. I also pickec up partition organizer that fits perfect, made for the X5. Thanks for the idea and video.

Does the fan not cool the glove box when the air con is on acting as a cool box ? If so why remove the fan too? Could you not have left the fan and only remove the stupid charger ?

Is there a chance that removing the phone cradle would trigger any error codes?

Thanks for the video! Just knocked mine out 👍🏼

I have also have this phone cradle in my John Cooper Works MIni , can an adaptor be bought to turn it in to a wireless charger for iphone 8 or maybe to turn it in to a USB to charge phones

Hi there, do you know if this will be the same for BMW X5 E70 ? Cheers

Outstanding

The price on those plastic covers is absurd right now

Thx for this post. I have a 2014 f15 x5 w/ same cradle. What I’m considering: buying cover plate as in your video, but also buying plug adapters/ connectors to utilize cell phone wires to convert into extra usb charging. Of course, will have to modify plate a little. Anyone done this?

Please help me. I took my car to the garage to remove it. When I got it back the entire sound in the car is doing “hiccups” . I am going mad. Every few seconds the music just glitches. Even the sound when you first turn the car on to put the seat belt on is going interconnected like hiccups. I asked them to put it back the way it was, but the problem stays. At least for 10, mins after turning the car on. Then it becomes less frequent but doesn’t really completely go away. What’s happening here.

Thank you. I have a 3X.

Perfect. Thank you.

Can you tell me the part number for X3 F25 2014 thanks

Are u selling your phone unit? Thx

do you know if this fit in X6 F16? thanks!!

Wood that part number the cover fit my X5 e70 2008

What kind of phone you supposed to be able to charge with that connection?! 🙄

What is it for anyway?

I got one in my 2013 F30 annoying thing lol

Order the part from your local BMW dealer. You will save $20 of shipping.

Can you send the link for that extra part ?

I always wondered what that crap is for

$16.76 for the part $358.43 for shipping 😅 I think I’ll pass

Hi Guys, anyone who wants to know how to remove the phone cradle safely without losing the small fan please let me know and I will explain.

Seriously dude, I’ve been stuck in finding a way to unplug these cables for an hour now. You should have explained this better, its not easy at all.

Not for E70

Yea but now theres no fan to cool my cologne:)

The phone cradle is a fucking worthless piece of shit. Thanks for the video

No help at all