Apple CarPlay Connection Issue

I have a 2024 4runner and whenever I start it in the morning or it has been sitting a couple hours or more my phone will not connect to apple carplay. Now if I make a stop after driving for a few minutes and restart the car it will usually connect. Is anyone else having this issue or know how to fix it? I've already erased the connection and repaired the phone with the 4runner.

 

I have a 2024 ORP and it happens to me on occasion. It's annoying AF and sometimes it will connect if I unplug it from the phone and plug back in, and other times I have to shut the engine off and restart. I haven't paid close enough attention to notice a pattern, it's just random.

edit to add: I guess it's important to mention that I'm using an iPhone.

 

Welcome.

I have an iPhone 12 Pro, on the latest iOS and don’t run into this issue. I would start with the easiest solutions and work your way up.

- Reboot the 4Runner’s radio and make sure that the firmware is up to date.

- Hard reboot the iPhone.

- Try a new genuine Apple phone cable. The cheaper aftermarket ones don’t always transmit data properly.

 

Yep, cable first.

But if you get the big Apple CarPlay button and it’s just not working, use the one in the Menu.

 

It’s always the cable. iPhones do not like aftermarket cables. Gotta put more money in Apple’s pocket!

 

This is all great advice but unfortunately I've already tried it all. I'm using a cord from apple and have actually tried multiple cords from apple. I've done a hard reset on the head unit. I've tried my iphone, my wife's iphone, and my work iphone all with the same result.

When it isn't working the apple car play button doesn't pop up on the screen. It keeps the projections button and connects via bluetooth instead.

I think my fix is going to be getting a phone mount for when I need navigation and apple carplay isn't working.

 

Have you checked the head unit firmware version and updated if not current? I had a similar issue in my 2021 and updating firmware solved it….

Cheers,
Bob

 

After this thread I went to shop for an Apple cable, but the only one they sell with a USB A to USB C is Beats brand, not Apple branded cable. It worked better than the generic cable I bought on Amazon, but not perfect, I still had the occasional issue of it not connecting to CarPlay. So I went to AI, Grok and Chat GPT and the one item they both suggested is an Ottocast U2Aire Pro wireless CarPlay adapter. I found it on Amazon and so far it's working flawlessly. No digging the phone out of my pocket to connect the cable, just get in, crank the engine, buckle up and it automatically connects to CarPlay. Perfect! It's only been a week, but so far so good, I'll report back if I encounter any issues.