Apple Car Play with Toyota App Side Bar

[BunLengthHotDog]

I have seen a few videos on YouTube that show Car Play active but the Toyota internal app icons are still visible as a sidebar like the attached photos. Any time I enable Car Play it goes full screen…to get back to the Toyota stuff I have to go to the Car Play full apps list, and select the Toyota app to see the internal settings / app icons. Is there a setting I am missing to keep them as a sidebar while Car Play is active?

 

[BunLengthHotDog]

I see the “expand” icon above the clock / cell signal icons in CarPlay (in the above photos), I cannot seem to get that to show up, tried “pulling” the screen from the left, upper left corner etc with no luck. Seems this review was of a 25 LC, curious if that makes a difference even though the software is the same.

 

[PDPete]

I'm Android Auto, but can't figure it out either...

 

[Seratti]

I see the “expand” icon above the clock / cell signal icons in CarPlay (in the above photos), I cannot seem to get that to show up, tried “pulling” the screen from the left, upper left corner etc with no luck. Seems this review was of a 25 LC, curious if that makes a difference even though the software is the same.

That's strange...Can you post an actual picture of your personal screen?

 

[Altitude]

Subbed.

I’ve been tapping back to the app grid in CarPlay then tapping the Toyota app to get back to the Home Screen. I’d gladly give up half an inch of CarPlay real estate to have that sidebar always visible.

 

[BunLengthHotDog]

So, I think it’s an issue with OTA updates vs when your vehicle was purchased and the version that gets flashed at dealerships. This article states there should be, eventually, an OTA update that allows the sidebar to remain onscreen via split screen mode. Seems like the OTA update has not hit older LC’s (made and purchased in early to mid 2024) but the newest version that gets flashed at dealerships has the update allowing split screen to work.

https://www.autoblog.com/toyota/toyota-infotainment-apple-carplay

This screenshot is from my LC with no option to do split screen anywhere to be seen. The screencaps in my original post are from a video where the LC had just been purchased in late 2024, so it may have gotten flashed at the dealer with the latest version of software. I might drop by a dealership to see if they have a flash available, not a huge issue as I just use “Hey, Toyota, play SiriusXM Lithium” for the moment to use Sirius while staying in CarPlay.

 

[Altitude]

So, I think it’s an issue with OTA updates vs when your vehicle was purchased and the version that gets flashed at dealerships. This article states there should be, eventually, an OTA update that allows the sidebar to remain onscreen via split screen mode. Seems like the OTA update has not hit older LC’s (made and purchased in early to mid 2024) but the newest version that gets flashed at dealerships has the update allowing split screen to work.

https://www.autoblog.com/toyota/toyota-infotainment-apple-carplay

This screenshot is from my LC with no option to do split screen anywhere to be seen. The screencaps in my original post are from a video where the LC had just been purchased in late 2024, so it may have gotten flashed at the dealer with the latest version of software. I might drop by a dealership to see if they have a flash available, not a huge issue as I just use “Hey, Toyota, play SiriusXM Lithium” for the moment to use Sirius while staying in CarPlay.

View attachment 23274

Great news. If it’s an OTA update we should be able to get it wherever we are, right?

 

[BunLengthHotDog]

Great news. If it’s an OTA update we should be able to get it wherever we are, right?

“Should” be able to, yes. It’s a theory of mine that there is a newer version out there which hasn’t reached OTA for LC’s. It’s just supposition until I can drop by a dealership to see if they have a newer version they can manually flash. We shall see.

 

[flynncruiser]

Curious to know

 

[jefkat2]

The Mulitmedia Manual that came with my 2025 LC, the illustrations show the side bar along with the Apple Car play on the screen. No where in the write up though do they mention it. I guess will go to the dealership Monday and find out what's up.

 

[EOD Guy]

You can check it yourself...... (the following is from the Toyota update site)

Home | Toyota Software

You will need a computer and a blank USB 2.0 flash drive with a minimum storage capacity of 2GB

Let’s Get Your Vehicle Informationopens a dialog

Insert the USB flash drive into the USB port on the vehicle as shown

Touch [] the main menu of your Vehicle’s Audio Multimedia System.

Touch [Software Update] opens a dialogon the submenu.

Touch [Output info to USB memory].

Touch [OK] when download is complete. It is now safe to remove the USB flash drive.

Next, Upload Your Vehicle Information

Insert the USB flash drive with the copied Vehicle Information into the USB port on a computer.

Click [Browse] to select the vehicle information file stored on the USB flash drive.

Select the [Upload] to upload to our secure server.

Browse

Upload

The file will be in the .json format.

 

[McCloud_Rainbow]

You can check it yourself...... (the following is from the Toyota update site)

Home | Toyota Software

You will need a computer and a blank USB 2.0 flash drive with a minimum storage capacity of 2GB

Let’s Get Your Vehicle Informationopens a dialog

Insert the USB flash drive into the USB port on the vehicle as shown

Touch [] the main menu of your Vehicle’s Audio Multimedia System.

Touch [Software Update] opens a dialogon the submenu.

Touch [Output info to USB memory].

Touch [OK] when download is complete. It is now safe to remove the USB flash drive.

Next, Upload Your Vehicle Information

Insert the USB flash drive with the copied Vehicle Information into the USB port on a computer.

Click [Browse] to select the vehicle information file stored on the USB flash drive.

Select the [Upload] to upload to our secure server.

Browse

Upload

The file will be in the .json format.

Thanks for the instructions. I just did this and ran the software check and it said my version was the current version. No updates. And...I still don't have the sidebar. Hope they release a version with the sidebar soon as I too would rather have it permanently on like in all our other cars with CarPlay.

 

[Captain Trips]

Thanks for the instructions. I just did this and ran the software check and it said my version was the current version. No updates. And...I still don't have the sidebar. Hope they release a version with the sidebar soon as I too would rather have it permanently on like in all our other cars with CarPlay.

The sidebar is a minor update to encourage people to upgrade to the newer year model, kinda like what Apple does with iPhones.

 

[jefkat2]

I see the “expand” icon above the clock / cell signal icons in CarPlay (in the above photos), I cannot seem to get that to show up, tried “pulling” the screen from the left, upper left corner etc with no luck. Seems this review was of a 25 LC, curious if that makes a difference even though the software is the same.

I have a 2025 LC with Premium and mine does not have the "expand" either. When I go to "Software Update" all it shows that software is up to date and nothing else. Can't even check to see what version installed.

 

[PurelyAbrasive]

Mine is doing the same thing. I will check the software version tomorrow.

 

[Altitude]

You can check it yourself...... (the following is from the Toyota update site)

Home | Toyota Software

You will need a computer and a blank USB 2.0 flash drive with a minimum storage capacity of 2GB

Let’s Get Your Vehicle Informationopens a dialog

Insert the USB flash drive into the USB port on the vehicle as shown

Touch [] the main menu of your Vehicle’s Audio Multimedia System.

Touch [Software Update] opens a dialogon the submenu.

Touch [Output info to USB memory].

Touch [OK] when download is complete. It is now safe to remove the USB flash drive.

Next, Upload Your Vehicle Information

Insert the USB flash drive with the copied Vehicle Information into the USB port on a computer.

Click [Browse] to select the vehicle information file stored on the USB flash drive.

Select the [Upload] to upload to our secure server.

Browse

Upload

The file will be in the .json format.

That doesn’t sound very “OTA.”

 

[LChopeful]

I have a 2025 LC with Premium and mine does not have the "expand" either. When I go to "Software Update" all it shows that software is up to date and nothing else. Can't even check to see what version installed.

Same for me (2024 FE purchased in May) --> Your Vehicle’s Audio Multimedia System has the latest update.

Before I downloaded the json file, the screen on the vehicle presented an option to list the current versions. There were multiple versions listed and I didn't capture the output.

 

[EmeraldLC]

I have a 2025 LC premium trim and I’ve had the Toyota sidebar since I received the vehicle a couple weeks ago.

 

[dog]

I have a 2025 and it has the Toyota Sidebar.

 

[evillinux]

I have a 2025 LC premium trim and I’ve had the Toyota sidebar since I received the vehicle a couple weeks ago.

I have a 2025 and it has the Toyota Sidebar.

Are both you folks using CarPlay or by chance using Android Auto? I have a 2035 LC w\ premium and using AA and don't have the bar myself I'm curious if this might be a CarPlay only item or if AA will have/get it. Thanks!