21' Tundra Wired Carplay Issue

I'm having issues when plugged in via usb and keeping a connection with apple carplay. As a software engineer ive tried all routes with the software in the infotainment system including trying to update the firmware and the gracenote database, and my iphone is up to date. It connects at first, plays music, and then loses the connection, then gains it back again, then loses it, and gains it back again. At some points carplay is on the screen but isnt playing the music from the car but is from my phone- Weird. Ive went through all the settings, forgot the phone on the infotainment system and forgot carplay on the phone end, restarted the infotainment numerous times, and its not the cord either... Stumped..


Thinking maybe it could be the actual usb port? Idk.. Hoping there is some fix out there i'm not aware of. I know toyota dealers aren't the answer lol. Any/all help is appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

Mine is weird sometimes, too. It will just not recognize that the phone is plugged in. It doesn't happen all the time, but still I'd love to figure out a way to make it never happen again. A quick reset of the infotainment system (hold down the volume/power button until it restarts) fixes it for me.

 

Yea I tried two new OEM apple usb to lightning cables (1-1m and 1-3m).. Lightning port is clear, and usb port is clear of debris. Im thinking this is more than likely a toyota software issue and that apples latest ios releases are ahead of the firmware in the infotainment system.

 

Ditch that garbage stock head unit and get yourself a Kenwood Excelon with wireless CarPlay. Works flawlessly and sounds amazing.

 

That may be my next move. @gizardlizard how does it look in the dash? Any pics?

 

I can shoot you some pics tonight when I get home from work. It was worth every penny.

 

Thanks!

 

I had this problem with Android Auto. I was using an aftermarket cable. Switched to a Samsung cable and problem was solved.

 

As promised.

 

My ‘21 has been doing the exact same thing. I was wondering if it’s an iOS issue after the most recent update. Prior to that update I never had issues.

 

My 21 was rock solid before the 1st update. It has randomly dropped Android auto connection quite a few times since. Some days I reboot the head unit and that helps. Other days it will do it a few times and stop. Somedays keeps connected all day without issue.

 

When was the last update?

 

I know you really weren't asking about a wireless option... However, a couple of other forum members recommend the Ottocast wireless adapter to me when I was complaining about connectivity issues. My issues were a little different than yours; I was having issues w/car play not re-engaging after turning the truck off or unplugging the phone to do something then re-connecting it. Also, I was having problems w/being able to scroll through playlist songs and other similar problems.

Anyhow, I went w/the following adapter which just stays plugged in constantly, and I haven't had any issues since. I've been very happy w/it, and it may be worth looking into if you're not wanting to replace the entire head unit (which I believe is the source of most of our woes)...

$79 OTTOCAST Wireless CarPlay Adapter for iPhone - 2025 Upgrade Wired to Wireless Apple Carplay Dongle - 5GHz WiFi, Low Latency, Plug & Play, Online Update

OTTOCAST Wireless CarPlay Adapter for iPhone - 2022 Upgrade Wired to Wireless Apple Carplay Dongle - 5GHz WiFi, Low Latency, Plug & Play, Online Update

*** just note that there are 2 versions of this adapter. The link should give you the correct one, but be sure you're getting the U2-Air (not the A2-Air).

 

See https://www.tundras.com/threads/off...unit-software-update-audio-navigation.103334/

Mine is at version 1256 and says it's up to date but the Toyota site says 17TDT1NA-CA31 current version is 1383.

I may try the manual update since the check for update yields nothing.

 

Update: Finally got around to updating the firmware. You have to re-format the usb drive from exfat to msdos fat (fat32) if you are downloading the software via mac.. exfat will not work on 2-2.5 gen tunnies. After the update- no issues. Thank the lord. Hope this helps someone else having the same issue!

 

I started having connection issues after updating to version 1383. I’ll try the reboot and see what happens.

 

I didn’t have connection issues - at least not that I know of.

After updating my phone to iOS 16.5 I lost all physical controls while using CarPlay - none of the steering wheel controls or the head unit volume knob would work. It made CarPlay completely unusable. All controls worked fine when using any other audio source.

I tried several different Apple cables, as well as 2 other phones. Made sure the head unit was updated with the latest firmware. Spent hours on the phone with both Apple and Toyota, with no one taking responsibility or offering a solution. Apple especially put in the effort to try to resolve it, but ultimately said it was Toyota’s problem.

Ultimately I replaced the head unit with a new Kenwood and couldn’t be happier, although I haven’t spent much time in the truck due to a back injury that keeps me from doing much of anything.

 

Mine has been pretty solid since the update to 1383. No random disconnects. I'm on a Note S20 if that helps.

 

I use an iPhone 12.

 

Mine has started disconnecting and reconnecting back and forth. The link for the new firmware is here:
https://www.toyota.com/firmware-updates/download

Thanks for this. I’m going to reformat my usb drive for this.

 

Kenwood has issues too. You still have the random head unit powering off, or wireless playing but it turns your phone speakers on instead of truck’s speakers.

 

I have yet to have one single issue with my Kenwood. Been working flawlessly for over a year.

 

Kenwood put out a firmware update that corrected those issues.

The aftermarket seems to be much more proactive about making sure their stuff works right and squashing any bugs that come up.

Toyota was less than helpful when I had problems with CarPlay after the iOS 16.5 update. Their rationale was that it worked fine until Apple pushed an update. So I simply replaced my head unit with a Kenwood.

 

Update:

I installed the software update (version 1383), and I am still having wired connectivity issues with my iPhone 12, even when using an Apple lightning cable. My phone is on the latest iOS version.

It seems like the entire head unit reboots randomly. It seems like it is turning off and back on very quickly (it does this a lot faster than when I hold the power button down to hard restart it). The phone never loses connection and shows that it is charging the entire time.

 

Wanted to come back and update the group on this ongoing apple carplay issue.. After updating the firmware, the problem persisted. I updated my iphone to ios 17 and all problems with carplay are gone. One week now, and haven't lost connection at all. Haven't had a single issue. It turns out it wasn't Toyota after all, it was apple the entire time. Hope this helps everyone. Cheers.

 

With that being said I would still update the firmware if you haven't, just in case that was part of the issue.

 

Appreciate this thread as I was having issues with my '21 Tundra and carplay. FWIW - Toyota is listing version 1162 as most current with the DA30 model ID. Don't know if that means 1383 still has issues. The upshot is I think I want a newer head unit.

 

i agree, I have a kenwood 7in with wired CarPlay and in the process of getting pioneer 9in with wireless CarPlay. No issues