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I have a 2016 GLE (build before 2016) and I also have the usb input phone/tablet symbol on it and I followed your instructions and I couldn't find Android Auto.
You must not have noticed the previous post in this same thread. You must have a 2017 or newer model. That's when MB added Android Auto.
Here the reply I got from a company, (which is valid for Android Auto as well)
Hi Thanasis,
Thank you for your query of Unichip Apple CarPlay solution for your Mercedes 2015 GLE, this is Service Manager Ray.I think your car may perfectly activate Apple CarPlay with using Unichip OBD dongle. To 100% confirm, please send me your car VIN so that I can check in Daimler Database.
Working Theory: It is an one time activation OBD dongle, with pre-built-in activation authorization file. The dongle only works with cars which has already had CarPlay & Android Auto hardware & firmware. It provides original Apple CarPlay & Android Auto functions with car steering wheel control, knob / iDrive control, and Siri voice control. The dongle adapts original Mercedes communication protocols, it won't affect car warranty at all.
Shipping:The product is plenty in stock, DHL usually takes 3 - 5 days to ship to your door and costs around 30USD.
Should you have any question, please feel free to shoot me an email.
Thanks & Regards,
Ray Hsu European SmartAuto Solutions since 2003 Head Office:15A the 1st World Plaza, Hongli Rd, Futian District, Shenzhen City 518034 China Tel: +86755 83271865, 83271875 Mobile China: +86 134 2184 0514 www.en.autosvs.comwww.unichip-tec.com gary@autosvs.com P Before printing, think about the environment!
I bought the ODB2 carplay activator, but just realize I need to upgrade my USB block to car play connector 172-820-20-00-80. (someone from mbworld.org shared that you can have dealer install A246 820 3800 and activate it, my dealer-Stevens Creek Mercedes was going to charge me $199 for A246 820 3800 and $350 to install and activate it)
I am now stuck at taking the armrest assembly apart. Can someone please share the removal instruction. Thank you.
Hello, just bough a 2016 GLE off-lease from a non-dealer. The car came with Apple Play and the Smartphone integration (Software, Firmware, Cable)
I called a local MB dealer and they quoted $150 to update the firmware for Android Auto.
Seems fair. Has anyone else gone this path.
Last edited by mamyers1758; 11-25-2019 at 12:10 PM.
Hello, just bough a 2016 GLE off-lease from a non-dealer. The car came with Apple Play and the Smartphone integration (Software, Firmware, Cable)
I called a local MB dealer and they quoted $150 to update the firmware for Android Auto.
Seems fair. Has anyone else gone this path.
Did you go through with the update? I just purchased a used 2016 GLE350 and my local dealer couldn't find anything about a firmware upgrade. What dealer did you use so I can refer my local dealer to them. I would really love to have android auto.
Well guys, I bought the damn chip and I got the Android Auto activated. They made me make sure the car is built after /01/2016 Amount I paid for single use was ridiculous.. And its crashes time to time but seems like its everyones problem.. But I have to tell you just able to use waze handfree is worth it in my opinion. I don't even care anymore the version of my maps and dumb dealer tech's work.. if you're close to houston you can chip in and we can try it to see if its works on yours and my damage lightens up ..
Hello, just bough a 2016 GLE off-lease from a non-dealer. The car came with Apple Play and the Smartphone integration (Software, Firmware, Cable)
I called a local MB dealer and they quoted $150 to update the firmware for Android Auto.
Seems fair. Has anyone else gone this path.
Did you do this? I have a 2016 gle 350 with carplay but would like andriod auto
I bought the ODB2 carplay activator, but just realize I need to upgrade my USB block to car play connector 172-820-20-00-80. (someone from mbworld.org shared that you can have dealer install A246 820 3800 and activate it, my dealer-Stevens Creek Mercedes was going to charge me $199 for A246 820 3800 and $350 to install and activate it)
I am now stuck at taking the armrest assembly apart. Can someone please share the removal instruction. Thank you.
I have removed it to get to the cupholder but here is my thread https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...cupholder.html
I'm not sure why you need to remove it. There is a post on this issue floating somewhere. It depends on your build date and sometime it's just a firmware and coding update.
My GLE was released from the factory 2016-07-12 and came only with CarPlay but I was able to get an independent MB shop/technician to retrofit AA into it. AA can be a bit wonky, make sure you are using a good quality USB cable (and the shorter the better I hear) and toy around with AA developer settings (quite easy to access, Google is your friend), those can help. For example I needed to force the video resolution to a specific resolution instead of using the automatic option in order to get the picture working.
06-21-2018, 10:02 AM
