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, CarPlay isn’t working on my RAV4 but I was told that it should. I can’t figure out how to get it to work. The dealer said just plug the Apple usb cable into the usb port but nothing is happening.

    Reply

    1. Hi Simi, thanks for your comment.

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

      Thanks.

      Reply

  2. I have a CHR 70 plate (PK70KNC) can this get CarPlay? I can’t seem to find it despite the website saying 2019 onwards can receive it?

    Reply

    1. Hi Sean,
      Thanks for your comment.
      Unfortunately, your vehicle does not have Apple CarPlay available and it cannot be retrofitted.
      Thanks.

      Reply

  3. My Apple CarPlay does work but is inconsistent I will cut out whilst I’m using it. Do you know why this is sometimes it can next to it and sometimes it doesn’t?

    Reply

  4. Hi. Can you check whether my vehicle has Apple CarPlay please. I bought it on Friday and was told it does, but I can’t seem to get it working. Reg EY68WWC.

    Thanks

    Reply

      1. Good morning, I have had a dash cam fitted by my local Toyota dealer. Can I get the dash cam camera up on the cars display using Apple car play ?
        RAV 4 WG20HPN

  5. Apple Carplay was working but now isn’t. Previously worked on my Corolla Estate (20 plate) but when plugging in any iPhone, it isn’t enabling Carplay now. Do I need to change a setting? Thanks.

    Reply

    1. Hi Neil, thanks for your comment.

      If you provide your Vehicle Registration, we can look into whether the Apple CarPlay upgrade is available to your vehicle.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  8. Hi, I have a TOYOTA YARIS VVT-I ICON TECH. When I plugged my iPhone into the USB port, I accidentally clicked “ignore” to setting up CarPlay. How can I activate it now? I can’t see CarPlay in the car’s menu anywhere. Thanks!

    Reply

    1. Hi Louise, thanks for your question.

      Please provide your Vehicle Registration and we will look into this.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  9. Hello, I just picked up my Rav4 and its a 2019 Dynamic and I cant get car play to work, its not even showing up, what do I have to do to get it working please?

    Reply

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