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.

1,028 comments

  2. Hi. I was told that the Apple Car Play retro fit for 2019 RAV4 was starting in October. I’ve been in touch with my dealership and they told me that nothing has been agreed with Toyota. What is the current position?

    Reply

  3. Hi Darryl,
    Thanks for getting in touch.
    The RAV4 Apple CarPlay and Android Auto retrofit is still scheduled for October. The software will be released soon.
    Thanks.

    Reply

    1. Hi Paul,
      Thanks for getting in touch with us.
      The RAV4 Apple CarPlay and Android Auto retrofit is still scheduled for October, and the software will be available to centres soon. Please contact your nearest centre for information as there is an announcement imminent.
      Thanks.

      Reply

    1. Hi Martin,
      Thanks for your comment.
      Your C-HR is model year 2018, which does not come with Apple CarPlay.
      Due to system incompatibility, there is not an option to have this retrofitted.
      Thanks.

      Reply

  6. I have bought my new RAV4 Dynamic three weeks ago from a dealer and that I was told it was a latest model with car play and AA fitted but later realized those are missing. The dealer tried to update the software and they couldn’t. Now they are saying they could update this by late October.
    My question is what guarantee that it can be fixed. I don’t want them to come back saying it is incompatible. So much confusions with various versions of this Rav 4. Can you please clarify?

    Thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi Shan,
      Thanks for getting in touch with us, and congratulations on your new RAV4!
      Could you please provide us with your reg? We can then look into this further for you.
      Thanks.

      Reply

      2. Hello.

        We collected our late 2019 Rav4 in Jan this year. We were told that Apple CarPlay software upgrade would be ready in May. In May they then told us it wasn’t available yet. Can I confirm we can book it in for Oct? Our ref is WR69 VRK.

        Thanks

  7. Hi Shan,
    Thanks for your reply.
    Your vehicle should be compatible for the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto retrofit, and this will be available across the UK from Monday 12th October.
    We’d recommend re-contacting your Toyota centre in order to get your vehicle booked in.
    Thanks.

    Reply

    2. Hi,
      After your response, I have contacted few dealers in East of England but unfortunately no is ready to do this work as they haven’t received the updates from Toyota yet. I am entirely sure why that is the case. They roughly told me this would be available by end of this year. Disappointing really. This for recently bought RAV4 (2019)

      Reply

  8. 2019 Toyota Corolla LV69OYT
    I was told I was suppposed to have it this year march but I havent.
    Could I please get a quote to get apply carplay.
    Thank you!!!!

    Reply

    1. Hi Dhan,
      Thanks for getting in touch.
      The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto retrofit software has been supplied to Toyota centres. Please contact them to get your vehicle booked in.
      For the model year 19 Corolla, the cost is £50 when installed with a service, or £120 if stand-alone.
      Please contact your nearest Toyota centre for more information.
      You can find your closest centre, here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/forms-v2/forms?tab=pane-dealer
      Thanks.

      Reply

  9. Hi. Bought my RAV4 last November, was informed apple play was compatible with it, but not available until early 2020. After a number of release delays, understand it’s released this month? Can you confirm release date and if my car is able to get the update as promised when I purchased it! AK69FHO.

    Reply

      1. Hi I have a 2019 RAV4 VN19OTB and have been informed that I can’t have AA or ACP retrofitted, is this correct?

  10. Hi
    I own a 2019 RAV4. I read that The Car Play retro fit connection is only currently via Bluetooth. Is there any information if and when it will be available as a wireless connection?

    Thanks

    Phil

    Reply

    1. Hi Phil,
      Thanks for getting in touch with us.
      Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can only be used via a wired connection.
      We have no news on any wireless connectivity.
      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. Hi I recently got a Toyota Chr 2019 with multi media 2.0 go
        Does this have Apple play I can’t work it?

      4. Hi Pau,
        Thanks for your reply.
        Your vehicle does not come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and this is unable to be retrofitted due to system incompatibility.
        Thanks.

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