VRODDER

Hello Everyone-

I own an earlier model of the 2017 GLS550 and is wanting to inquire what I need to do to obtain Android Auto support for the infotainment system. Per my research and seeing videos from Mercedes and more Mercedes 2017 - 2019 GLS series...Android Auto is available. Please recommend and help. Dealership service departments are not being helpful.

whoover

What happens when you follow these step?

VRODDER

Actually, that is the first video that I came across to trouble-shoot the anomaly. I follow that guy quite well. When I connect the cable to the bottom of USB port, connect the USB-C to my Samsung S9+ turn on the GLS550, toggle over to the TEL option, click on it to find the Android Auto option, the only thing I saw was Apple Carplay. There lies the conundrum. Where is it?
I assume since I bought the first batch of the 2017 GLS550, the software loaded on the infotainment system did not have Android Auto yet. And confident that is the case, how do I get the software to update my Infotainment system to support Android Auto? That is the ONLY thing that is missing.

whoover

It sounds like you have to convince the dealer to do a COMAND software update. You may have to find another dealer. Mine has a electronics specialist who has already updated mine once and is considering a second, but we're not sure if it has a fix for the current problem. The first update fixed the problem I was having with navigating to Android phone contact addresses.

tom tom23

There is a odb plugin that adds Android auto. I called the Benz dealer the other day and they said there is no such update that will add Android auto I don't know if he knew what he was talkin about or not, probably not , but I do know that that OBD2 plug from what I understand will add Android auto but will also void your warranty. then again I have never used the OBD one though so this is just from what I've read

whoover

I guess the big question is what does the manual say? If it says Android auto is supported, you should be able to get it working. If it says CarPlay but not Android Auto, you may be stuck.

tom tom23

Unfortunately .... I'm close to just buying the OBD2 plugin. And trying it out. What's the worst that can happen .... I void the warranty on probably a $10000 head unit lmao.

VRODDER

My vehicle still has a lengthy warranty and to WHOOVER's initial reply, if a Mercedes Benz guru ON VIDEO show a 2017 GLS supporting Android Auto...Then I expect Mercedes to have a way to update the software on the head-unit or infotainment system for this. I find it hard to believe it cannot be done.

As a matter of fact my other non-Mercedes vehicles have software updates on the infotainment unit and when I take it in for service, they update it if there is an announcement from the manufacturer.

tom tom23

Let me know how this works out, I'm extremely interested.....like I said I called Benz and this guy said he called the lead tech but who knows it's probably bull****. I feel like they can most definitely add it if an OBD2 plug in can....

VRODDER

Okay...After spending a full day with my dealership as well as speaking with MBUSA, here is my scenario:
My 2017 GLS550 was started in its build on March 2016. Although my 2017 GLS550 is released as a 2017 model, the earlier edition of the COMMAND software only covers 16U = Apple Carplay and does not include software firmware 17U = Android Auto. Any GLS with build beginning in 2017 will have Android Auto on the GLS550 by default because the Premium package is standard on the GLS550. This package is a $3800.00 with other niceties is an option for the GLS450 and the GLS350 in Europe.

I have a call out to a really large dealer here in Southern California to see if they are able to extract the later 2017 Command software to update my GL550.

I believe Mercedes' mistake is to NOT let the consumer and its dealer know this and I myself have to uncover it myself. In addition, Mercedes needs to do a better job of not officially listing their manuals, web-sites and demos to show that it is supported for the 2017 - 2019 GLS series without footnotes specifically for those like me and others who are early adopters of this vehicle. So there you have it. My journey to obtain the COMMAND software with Android Auto without violating my warranty.

VRODDER

I finally got Mercedes Benz USA to provide the Android Auto update for my GLS550.

thtguy

Sorry to resurrect such an old post. Just wanted to see what you had to do to get them to update. Is it just having the dealer do the latest software update will give you Android Auto. or what kind of hoops you had to jump through?

I am buying a early build 2017 GLS550 release date 2016-06-09 and it doesn't currently have Android Auto.

fivers33

I recently bought a used 2017 GLS 450 with 25000 miles from a Mercedes Benz dealer. After taking it home, I realized that it didn't have Android Auto, but it did have Apple Carplay. After doing a lot of digging, I realized that some of the 2017 models did not come with Android Auto loaded. When you look at the SPEC sheet for the car it only shows Apple Car Play. I went back to the dealer, and they tried loading the latest update, but the technician stated that the software load was unsuccessful. After a few minutes on my way back home, I decided to check the system myself, and to my surprise, I found that the software was successfully loaded and functioning well with my phone. I guess the system needed to be rebooted after the software was updated. I am shocked that the technician didn't know this. Anyway, I am happy I got this resolved because this would have cost me an arm and a leg to implement with third-party equipment.

carputech

There is always more than one way to solve a problem.
If you only have carplay, the carlinkit4.0 can convert your carplay into wireless android auto while you use android phone with it.
If you have both carplay and android auto, then the carlinkit5.0 will upgrade your wired connection to wireless. Make your driving more convenient and intelligent.