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

  1. Hi guys,

    I have a 2020 Prius which I have just purchased and I cannot see the option to enable Apple car play, but the specifications says it should come with Apple CarPlay.

    My registration is FE70 SJY

    Please let me know how I can get this working?

    Thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi Paul,
      From what we can see, this Prius does not come with Apple CarPlay.
      Please let us know if there is anything else we can assist you with.
      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. Hi there,

        Thanks for responding. I was led to believe that all 2020 models came with Apple CarPlay and mine is a 2020 Prius- any ideas how I can get this resolved?

      2. Hi Paul,

        It is not possible to retrofit Apple CarPlay into vehicles with an incompatible multimedia system, such as the Prius. We would not advise looking into any aftermarket or non approved options either, as this will void the warranty if a related defect occurs.

        Thanks,

        Toyota UK

      3. How do I connect Apple Car Play and maps to a 2018 CHR, when plugging in the lead via the USB port nothing happens.

      4. Hi Mike,
        Please provide your vehicle registration so that we can assist you further with this.
        Thanks.

  2. I have a Toyota Hcr FL71VYH – I cannot find Apple Car Playavailability anywhere in the facilities. It is not found following Menu>General. Can you help me to find it please!y

    Reply

    1. Hi Victor,
      Thanks for your comment.
      This C-HR does come with Apple CarPlay.
      Have you connected a phone to the vehicle with a USB connection?
      Thanks.

      Reply

    2. Why can’t I get car play to work manual say I have to down load done it on line but won’t download to my car
      DU69 BXE please help

      Reply

    1. Hi, thanks for your comment.

      We can only advise on UK specification vehicles. Please get in touch with Toyota in your area directly.

      Thanks,

      Reply

  5. I have a Yaris cross excel hybrid S25 SVA with city pack, I have 2 questions, where can I find a instruction manual for the city pack and is Apple play wired only or can it be by bluetooth?

    Reply

    1. Hi David,
      Thank you for your questions.
      Firstly, your Owners Manual can be found online here – https://www.toyota.co.uk/customer/manuals/.
      Secondly, Wireless Apple CarPlay is available on the Excel grade. However, as you have opted for the City Pack, this removes the Wireless Apple CarPlay due to the different multimedia system.
      Apple CarPlay is still available with a Wired Connection in your Yaris Cross.
      We hope this helps.
      Thanks.

      Reply

      2. Hi Ronny,
        Thanks for your comment.
        Our system shows that Apple CarPlay is standard on this RAV4.
        Thanks.

    1. Hi Lennon, thanks for your comment.

      This vehicle does not feature Apple CarPlay and is not compatible with retrofit.

      Thanks,

      Toyota UK

      Reply

  8. Never thought I would be disappointed with Toyota but they seem to be miles behind what customers need.
    looks like a Pioneer retrofit for mine is in order.

    Reply

  9. Hi Good afternoon,
    My wife recently purchased a 2020 C-HR reg SK20XFJ, this is the excel model.
    I’ve had a look though menus with the phone plugged in to the car but could not find carplay options.
    Would it be possible to check your records and advise if carplay is fitted?

    Thanks in advance
    Neil

    Reply

    1. Hi Neil, thanks for your comment.

      This vehicle is not equipped with Apple CarPlay and is not compatible with retrofit.

      Thanks,

      Toyota UK

      Reply

  10. Hi
    I have a Toyota Yaris 2018 Design PF18DZT
    Is it possible to connect apple car play – or retrofit
    Many thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi Ashley, thanks for your comment.

      Your Yaris is not equipped with Apple CarPlay and is not compatible with retrofit.

      Thanks,

      Toyota UK

      Reply

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