2020 W213 Android Auto Confusion

[TDM1981]

Hi all,

I am really hoping someone can help me on this as I have myself utterly confused.

I became a MB owner yesterday and am just delighted with the car. It is sooooo much nicer than the two A6s I drove for the last few years.

I went to connect to Android Auto today and it seems the car does not have it. I got Googling and then rang a couple of the companies offering after market android auto retrofits. The first company offered to do the retrofit and quoted £800. The second company said I just needed to download the Mercedes Me App and purchase the software from it.

Obviously both cannot be correct. The more I Google, the more confused I become. I don't know if my car has MBUX or Command.

Is there any way to definitively know what I need to do to get Android Auto working?

Thanks so much for any assistance.

 

[Mickyh7]

Try a few different Data/ Charge cables. I had trouble like yourself, and this cured it!
Cheapo cable wouldn't work.
Worth a try before you get your wallet out.

 

[Mickyh7]

Sorry, double post.

 

[TDM1981]

Try a few different Data/ Charge cables. I had trouble like yourself, and this cured it!
Cheapo cable wouldn't work.
Worth a try before you get your wallet out.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm using a Samsung cable that worked with Android Auto on my A6 so I presume it should work on the Merc but I'll try another couple of cables.

 

[TDM1981]

So I downloaded the Mercedes Me app and Android Auto is now working.

Now I just need to figure out how to make it go full screen as about one third of the screen is currently taken up with Android Auto.

 

[Mickyh7]

So I downloaded the Mercedes Me app and Android Auto is now working.

Now I just need to figure out how to make it go full screen as about one third of the screen is currently taken up with Android Auto.

Mine too!
Let me know if you find out please.

 

[TDM1981]

Mine too!
Let me know if you find out please.

Will do.

I've tried changing resolution in developer mode on AA but that did not work.

Hoping I can find a solution.

 

[markjay]

Will do.

I've tried changing resolution in developer mode on AA but that did not work.

Hoping I can find a solution.

It's a car this, not a phone thing.

I had the same issue on my IONIQ 5 (not MB), it got resolved with an infotainment system software update that added a 'split screen' tick box to the instrument cluster menus.

I don't know if that option exists on your car, and I don't know if a software update will add it (i.e. in the event that it's not currently there).... but just to say that this isn't configured on the phone, but in the car.

 

[TDM1981]

It's a car this, not a phone thing.

I had the same issue on my IONIQ 5 (not MB), it got resolved with an infotainment system software update that added a 'split screen' tick box to the instrument cluster menus.

I don't know if that option exists on your car, and I don't know if a software update will add it (i.e. in the event that it's not currently there).... but just to say that this isn't configured on the phone, but in the car.

Thanks MarkJay. I looked into it this evening and have just ordered an Ottocast which should give me full screen Android Auto and wireless connectivity. I will report back in a few days to (hopefully) confirm that it worked.

I also looked at the CarLinkit 5.0 but from what I understood this needed to be wired into the back of the screen unit to give full screen AA and I would rather avoid having to get that done.

 

[TDM1981]

Hi all,

Despite my best efforts I never succeed in setting up wireless Android Auto with the Ottocast. The car recognised the Ottocast immediately and I was able to connect to it by bluetooth but it never progressed beyond 'Looking for Android Auto' on my phone, no matter how many attempts or how long I left it.

I contacted Ottocast who requested I return the device They did not provide me with any solutions.

Once refunded via Amazon, I will purchase a CarlinKit and hopefully it will work.

I'll report back again shortly.

 

[TDM1981]

So the CarlinKit CPC2200-A2A arrived. No issues with connection, it only took a few seconds for the devices to pair. Android Auto worked perfectly without any noticeable lag or delay. It was perfect BUT it did not fill the full screen. Unfortunately the large Android Auto logo still covered the right side of the screen.

I have ordered another Ottocast U2-X Pro and hope this one will work. If it sticks at the 'Looking for Android Auto' stage again I will try updating the firmware myself to see if that resolves the issue.

I will be back again to let you know how this ends. Keeping the CarlinKit for the moment.

 

[TDM1981]

The second Ottocast arrived and I had the exact same issue as the first device, it stalled at the 'Looking for Android Auto' stage every time.

I connected it to my computer via Wi-Fi Direct which confirmed it was running the most up to date firmware so that was not the issue.

I found a Reddit (not Mercedes Benz related) which suggested doing a factory reset on the car as a potential solution and I am DELIGHTED to report that it worked. I now have full screen wireless Android Auto working perfectly.

In case anyone else has the same issue trying to connect the Ottocast to your car, this is what I did:

1. Factory reset car and turn off.
2. Delete Android Auto data and cache from mobile. If you have already tried to pair the device, unpair/ forget so that it does not try to connect. Restart phone.
3. Reset Ottocast. Hold button down for 10/15s while the Ottocast is powered.
4. Connect Ottocast to the car. Turn car on and wait. Don't do anything on your mobile. After a few seconds a screen will appear (on the car) asking if you want to connect automatically/ manually and allow various permissions etc. Select yes for all.
5. You will have a notification to pair the device on your mobile. Pair it and wait a few seconds for Andoid Auto to appear on the full screen of your car.

Hope this helps a few people and saves them the frustration I went through.

 

[brido]

Thanks for the info .... I tried loads of Ottocast models ...none got rid of the Android banner on a widescreen running Command. Had to order an Ottocast U2-X Pro from China . I tried all your tips except car factory reset ( youtube is full of horror stories with some W213 owners ). Still couldn't get anywhere as phone or ottocast would not display as AA device to connect.It did however list the ottocast device in Apple Carplay. Tried to connect & it works perfectly!!! ...yep Samsung Galaxy masquerading as an Iphone unbelievable but chuffed it is working.

Full process.... 1) bluetooth unpair phone from car.... 2) factory default Ottocast U2-X Pro..... 3) uninstall AA from phone & reinstall & apply all updates.... 4) Bluetooth pair phone with Ottocast... 5) open apple carplay in car & connect ottocast device ( doesn't list the phone !!?? ) 5) ...should be all good!!!

Before & after attached....

 

[Bendo]

Yep. Some dodgy coding by Merc for some reason only carplay is full screen.. Any device that can do AA over carplay should work.