Android Auto in 2016 W212
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,695
Likes: 1,830
From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
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.
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.
Last edited by DFWdude; Dec 14, 2019 at 06:16 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2016 Mercedes E350 RWD
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.
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,695
Likes: 1,830
From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
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.
Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 153
Likes: 48
From: Nashville, TN
'18 E400 Cab
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.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
2016 E350 wagon Sport, 2014 C300 Sport, 2006 987 Boxster
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.
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 56
Likes: 8
From: Charlotte
S4 -> C63 ->TTRS ->E63 Wagon -> C63 -> RS3 -> E63 Wagon
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.
+++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!
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!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,695
Likes: 1,830
From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
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.
Last edited by DFWdude; Jan 11, 2020 at 12:46 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Difficult to believe they could tell you that if you had presented ANY of the screenshots in this thread 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.
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.
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.
Last edited by LILBENZ230; Jan 11, 2020 at 12:50 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,695
Likes: 1,830
From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
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.)
Last edited by DFWdude; Jan 11, 2020 at 01:01 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
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.)
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.)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,695
Likes: 1,830
From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
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.
Last edited by DFWdude; Jan 11, 2020 at 01:30 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 56
Likes: 8
From: Charlotte
S4 -> C63 ->TTRS ->E63 Wagon -> C63 -> RS3 -> E63 Wagon
Ah, this is a major bummer. The dealership differences seen in their service departments is crazy. Good luck.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 56
Likes: 8
From: Charlotte
S4 -> C63 ->TTRS ->E63 Wagon -> C63 -> RS3 -> E63 Wagon
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...
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.
+++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!
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!
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 798
Likes: 190
From: San Diego, CA
2016 E350 Sport; Mom Wrecked the 2008 E350; sold the 2002 C320
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.
Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 85
Likes: 15
From: Bay Area, CA
2016 MBZ E350
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
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.
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.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 798
Likes: 190
From: San Diego, CA
2016 E350 Sport; Mom Wrecked the 2008 E350; sold the 2002 C320
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
Last edited by EuroDriverSD; Jan 17, 2020 at 01:02 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,695
Likes: 1,830
From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
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.
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 65
Likes: 17
From: New Hampshire
W212 E400 4Matic < W211 E350 4Matic
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
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
