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.
Hi Please can you tell me does Hilux YE69XZN support apple play? Thanks
Hi Tim,
Thanks for your question.
Unfortunately, this vehicle is not compatible with the Apple CarPlay upgrade.
Thanks.
I have a RAV4 Reg GY20TNU. Can it be upgraded to have apple car play installed?
Thankyou
Hi Richard,
Thanks for your question.
This vehicle should already have Apple CarPlay installed.
Thanks.
Many thanks for prompt reply. Should the ‘Apple Car Play’ icon already be on the screen, or do I have to do something thing to initialise it?
Hi Richard,
Please follow the steps in the article to initialise Apple CarPlay. Once your phone is connected, it may automatically connect, or you can select Apple CarPlay in the home menu or in the media source menu.
Thanks
Thanks for info and yes I have gone through the procedure to turn Apple Play on . Hopefully all will be well when I try the phone.
If not, it’s back to the drawing board!
Cheers, Richard
Hello, is my Toyota Auris able to be upgraded? GV65 YDN
Hi Kipp,
Thanks for your question.
Unfortunately, this vehicle is not compatible with the Apple CarPlay upgrade.
Thanks.
Hi,
I just bought a brand new Rav 4 black edition on 12th of June, currently I am USB port for Android and Apple car play. Could I upgrade to wireless carplay?
Hi Thuwas, thanks for your comment.
Your RAV4 cannot be upgraded to wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
Thanks,
Toyota UK
In Apple CarPlay, using the i-phone, I cannot seem to choose favourite phone numbers. Could you help me, please?
Hi Chris,
When using Apple CarPlay, you are essentially operating your phone. You are not interacting with a Toyota system.
We’ve done a quick web search on this for you, and it does seem to be an issue for some iPhone users. Apple recommends restarting your phone.
If that doesn’t work, we recommend contacting Apple for further support.
Thanks
Thank you very much. We think we have solved our problem because we now realise that we have to mark contacts directly on our phone as favourites and then they just ‘appear’ on the Toyota system. That is very much in line with the guidance you have given us, so thank you very much. It works!!
I have just purchased a RAV4 Reg EY66 HHO
Can it be upgraded to have apple car play installed?
Thank you
Hi Chris,
Unfortunately, this vehicle is not compatible with the upgrade.
Thanks.
We Have a Yarris Dynamic Hybrid FV21LHG.
Does this have apple car play?
Apple car play switched on at the phone and it connects with Bluetooth but only the phone can be operated.
Hi Richard, thanks for your comment.
Apple CarPlay requires a wired connection. Plug your phone in via USB and it should show up.
Thanks,
Toyota UK
Is there a way you can check if my car has CarPlay. It was sold to me stating it had it and have gone through all menus with no luck. Corolla Hybris Design DY19 NHU.
Hi Leadville,
Thanks for your comment.
From what we can see, your vehicle is eligible for the Apple CarPlay upgrade.
We would recommend checking with your Toyota Centre to see if the vehicle has had this upgrade.
More on this here – https://mag.toyota.co.uk/toyota-apple-carplay-and-android-auto-upgrade/.
We hope this helps.
Thanks.
Hi
Is the CHR Excel compatible with CarPlay ? DC68 DKJ.
Hi Dahn,
Unfortunately, this vehicle is not compatible with the Apple CarPlay upgrade.
Thanks.
Hello, is there any plans in the future for the 69 plate CHR to be eligible for the the Apple play upgrade?
Hi Theresa,
Thanks for your question.
The multimedia system in this C-HR is not compatible with the Apple CarPlay system so retrofit is not possible.
Thanks.