Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto Guide Mercedes

This post may contain affiliate links. You can read more in our privacy policy.

Wireless carplay / android auto is a great way to get access to the feature without the added hassle of plugging your phone into the stereo to set it up each time. There are 3 main ways to retrofit wireless car play in your Mercedes.

The following options will depend on your situation, budget and the model of Mercedes you own. Pick One Option Below:

Pick One Option Below:

In a hurry?

We’d recommend the CarLinKit 3.0 Wireless Carplay Adapter (Selected models)

Already installed in Mercedes - Option 1

Basically, all newer Mercedes have Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto built-in as standard from 2016. Only some modes such as the 2018-> A-Class have the ability to connect wirelessly.

If you’re not sure, you can go into the car setting and check if it will allow you to connect to CarPlay wirelessly via a WIFI connection.

Mercedes - Apple CarPlay Models

2016 – 2021 A-Class
2016 – 2021 B-Class
2016 – 2021 CLA-Class
2016 – 2021 CLS-Class
2016 – 2021 E-Class Cabriolet
2016 – 2021 E-Class Coupe
2016 – 2021 GLA-Class
2016 – 2021 GLE-Class
2017 – 2021 E-Class
2017 – 2021 GLS-Class
2017 – 2021 SL-Class
2018 – 2021 GLC-Class
2018 – 2021 S-Class
2019 – 2021 C-Class
2020 – 2021 GLB-Class
2020 – 2021 GLS-Class
2021 EQA-Class
2021 EQC-Class

Mercedes - Android Auto Models

A-Class 2017-
B-Class 2017-
C-Class Cabriolet 2018-
C-Class Coupe 2018-
C-Class Sedan 2018-
C-Class Wagon 2018-
CLA Coupe 2017-
CLA Shooting Brake 2017-
CLS Coupe 2017-
CLS Shooting Brake 2017-
E-Class Cabriolet 2017-
E-Class Coupe 2017-
E-Class Sedan 2017-
E-Class Wagon 2017-
G-Class 2018-
GLA 2017-
GLC Coupe 2018-
GLC SUV 2018-
GLE 2017-
GLE Coupe 2017-
GLS 2017-
Mercedes-Maybach 2018-
S-Class Cabriolet 2018-
S-Class Coupé 2018-
S-Class Sedan 2018-
SL 2017-
SLC 2017-

(Updated as of June 2021)

See the full list of compatible vehicle models on Apple’s CarPlay website

See the full list of compatible vehicle models on Andriod’s Auto Website

Unsupported Mercedes Models

Before 2016, models do not tend to come with Apple CarPlay and 2017 for Andriod Auto as standard. There are certain caveats to this, such as unique options or modifications that prevent CarPlay from being installed, but this is rare. If wireless CarPlay or Andriod Auto is a must in a new vehicle your purchasing, you should be sure to check with your sales representative, or you can go into the car setting and check if it will allow you to connect to car play wirelessly via a wifi connection. The wireless CarPlay is only available in the newer Mercedes models because of the wider adoption of the technology.

Just because your Mercedes doesn’t come with CarPlay or Android Auto as a standard doesn’t mean you can’t install it. See option 2 and option 3 for more information on how this might be possible for your model.

No Mercedes models – support Apple Car Keys, allowing you to unlock your car via your apple watch or iPhone. support Apple Car Keys, allowing you to unlock your car via your apple watch or iPhone.

Unsupported Models by Type

CL
CLK
Eqa
EVito
EqV
GL Class
R Class
S Class
SLS
SLC
Vaneo
Vito
X Class

The reason why most of these models are not supported is due to them being older and not produced by Mercedes anymore.

Setting up Mercedes Wireless CarPlay & Andriod Auto - Factory Installed

These methods will only work with Mercedes’s with existing CarPlay, and Android Auto installed from the factory.

CarPlay - Mercedes

Mercedes-Benz Android Auto Setup Guide

View the Youtube video showing how to set set up wireless CarPlay on a factory standard Mercedes. The Mercedes representative shows how to do this from start to finish:

Steps:

Launch the home screen and scroll across to the Telephone tab.
Go to connect a new device.
Then, Connect via the vehicle.
It’ll now start the search for your device. At this point, you should launch your phone.
Visit Bluetooth on your phone, make sure it’s switched on (Green).
Your Mercedes should then find your phone. Click on it.
A code will then be generated on your iPhone, matching a number shown on your in-car display. If it’s the same, click pair.
Click allow contacts to sync
Your phone is now connected via Bluetooth.
To get CarPlay, visit the Apple CarPlay Menu on the carousel.
Plug your iPhone into the cars USB port using a lightning cable.
You will then get a prompt allowing you to connect.
You now have Apple CarPlay all set up!

Android Auto - Mercedes

Mercedes-Benz Android Auto Setup Guide

View the YouTube Video which shows how to set up Android Auto on factory Mercedes models. The video doesn’t go into detail about how to set up the wireless component of Andriod Auto, but you can follow the same steps as Apple CarPlay to get the same results:

Steps:

Connect your Andriod phone via the USB cable. Make sure it’s the USB port with the phone integration symbol.
On the Mercedes, then select start automatically. (This is so every time the car will automatically connect every time).
If you want to make the connection wireless, continue with step 4. (As long as your vehicle is compatible).
Follow the same steps as for Apple CarPlay and use the Andriod auto tab to pair your device with the vehicle.

Wireless CarPlay Adapter - Option 2 Mercedes

If your car already has CarPlay or Android Auto installed, you can use the adapter to talk wirelessly to your Mercedes head unit.

The CarLinkit 2.0 is for vehicles with CarPlay or Andriod Auto as a factory install. The CarLinkit 1.0 is for aftermarket Andriod head units that are compatible with CarPlay and Andriod Auto use.

This is a great cheaper option to get plug and play wireless Carplay in your Mercedes. Although this option is not without its faults, it’s a practical solution.

CarLinKit 1.0

For Aftermarket Andriod Head Units

Pro's

Con's

List of Compatible Stereo Models:

Compatible with aftermarket Android car stereos installed into your vehicle.

These include the likes of:

JVC
Kenwood
Sony
Pioneer

CarLinKit 3.0

For Manufacture installed CarPlay / Android Auto

Pro's

Con's

List of compatible Mercedes models:

2016 – 2020 A-Class
2016 – 2020 B-Class
2016 – 2020 CLA-Class
2016 – 2020 CLS-Class
2016 – 2020 E-Class Cabriolet
2016 – 2020 E-Class Coupe
2016 – 2020 GLA-Class
2016 – 2020 GLE-Class
2017 – 2020 E-Class
2017 – 2020 GLS-Class
2017 – 2020 SL-Class
2018 – 2020 GLC-Class
2018 – 2020 S-Class
2017 – 2020 C-Class

If it’s not compatible, you’ll have to find an adapter that is or move on to option 3.

PLEASE NOTE: It’s essential to understand that the adapters are not a perfect solution and are what I would call “temperamental”. The product works most of the time; however, it sometimes doesn’t connect and requires pulling the cable out and back in or restarting the engine.

It also takes around 10 seconds to fully connect to car play. Suppose you’re not happy enough with this. In that case, you should look at our option 3 recommendation as this method is Apple and manufacture approved.

The adapter is just a patch fix to trick the car into thinking it’s connected like usual, so there are occasional bugs. However, in my experience, when testing the product in a 2017 Vaxuall / Opal Corsa, it worked 90% of the time. This was good enough for the factional price of a new head you’d have to buy, as seen in option 3.

New Wireless CarPlay Compatible Head Or MMI - Option 3

This option is the most expensive route to take to get wireless carplay but will be one of the only options if you couldn’t follow the previous two steps.

MMI Unit

Unlike other car models such as BMW and Audi, MMI units are not common or main stream with Mercedes. In this instance we therefore recommend replacing the whole head unit for the best result where possible.

New Head Unit

Installing a new head unit won’t always be possible in your Mercedes, this is because of the position and unusual shape of the factory head units.

Older Mercedes models are usually easier as they have a large section where an older style radio goes. This can then be taken out and replaced with your new wireless CarPlay Mercedes head unit.

The newer models are even trickier which can be seen in the protruding screen in the 2016 A class photo. For this model that already has CarPlay installed the best solution is the option 2 CarPlay / Android Auto adapter.

See the link below for the head units we recommend on Amazon.

Sample of cars compatible to install a new Mercedes head unit in

See Compatible Mercedes Models By Year

Year	Fits	Does not fit
2007		CL Class
2007		S Class
2007	C Class
2007	CLK Class
2007	CLS Class
2007	E Class
2007	G Class
2007	GL Class
2007	ML Class
2007	R Class
2007	SL Class
2007	SLK Class
2008		C Class
2008		CL Class
2008	CLK Class
2008	CLS Class
2008	E Class
2008	G Class
2008	GL Class
2008	ML Class
2008	R Class
2008		S Class
2008	SL Class
2008	SLK Class
2009		C Class
2009		CL Class
2009	CLK Class
2009	CLS Class
2009	E Class
2009	G Class
2009	GL Class
2009	ML Class
2009	R Class
2009		S Class
2009		SL Class
2009	SLK Class
2010		C Class
2010		CL Class
2010	CLK Class
2010		CLS Class
2010	E Class
2010	G Class
2010	GL Class
2010		GLK Class
2010	ML Class
2010	R Class
2010		S Class
2010		SL Class
2010	SLK Class
2010	Sprinter

If your not confident with installing a head unit yourself or not sure if it’s possible in your car model, retailers such as Best Buy or Halfords will often install a high value head unit for free and check if your cars compatible for you.