CarPlay
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 422
Likes: 99
CarPlay
In the last two weeks MBUX has not recognized wireless Apple CarPlay multiple times. When the car is unable to connect to CarPlay, I immediately drop and re-add my iPhone if I need CarPlay. Otherwise, I wait and a day or a few days later CarPlay starts working again. After re-adding the device it seems like it works for about a month before the problem returns.
This time, MBUX stopped recognizing wireless CarPlay a day after the reset. It even stopped recognizing wired CarPlay which is extremely unusual. I was going to drop and re-add CarPlay, but mysteriously wireless CarPlay started working today without me making any changes. Even more unusual, on one drive today, it didn’t recognize CarPlay at first, then it found it, then lost it, then found it again. I haven’t seen that behavior before. In the past, for a single drive, it either saw CarPlay upon startup or didn’t see it at all during the drive.
I am on software version E333.8-58.
Has anyone figured out why the car usually connects to CarPlay, but then sometimes it doesn’t?
This time, MBUX stopped recognizing wireless CarPlay a day after the reset. It even stopped recognizing wired CarPlay which is extremely unusual. I was going to drop and re-add CarPlay, but mysteriously wireless CarPlay started working today without me making any changes. Even more unusual, on one drive today, it didn’t recognize CarPlay at first, then it found it, then lost it, then found it again. I haven’t seen that behavior before. In the past, for a single drive, it either saw CarPlay upon startup or didn’t see it at all during the drive.
I am on software version E333.8-58.
Has anyone figured out why the car usually connects to CarPlay, but then sometimes it doesn’t?
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 28
Likes: 22
From: Chicago
2025 E450
Unfortunately I have no solution for you but wanted to let you know I regularly experience this same CarPlay recognition inconsistency. It is annoying. I have discovered that around 80% or more of the time when it says it doesn’t recognize or cannot connect I simply have to press the Apple Carplay label in the upper left corner of the Home Screen and CarPlay appears near instantly despite the failed to connect message.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 67
Likes: 19
From: NorCal
S214
I had the same problems with CarPlay -- sometimes it would connect, sometimes it wouldn't, other times it would connect and then stop working... and then start working... etc. I also tried removing and adding the device, but it didn't help. The phone works fine with everything else, including my spouses' Honda.
Well, the good news is that the update for the recall -- E354.2-4221 -- done by the dealer seemed to have fixed it. At least, I haven't had any issues since the update.
Well, the good news is that the update for the recall -- E354.2-4221 -- done by the dealer seemed to have fixed it. At least, I haven't had any issues since the update.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 44
Likes: 12
From: Virginia
2025 E53
I had the same issue. I ended up doing a full reset and it's worked flawlessly since then. But, you will lose all your current settings and have to set everything back up again. It was a PITA, but Car Play working when it wanted to was worse.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
I've intermittently experienced this connection error. Oddly enough, after getting past the error notification I'll see Carplay available in the upper left of the center screen...tapping there brings its it up as if no issue had occurred.
Member
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 105
Likes: 28
This occurs to me at least once a week...I drive my CLE 53 just about everyday. What I do is click device manager (the two small iphones icon under the big Phone icon). Once device manager is display the carplay icon is white, just click on it. quicker then pairing phone again.
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 105
Likes: 28
no vpn on phone for me. Today, I replied to a text via applecarplay and after it sent my entire carplay screen went blank...meaning no icons just blue background. I went to the MBUX screen. Apple carplay was still conneced but clicking on he words applecarplay on the upper left did nothing.
I had to run an errand 15min later and all fine now - meaning shutdown and restart.
I had to run an errand 15min later and all fine now - meaning shutdown and restart.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 38
Likes: 10
From: MA
23 E450 All Terrain, 26 E53 Wagon
When this happened to me, deleting and reconnecting carplay didn’t work. What fixed it was shutting down the phone and turning it back on again.
so um, try turning it off and on again
so um, try turning it off and on again
Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 82
Likes: 8
From: New York
E450 coupe 2021 SL550 2013
There are many people who have reported intermittent issues with connection using iPhone. It is variably present, has been around for years, is based on some flaw in Apple software, and it doesn't look like there is a known cause or solution. Turning the phone on and off usually allows connection, but not always.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2026
Posts: 13
Likes: 3
2018 Audi Allroad
I do not believe this is an iPhone specific thing. Android Auto and Carplay both use Bluetooth. Bluetooth is well known for being unreliable.
I would ask folks who have Android phones if they are experiencing the same issue.
I would ask folks who have Android phones if they are experiencing the same issue.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 802
Likes: 415
From: SWFL
2024 GLE 450, 2009 SLK 300
CarPlay only works for me if my Phone connects via WiFi. If it doesn't, I get a message stating that my iPhone has been connected as a Bluetooth device. (This is on a GLE450). I found that the system became much more reliable after I purchased the data plan for the vehicle.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 689
From: Tennessee
W214 E450
I have had an occasional issue in the past where AA failed to start. A phone reboot fixed it some of the time and a complete forget and then add phone was needed at other times. It's happened to me maybe 4 times in the nearly 2 years I've had my car. It has not happened in the past 6 months or more. It has not really been an issue for me.
Last edited by L1Wolf; Today at 11:45 AM.
