mbrace is
permanently shut down
On December 31, 2025, Mercedes-Benz permanently ended mbrace with no replacement and no upgrade path for affected owners.
- Remote start via app
- Remote lock & unlock
- GPS tracking & vehicle location
- Vehicle status updates
2025
mbrace is
permanently shut down
On December 31, 2025, Mercedes-Benz permanently ended mbrace with no replacement and no upgrade path for affected owners.
- Remote start via app
- Remote lock & unlock
- GPS tracking & vehicle location
- Vehicle status updates
2025
We have a proven replacement:
Our SmartKey Starter®
Mid City Engineering has been building remote start solutions for Mercedes-Benz for over 20 years, longer than Mercedes themselves have offered remote start.
SmartKey Starter®
- Remote start via factory OEM key fob (no new hardware required)
- Unlimited remote starts on DAS4 vehicles
- Vehicle stays running when door opens
- Full Keyless Go while remotely started
- Compatible with most Mercedes-Benz vehicles back to 2008
- 4-year warranty
We were engineering interfaces for Mercedes vehicles before mbrace existed. Our system is plug-and-play, proven, and dealer-installed.
60 min for Sprinter / Metris
Compustar Drone®
Plug-and-play smartphone control. Replaces (and exceeds) everything mbrace offered: remote start, lock/unlock, live GPS tracking, vehicle immobilization, and alarm push notifications.
View Drone plans →Compustar DAS II Sensor
Adds shock, tilt, glass break, and tow sensing using your factory horn as the alarm. Paired with Drone, receive push notifications when any sensor triggers or a door opens while armed.
Learn more →We have a proven replacement:
Our SmartKey Starter®
Mid City Engineering has been building remote start solutions for Mercedes-Benz for over 20 years, longer than Mercedes themselves have offered remote start.
SmartKey Starter®
- Remote start via factory OEM key fob (no new hardware required)
- Unlimited remote starts on DAS4 vehicles
- Vehicle stays running when door opens
- Full Keyless Go while remotely started
- Compatible with most Mercedes-Benz vehicles back to 2008
- 4-year warranty
We were engineering interfaces for Mercedes vehicles before mbrace existed. Our system is plug-and-play, proven, and dealer-installed.
60 min for Sprinter / Metris
Compustar Drone®
Plug-and-play smartphone control. Replaces (and exceeds) everything mbrace offered: remote start, lock/unlock, live GPS tracking, vehicle immobilization, and alarm push notifications.
View Drone plans →Compustar DAS II Sensor
Adds shock, tilt, glass break, and tow sensing using your factory horn as the alarm. Paired with Drone, receive push notifications when any sensor triggers or a door opens while armed.
Learn more →How do I know if my car is affected?
If you ever used mbrace, you're affected. The service ends permanently on January 1, 2026, with no replacement from Mercedes. Affected vehicles include:
How does the SmartKey Starter® remote start work?
Out of the box, it works via your OEM factory key fob. If your key has a panic button, press it to remote start. If not, use a lock-unlock-lock sequence. No new key fobs or hardware required to get started.
Can I control my car from my phone?
Yes. The Compustar Drone module adds full smartphone control: remote start, stop, lock, unlock, GPS tracking, vehicle immobilization, and alarm notifications. It's plug-and-play with the SmartKey Starter®.
Is there a subscription fee?
Key fob remote start has no subscription required. Phone control via Compustar Drone requires a DroneMobile app subscription that is significantly less expensive thanmbrace, with annual and multi-year discounts available. See all plans at dronemobile.com/plans.
How long does the remote start run?
Default run time is 15 minutes for passenger vehicles and 1 hour for Sprinter and Metris. Both are easily configurable through the instrument cluster menu.
Will the car shut off when I open the door?
No. When remotely started, the vehicle stays running when you open the door. You also retain full Keyless Go functionality (lock and unlock from the door handle) while remotely started.
Is there a limit on the number of remote starts?
DAS4 vehicles have no limit. DAS3 vehicles allow 5 remote starts before requiring a drive cycle. This is a significant improvement over the mbrace factory limit of 2 starts at a time.
I already lost connectivity with the 3G shutdown, can I still get this?
Absolutely. Our SmartKey Starter® is compatible with most Mercedes-Benz vehicles going back to 2008. The mbrace shutdown doesn't change your eligibility.
How do I know if my car is affected?
If you ever used mbrace, you're affected. The service ends permanently on January 1, 2026, with no replacement from Mercedes. Affected vehicles include:
How does the SmartKey Starter® remote start work?
Out of the box, it works via your OEM factory key fob. If your key has a panic button, press it to remote start. If not, use a lock-unlock-lock sequence. No new key fobs or hardware required to get started.
Can I control my car from my phone?
Yes. The Compustar Drone module adds full smartphone control: remote start, stop, lock, unlock, GPS tracking, vehicle immobilization, and alarm notifications. It's plug-and-play with the SmartKey Starter®.
Is there a subscription fee?
Key fob remote start has no subscription required. Phone control via Compustar Drone requires a DroneMobile app subscription that is significantly less expensive thanmbrace, with annual and multi-year discounts available. See all plans at dronemobile.com/plans.
How long does the remote start run?
Default run time is 15 minutes for passenger vehicles and 1 hour for Sprinter and Metris. Both are easily configurable through the instrument cluster menu.
Will the car shut off when I open the door?
No. When remotely started, the vehicle stays running when you open the door. You also retain full Keyless Go functionality (lock and unlock from the door handle) while remotely started.
Is there a limit on the number of remote starts?
DAS4 vehicles have no limit. DAS3 vehicles allow 5 remote starts before requiring a drive cycle. This is a significant improvement over the mbrace factory limit of 2 starts at a time.
I already lost connectivity with the 3G shutdown, can I still get this?
Absolutely. Our SmartKey Starter® is compatible with most Mercedes-Benz vehicles going back to 2008. The mbrace shutdown doesn't change your eligibility.