DFWdude

Yep. When I experienced this connectivity issue, I googled "troubleshooting for android auto." There is a Google dedicated Android Auto Help Center. Here it is...

https://support.google.com/androidau.../6348190?hl=en

Says there to "Check the USB cable" almost immediately. Apparently, connectivity is dependent on USB cables that have the highest speed. (Data cable vs charging cable), I guess. Once I got some new cables (labeled with the USB signal vector icon), I was able to connect.

Sounds like you've done everything else successfully. So it might be something a simple as finding the right USB cable.

sjcruiser

Have you tried to stop the app then clear the cache? This fixed my initial handshake that you now experienced.

Also, try to limit phone activity during handshake period.

​​​For what it's worth I tried a few cables before finding one that works for me.

DFWdude

Clearing the cache helps, especially on smartphones with the most basic of Android Auto capability (5.0.2 Lollipop). But the primary challenge was finding the right cable. I went through this stage months ago.

I plan to upgrade my phone sometime this year, or next. That should improve connectivity. I do not want to limit phone activity while Android Auto provides navi functions. Until then, I like how the onboard navigation works just fine.

Grant_J

Thanks for the tip, but yep, tried it. In a Google article it said to clear cache and data from AA, Google, and Google Play. Did all three, restarted the phone, still no dice. Ordered a new Anker cable off Amazon just to see what happens, and a friend coming over with her iPhone later today. If hers works, I'll know it's just my phone and will upgrade if the cable doesn't work. Galaxy S7...due anyway.

Grant_J

Ok, thanks guys for the help. My friend's iPhone immediately started Carplay so it's definitely an issue with my cable or phone. I'll deal with it outside this forum. Thanks again!

crockerdt

Confirming that I was able to update my 2016 W212 E350 sedan to Carplay. I got dealer to update the firmware for the Comand head unit. I was able to see the volume for Apple Carplay, so had the confidence to order from Vlad in Belarus via eBay. I did confirm with him first via my VIN that it would work. Took 3-4 weeks to arrive. Installed today simply following the letter of the instructions on Vlad's eBay description for the module. I used USB port 2, at which point it immediately paired with my iPhone XR which has the latest iOS running. Ran car for a while using it, then turned off, back on, still worked. Then set up my wife's iPhone to work as well.

I want to thank everyone who put the time into describing what to do here. And Vlad continues to deliver (look for Vladimircdi). He is blunt in his descriptions and communications, but I'm comfortable with that - he doesn't want to send stuff to customers and then have it fail.

I have another car - a 2011 E350 wagon that just hit 100,000 miles and that I hope to have going for another 100,000. I only wish that I could enable Carplay on that as well.

bbretzman

Alright guys, my turn for a results post here. Also going to add a few notes and one issue I need to work on.

First of all, using vlad's OBD port dongle 100% worked. I ordered from him the Carplay, seatbelt light removal, and ECO mode removal. Super simple to use and worked right away. Just a few notes on the process for me.

• Car: 2016 E63s Estate (build date 10/15)
• You absolutely need to get the dealer to upgrade the COMAND firmware.This took a couple dealer visits and some work, but I got it. My complaint to the dealer was about bluetooth cut outs. This was honestly true, but for most people they wouldn't care. But yes, on occasion I would get a 1 second cutout so it made me feel a little better inside asking for this. Initially the dealer said there was no upgrade available for the COMAND unit and they couldn't reproduce the issue. I sent another email showing the XENTRY from post #69 above (THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS, 100% how I got this through). Also talked about the Siri option this firmware gives and how it seems to help bluetooth connectivity based on internet forums. My service adviser didn't really know anything about this so he took it back to the floor and they wanted to give this a try then. This is the key thing for me - my dealership had never done this update before so basically had to show them it was out there. For some reason it took 8 hours to do this upgrade, but, it was done.
• One thing to note. People have asked previously about how to tell what firmware version you are one. Good news is a previous poster talked about it and I can confirm, the "Sound" selection on the bottom right that is used to get to the audio equalizer changes. It goes from "Sound" to a music note. More on this below
• Followed vlad's instructions on the OBD tool and all worked perfect. PLEASE - be patient with it while it does its thing. I plugged mine in, selected CarPlay and got the waiting sign. Mine took up to "34". Then, it restarted the COMAND system twice. Don't get fooled by the COMAND system coming back up again. It looks booted, but the update is still happening. I did get a successful screen after the waiting screen and two reboots of COMAND (which is did automatically)
• The other two options I got (ECO, Seatbelts) happened almost immediately. When you do the seatbelts you will see the dash cluster light up then shut off. Basically writing the code to the cluster then done. Almost immediate though for those options
• After all that, everything has worked perfect so far.

+++One problem that was highlighted above last year and haven't figured out. I can't get to the audio equalizer when in Android Auto. The music note isn't an option. Has anyone found a way around this yet?

THANKS so much for all the help this thread has given. You guys rock!

LILBENZ230

I just got told by my dealer that no update was available for my 2016 E350. Ugh.

DFWdude

Difficult to believe they could tell you that if you had presented ANY of the screenshots in this thread showing dealer printouts showing the Comand upgrade. Doing so would prove the upgrade is available, and more important, that other dealers are doing them for customers (so why aren't they)?



The dealers are either too lazy, too unwilling to learn, or too stubborn to welcome information from customers. I tell my dealer that I am a member on these forums to show them I know what I'm talking about. I sometimes give them the diagnosis before they discover it themselves (on my older MB). These dealer personnel don't even know this forum exists.

LILBENZ230

My dealer was very interested in explaining to me that I'm too stupid to understand how to properly use bluetooth rather than look into resolving the problem. Mine genuinely does cut in/out. I asked for the update. They told me essentially Mercedes is "complicated" and that they would have a product specialist show me how to pair my phone. I did not react well to this.

Ultimately they told me they did the update. Then when I got the car home and checked, no update performed. Paperwork was emailed to me the next day and said "no update available".

Dealerships. Are. Ridiculous. And they do not care in the slightest about what anyone says or posts on this forum. I have tried that many times, and the answer has always been "that doesn't apply to your car" regardless of what it was in reference to.

DFWdude

On second thought... I think I read in one of your threads that you just got your W212. What caught my eye was you stating that it was a Dec, 2015 build?

If so, you may already have the High_CY15_9 version of Comand. Have you done the trick procedure noted (post #66) to see if you're equipped with "Ringtone Volume for Carplay"?

Geez, here it is... (Hold the 7,9, and red hang up button, then look for “Ringtone Volume for CarPlay” on the second page of settings.)

LILBENZ230

That was my mistake - I spent a weekend in a W212 that was build 12/2015 but ultimately decided against that one and bought a different one. The one I have now is a 4/2015 build and definitely does not have the update.

DFWdude

Cool, no worries. My memory is still OK at my age.

Here in North Texas, we have three Mercedes dealers. While the front office operations (Sales, etc) try to out do each other in snobbiness, the service and repair folks in back try to out do the others in product knowledge and service. If you have a couple dealers close by, you might try that. Do take along the screenshot as proof that it can (and is) done elsewhere.

LILBENZ230

Still no luck for me on this. Dealerships could not care less what anyone says/posts/photographs on this forum. I am told no update is available. I do not have option 11 in the dealer menu. So now I am searching for an independent shop that might can help.

bbretzman

Ah, this is a major bummer. The dealership differences seen in their service departments is crazy. Good luck.

bbretzman

Just a re-post here on if anyone has had luck with adjusting equalizer when Android Auto is on. Even if its on the phone side...

EuroDriverSD

Can you post a pic of your COMAND unit?
If it has the chrome trim around the fast forward and rewind buttons next to the volume knob, you're probably out of luck since it's NTG 4.x. If there's no chrome trim, it should be NTG 5.x and you should be abole to get the firmware upgrade and in that case, it might be time for you to drive to another town to do it. Another thought is to try schmoozing your service tech with some goodies of their liking.

Red-Town

From what I remember, there is no option to adjust equalizer while using Android Auto or Apple Carplay. I believe the 2019+ models do offer equalizer setting thought, I might be wrong.

LILBENZ230

I don’t believe any 2016 models had NTG 4.X? Unless there were 2016s built before March 2015? I looked at a ton of 16s (only year I considered) and never saw one without 5.X. Mine is an April 22, 2015 build and definitely has NTG 5.X.

EuroDriverSD

I went back and re-read the thread. Apparently you need to confirm that your data card lists both code 3U2 or HU5S1and 531 for the update to be applicable. Apparently there was a change around 5/2015

DFWdude

Initially, I think there was confusion (or debate) on whether 3U2 build code (N.America order term) Audio 20 Head Units and build code HU5S1 were the same HARDWARE. I may be wrong, but I now believe they are the same.

I believe that all 2016s should have SOFTWARE build code "531 COMAND APS NTG5/NTG5.5." They just need to be upgraded to the last (final) software version "High_CY15_9" to permit installation of AA/ACP.

I hope I have summarized this correctly.

LILBENZ230

You are correct. My car also has this. I'm well versed in MB and would not expect the dealer to do something not possible.

mtnman82

Do you have to be on a specific screen to hold the hang up + 7 + 9 buttons to bring up the Dealer menu? My build date is 9/2015.

DFWdude

I don't think it matters (?) but to be sure, you can start with it on the phone screen.

Been long enough that I don't remember, sorry.

manishjain24

Thanks to all for doing the research and posting the information on this platform.

I was able to work with my MB Dealer in getting the firmware updated to HIGH_CY15_9, I am now able to see 'Ringtone.....

While I am ready to pull the trigger and reach out to Vladmir for ordering the dongle, does one know how the Android Auto Updates will be/are managed? Does the firmware require yet another update when Android Auto is updated?

THANKS in advance!!

MJ
E400 4Matic