Enabling NAV on replacement headunit - 2016 i3

[br33zy]

I just had to replace the factory headunit in my 2016 i3 with another OEM headunit. It's not the exact same model, but an 'approved' replacement part number within BMW's system. The navigation menu is now disabled. The mechanic at the dealer says it's due to some sort of hard coding in the system that 'knows' it's no longer the factory headunit. Is there someway to enable NAV? Seems there should be

 

[mojo]

Was it supplied as an official BMW part? If so, the supplying dealer should be able to assist in getting it working. If not, it's almost certainly the result of anti-theft coding. They deliberately make it hard for people outside the dealer network to overcome, to try to make headunits less attractive to smash & grab thieves. Though TBH I'm a bit surprised it works at all - I think on other German cars (e.g. VW) it simply would not work at all if transferred to a car other than the one that it was originally coded for.