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.

1,037 comments

  1. When I use TomTom, Toyota restricts keyboard access. It is a Toyota decision, not apple. The alternative is to stop or pick up the phone. Neither option is inherently safer than interacting with the keyboard to search. For example, an accident suddenly appears and it is impossible to find an alternative without stopping, which isn’t the safer option. Lifting the phone is illegal. Other car manufacturers do not block this setting. It needs reversing so the keyboard can be used in motion. Passengers are unable to help. Useless.

    Reply

    1. Hi Chris, thanks for getting in touch.

      We’re sorry to hear you are having issues with the multimedia system in your vehicle. We would recommend contacting our team on multimedia@toyota.co.uk

      Thanks,

      Toyota UK

      Reply

    1. Hi Oliver, thanks for getting in touch.

      Your Corolla features Apple CarPlay as standard.

      Thanks,

      Toyota UK

      Reply

      1. Hi, you say this I’ve tried to set it up but doesn’t work?

        There is no option to turn this on also. Regards

      2. Hi Oliver, thanks for your reply.

        A wired connection is required for Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. If you are still struggling, your local Toyota Centre is best placed to take a closer look.

        Thanks,

        Toyota UK

  3. Hello, my apple car play does not work..

    NL71 ***

    Could you help with this as all my colleagues work in their cars! Would benefit this working with my job!

    Corbin

    Reply

    1. Hi Corbin, thanks for your comment.

      Your vehicle is equipped with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as standard. This will require a wired USB connection to your phone.
      If you’re still unsure, your local Toyota Centre will be happy to take a look.

      Thanks,

      Toyota UK

      Reply

    1. Hi Aisha, thanks for getting in touch.

      We will need your full registration number please, we censor before publishing hence the ***.

      Thanks,

      Toyota UK

      Reply

  6. I’ve just bought a new Yaris cross design and Siri will not let me send text messages. I keep getting the message – I can’t show you the information while in the car – I’ve tried connecting using the c type lead but the radio plays in the background and I can’t send texts! So disappointed.

    Reply

    1. Hi Sharon,
      Congratulations on your new Yaris Cross, thank you for choosing Toyota.
      We can only apologise for any disappointment caused by this.
      We would suggest raising this with your nearest Toyota Centre who will be able to physically assist you further with rectifying this.
      Thank you.

      Reply

    1. Hi Kenneth,
      Thanks for your comment.
      We will need to full vehicle registration to check this for you.
      We can remove the registration before we approve your comment if you wish, please let us know.
      Thanks.

      Reply

  8. my Toyota is DF69 XXX, is it Apple Car Play compatible ? I tried to use wired USB to connect to my iphone, however, nothing shown in the display, what’s happening? Who can teach me how to connect to CarPlay?

    Reply

    1. Hi Martin, thanks for getting in touch.

      We will need your full registration number to confirm. We censor the information before publishing our response.

      Thanks,

      Toyota UK

      Reply

  9. Hello, does my Toyota Augo ow68 *** support wireless CarPlay? My cables connection doesn’t work sometimes!

    Reply

  10. Hi, I’ve got a 22 plate hilux invincibleX, when o plug the phone in the message doesn’t appear and can’t seem to get Apple car play on the screen. I had a 21 plate hilux and it worked fine. Any solutions?

    Thanks, Will

    Reply

    1. Hi Will, we’re sorry to hear you’re struggling to get everything set up.

      What’s the registration number please?

      Thanks,

      Toyota UK

      Reply

      2. Hi Will, thanks for providing that.

        Your Hilux definitely is equipped with Apple CarPlay. Make sure your phone is running iOS version 11 or later and you can manually connect via the settings and devices menu.
        If you’re still struggling, your local Toyota Centre will be best placed to take a closer look.

        Thanks,

        Toyota UK

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