Software (infotainment) bug in Bluetooth & Devices settings.

[bitflogger]

At this point my discovery sure seems to be a bug. I've applied professional level troubleshooting methodology. What I mean there is my job includes managing devices and wireless at scale and at a high level.

My pickup loses the ability to tap to or start in CarPlay. I've absolutely made sure full startup and all screens are up before trying. I've tried this with 3 different iPhones all this and last year models. Tried the phones pre and post the recent updates - versions 17.5 and 17.6. I've deleted the devices from both phone and the truck and started over.

The frequency seems to be about 20% of the startups. I'll watch that closer now that I know I have not tried it too soon and have been through the other steps. It has also occurred where I can't just re-enable use for CarPlay. It has also occurred when I cannot slide to re-enable.

Finally, I also know you have to use for CarPlay, and I've disabled send to Toyota for privacy. With the latter I still have the it works sometimes. All these same phones do not have same issues with other CarPlay vehicles in the family. Those are VW and Acura. My phone didn't have it in a recent Jeep rental.

Thank you for any input and consideration here. If I'm not alone I suggest we agree on what's going on and expedite it with Toyota.

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[Sagebrush]

"My pickup loses the ability to tap to or start in CarPlay."

Tap to? Or start? Do you mean Carplay doesn't start?

 

[Squashed Target]

I've noticed that, more often than not, my truck doesn't correctly start Android Auto if I start it in a place with bad/nonexistent cell service. I wonder if it is related to it loading your personalized settings. Possibly, the Taco checks in with Toyta's servers before it connects?

 

[Miqie]

My AA is hit or miss. Sometimes it works, other times no matter what I try, it refuses to work. I have the small screen, so using my phone instead for navigation is really no big deal. Kind of disappointed in the whole infotainment setup in the Tacoma including the JBL sound system.

 

[bitflogger]

"My pickup loses the ability to tap to or start in CarPlay."

Tap to? Or start? Do you mean Carplay doesn't start?

What occurs (what I meant in the post) is the bottom choice in the screen shot where Bluetooth settings go from "Use For Apple CarPlay" on to off. What preceded the screen shot was I drove to work with CarPlay working displaying map while playing an Audible book. When I got in the vehicle to drive home it would not work again. Yet another time the answer was drilling into Bluetooth settings to see the slider move as the screen shot.

Per that blue sticker what was on the dashboard I do have the connected services turned off. That because I have no intention of paying Toyota the monthly fees and more importantly do the data sharing disclosed by Toyota.

I've noticed that, more often than not, my truck doesn't correctly start Android Auto if I start it in a place with bad/nonexistent cell service. I wonder if it is related to it loading your personalized settings. Possibly, the Taco checks in with Toyta's servers before it connects?

I have not tried it with Android but assume it as others where that still sits on top of the Toyota firmware and system I see in the screens.

In my making the choice to not use the their services I did not read anything that says you are disabling the main reason you paid that approximately $4000 for the with JBL package. In pre-sales mode all Tacomas we tried regardless of packages or screen size appeared to have same underlying firmware.

My AA is hit or miss. Sometimes it works, other times no matter what I try, it refuses to work. I have the small screen, so using my phone instead for navigation is really no big deal. Kind of disappointed in the whole infotainment setup in the Tacoma including the JBL sound system.

Again, I have only used Apple phones here but have lots of Android experience where both still sit or operate on the vehicles's firmware.

We liked the JBL system in our long-running from lack of product and considering other products. It might be in part from understanding there's noise cancelling. The worst gripe is some sound seems forward focused to the removable speaker I also like. Not all audio is that way though.

The main thing I hope to establish here is if others see what I posted in the screen shot. You start the vehicle, give time for all the electronics to boot, the AA or CarPlay work, and then you restart the vehicle having to go back into Bluetooth settings to enable it.

If we have what may well be a bug or fix needed, my hope is folks can confirm same issue and keep any other sound system gripes a separate matter because this is not occurring with the other CarPlay vehicles we own or use often.

Thank you.

 

[Sandytntn]

At this point my discovery sure seems to be a bug. I've applied professional level troubleshooting methodology. What I mean there is my job includes managing devices and wireless at scale and at a high level.

My pickup loses the ability to tap to or start in CarPlay. I've absolutely made sure full startup and all screens are up before trying. I've tried this with 3 different iPhones all this and last year models. Tried the phones pre and post the recent updates - versions 17.5 and 17.6. I've deleted the devices from both phone and the truck and started over.

The frequency seems to be about 20% of the startups. I'll watch that closer now that I know I have not tried it too soon and have been through the other steps. It has also occurred where I can't just re-enable use for CarPlay. It has also occurred when I cannot slide to re-enable.

Finally, I also know you have to use for CarPlay, and I've disabled send to Toyota for privacy. With the latter I still have the it works sometimes. All these same phones do not have same issues with other CarPlay vehicles in the family. Those are VW and Acura. My phone didn't have it in a recent Jeep rental.

Thank you for any input and consideration here. If I'm not alone I suggest we agree on what's going on and expedite it with Toyota.

Yes, my Tacoma about half the time when i restart it i have to go into settings on Bluetooth to switch CarPlay back on for my primary phone. Seems like the truck could remember your setting and keep CarPlay on for primary phone. Only takes a couple seconds but irritating in 2024 for that not to be automatic.

 

[TexasBill]

I think it is an android auto bug more than anything. Also if Wi-Fi is not turned on on phone Android Auto will not connect correctly.

 

[bitflogger]

I think it is an android auto bug more than anything. Also if Wi-Fi is not turned on on phone Android Auto will not connect correctly.

Most if not still all of Android Auto and CarPlay operate on QNX. Nothing I know of confirms that as an absolute yes. Toyota has also supported SDL that's different but I understand related for the device communications.

An iPhone will also prompt for WiFi if turned off. There my understanding is WiFi or more specifically the 801.11_ (_ is 802.11a, b, g, n, ac, ax, and be) are what enable fidelity or bit rate Bluetooth cannot do. Good or aware of it ears will notice Bluetooth not having the fidelity a USB cable and wireless CarPlay have.

 

[TexasBill]

Most if not still all of Android Auto and CarPlay operate on QNX. Nothing I know of confirms that as an absolute yes. Toyota has also supported SDL that's different but I understand related for the device communications.

An iPhone will also prompt for WiFi if turned off. There my understanding is WiFi or more specifically the 801.11_ (_ is 802.11a, b, g, n, ac, ax, and be) are what enable fidelity or bit rate Bluetooth cannot do. Good or aware of it ears will notice Bluetooth not having the fidelity a USB cable and wireless CarPlay have.

Thank you for the explanation of how it all works, much appreciated.

 

[JayT1989]

I found that resetting the bluetooth stack on my Android phone helped with the connections when starting the truck. Still happens every once in a while, but much less often now.
The most annoying thing is that when connected, it seems to keep losing connection and reconnecting. Mostly when I drive past certain areas like a bank or police station that have security systems that could interfere with the wireless connection. Didn't happen with my previous Subaru though.

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