Aux input & iPhones - no connection?

Hi,
So, just got my 2016, factory stereo. I’ve got an iPhone, and I’ve plugged it into the aux input at the bottom of the center console with a USB cable. The phone charges, but nothing shows up under the “aux” input on the stereo - it just stays greyed out.

I know I can just use Bluetooth, but that just seems odd - is that normal, or is something not working right? Even our other older Toyotas will recognize an iPhone plugged into the aux input.

 

I believe because our trucks prior to 2020 don't have apple play

 

In my 2018 with the factory non-JBL setup, I could plug into that usb and have better sound than playing over Bluetooth, using an Apple cord and my iPhone.

if your stereo is similar in that respect, the only explanation I can think of is a disconnection of that wire from either the port or the back of the stereo.

 

Or- also try a new/different cord.

 

Well, same cord that came out of my last car, but I’ll try swapping it out anyway. Just seems odd that there’s no response at all.

 

So, in case anyone else actually runs across this sometime - switching cords made the difference. Weird that the stereo in my 4Runner was quite happy to do everything, including CarPlay, over the other one, but the stock stereo in the Tundra didn't like it. Oh well. Better sound now, anyway!

 

What type of cord did you purchase?

 

I’d have to look it up, but it was just basically a MFi certified cable - nothing super fancy, just from Amazon from what I remember. Solved the problem. It just didn’t like something about my old cable, which still works fine in other places.

 

Lightning USB cheap code is charging only. Make sure to buy the ones that allow audio to pass thru. I use Apple music lossless audio with the cable.