Any use for Toyota App after 1yr subscription expires?

In about 20 days my 1 year subscription to the Toyota Connected Services will expire. I don't plan to pay for it past that point (I bought the truck and shouldn't have to pay an ongoing fee just to use it's features).

After the services expire is there any use or need for the Toyota App, or does it only provide information if you have the subscription?

 

I’d just leave app on your phone. You should still have the safety connect and service connect for 10 years for free. I believe if the free trials service run out and you also cancel the safety and service connect the fob remote start won’t work anymore. I saw a video from a Toyota sales rep talking about it. He mentioned that you need at least one of the connected services in order for the fob remote start to work.

 

Personally I pay for remote connect. Obviously it won’t be worth it for some (even most). I appreciate the ability to remote start and monitor/adjust my windows, door locks from any distance. I went for the least expensive option with just remote connect, but it’s been useful to me on numerous occasions and, just to me, I find it worth the cost. YMMV.

 

I agree with @digitalwiz that driveconnect is spyware for insurance. I don’t use anything except remote connect and don’t share my data with my dealership.

 

Working at an insurance company, it's only spyware for your insurance company if your company pays for it. Yes, the manufacturer is making money off of your subscription and getting paid on the back end by insurance companies. It's a boon for Toyota, raking in all the extra cash. That being said, every car manufacturer does it, so don't crucify Toyota, crucify the greedy auto industry as a whole. Plus, if it makes you feel any better, it's only going to get worse. And whether you pay for it or not, the manufacturer will still record your data and sell it to the highest bidder, so you're not helping your cause if you don't subscribe.

 

I use the app to keep track of all the recalls! and to check my tire pressure

 

Keeping it in my case, really enjoy and appreciate the app.

 

I opted out of all tracking and reporting.

 

I knew what the cost was before I bought the truck. I just renewed. I use it all the time for truck status. Real time traffic is worth it to me as well.

 

This isn't correct. I never activated any of the connected services, even for the free trial, just out of principle. My FOB remote start works fine.

 

Correct. Remote Start via the Fob will still work. You’ll just lose Toyota Nav, Toyota voice assist, notifications of truck left unlocked, vehicle status (locked, unlocked, windows down) and remote controls via the App (start/stop, lock/unlock).
Mine expires in 10 days and I refuse to pay for it as well (again). Toyota is keeping the connectivity service for 10 yrs anyway so why nickle & dime us for some App functions that cost them nothing to use? PURE GREED. Wish you were better than that Toyota. Give these functions back and you’d stand above all the rest. What a simple good faith marketing decision to pump up your current image in this troubled time.

 

FWIW, I never activated any services or registered an account, but I called Toyota (via the SOS button) and told them to opt me out of all data collection and data sharing. The next day, the remote start from the fob (press, press, hold) stopped working. Maybe it was just coincidental, but after reading @Dpoll995's comment, the person I was talking with said remote start would stop working. I assumed he referred to an app remote start, but maybe it was in general.

If it's not coincidental, then it's ridiculous to require data collection for remote start. I can't see any reason behind it. Maybe it's just a way to discourage people from opting out.

Anyway, I'm pro-privacy and against data sharing, so I'm not interested in a subscription and against data collection —even if it will "cost" me a remote start.

 

Your truck is still being tracked and sending data to Toyota. You just aren’t paying to have the ability to see it anymore…

 

Try changing the battery in your FOB, or try your other FOB, if you have it. Many of us didn't activate the connected services, and our FOB remote start still works.

 

Don't fall off the edge of your earth .

 

If you're seriously concerned about Toyota tracking you with the subscription a smartphone will blow your mind.

 

It isn't about paying, you have the right to not have the data shared, and there are different levels you can choose from. Everyone should opt out of the Toyota insurance tracking (enabled by default).

 

Remote start via key fob was supposed to stop working after 2 years trial subscription ended...it didn't, still works

Wondering if the same will be the case for my Navigation package, it is set to expire late November of this year(3-year trial)

 

I don't use the navigation, but how is it different/better for nav and traffic than Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps, ect, which are all free?

 

It doesn't work better, I like it being native on the vehicle.
I use sirius/XM native as opposed to on my phone too.

 

I don't know
I barely use it, just for fun

I don't use almost all the tech in the truck, I turn the screen off 99.9% of the time...barely use my phone

Was just curious as to if the window sticker was correct or wrong about the 3 year free trial and if it expired after 3yrs. On some occasion I might like it being available even though I don't currently value or use it.

 

Many Gen3 owners let their 1 yr Remote Connect subscription expire and their FOB remote start continues to work.

 

Insurance companies aren't using the data to "jack rates", they are using it to ensure you pay your fair share. So many people lie to insurance companies about so many things because they think nobody gets hurt but the insurance company. Which is horribly inaccurate. Everybody gets hurt by doing this by paying higher rates. If the insurance company can't change enough to cover losses for the people causing the issues, everybody pays more. That's how insurance works. I don't like the system, but it is what it is. Quit lying if you're a good driver and your rates will go down, period. If you think you can disable something to "game the system", you're sadly mistaken. You'll just pay more since the insurance company can't determine who is causing the issues. Like it or not, which I don't like at all, we all lose in the end because people are unable to be honest.

 

Ah - mythical "fair share" - right. Do we supposedly believe insurance companies are the good guys? Insurance companies are not fair, honest companies. Years of claim-free, ticket-free drive, but rates go up and up constantly. When it comes to collecting money, it's about "fair share," but when I file the claim, they bend backward to deny the payout, doesn't want to cover OEM parts etc.. If you file the claim, they raise your rate to recoup the payout. I can go on and on so please spare me...

If insurance companies want to do it reasonably, they could offer an incentive to install a telematics device and send it to the insurer in exchange for a discounted rate. But existing programs like this often don't offer any advantage if you drive average miles - only if you drive significantly less it makes some difference.

Automatically collecting the data and forcing customers to OPTOUT rather than opt-in is shady practice and doesn't build the trust.

 

I would never pay for this app. It's garbage for me. It won't even lock the doors when the truck is right outside (maybe 20') and I'm inside the house or work.

 

I have had this problem as well. Also won't refresh quickly and about 1/3 of the time won't start the truck. It's not super useful, however a week ago my wife drove it to the airport and forgot to lock the doors. In a different state 2,000 miles away I was able to lock them using the app. She has never done that before, so I don't know if it's worth the cost and invasion of privacy by Toyota because of this one time event.

 

That would be an issue with your cellular service and/or wifi within your home.

 

Nope. I can control any of my other "smart" devices I.E. Alexa, oven, air conditioners, thermostats, door locks, cameras, etc. with no problem.

 

Did any of you connected service users actually read the legal disclaimers before activating?

I did, and they were the reason I said "nope".

 

It doesn’t matter if you are 20’ or 20 miles from your truck, the unlock function through the app will work the same (assuming the truck and phone are both in areas with good cellular coverage). Your cellular device does not transmit a “signal” directly to a receiver in the truck.