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.
Good afternoon
Could you advise whether I can get Apple Play on my Corrola SM19 HKJ?
Best wishes
Lesley
Hi Lesley,
Thanks for getting in touch.
Your Corolla didn’t come with Apple CarPlay as standard, but it should be eligible for the retrofit.
Please contact your nearest Toyota Centre for further information and to get your vehicle booked in.
Thanks.
Many thanks!
Hello,
I think my 2019 RAV4 YB19ZXA should have apple car play but when I connect my iPhone 6S with car play and Siri enabled there is no mention on car play on the display. Any suggestions please?
Thanks,
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for your comment.
Your vehicle didn’t come with Apple CarPlay as standard. However, it is eligible for the retrofit should you wish to add this functionality.
Please contact your nearest Toyota Centre for further information and to get your vehicle booked in.
Thanks.
Thanks for your reply. Does the retro fit have a standard installation charge please?
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for your reply.
The retrofit for RAV4 is £50 when carried out as part of a service, or £150 if carried out as stand-alone work.
Thanks.
Hi,
I just purchased a Corolla, GU20 EUH, can you check to see if it can have the carplay retrofit please?
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your comment, and congratulations on your new Corolla!
Your vehicle should be eligible for the retrofit.
Please contact your nearest Toyota Centre for further information and to have your vehicle booked in.
Thanks.
Hi I have just purchased a 2020 Prius Excel,
my understanding from researching on the internet is that it should have CarPlay fitted as standard.
Mine doesn’t appear to have it, pleased can you confirm
Hello Charles,
Thank you for your comment.
Please can you provide us with your registration? We can then look into this for you.
Thanks.
FN20 KPP
Hi Charles,
Thanks for your reply.
Your vehicle is a MY19 vehicle, which means that it is not equipped with Apple CarPlay. Unfortunately, there is no retrofit available for this.
Thanks.
Do you know if there is a planned update of the firmware in the future?
Hi Charles,
Thanks for your comment.
There is no retrofit available for the Prius Plug-In. We don’t have any more information to share on this.
Thanks.
Hi there, we have a chr with the reg FV68 MME.
is there a retrofit for this system for car play? 🤞🏼
many thanks
Darren
Hi Darren,
Thanks for your comment.
Unfortunately there is no retrofit available for the C-HR.
Thanks.
ah thats a shame. no probs thanks for getting back to me.
cheers
Darren
Hi, I am just wondering if RAV4 2019 GL69XXW is fitted with Apply Carplay.
If not, retrofit is available?
Could you advise that please?
Regards,
K.Thomas
Hi Koji,
Thanks for getting in touch with us.
Your vehicle did not come with Apple CarPlay from factory, but it should be eligible for the retrofit.
Please contact your nearest Toyota Centre for further information and to get your vehicle booked in.
Thanks.
Thanks for your reply.
Is the retrofit work available any Toyota dealer in the UK?
I have asked a sales guy about this at an authorised Toyota dealerships near my place though, he said it is not available.
Thanks for your advice.
Hi Koji,
Thanks for your reply.
Which Toyota Centre did you contact regarding this?
Thanks.
I contacted Motorline Toyota where I purchased the car.
Hi Koji,
Can we ask which Motorline Toyota branch this was, please?
Thanks.
It’s Tunbridge Wells branch.
Thanks
Hi Koji,
Thanks for this information.
We’ve been in touch with Motorline Toyota Tunbridge Wells, and they would like to discuss this with you further.
We have emailed you to gather further details so that we can pass these over for you.
Thanks.
Have just had CarPlay added as part of my first service on a 2019 RAV4. At the time of purchase the Toyota U.K. website said that CarPlay was available on all new cars and this was a factor included in my purchasing decision. I feel v disgruntled that I had to pay £50 for a “retrofit” and even more disgruntled that I had to wait a year until my first service was due in order not to pay an extortionate £150. This is a Toyota issue so please don’t dare to blame the dealer or the service organisation.
Hi ACF,
Thank you for your comment. We’re sorry to hear this.
Our Customer Relations team will be best placed to explore this further with you, and they can be contacted here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre/email-us.
Thanks.
Toyota Camry just registered here in Ireland has no car play option in the menu or settings. Can you check this for me please? Registration 211D32593 – Republic of Ireland.
Thanks,
John
Hi John,
Thank you for getting in touch.
As we are Toyota UK, we are only able to comment on UK specification vehicles.
We would recommend contacting Toyota Ireland for further assistance with your query.
You can find their website here: https://www.toyota.ie/.
Thanks.
Hi my brand new Toyota RAV4 icon does not have Android car play. Can I upgrade to have this feature?
Hi Arvind, thanks for your comment.
Provided that your RAV4 is the new generation and not an Icon grade, it can be retrofitted with Android Auto. It’ll cost £150 or £50 if fitted during a service and your local Toyota Centre can get this booked in for you.
Thanks.