Map Update Doesn't Work
 

I've done a map update on my vehicles at least 6 times. Log into my Mercedes account, select map update, download the software, erase USB stick, download the map components, plug into the vehicle and wait ... wait ... wait until it completes. This last time, it no longer does anything when I install the USB stick into the vehicle. I go to the software update section of the vehicle app. No updates available.

I've unplugged and re-plugged in to no avail. I know it's reading the disk because it will complain about finding no music files on the stick. I dread involving the service advisor, since they seem totally clueless about this type of stuff. Any good or bad experience on this last update? This is on a 2023 E350.

This happened to me about a year ago using a Mac and the latest Mercedes software at the time, which had worked for several years before. I then used Windows instead and it worked like normal.

Thanks for your reply. I plugged the USB into a Windows machine, removed all the hidden files and everything worked properly again. Next time I’ll try to perform the same task on my Mac and see whether I achieve the same result. Thankfully we had an old laptop lying around to try this!

This is a known issue. MacOS creates hidden metadata files on FAT32 volumes, because FAT32 doesn't support storing the metadata as part of the file in a separate stream. The presence of these metadata files confuses MBUX/COMAND and it doesn't recognize that the volume contains an update. You can use the dot_clean command line utility on macOS to get rid of those files before you unmount the USB stick. Or you can use third-party utilities that add support to macOS for writing to NTFS volumes. NTFS supports storing this metadata as part of the files themselves. By default, macOS can only read NTFS volumes, but not write to them and unfortunately MBUX/COMAND only supports Windows file systems.

With the way MS is going with AI and horrific Widows 11, the only reason to keep it around on an old device is for map updates and TurboTax Business.

Thanks. This is a great explanation and finally explains why MBUX is not recognizing the Update. The dot_clean solution didn't work for me, but I was able to display all hidden files and just delete them before unmounting. That did the trick and my MBUX recognized the update. Yeah. No more using the extra Windows machine.

Isn't that so true. I also have a windows machine around for exactly that reason. I my case it was for MB map updates, Harley updates and some stubborn software updates for my boat.

Mac USB Stick Erase
 

Perhaps you can offer me some advice regarding using a Mac usb stick. How do you erase a Mac USB stick, I want to reuse my usb stick but I don’t know the commands on how to erase it on a Mac machine.
One thing I can tell you from experience regarding updating the MB maps, firstly you must update the data on your usb drive using the WiFi in your vehicle otherwise the USB drive will not work properly because the map update for some reason doesn’t download the new version of the map unless it’s done using the car’s WiFi, seems odd but that’s been my experience. I have a 2019 E class sedan and I just updated the map information since I got the car when it was new and frankly it isn’t worth the trouble. It doesn’t have a different look to it and all it does is update the street names if they change. Also I don’t use the MB map simply because the other maps that are available are far better than what MB map offers.
IMO the Google map is better by a country mile and easier to read, of course to each his own.

AFAIK the Mercedes E class 2017-2019 only had Bluetooth and cellular radios - no WiF. WiFi was added starting with the 2020 models.

To erase a usb stick on a Mac, use the Disk Utility. Select the usb stick click erase, enter name and new format then click erase.

I have a 2019 E class and it does indeed have WiFi in the electronics of course I have to pay ATT in order for the WiFi to work. They charge $200 a year for unlimited talk, text and data that is utilized through your smartphone. You need to have the WiFi access regardless of who your smartphone carrier is but it has worked well in my car.

This is not the case. Never had to do this. In fact, I never even activated the Wi-Fi in my car. Whether you download the map updates through the Wi-Fi in your car or through your home broadband connection, it comes from the same servers. There must have been something else that caused an issue in your case. On macs, the download utility has been problematic for many in addition to the hidden files that get created on USB sticks formatted with FAT32.

The AT&T service is for networking over their cellular network via Bluetooth. You are communicating over the car's inbuilt cellular radio. I have an '18 E300 and it does not have WiFi, only Bluetooth and cellular.

Can you ping the car from your phone or Mac? You must have an IP address to use WiFi.

Yeah, it's not easy on a Mac. My guess is that it would run seamlessly on a Windows machine, but I don't have one.

I got it to work on a MacBook Air w/the M3 processor, but I ended up having to purchase "NTFS for Mac" by Paragon - I think it was $30.

Here's a post I did on it: Map Update w/Mac

I recently did a full update - all regions - and it was taking forever (why it was important to me to update Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, and Caribbean Islands I'll never know....). I was basically out of time and the update had barely progressed, so I had to turn off the car. Much to my happy surprise, the update picked up the next time I started the car (I thought it wouldn't do that) - so that helped.

Best of luck!

Yeah, you don't need to leave the car on for the update. Just connect the USB stick or whatever and leave it there. It will do the update bit by bit as you drive and the car is running. No need to sit there and wait for the update to complete.

I updated both my cars over the weekend, just plugged it in with engine and ignition off. Update is a lot faster on the 2024 vs the older/sloweer MBUX 2021, but both complete map updates managed to finish before MBUX went to auto-shutoff.

Dumb question - what is the easiest way to determine the map version that you have (asking for a 2019 E450)?

Here's what ChatGPT says:For a 2019 Mercedes-Benz E450, the easiest way to check your current navigation map version is right from the car’s MBUX/COMAND system—no tools or dealer visit needed.

Here are the two quickest methods:

✅ Method 1 — Check in the On-Screen System Menu (Fastest)

On a 2019 E-Class (still using the COMAND NTG 5.5 system, not the newer MBUX), you can find the map version like this:

1. Start the car (or accessory mode).
   
2. Press the NAV hard button.
   
3. Press the OPTION hard button (or go to the options menu on screen).
   
4. Select System (sometimes “Map Data” appears directly).
   
5. Choose Map Version or Navigation System Version.
   

You should see something like:

• Map version: HDD 2018/2019 (V13)
  
• Navigation database: Map: North America 2019
  
• Or similar wording.
  

✅ Method 2 — Check Through System → Settings Menu

If the above layout doesn’t match:

1. Press HOME.
   
2. Go to System → System Information.
   
3. Select Version Information or Map Data.
   

It will display:

• Navigation software version
  
• Map provider (HERE/Navteq)
  
• Release number (e.g., V12, V13, V14)
  

Good luck!

Duh! I didn't even think to use ChatGPT. Thank you - it worked like a charm.

Glad it worked out!

It's becoming my go-to for most things. Where I've found it really useful is to upload an image of something and getting help identifying / troubleshooting / DIYing something.