Pixelated Apple CarPlay screen on iPhone 17 Pro Max with Mercedes BClass W246

Here we go again….Upgraded to iPhone 17Pro Max and apple carplay seems to have an issue. This seems to be a recurring issue when the new iPhone and new IOS comes out. When i connect directly with the cable in my Mercedes BClass W246 the screen blurs and pixelates like the picture below. I have tried removing the device from the car and car play and yet the issue persists. This makes apple car play unusable with without constantly exiting the app and going back in, to which the screen refreshes and works for less that a minute. The apple side bar continues to be blurred. This happened when the apple 16 came out and 13. My previous iPhone 16pro did the same until and update from apple. Same as the iphone 13pro previously. Any assistance would be greatly received…

[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: Apple Carplay Issue..Again (2025)

iPhone 17 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Sep 27, 2025 1:22 AM

Top-ranking reply

TheJock67

Level 1

62 points

Posted on Nov 16, 2025 5:16 AM

Hi,

Ive tried quite a few wireless adapters with no luck, they just remove the need for a wire…..it’s still the same connection. However the Ottocast play2video ultra and the getpairr go 2.0 do fix the issue, (getpairr is £40 on Ali express), these have a whole new android UI so it completely updates the software system of the car.

It is not the display that’s the problem, it’s the software/hardware in the Mercedes.

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125 replies

Dec 4, 2025 12:44 PM in response to rscaramelo

any Bluetooth remote will work, they aren’t expensive here’s the one I have on Amazon https://amzn.eu/d/czBMBVm

Dec 4, 2025 12:52 PM in response to TheJock67

Appreciate it. I'm in the States and that specific one isn't in our Amazon store but there are other options.

I am not seeing that app anywhere. Could be the same regional issue?

Grfxman

Level 1

15 points

Dec 4, 2025 8:21 PM in response to Grfxman

Dec 4, 2025 11:16 AM in response to TheJock67

I bought the GetPairr. I am completely frustrated with it since I have the joystick and not a touch screen. Trying to navigate any menu is near impossible because I can't see what is highlighted when trying to make a selection. The popup keyboard is even worse. I'm either going to put my fist through the screen or throw that adapted out my window I'm so frustrated.

Dec 4, 2025 11:58 AM in response to rscaramelo

Hi,

Did you buy the remote? That really helps as it’s the only way you can use the keyboard or anything that pops up on the screen (without it you can’t do updates either or connect to WiFi) if you don’t have a remote the Alcontrol app can do the same thing.

Bear in mind you cannot have your phone and remote connected at the same time so set everything up with the remote first, (including g app passwords) on startup it’s really hard to see but you can just about make out to set the time/location/language etc (you must complete this process 3 screens I think or it comes on everytime)

Once it’s all setup and updated, unpair the remote and connect the phone. To use the remote again you have to unpair the phone (very annoying but I have brought it to their attention).

Once you finally get it set up, took me ages and like you very frustrating and had to show a lot of patience, it just starts up and CarPlay works (you have to click on the CarPlay app icon with the joystick).

It’s worth the effort!! Trust me…..the distortion drove me insane, daily!!!

Pixelated Apple CarPlay screen on iPhone 17 Pro Max with Mercedes BClass W246