[Erwan]

Hi all,
Been reading all this thread just now, thanks for sharing your experience. I just bought a GLA250 (build Nov 2015) and just stopped by MB dealer to ask them about retrofit. They checked my VIN and confirmed it would work.
But this would be costly! AUD$250 for the device + prep (they said they need to change usb ports, etc) for a grand total of about AUD$700! (US$500+). Welcome to Mercedes world!

Would you do it? Or still try one of those activators from Asia?

Is Carplay really that much of an upgrade from the default COMAND? Any limitation coming with it, like can you use Google Maps or is it all updating from your iPhone directly? I don't have a touch screen so wonder how navigating Carplay actually is?

Currently I use my iPhone but don't have a car mount (hard to find one fitting those Mercedes car vents!) so just have it in the empty square tray in the middle part but not ideal.

Cheers.

 

[Gelo3312]

Hola, yo tengo el GLA220 X156 también desde el año 2015, sin Applecarplay, mi auto anterior lo tenía y es gran aporte, pero era táctil. US $ 500 y en el concesionario yo los pagaría es caro, pero es practico;
Respecto al soporte celular, tengo uno que se inserta en el CD Coche CD Ranura Magnético Soporte Universal Para Teléfono Celular IPHONE Galaxy | eBay
En Australia Naviplus tiene algo que me tiene bien tentado. y con cambio de pantalla a tactil.

Online Store | main

www.naviplus.com.au

Saludos
Desde Chile

 

[Eddy Benalal]

1st gen CarPlay (2016 models) head unit does not support Android Auto. Only 2017 or newer models do both.

Depending on the manufacture date of the car, some later 2016 models can be updated to add Android Auto support. In fact, if you check the web site linked to that video above, it also mentioned 2016.6 requirement.

My 10/2015 GLA supports android auto.
The key is the USB with the phone logo near it.
I had to activate it with a third party dongle.

 

[Eddy Benalal]

Is there a way I can check if mine is compatible or not? how and where?

Check:
1) was manufactured after 10/2015 ( the VIN number will give you the answer)
2) Have an USB with a logo of a phone

If the answer off both is yes, then you can upgrade

 

[esaulgoodman]

Activate Carplay & Android Auto

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

PM me if you like to know more.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

can you share your secret with me ?

 

[Gelo3312]

[QUOTE = "Gelo3312, publicación: 210770, miembro: 37693"]
Hola, yo tengo el GLA220 X156 también desde el año 2015, sin Applecarplay, mi auto anterior lo tenía y es gran aporte, pero era táctil. US $ 500 y en el concesionario yo los pagaría es caro, pero es practico;
Respecto al soporte celular, tengo uno que se inserta en el CD Coche CD Ranura Magnético Soporte Universal Para Teléfono Celular IPHONE Galaxy | eBay
En Australia Naviplus tiene algo que me tiene bien tentado. y con cambio de pantalla a tactil.
[URL unfurl = "true"] https://www.naviplus.com.au/online-...Android-Auto-8-Touch-Display-Integration-pack -p89243099 [/ URL]

Saludos
Desde Chile
[/CITA]
acabo de terminar la instalación del Naviplus $ AU1.150 con cambio de pantalla a una mas grande y táctil y se debe comprar el auxiliar, en el caso de mi x156; bastante conforme y no es difícil de instalar, todo calza perfecto, materiales de calidad y soporte por wsap y correo; desde el volante cambias si quieres sonido desde la radio o desde el Carplay y desde el comando central con la flecha, cambias la pantalla a que reconozca radio o reconozca Carplay, la cámara trasera no se pierde, en fin, varias cosas que instalar, pero funciona muy bien, la pantalla es hermosa.

 

[Erwan]

To follow up on this, after considering a brand new touch screen with Carplay, I went with the smaller and cheaper upgrade to get Carplay activated directly from MB for about $200 on my current screen (my GLA being made from Nov15 and with the multimedia USB port was qualified to do so).

It has pros and cons but I was also not too fuss having a bigger screen making the car looking like a Tesla ( ) and I'm really used to using the knob I find it convenient, as opposed to extending your arm touching the screen.

Of course a bigger HD screen is eventually more comfortable but I'm still happy with the result. Now speaking about Carplay itself, for my first experience with it, I was a bit disappointed. It's ok but the UI could be much better, with personalisation around the split screen and better integration between navigation and music apps.

 

[Leonardovans]

To follow up on this, after considering a brand new touch screen with Carplay, I went with the smaller and cheaper upgrade to get Carplay activated directly from MB for about $200 on my current screen (my GLA being made from Nov15 and with the multimedia USB port was qualified to do so).

It has pros and cons but I was also not too fuss having a bigger screen making the car looking like a Tesla ( ) and I'm really used to using the knob I find it convenient, as opposed to extending your arm touching the screen.

Of course a bigger HD screen is eventually more comfortable but I'm still happy with the result. Now speaking about Carplay itself, for my first experience with it, I was a bit disappointed. It's ok but the UI could be much better, with personalisation around the split screen and better integration between navigation and music apps.

Any chance you can share the MB invoice with us? I want to show my dealer that it can be done. Perhaps there is a part number/ description that they will understand.

 

[Erwan]

Any chance you can share the MB invoice with us? I want to show my dealer that it can be done. Perhaps there is a part number/ description that they will understand.

I can have a look but what's the problem? If your GLA is at least from 2015 and has an USB port with the multimedia icon, it would qualify to get the Carplay/Android retrofit.

 

[Leonardovans]

I can have a look but what's the problem? If your GLA is at least from 2015 and has an USB port with the multimedia icon, it would qualify to get the Carplay/Android retrofit.

Correct, it has all that, but either my dealer is playing dumb, or he is dumb. Or lazy.

I told him what I have read online and he said it cannot be done, only 2017+ models.

Then he asked me if I had the USB special port in the console, because it won't work without it. When I said yes he was very confused. Yet he still said it can't be done. Didn't even ask for my VIN no.

So I just need something to shove under his nose so he can accept that it is possible, and do it.

I appreciate any help. Even if you can just tell me what it says on the invoice.

Cheers
Leo

 

[Mnouran]

Hello .
Is there anyone in Austin area with the obd2 CarPlay activator Dongle willing to let me please borrow the device please ?

 

[[email protected]]

An update to the ongoing saga of getting carplay onto my 2016 GLA250 with 14U (Build date: December 2015). To remind everyone, I have not ability to check HMI version. I attempted the Chinese hack before HMI update and then I took the car into the dealer for an HMI update and then tried the chinese hack again with no luck. I decided to pay for the dealer official upgrade. The dealer told me there is no upgrade... So I called up MB corporate and after going back and fourth with them a few times, we found the required information!

Name: Retrofit of optional 14U for command NGT5.1 -- Smarphone integration package. You need to use the word "RetroFit" and not "Update". Say: Part Number A2468203800

Cost: Should take about 1 hour and the price should about $90 for the "part". The part is supposed to include a new control kit [I don't understand this] and two charging cables (lighting and micro-usb).

Here is the official MB page.

[/URL]Technical Accessories Online Store

Attached are PDFs referencing the update and here are two links to those PDFs too.
Link 1
Link 2
[URL="https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180518/5ef6175623be3462d21ebfdc18a76914.jpg"]Link 3 -- With prices

Hello vr4, I think my car has the exact set up as yours. I also / only have the code 531: COMAND APS NTG5/NTG5.5
I have a AMG GLA45 with a delivery date of 09-29-2015. I purchase the obd tools and it didn't work well. I am assume I also need that retrofit.
However, on the name, it says retrofit of optional 14U for command NTG 5.1. Does it work with our vehicle considering we are NTG 5/ NTG 5.5 ? Thanks

 

[Tomduffin64]

When I connect my phone to the usb port of my car nothing happens. I used 4 different USB-C cables and 3 different phones and none of these work. After connecting them to the usb port its asking me for permissions, which I give, then as said nothing happens - The phone just charges the battery and the "No device connected"

Apple car play works fine on multiple phones just got android auto PLEASE HELP!!

 

[Wayne]

AA is up for a major update to include Coolwalk. But in the meantime it's gotten entirely screwed up. It now loads Maps at start up and Maps expects a touchscreen. Absent the touchscreen it crashes. No word on when they are going to fix this but it looks like it will be after they release Coolwalk, which was due last summer.

 

[Huey52]

When I connect my phone to the usb port of my car nothing happens. I used 4 different USB-C cables and 3 different phones and none of these work. After connecting them to the usb port its asking me for permissions, which I give, then as said nothing happens - The phone just charges the battery and the "No device connected"

Apple car play works fine on multiple phones just got android auto PLEASE HELP!!

Given you here cite USB-C presuming you have a MY2020+ vehicle? Always best to definitively list model year and options, especially when asking a technical question. Benz is slower than most in adopting new tech but they do ultimately move along. As @Wayne cites however the issue is more likely on the Android phone-OS side as it is updated far more frequently than the Benz interface software. Same for Apple iOS.

 

[Stevm]

@vr4, maybe your adapter did work, try this if your have not. See if AA & CP is there:

1. Connect Android phone to car
2. Select Tel - this will go into the Tel dial screen
3. Push car controller button up once
4. Select Tel again
5. You should see the both CP & AA options
6. Select AA

This will activate it. If it works, go back to the Tel menu, below that you have Options, select that, you will see an option something like “...Start automatically...” select this.

So, for some reason, this option gets unselected occasionally, and AA seems like it disappeared, usually happens after a AA update n the phone.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Great thread, just bought 2018 AMG GLA45 in the UK, and no Android Auto was annoying me. Thanks