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We also have Carplay, but using the cable is annoying. Haven't found a way to use Bluetooth yet. Also, would not work on the first USB port, had to use the bottom one.
You can certainly connect your phone via bluetooth. Check page 290 of your owners manual. I believe it should be the same page for your 550. I have a 450.
As for as I know, Carplay requires the mobile device be connected via the cable. Does anyone else know if Bluetooth connections are possible with MB?
Carplay only works if the phone is connected via a Lightening cable or the older cable depending on the model of the iPhone. Wireless Carplay is in the works but I haven't seen anything about when it will be available in any brand of vehicle.
I also can't find out if it will be available as an update to the current version of Carplay or whether it can only be had in vehicles made with it to begin with. Hopefully, it will be just a matter of updating the one that's out now.
CarPlay requires cable plugged into the lower of the slots in the storage compartment. Nice ride, like the red color. Bluetooth generally not as good as the cable connection, IMO, even in non CarPlay mode. The searching of music is easier when cable is connected, otherwise you have to search and play from your phone and the vehicle acts more or less like a Bluetooth speaker that can skip forward or backwards.
Wireless CarPlay is already available but the GLS (or any other MB) does not yet support wireless CarPlay. Mercedes likely began work on CarPlay a few years ago when wireless CarPlay was not yet available so it did not make into this current version of COMAND. Support is probably coming in the future but it is likely a hardware thing so any 2017 GLS will not be able to use CarPlay wirelessly. Maybe the next full model update will support it.
Since iOS 9, Apple has supported wireless CarPlay implementations. Nearly all CarPlay setups require an iPhone to be plugged in directly to the in-dash system to connect, but wireless CarPlay alleviates the need for a Lightning cable, allowing an iPhone to connect to an in-car system wirelessly.
There are no current implementations of wireless CarPlay, as Apple appears to be keeping the feature under wraps for now. Volkswagen had planned to show off an upcoming wireless CarPlay setup at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, but was prevented from doing so by Apple.
I might suggest a 3ft flat USB-Lightning cable - so you can have your phone on passenger-seat/cup-holder-in-your-lap and still be able to close console.
It's a magnificent car, and you've done well with the interior colors (at least I think so). I loved the red first time I saw it, but I didn't order it because I feared it would hurt the resale value. You're obviously a lot braver than I am.
Since iOS 9, Apple has supported wireless CarPlay implementations. Nearly all CarPlay setups require an iPhone to be plugged in directly to the in-dash system to connect, but wireless CarPlay alleviates the need for a Lightning cable, allowing an iPhone to connect to an in-car system wirelessly.
There are no current implementations of wireless CarPlay, as Apple appears to be keeping the feature under wraps for now. Volkswagen had planned to show off an upcoming wireless CarPlay setup at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, but was prevented from doing so by Apple.
Actually, BMW has wireless CarPlay. Last time I checked, it was 5-series and X5 (and would assume 7-series). They are way ahead of the curve in this respect. Hoping the next-gen 2019 GLS include this with the new infotainment refresh.