Bluetooth / Carplay connectivity Issues

[DangItsDen]

I have seen a few threads about this but they're all labeled in ways that might not be easy to find. Figured I would start one so everyone can contribute or give their experience here.

My ORP is constantly dropping the bluetooth connection when I start the truck. Probably 2/5 times that I start it, it is not connected to my Iphone, and will not connect. I have to restart the head unit several times, and even then that only works like 25% of the time. It's infuriating. A $60k truck and a $1k phone in 2025 won't stay connected.

The only way I can get it connected back again is to forget and re-pair the device, which obviously has to be done when the truck is in park.

REALLY need Toyota to fix this via firmware update because I am at my wits end. I am not confident that my dealer would be able to do anything either. I don't want to go take the truck over there only for them to throw their hands up and blame Toyota (it is Toyota's fault). I don't think this is a hardware issue either. Fingers crossed they release a firmware update / fix soon.

End rant.

 

[4RunnerStan]

Seen lots of issues with this. Hopefully it is fixed soon because carplay waxes every brands standard infotainment

 

[rfdj]

I have seen a few threads about this but they're all labeled in ways that might not be easy to find. Figured I would start one so everyone can contribute or give their experience here.

My ORP is constantly dropping the bluetooth connection when I start the truck. Probably 2/5 times that I start it, it is not connected to my Iphone, and will not connect. I have to restart the head unit several times, and even then that only works like 25% of the time. It's infuriating. A $60k truck and a $1k phone in 2025 won't stay connected.

The only way I can get it connected back again is to forget and re-pair the device, which obviously has to be done when the truck is in park.

REALLY need Toyota to fix this via firmware update because I am at my wits end. I am not confident that my dealer would be able to do anything either. I don't want to go take the truck over there only for them to throw their hands up and blame Toyota (it is Toyota's fault). I don't think this is a hardware issue either. Fingers crossed they release a firmware update / fix soon.

End rant.

Are you running a VPN? I had to disable mine every time to get the connection to work with Android Auto.

 

[DangItsDen]

Are you running a VPN? I had to disable mine every time to get the connection to work with Android Auto.

Nope, no VPN on my Iphone

 

[JR1]

I was having the same problem until I checked the box to use my phone with Apple Car play and not calls. It has not happened since then. I hope this helps.

 

[Tamer1122]

I have a 2025 TRD Sport and it has the same problem. Went to the dealer and update the software, which did not resolve the issue.

 

[Jpr18]

I have issues with this as well -- Pixel 9 Pro (Android Auto)

If I go to the device screen and touch the slider to connect for Android Auto, it'll usually connect. However every now and then it'll error out and I have to restart the infotainment system. Yesterday I did a complete reset and that fixed another issue (my lane departure was beeping instead of vibrating, despite being set to vibrate only?

What happens when you try to connect by selecting your phone and hitting the slider button?

 

[brumey]

Not that this is a cause or fix, but my understanding of Apple Car Play's non-wired connection is that it initially connects via bluetooth, then switches to WiFi. I am new to both Toyota and CarPlay so could be over simplifying things.

I was forced to use a cable connection for CarPlay as my use case wanted to use the built in Hotspot for the iPhone when in the car. The iPhone would not allow that as using the WiFi hotspot takes it away from CarPlay. So, cable solved that.

 

[brownvet23]

I’ve had this happen only when I use some form of remote start, either the key or the app. If I get in and start that car normally, CarPlay connects immediately. Has anyone tried to take notice if it occurs only with one method vs the other?

 

[DangItsDen]

I’ve had this happen only when I use some form of remote start, either the key or the app. If I get in and start that car normally, CarPlay connects immediately. Has anyone tried to take notice if it occurs only with one method vs the other?

I've never used remote start, this only happens to me when starting the truck normally.

 

[DangItsDen]

The latest IOS update 18.4.1 that came out yesterday is labeled as fixing carplay connection issues.

I am happy to report that as of this morning after installing the update, that my carplay worked flawlessly 3 different times in different locations (once with my home wifi still connected).

Fingers crossed that this update fixed the issue for good.

 

[brumey]

The latest IOS update 18.4.1 that came out yesterday is labeled as fixing carplay connection issues.

I am happy to report that as of this morning after installing the update, that my carplay worked flawlessly 3 different times in different locations (once with my home wifi still connected).

Fingers crossed that this update fixed the issue for good.

Clarification Needed - Are you connecting Apple CarPlay via cable or wirelessly (Bluetooth and Wifi)?

I ask because I have done the update and from my experience you cannot use the phone's Wi-Fi (Hotspot in vehicle or Home Wi-Fi) and use wireless CarPlay. If you try, you get a pop-up message and the phone goes back to Cellular leaving Wi-Fi for CarPlay. You stated you connected to CarPlay while your phone was connected to your home Wi-Fi. Are you sure?

If anyone is using a car hotspot device or home Wi-Fi while in the garage and able to use Wireless CarPlay, I would love to know how. The pop-up error only stays for 1-2 seconds and then it goes away.

Thanks....

 

[DangItsDen]

Clarification Needed - Are you connecting Apple CarPlay via cable or wirelessly (Bluetooth and Wifi)?

I ask because I have done the update and from my experience you cannot use the phone's Wi-Fi (Hotspot in vehicle or Home Wi-Fi) and use wireless CarPlay. If you try, you get a pop-up message and the phone goes back to Cellular leaving Wi-Fi for CarPlay. You stated you connected to CarPlay while your phone was connected to your home Wi-Fi. Are you sure?

If anyone is using a car hotspot device or home Wi-Fi while in the garage and able to use Wireless CarPlay, I would love to know how. The pop-up error only stays for 1-2 seconds and then it goes away.

Thanks....

I’ve never used the car’s hot spot. I’m connecting to my car via CarPlay wirelessly.

TBH I don’t even see the point of a hot spot in a car that runs on the same cellular connection as my phone but it may be useful for some cases I assume.

 

[brumey]

I’ve never used the car’s hot spot. I’m connecting to my car via CarPlay wirelessly.

TBH I don’t even see the point of a hot spot in a car that runs on the same cellular connection as my phone but it may be useful for some cases I assume.

Let's forget hotspot for now. You stated that you connected to CarPlay while I "assume" your iPhone was connected to your home wifi. Was your Car or iPhone connected to your home wifi while you connected to CarPlay?

The point I am making is that the iPhone cannot use any Wi-Fi connection when using CarPlay. CarPlay takes over the Phone Wi-Fi. Hence, I don't understand how your phone connected to CarPlay while connected to your home Wi-Fi.

As for using the Car Hotspot, I have a very specific use case that benefits me to do that. I'll not bother you with the details.

Thanks again....

 

[DangItsDen]

Let's forget hotspot for now. You stated that you connected to CarPlay while I "assume" your iPhone was connected to your home wifi. Was your Car or iPhone connected to your home wifi while you connected to CarPlay?

The point I am making is that the iPhone cannot use any Wi-Fi connection when using CarPlay. CarPlay takes over the Phone Wi-Fi. Hence, I don't understand how your phone connected to CarPlay while connected to your home Wi-Fi.

As for using the Car Hotspot, I have a very specific use case that benefits me to do that. I'll not bother you with the details.

Thanks again....

I’m leaving my house when this happens, so I assume it switches the WiFi connection from my house WiFi to CarPlay which is what I want it to do. I have no need to use WiFi on my phone inside my car as I assume is the case for most folks. My phone gets data from 5g and connects to my CarPlay using the WiFi connection. When I get back home, my phone switches back to home WiFi.