More and more Mercedes Benz new cars come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, many Mercedes do not have the options built into the head units. For these vehicles we have now developed a new Mercedes Wireless Apple CarPlay SmartBox solution that will enable CarPlay to any Mercedes 2015 to 2018 with NTG5.X Comand or Audio 20 with Garmin Sat Nav. If you are unsure which Comand or Audio 20 you have, check our Head-unit Version Fact Sheet.
The centre dash trim and radio need to be removes to install this product. The connections are Plug & Play.
Apple CarPlay connects wirelessly or via USB cable. Android Auto connects by USB cable, or wirelessly on late Samsung phones (and a few others)
The device operates in a very similar way to the factory fitted option. Control is from the main Comand Controller in the centre of the car. Selecting USB on the MEDIA menu will switch the sound. Subsequently, pressing and holding the ‘Back’ button on the Comand Controller or steering wheel will switch the video. Also, the Star button on the Comand Controller will activate Siri.
Important Note
The system differs in the way it selects audio and video separately. If Audio & Video are both switched across to CarPlay then the system will work totally seamlessly. This is great if you are listening to music from your phone (iTunes, Spotify, etc). CarPlay navigation commands will interrupt as expected.
If however, you choose to listen to the car system (eg. FM/DAB radio, CD etc), you will need to switch away the audio from the Mercedes Wireless Apple CarPlay SmartBox to select your source. This means that the CarPlay SmartBox has no way of switching it’s sound back on. Using an internet radio player will enable seamless radio and navigation. This does not affect the in-built navigation.
Mark Kenyon –
Great bit of kit, this certainly made life with my 2016 C43 much more fun….seamless Whatsapp messaging via Audio (safe/easy) Radioplayer radio for significantly more options than Comand, Waze integration etc…you name it, it all worked very well. I found the audio quality better via Bluetooth, but AUX was ok at lower volumes. Ive just bought a 2012 SL, and will be buying another unit for that