Turn off BMW Active Sound Design (ASD) by phone
Active Sound Design plays a synthesised engine sound through the car's speakers. DiagBimmer can switch it off — and back on — from your iPhone or Android phone through an OBD adapter, after it has identified the car's sound module. It is a premium feature; so far it has been tried on an F-series M4 (F82) and is not yet confirmed on G-series cars.
Get the app
Free to download; premium features unlock with a one-time in-app purchase.
Which cars
Depending on the car, ASD sits in a separate sound unit, in the audio amplifier or in the audio module. Before it sends anything, the app reads which module the car has. If it is not one the app can control safely, the page says “Active Sound Design is not supported on this vehicle. Its sound module is not one this app can control safely, so nothing was sent to it.” If the car has no ASD module at all, the Active Sound Design section does not appear.
Tried so far on an F-series M4 (F82). Not yet confirmed on G-series cars.
Step by step in the app
- Plug the adapter into the OBD port and switch the ignition on. In the app tap Connect, then Open Dashboard, then Sound & Comfort.
- On the first visit the app asks for Feature detection: tap Run full detection. On some cars the page instead shows a Check ASD button; press it and confirm — the app explains what it sends before it sends it.
- In the Active Sound Design section tap Turn ASD off. Read the Legal Notice and Disclaimer of Liability and tap I Accept Responsibility.
- The page confirms: “Active Sound Design turned off.”
- After the first switch-off the app asks Keep ASD off automatically? — on some cars ASD may switch back on after sleep or a restart.
- To undo it, tap Turn ASD on.
Free or premium
| What | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ASD detection | Premium | Without the purchase the page says ASD was not checked. |
| Turn ASD off and on | Premium | A legal notice comes before each change. |
DiagBimmer is free to download; premium features unlock with a one-time in-app purchase — no subscription. The built-in demo vehicles let you try the paid features before you buy.
Tested on real cars
On an F82 M4 the car accepted the ASD command from the app. No G-series car has confirmed it yet.
Questions
Can I turn ASD back on?
Yes. The same section has Turn ASD on.
Does it change the real exhaust sound?
No. ASD is the sound played through the speakers inside the car; the exhaust is not touched.
Will ASD come back on by itself?
On some cars it may, after sleep or a restart. After the first switch-off the app offers to re-apply your choice when it connects; on some cars it is re-applied only when you press Check ASD.
Will it switch off the pedestrian warning sound on an electric or hybrid BMW?
No. On the sound module that also makes the legally required pedestrian warning sound, the app sends only the ASD setting.
Is it a subscription?
No. ASD on and off is part of a one-time premium purchase. You can try it on the built-in demo vehicles first.
Full guide with background and more questions: How to turn off BMW Active Sound Design (gizliozellikacma.com).