USB Music Library Fast Navigation
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 24
Likes: 5
Infiniti G35
USB Music Library Fast Navigation
For those of you who play music off a USB stick, is there a fast way to play what you want, or, to navigate around the library to select a song or album?
It seems that "Hey Mercedes" can't quickly take you to a specific track or album, and the interface doesn't allow for making fast selections at stop lights.
I have my massive disc collection on the stick, I don't want to store it all on an iPhone.
It seems that "Hey Mercedes" can't quickly take you to a specific track or album, and the interface doesn't allow for making fast selections at stop lights.
I have my massive disc collection on the stick, I don't want to store it all on an iPhone.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 665
From: Tennessee
W214 E450
I play music pretty much exclusively from a USB drive. You can use the "Hey Mercedes" to get an album or track played, but its hit or miss. I've setup Apple music native app as a trial and it will sometimes play from that instead of the USB. I can say, "Hey Mercedes, play Dark Side of the Moon" and 90% of the time it works. If I say a specific track by a specific artist its harder since I have several versions (live and studio) of many tracks.
In terms of getting to something fast. Its not great, but once you get used to it, its not that bad. I typically listen to music from one of my several play lists (m3u) I have on the USB in random mode. When I want to hear a specific artist or song, I go to the list, select artists and scroll to where I need to. I use the alphabet list on the right to jump to an area faster, but its sometimes hard to get it just right.
Its a bit of a pain to get back to the full list on the USB drive once you are playing something from it. The fastest way up know of is to tap the currently playing box/widget from the main screen (zero layer) and then in the upper left, tap the image art for the track. Then in the resulting screen, tap the right icon of the two that look like lists. Then, you have to pick artist or whatever your preferred browsing mode is. That's 3 taps total to get to the right list and then more depending on what you are looking for. It should be easier. I wish I was on their product team, I would have a ton of suggestions on how to improve this interface.
In terms of getting to something fast. Its not great, but once you get used to it, its not that bad. I typically listen to music from one of my several play lists (m3u) I have on the USB in random mode. When I want to hear a specific artist or song, I go to the list, select artists and scroll to where I need to. I use the alphabet list on the right to jump to an area faster, but its sometimes hard to get it just right.
Its a bit of a pain to get back to the full list on the USB drive once you are playing something from it. The fastest way up know of is to tap the currently playing box/widget from the main screen (zero layer) and then in the upper left, tap the image art for the track. Then in the resulting screen, tap the right icon of the two that look like lists. Then, you have to pick artist or whatever your preferred browsing mode is. That's 3 taps total to get to the right list and then more depending on what you are looking for. It should be easier. I wish I was on their product team, I would have a ton of suggestions on how to improve this interface.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 24
Likes: 5
Infiniti G35
Thanks for the advice! I'll play around with it. I'm sure I'll figure it out with time. I was dreaming the MBUX could just take you to any album or track but perhaps that was wishful thinking.
Also, have you ever found the car doesn't see the USB at times? This has only happened to me once. If so, is there a way you can have the car see it without pulling it out and reinserting it?
Also, have you ever found the car doesn't see the USB at times? This has only happened to me once. If so, is there a way you can have the car see it without pulling it out and reinserting it?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 665
From: Tennessee
W214 E450
BTW, you can also get to the list by hitting home, then media, and pick your search criteria. It used to make you hit USB again, but that seems to have changed at some point.
On the drive not been recognized. I've not had that before, but I imagine reinstalling is the only way. Technically you should uncountable it when removing, but I rarely do that unless I've recently written to it.
On the drive not been recognized. I've not had that before, but I imagine reinstalling is the only way. Technically you should uncountable it when removing, but I rarely do that unless I've recently written to it.
