Home How To How to use Apple CarPlay in your Toyota

How to use Apple CarPlay in your Toyota

By Jake Weaver
Apple CarPlay

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.

1,039 comments

    1. Hi Sharath,
      Thanks for your question.
      Unfortunately, this vehicle is not compatible with the Apple CarPlay upgrade.
      Thnaks.

      Reply

      1. Thanks for your replay, But I read 2019 chr will support apple CarPlay. Is there any reason my car is not compatible?

      2. Hi Sharath,

        Vehicles which support the Apple CarPlay/Android Auto upgrade are:
        -MY19 Corolla in all body styles and grades
        -MY19 and MY20 RAV4 all grades excluding Icon

        Unfortunately, C-HR is not included in this.

        Thanks.

      3. Hello,

        My Toyota Aygo 2019 says it has Apple Car Play feature but I cant see an option. When I connect my cable, nothing happens, even when i press the connection button. Any advice please?

        REG – NY19BUO

  2. Is it possible to buy and install an alternative system that is compatible with my Toyota C-HR ….NY18 CHY
    If so, which one?

    Thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi Karen, thanks for your comment.

      Your C-HR is not compatible with the Apple CarPlay software and therefor retrofit is not available. Fitting an aftermarket unit may have an impact on the vehicle warranty so this is not recommended.

      Thanks,

      Toyota UK

      Reply

  6. Hi, I have a Yaris Cross Premier with Apple CarPlay. This was working fine but since upgrading to IOS16 it has stopped working. My wife’s iPhone on IOS15.7 still works fine. Any ideas?
    Thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi Brad, thanks for your comment.

      That will depend on the build date of the vehicle, the seller will be able to confirm if this is featured on that specific vehicle.
      If it does not have Apple CarPlay, it is not possible to retrofit this feature.

      Thanks,

      Toyota UK

      Reply

    1. Hi Darren, thanks for your question.

      Please provide your Vehicle Registration so that we can look into this for you.

      Thanks.

      Reply

    1. Hi Molly,
      Thanks for your comment.
      Your vehicle is the Aygo X-Play grade.
      Apple CarPlay was available as an optional extra on the X-Press grade and came as standard on the X-Cite and X-Clusiv grades.
      Unfortunately, it is not available on your Aygo.
      Thanks.

      Reply

  10. Hi, I have just purchased a new Yaris Hybrid Design 72 plate. Can I connect to car play wirelessly, if so how 🤔

    Reply

    1. Hi Christine, congratulations on your order!

      Please provide your Vehicle Registration so that we can look into this for you.

      Thanks.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

To be the first to hear about all of our latest news, offers and events, check the box below, we’ll send these communications by email, phone, SMS or post. Be assured that Toyota will only share your personal information with companies that are an integral part of fulfilling the services we deliver. If you would like to find out more about how we process your data please visit our privacy policy for details.

I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time.

Related Posts