CarPlay for the Mercedes GLK and C-Class W204 (NTG 4.5)

Wireless CarPlay on the factory COMAND screen for 2012–2015 cars, plus the GLK O-ring tool everyone forgets.

The short answer: a 2013–2015 GLK or a 2012–2014 C-Class W204 with the NTG 4.5 COMAND or Audio20 system gets wireless Apple CarPlay from a plug-in interface behind the head unit — the Mercedes Smart MMI for NTG 4.5, $495.95. The original screen and controller stay. On the GLK, the O-ring removal tool is required to release the factory connectors.

The GLK is one of the most-searched Mercedes models for CarPlay, and for a reason: it was built right up to 2015, most are still on the road, and Mercedes never offered CarPlay on its NTG 4.5 system. The W204 C-Class, the W212 E-Class and the W166 ML share that system and the same answer.

First, confirm NTG 4.5

Look at the row of keys under the screen. Flat rectangular RADIO / DISC / NAVI / TEL / SYS keys with an ON knob is NTG 4.5 or Audio20, fitted from about 2009 to 2015. Round buttons with a CD slot is the older NTG 4.0; MEDIA in place of DISC is the newer NTG 5. The Mercedes COMAND guide shows all four panels side by side.

NTG 4.5 / Audio20 — flat keys, SYS button, ON knob

The interface is built for the 5.8-inch and 7-inch factory screens, which covers:

2013–2015 GLK-Class X204 (O-ring removal tool required)
2012–2014 C-Class W204
2010–2015 E-Class W212
2012–2015 ML350 W166
2013–2015 A-Class W176, 2012–2014 B-Class W246, 2014–2015 CLA, 2013–2015 CLS, GLA and GLC

What the kit does

Wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless MirrorLink (AirPlay) for iPhone, Android Auto over USB and a USB media player with charging — all on the factory screen, driven by the COMAND controller and the dash buttons. The interface also carries a backup camera input with dynamic guidance lines and shows the factory parking sensors on screen, so a camera can be added through the same box.

It is not a screen replacement. The box connects behind the head unit with plug-and-play harnesses: no coding, no cut OEM wires, and it unplugs without a trace if the car is sold or a lease ends.

The GLK detail everyone hits: the O-ring tool

On the GLK the factory connectors are locked with retaining rings that have to be released before the harness can be plugged in. The RFI O-ring removal tool for GLK is the right tool for it and the product page lists it as required. Order it with the kit rather than discovering the problem with the dash apart.

Adding a backup camera

Many 2013–2015 GLKs and W204s were sold without a camera. Two ways to add one:

With the CarPlay interface: the box has the camera input, so add a trunk-handle camera and it appears on the screen in reverse.
On its own: the NTG 4.5 camera interface — $399.95 ships with the OEM-style trunk-handle camera included, for owners who want the camera without CarPlay.

Mercedes used several trunk handles across the range, so the camera comes in different housings — the GLK takes Type 1, the W204, W205, CLA, CLS, ML W166 and A-Class take Type 2. Send a photo of your handle with the year and model and we confirm the type before it ships.

Before you order

Email a photo of the dashboard, the trunk handle and the year and model to [email protected] and we confirm the fit. Free USPS Priority shipping inside the US, $40 to Canada, one-year limited warranty. CarPlay interfaces can take 2–10 business days to ship.