Welcome to a beginner’s guide on how to use Apple CarPlay in your Toyota vehicle, as well as looking at the various features of the system and how to use them. Apple CarPlay is available on all current models. There is an Apple CarPlay upgrade available for Corolla and RAV4 models produced since 2019. Click here for more information.
To ensure CarPlay is switched on:
- Menu
- Setup
- General – CarPlay is switched on
Only Apple-approved third-party apps can be used.
Connect your iPhone (5 or later) using a USB-Lightning cable, by plugging it into the USB data port.
The first time you connect, a message will offer you three options: Do Not Enable, which you might want to choose if all you want to do is charge your phone, not connect it to the multimedia system; Enable Once, if it’s a friend or relative’s phone that you only want to provide temporary access to the car’s infotainment system; or Always Enable, so your phone automatically connects to the car every time you plug it into the cable.
You’ll then get a message to say that all your Bluetooth devices will be disconnected.
Wireless CarPlay?
At the time of this article’s publication, Apple CarPlay only works through a wired connection in Toyota models except for GR Supra, which is available with a wireless CarPlay setup. To connect the wireless system, pair the phone to the Toyota multimedia system using Bluetooth, choosing Apple CarPlay as the primary function.
You’ll then get a prompt on your phone to check that you want to use CarPlay with this vehicle, so tap Use CarPlay.
Now, every time your phone is in your Toyota, the phone will automatically connect to the car.
If you want to connect to CarPlay through the display for your car’s infotainment system, just tap the Apple CarPlay icon in the main menu. You can also access it via the Media/Radio and Communications icons.
Once you’re connected, you’ll see a grid of app icons in the CarPlay display, a lot like those on the phone home screen. These will probably cover more than one page – especially if you use music streaming services such as Spotify, or alternative navigation apps such as Waze – so all you need to do is swipe between pages to find the app you need. However, there’s also a shortcut menu on the side of the main page of icons, so you can just jump to the most-used apps.
You can access apps by using Apple’s Siri voice control function. If you have voice control in your Toyota, just hold down the voice button on your steering wheel and Siri will respond by asking what you’d like to do.
Hello
My Toyota Yaris 2022 seem to connect with Android auto but not Apple Car play. Does my Toyota Yaris Reg WN72 have Apple Car play?
Thanks,
Hi Francis,
Please provide your vehicle registration so we can assist you further with this.
Thank you.
Just bought a Yaris (2024). Currently unable to connect my phone (14) via either wireless or cable. None of the prompts mentioned in the article appear? No prompt for CarPlay appears even though all is enabled on the phone? As such no satnav or anything else is useable?!
In short, nothing works! Yes, it is hugely annoying and frustrating. Buying Toyota may have been a mistake?
Hi Simon,
Thanks for your comment.
As we’re sure you can appreciate, this is difficult for us to advise on virtually.
We would recommend getting in touch with your nearest Toyota Centre for further assistance.
Thank you.
How can I enable Apple CarPlay to my Toyota Prius 2016 model?
Hi Prasanna,
Thanks for your comment.
Vehicles of this age do not come with Apple CarPlay, meaning you will not be able to enable it.
We hope this helps.
Thank you.
Hi, I have just purchased a CHR 2020 Design Variant, i still have not received delivery of the car, may be next week, as per the description the showroom has not mentioned if it has a car play or not, usually they mention it, as per my understanding that All Toyota Vehicles manufactured since 2020 in UK has a Car Play feature already available.
Hi Qazi,
Thank you very much for your purchase.
If you have the vehicle registration, we can advise you further on this.
Thank you.
Can you do the same for me please (confirm whether my vehicle supports CarPlay)
Reg LT69 FRL
VIN NMTKZ3BX10R333961
Thank you
Good afternoon Alan.
Thanks for getting in touch.
Your Toyota C-HR registration LT69 FRL does not feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and unfortunately we do not offer an upgrade for your model.
Sorry for any disappointment caused.
Thank you.
Good afternoon. I have just bought a new Toyota BZ4X. I have been unable to activate Apple CarPlay. The salesman in the dealership wasn’t able to either.
I have connected my phone (iPhone 14 Pro Max) with the cable, tried it wirelessly, and deleted the phone from the car and reinstalled it.
Any suggestions?
Regards,
Neil
Hi Neil,
Thanks for your comment. How strange!
As we’re sure you can appreciate, this is very difficult for us to advise on virtually, and we rely on our staff at centres to deal with queries like these.
Have you tried a different cable?
Thank you.