I just picked up a cpo 2018 SL63 today. I can't seem to get android auto on the screen. It seems to just go through bluetooh. It works perfectly in my E63 and Camaro. I tried 2 different USB cables but no go. Any ideas?

I have an Apple phone, car play auto starts when I connect it to the lower of the two USB ports in the console. I believe that is Media interface #4. Android should do the same. It is on p123 of the Comand Manual. The first time the phone is plugged in there should be a choice between auto or manual activation.

The input shows as #2 in the Media choices menu but the input shows as #4 on the list of devices if that list is called up on screen.

Thanks. It now says that my device is not compatible. I have a Samsung S9. I'm getting an S20 tomorrow ( not because of this, Lol) Hopefully that will work!

Everything working fine now

Great to hear!

Is there a way to retrofit Android auto/ apple car play to a 2014 model? Or is there a need to buy the newer head unit?
has someone done the retrofit?

I don't know but I would think you need a new head unit. My brother in law is having the same issue with an Audi.

a newer head unit from a 2017-18 with android auto would function properly in a 2014?

I would think so

This may mean nothing, since different car, but my '17 Chevy Volt was delivered in March of 2016 with only CarPlay. Several months later, AA became available on the later production 2017s. I went back to the dealer and they added AA into my system without changing any hardware. Now I have both. So, I think AA and ACP are both just software packages. There aught to be no reason that they couldn't just add it if the head unit is the same as the later car's head units. I've been wondering about the same thing on the '17 SLs that I've been looking at, as some of them are earlier '17s that only have ACP.

Is there an update then? Or would I need a while head unit? Can someone elaborate?

Need input from an AMG technician or ask your service department

Yes, there is a device you can buy online or your service department can activate. Call MBUSA and they should be able to tell the dealership to do at no cost.