How to use Apple CarPlay in your Toyota

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.

896 comments

    1. Hi Palmer,
      Thanks for your comment.
      The RAV4 doesn’t come with a warning triangle, but additional safety equipment can be purchased quite easily.
      Thanks.

    1. Hi,

      Service plans allow you to spread the cost of your service over a period of time. For more information, we recommend contacting your Toyota centre.

      Thanks

    1. Hi Joe,

      Due to system incompatibility, a retrofit of Apple CarPlay is not available on that vehicle. It is available from factory on the latest model though.

      Thanks

      1. Ok thank you, don’t understand how Toyota are so far behind in terms of technology.

    1. Hi Angel,
      Thanks for contacting us.
      Please provide your UK reg, and we can then check this out for you.
      Thanks.

    1. Hi King,
      Thanks for contacting us.
      Your Corolla should be eligible for the Apple CarPlay retrofit, but didn’t come as standard.
      We would recommend contacting your nearest Toyota Centre with a view to book your car in.
      Thanks.

    1. Hi Adam,
      Thanks for your comment.
      Your RAV4 did not come with Apple CarPlay as standard, but it should be eligible for the retrofit if you wish to have this functionality added.
      You can contact your nearest Toyota Centre to find out more and get your vehicle booked in.
      Thanks.

  1. Hi there.
    I was just wondering if my toyota is able to get the apple carplay installed.
    My plate is LV69 OYT.
    Thank you!

    1. Hi,

      Yes, your vehicle can have the Apple CarPlay and Android auto retrofit. Please contact your nearest Toyota centre for more.

      Thanks

  2. Hi there,
    Does my Prius come with Apple CarPlay?
    I got the car registered as MJ70DXU in November 2020. My sales advisor told me that I could access Apple CarPlay once plugging the lightning to USB cable to the USB port, but it doesn’t work on me. Is it possible to solve it?
    Thanks.

    1. Hi Patrick,
      Thanks for getting in touch with us.
      Our Customer Relations team would be best placed to explore your situation with you in further detail.
      They can be contacted here: https://fal.cn/3ecwx.
      Thanks.

    1. Hi Jill,
      Thanks for getting in touch.
      Due to system incompatibility, there is no retrofit available for the C-HR.
      Thanks.

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