Activate Carplay & Android Auto

vamosborc · Jul 10, 2020

Based on your VIN decoding with 16U included you should have already had Carplay installed I think. You wouldn’t need to even use those activators...

Jeff_KTM350 · Jul 10, 2020

vamosborc said:
Based on your VIN decoding with 16U included you should have already had Carplay installed I think. You wouldn’t need to even use those activators...

I'm not really sure why any of that is on my VIN decode, I definitely did not pay for that option and it was not on my window sticker. A couple of years ago, I tried paying the dealer to add it and they said it was not an option for them to add it because I did not have the comand audio system....I can't explain it....

Huey52 · Jul 14, 2020

MY2016 German brands in the US did not have CarPlay/Android capability from the factory, I presume due to an Apple/Google licensing delay.

For Audi it is now an available update (at $500) provided you have the Technology package and again I presume MB is similar in requiring the Comand option for their firmware installation.

DerRoteBaron · Jul 19, 2020

Has anyone with a 2018-2020 GLA250 (showing 15U in their VIN look-up info) successfully activated Carplay? Someone had posted a link to Amazon.de saying they had been successful, but the link is no longer active.

From reading these various threads, it seems only 2015-2017 have had success after experimentation. Thank you for the teamwork and lending of research knowledge.

firstdown80 · Aug 6, 2020

Jeff_KTM350 said:
I'm not really sure why any of that is on my VIN decode, I definitely did not pay for that option and it was not on my window sticker. A couple of years ago, I tried paying the dealer to add it and they said it was not an option for them to add it because I did not have the comand audio system....I can't explain it....

Did you see this option? Also try to use the original USB cable.

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tezza · Aug 12, 2020

Been trolling this thread and just managed to read all 16 pages worth. Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed their experiences here!

I am based in Malaysia and have a fully imported European version 2016 W176 A200. I'm gonna see if I can get my hands on one of those OBD tools to activate ACP/AA. I have neither at the moment and dealer says my car doesn't come with it.

MFG date is 3/2016, and HMI version is 12.12.2017. I also have the two USB ports with the one on the right having the phone/tablet icon. So, it seems like I have all the pre-reqs to "activate" AA on my car. Wish me luck!

/Tezz

Jeff_KTM350 · Aug 13, 2020

firstdown80 said:
Did you see this option? Also try to use the original USB cable.

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I do not see that as an option. Where does that appear? Neither Android Auto nor CarPlay show up in the menus like I've seen in the videos I've watched. I tried it using the same cable that works with Android Auto in my Ford.....

Thanks,
Jeff

firstdown80 · Aug 19, 2020

Jeff_KTM350 said:
I do not see that as an option. Where does that appear? Neither Android Auto nor CarPlay show up in the menus like I've seen in the videos I've watched. I tried it using the same cable that works with Android Auto in my Ford.....

Thanks,
Jeff

It is only available when your phone is Bluetooth enabled.

'Option' is available when you select Tel or Media.

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tezza · Aug 26, 2020

Jeff_KTM350 said:
So I feel as though I've tried everything to get my system to add Android Auto/CarPlay. To summarize, I have a January 2016 build GLA250. My VIN decode indicates:
14U - Smartphone Integration Package
16U - Smartphone Integration Carplay
17U - Smartphone Integration Android Auto
522 - Audio 20 NTG5

I have the dual USB ports in the center console with the image of the tablet on one port.
I had the dealer update the HMI Version to 12.12.2017
I've tried both blue form factors of the activator. Two of the short style ones from Alibaba and one of the longer ones from Amazon.
In all cases, the DIAG screen flashes for a few seconds (like 2-3), the screen goes black for a few seconds and then the system boots up without Android Auto or Carplay as a new menu option unlike it does in the videos I've watched.

I'm out of ideas. Thoughts?

Thanks,
Jeff

I'm in almost the exact situation as you are. I have a March 2016 build A200 FL.

My VIN shows that I don't have 14U, 16U & 17U but only this:
505 - AUDIO 20 RADIO NOT NAVIGATION-CAPABLE NTG5/NTG5.5

I also have the dual USB ports in the center console with the image of the tablet on one port.
I got this car used and HMI Version was already 12.12.2017.
I bought the longer version activator in black form factor from aliexpress.
I experienced exactly what you did when I tried to use it, i.e. the DIAG screen flashes for a few seconds (like 2-3), the screen goes black for a few seconds and then the system boots up without Android Auto or Carplay as a new menu option. In fact, it's like it did absolutely nothing!

Really disappointed with the situation as I thought it would surely work for my car based on reading this thread. Guess I'll just have to wait for someone else to try to figure this one out for my config.

Sorry for this longish post just to say that I encountered the same problem and was unsuccessful. I wish it were the opposite.

Thanks,
/Tez

NanookOz · Aug 26, 2020

Dealer can do it for you, if you are ok with paying for it otherwise with audio 20 better off getting one of those chinese android 10.25" replacement screens.

tezza · Aug 26, 2020

That's the thing though. I actually asked my dealer if they could do it for me, but the service consultant responded that my model was not capable of ACP nor AA.

Ricki_Patel · Aug 29, 2020

hhhmm..You must be interested in CarPlay .I have got some useful information from this company.

firstdown80 · Aug 29, 2020

Ricki_Patel said:
hhhmm..You must be interested in CarPlay .I have got some useful information from this company.

Tezza Vin indicates he has a NTG5, the video is for NTG4 and his ride is 2016.

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firstdown80 · Aug 29, 2020

tezza said:
I'm in almost the exact situation as you are. I have a March 2016 build A200 FL.

My VIN shows that I don't have 14U, 16U & 17U but only this:
505 - AUDIO 20 RADIO NOT NAVIGATION-CAPABLE NTG5/NTG5.5

I also have the dual USB ports in the center console with the image of the tablet on one port.
I got this car used and HMI Version was already 12.12.2017.
I bought the longer version activator in black form factor from aliexpress.
I experienced exactly what you did when I tried to use it, i.e. the DIAG screen flashes for a few seconds (like 2-3), the screen goes black for a few seconds and then the system boots up without Android Auto or Carplay as a new menu option. In fact, it's like it did absolutely nothing!

Really disappointed with the situation as I thought it would surely work for my car based on reading this thread. Guess I'll just have to wait for someone else to try to figure this one out for my config.

Sorry for this longish post just to say that I encountered the same problem and was unsuccessful. I wish it were the opposite.

Thanks,
/Tez

Tez, when I researched for an OBD2 gadget for ACP & AA, the first thing these suppliers asked was the model year and specifically the month. My GLA is 2016, but delivery date is Dec 2015, I had my HMI updated from 10/2016 to 11/2017. I have had AA & CAP since 2017.

I know that 2015/2016 should at least have ACP, so the OBD2 should be able to activate that. Then again there are so many out there it’s difficult to get one that actually works.

I bought my OBD2 from a company called Autosvs Technology. You can google Unichip OBD2 Android Auto CarPlay.

One thing to note, each time you insert the OBD2 gadget, it either activates or deactivates ACP & AA. So check each time you do that at the Tel menu for ACP and/or AA.

1. Connect your phone to the USB connector with the tablet icon
2. Select Tel - this will go into Tel dial screen
3. Push car controller button up once
4. Select Tel again
5. If ACP and/or AA is activated, you should see it
6. Select it, you will see a screen “start automatically....”

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Ricki_Patel · Aug 31, 2020

firstdown80 said:
Tezza Vin indicates he has a NTG5, the video is for NTG4 and his ride is 2016.

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firstdown80, I think you are right.Ohhh...I just provided a video that did not match. His car is NTG5.0,and I just provided NTG4.0. Hope this video below can help.

firstdown80 · Aug 31, 2020

Ricki_Patel said:
firstdown80, I think you are right.Ohhh...I just provided a video that did not match. His car is NTG5.0,and I just provided NTG4.0. Hope this video below can help.

That’s great, perhaps you could try it on your 2015 and let everyone know if it works out for you.

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Ricki_Patel · Sep 1, 2020

AMZ! I'm glad to take a try to add CarPlay to my car. After adding, I will share at the first time. Good luck！

Abdelrahmanhady98 · Sep 21, 2020

firstdown80 said:
Activate Carplay & Android Auto

Activated my Android Auto & Apple CarPlay today! Super happy!

PM me if you like to know more.

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hi did you have any problems resulting from activating apple car play because I am considering it but i am worried that it might negatively affect my car

Afakhori · Oct 21, 2020

XIS said:
Had CarPlay added to my 2016 (built 11/15) thanks to this thread. Much appreciated.
Added Mercedes smartphone integration kit from the dealer ($106) and then had the HMU software updated ($180).

When you asked them to add carplay did they know what you were talking about or did you have to shoe them there was an upgrade for it?

JoePlay8 · Jun 12, 2021

tezza said:
I'm in almost the exact situation as you are. I have a March 2016 build A200 FL.

My VIN shows that I don't have 14U, 16U & 17U but only this:
505 - AUDIO 20 RADIO NOT NAVIGATION-CAPABLE NTG5/NTG5.5

I also have the dual USB ports in the center console with the image of the tablet on one port.
I got this car used and HMI Version was already 12.12.2017.
I bought the longer version activator in black form factor from aliexpress.
I experienced exactly what you did when I tried to use it, i.e. the DIAG screen flashes for a few seconds (like 2-3), the screen goes black for a few seconds and then the system boots up without Android Auto or Carplay as a new menu option. In fact, it's like it did absolutely nothing!

Really disappointed with the situation as I thought it would surely work for my car based on reading this thread. Guess I'll just have to wait for someone else to try to figure this one out for my config.

Sorry for this longish post just to say that I encountered the same problem and was unsuccessful. I wish it were the opposite.

Thanks,
/Tez

Tez did you figure this out or just let it go? I am in exactly the same situation and still searching for answered lol

Activate Carplay & Android Auto

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