E-Class W212 Apple Carplay - NTG5.1 - Is it possible? Many conflicting verdicts!

[SMBE220W212]

I have a 2016 E220 (W212), I believe I am running NTG5.1 although not my speciality so please correct if I am wrong. To the best of my knowledge no software updates have been installed since leaving the factory. I was first told that I cannot activate factory Carplay and had a 3rd party device installed, however the audio was routed through the AUX input and the quality is terrible - the system is also very buggy so I will be having it removed.

I've since been told by another user that I CAN activate factory Carplay but need the NTG software updated first, can anyone help me confirm if this is true? I don't have the 'phone' USB ports in the centre console, just two regular ports. Photos attached which will hopefully help.

Thank you in advance!

 

[richard]

Contact comand.co.uk / comandonline.co.uk - you're going to need firmware / licence / etc to do it properly and reliably
Mercedes correct procedures requires the armrest ports replaced

R

 

[markjay]

As Richard said.

Late W212 cars were fitted with CONAND NTG5*1, which as you rightly said does has native support for Apple CarPlay (but it requires activation).

 

[SMBE220W212]

Thank you both, I will contact Comandonline. I did more 'googling' after posting and it sounds like I need the NTG software updated, then an activation.
SB

 

[dmb007]

I had android auto retro fitted sometime ago and really pleased with it. It cost from memory about £170. 2 pieces of software required.
I only really use it for Waze, Google maps and podcasts.
When at home will dig out the invoice. Job done at a MB specialist.

David

 

[dmb007]

Cannot find invoice but this thread may help.

Is Car Play in all Mercedes. | Electronics and Audio

Hey all. I have been researching for a while now on the best options to get Car Play in my C Class, as the previous owner never requested it. Im not massively over keen on the Chinese 3rd party options, so was looking at replacing the head unit from a car that did have car play. But this got me...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

Regards
David

 

[markjay]

Proper and legit activation is done via SCN coding.

The pirated version uses an OBDII dongle to upload a hacked version of the COMAND software (thus avoiding paying anything to MB).

Apparently, either will do the job. The main difference (apart for the obvious IPR infringement) is that if someone tries to update the COMAND software in future, the legit version will retain the Apple CarPlay, but with the pirated version the Apple CarPlay hack will be overwritten and lost.

 

[fuzzer]

I have a 2016 E220 (W212), I believe I am running NTG5.1 although not my speciality so please correct if I am wrong. To the best of my knowledge no software updates have been installed since leaving the factory. I was first told that I cannot activate factory Carplay and had a 3rd party device installed, however the audio was routed through the AUX input and the quality is terrible - the system is also very buggy so I will be having it removed.

I've since been told by another user that I CAN activate factory Carplay but need the NTG software updated first, can anyone help me confirm if this is true? I don't have the 'phone' USB ports in the centre console, just two regular ports. Photos attached which will hopefully help.

Thank you in advance!

Which aftermarket solution did you use out of interest please?

 

[rudey]

i would be interested also , i have replaced the ports in the arm rest

 

[MarcusS212]

My '16 S212 is the NTG 5.1 with Audio 20, no Comand system. If I've understood this correctly I need an aftermarket Android Auto module, right? I can't have the Android Auto/Carplay through an update and coding.

But the upside with the NTG 5 and 5.1 is I don't have to go in the engineering mode for AUX tinkering to make it work, right?