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Does Mercedes Have Apple CarPlay? Here’s Everything!
Written ByFawaz
Apple CarPlay lets you use your iPhone safely on the car screen for maps, music, calls, and messages. Mercedes-Benz has offered it for years, and almost every new model comes with it standard.
Almost all Mercedes models from 2016 onward have Apple CarPlay. It is standard on A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, GLC, GLE, S-Class and many more. You can add it to older cars with a software update or dealer retrofit. Both wireless and wired connections work perfectly. Just plug in your iPhone with a good cable or connect via Bluetooth for wireless. The MBUX system makes CarPlay look beautiful and fast.
Which Mercedes Models Come with Apple CarPlay?
Mercedes started adding Apple CarPlay in the 2016 model year, but only on some cars at first. From 2019 onward, nearly every single new Mercedes has it built-in as standard equipment. Today in 2025, every single new Mercedes from the tiny A-Class to the huge GLS and even the electric EQ models supports Apple CarPlay without extra cost.
The luxury brands like Maybach and AMG also include it. If you buy a 2023, 2024, or 2025 model, you can relax because Apple CarPlay is already there. Even the G-Class, which is famous for being old-school, got CarPlay starting with the 2019 refresh. Mercedes made sure no customer feels left behind.
Some very old cars before 2016 never got it from the factory, but dealers can often add it later. The company loves keeping customers happy, so they keep expanding the list every year. Right now, more than 95% of Mercedes cars on the road today can run Apple CarPlay one way or another.
- Every 2019+ Mercedes has CarPlay standard
- 2016-2018 models usually have it (check your VIN)
- All EQ electric cars support wireless CarPlay
- AMG and Maybach versions always include it
How to Check If Your Mercedes Has Apple CarPlay
Checking is super easy and takes ten seconds. Start your car, look at the main screen, and press the home button. If you see an icon that looks like a phone with a grid or the word "CarPlay," you already have it ready to use.
Another quick way is to go to Settings > Phone > Apple CarPlay on the screen. When the option appears, your car supports it. You can also open the glove box, find the media interface cable, and plug in your iPhone. If the CarPlay screen pops up automatically, everything works perfectly.
Still not sure? Type your car's VIN number on the official Mercedes website under the connectivity checker tool. It tells you exactly which features came with your car. Friends with the same model year can help too because most cars from the same year have the same options.
- Look for the CarPlay icon on the home screen
- Go to Settings > Phone to see the menu
- Plug in iPhone; screen changes = yes
- Use Mercedes me app to check features remotely
How to Connect Apple CarPlay in Mercedes Step by Step
Turn on Siri and Bluetooth on your iPhone first. Grab an original Apple Lightning or USB-C cable for the best result. Plug the cable into the USB port marked with a phone or CarPlay symbol under the screen.
Your Mercedes screen will ask "Allow Apple CarPlay?" Tap yes on the car screen and on your phone. In seconds, you see the familiar iPhone apps like Maps, Spotify, Messages, and Phone right on the big Mercedes display. Use the car knob or touch screen to control everything safely.
For wireless CarPlay on newer models, press and hold the voice button on the steering wheel. Go to Settings > Phone > Add new device and pick your iPhone from the list. Once paired, every time you enter the car, it connects automatically without cables.
- Turn on Bluetooth and Siri on iPhone
- Plug cable or pair wirelessly in settings
- Accept permissions on both screens
- Enjoy maps and music instantly
Wireless vs Wired Apple CarPlay in Mercedes
Newer Mercedes from 2020 onward offer wireless CarPlay, so no cable mess inside the car. The connection stays strong and fast thanks to the latest MBUX system. You just sit inside, and the phone connects in three to five seconds automatically.
Wired connection still works great and many people prefer it because it charges the phone at the same time. Some older models only do wired, but the quality feels exactly the same. Wireless can drain the battery a little faster if you forget to charge overnight.
Mercedes made both options smooth and beautiful. The icons look sharp on the wide screen, and sound comes through the amazing Burmester or standard speakers perfectly. Most owners switch to wireless once they try it because the car feels more modern without cables everywhere.
- Wireless = no cables, auto connect
- Wired = charges phone, works on older cars
- Both give identical speed and quality
- 2020+ models usually have wireless
Fixing Common Apple CarPlay Problems in Mercedes
Sometimes CarPlay refuses to connect and it drives people crazy. First, try a different cable because cheap cables cause ninety percent of problems. Restart both the iPhone and the car completely; this simple trick fixes almost everything.
Go to iPhone Settings > General > CarPlay and forget your Mercedes, then pair again fresh. Make sure iOS stays updated because old versions cause bugs. Also check that Siri and Bluetooth stay turned on all the time.
If the screen stays black, look for a software update in the Mercedes system menu. Dealers can push the newest firmware in minutes. Very rarely, a dirty USB port causes trouble; clean it gently with a soft brush.
- Try original Apple cable first
- Restart phone and car together
- Forget and re-pair the device
- Update iOS and car software
Future of Apple CarPlay in Mercedes Cars
Mercedes already works on the next-generation CarPlay that Apple announced. The new version will control air conditioning, seats, and even the instrument cluster from your iPhone. Some 2026 models will be the first to show these amazing deep integrations.
The company also builds its own MB.OS system, but they promise to keep regular Apple CarPlay forever. Customers love the iPhone experience, so Mercedes will never remove it. Electric EQ cars will get even faster wireless charging and connection speeds.
Many experts believe Mercedes and Apple will become closer partners. The beautiful screens in S-Class and EQS already feel like giant iPads. Future cars might start with your iPhone as the main brain.
- Next-gen CarPlay coming in 2026+
- Full climate and seat control from phone
- Mercedes promises to keep classic CarPlay
- EQ electric cars will lead the way
Final Thoughts
Yes, Mercedes absolutely has Apple CarPlay in almost every car made after 2016, and every new one comes with it free. Connecting takes seconds, works wired or wireless, and makes driving much more fun and safe. Enjoy your iPhone on the big screen today!
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check model year | 2016+ almost always yes |
| 2 | Look for CarPlay icon | On main screen or in settings |
| 3 | Use good cable | Original Apple works best |
| 4 | Turn on Siri & Bluetooth | Must stay on all the time |
| 5 | Plug or pair wirelessly | Accept on both screens |
| 6 | Update everything | iOS + Mercedes software |
| 7 | Restart if needed | Fixes 90% of problems |
| 8 | Enjoy safely | Keep eyes on road always |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it possible to add Apple CarPlay to older Mercedes?
Yes, many Mercedes from 2016 to 2018 can get Apple CarPlay with a simple software update at the dealer. Some 2015 models also qualify for the retrofit kit. The dealer connects the car to the main Mercedes server and downloads the feature in about thirty minutes. After that, you enjoy full CarPlay just like brand-new cars. The cost stays low, usually under three hundred dollars, and sometimes Mercedes offers it free during service visits. Thousands of owners already did this upgrade and love the result.
Can I use wireless Apple CarPlay in my 2021 Mercedes?
Most 2021 Mercedes models support wireless Apple CarPlay right from the factory. Just go to the phone settings menu, choose add device, and pick your iPhone. The connection happens automatically every time you start the car. No cables needed and the quality stays perfect. If your exact car came with the older COMAND system instead of MBUX, a quick software flash at the dealer adds wireless capability in minutes.
Do I need an iPhone 15 for Mercedes CarPlay?
No, any iPhone starting from iPhone 5 with iOS 7.1 or newer works perfectly with Mercedes CarPlay. Even older iPhone 8 or iPhone SE run the latest CarPlay without problems. The car does not care about the phone age as long as Siri and Bluetooth work. You only need the newest iOS for the best maps and features, but basic calling and music work on very old phones too.
Can Mercedes CarPlay work while Android Auto is connected?
Mercedes allows only one system at a time for safety and speed reasons. When your iPhone connects with CarPlay, Android Auto disconnects automatically. You can switch between friends' phones quickly in the settings menu. The car remembers both phones and lets you choose which one to use each time you enter. This system keeps everything smooth and prevents confusion while driving.
Is it safe to update Mercedes software for CarPlay myself?
Mercedes recommends letting the dealer do big updates because they have special protected tools. Some small updates appear directly on the car screen and install safely while parked. Never try third-party software because it can damage the whole system. The official over-the-air updates that Mercedes sends are completely safe and often add new CarPlay features for free.
Do I lose Mercedes native navigation when using CarPlay?
No, you can switch between Mercedes built-in maps and Apple Maps or Google Maps anytime with one tap. Many owners prefer Apple Maps for live traffic and Siri voice, but the original Mercedes navigation still works perfectly. Both systems stay installed together and you choose whichever you like better for each trip. This gives you the best of both worlds every day.
Can I play YouTube videos on Mercedes CarPlay?
Apple CarPlay blocks video playback while the car moves for safety reasons. When the car stays in Park, Netflix, YouTube, and other video apps work normally on the big screen. Some people use special workarounds, but they are not safe or legal while driving. Mercedes and Apple designed the system to keep your eyes on the road first.
Do I need internet for Mercedes Apple CarPlay to work?
Basic functions like music from your phone, calling, and saved maps work completely offline. Live traffic, Siri answers, and streaming music need phone data or car built-in internet. Mercedes offers free data packages on many new cars so everything stays smooth. You can also share hotspot from your phone if needed.
