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,
I’m trying to get my September 2020 RAV4 set up for apple carplay? Is the car compatible and if so how do I activate it?
many Thanks
Reg: W20 MCP
Hi Cailean,
Thanks for getting in touch. Your RAV4, whilst registered in September 2020, is a MY19 car. These did not come with Apple CarPlay from factory, but can have this added by a Toyota centre as a retrofit. Please contact your nearest Toyota centre to get your vehicle booked in.
Thanks
Hi
Does my CHR have Apple car play?
MK20 EGV is the reg, not collected it yet so unsure if it has it or if not if it’s possible to retrofit?
Thanks
Hi,
Congratulations and thanks for your order. Your vehicle is fitted with Apple CarPlay.
Thanks
Thanks for getting back 😎
Looking forward to driving it.
Hi, i can’t seem to find apple car play in my Rav4. Do i have to get it retro fitted ? LP19 FXB
Hi Jonathan,
Thanks for your comment.
Your registration doesn’t appear to be working for us. Please could you double check this, or alternatively provide your VIN?
Thanks.
Can I upgrade my 2019 Rav4 to Apple CarPlay? My registration is GV19XFP.
Hi Stephen,
Thanks for your comment.
The Apple CarPlay retrofit should be compatible with your RAV4.
Please contact your nearest Toyota Centre for further information and to book your vehicle in.
Thanks.
I have just collected a beautiful new RAV4 (reg no SL21VVT). Connecting the iPhone and getting maps up was no problem. But when I ask Siri to direct me Home, or share my Estimated Time of Arrival with my wife, it says it has no information about either. In other words, Apple CarPlay cannot see my contacts.
Searching through the internet it seems that contacts are only shared via Bluetooth, but on the RAV4 when connecting via USB (which is needed for CarPlay) Toyota disables bluetooth.
Any suggestions please.
Hi William,
Thanks for your comment, and congratulations on your new vehicle!
Our specialist multimedia team will be best placed to assist you further, and they can be contacted here: https://fal.cn/3eeaN.
Thanks.
Does my Corrola have Apple Play
VRM FG70 UNZ
Hi Richard,
Thanks for getting in touch with us.
Yes, your Corolla does have Apple CarPlay, which works with iPhone 5 or later.
Plug the phone into the USB port near the gear selector. You may have to unlock the phone to allow it to connect to the car. You also may need to check the phone’s settings in ‘General’ > ‘CarPlay’. Once this is all done you will be presented with some options, as detailed in the blog post above. If Apple CarPlay doesn’t take over automatically, click the ‘Menu’ button on your multimedia screen, then select Apple CarPlay. You can also do this by pressing the ‘Audio’ button, then selecting Apple CarPlay in the bar on the left side of the screen.
Thanks.
Can my 2019 RAV4 WR19AET be retrofitted with apple car play?
Hi John,
Thanks for your comment. Yes, your RAV4 can have the Apple CarPlay retrofit. Please contact your nearest centre to get it booked in.
Thanks
Hi
Can you let me know if a CarPlay retrofit would be possible on my CHR please.
Reg NH19 DCZ.
Thanks.
Hi Paul,
Apple CarPlay retrofit is not available for C-HR, but is available from factory on MY20 C-HR and onwards.
Thanks
When I connect my iPhone by USB cable to my Ayo in Settings>General>Carplay it gives me a loading screening and doesn’t show my car to connect to, and no apps appear on the Aygo media screen. Do you know if this an error with my phone or if it’s not possible to connect in my car? Reg is WJ19 OEO
Hi Kelly, thanks for your comment.
Your Aygo is not equipped with Apple CarPlay. However, you will still be able to connect your phone via Bluetooth for music and calls. Thanks
Hi
Thanks for your response. Is there a reason it isn’t, would I be able to get it fitted at my local Toyota? I thought all Aygos from 2018 had it?
Thanks again
Kelly
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for your reply.
A retrofit is only available for certain grades of the RAV4 and Corolla.
For the 2018 Aygo, only certain grades came with Apple CarPlay. Your vehicle was not one of these.
Thanks.
Thanks again, I appreciate your quick response. Annoyingly I was told there was no difference in spec between Aygos when I asked to discuss others compared to this one at my local dealership. If I’d known I’d need to choose a different grade for CarPlay I would have done. Shame I’m not able to pay extra for it to be added directly through Toyota too.