Apple iOS and carplay

[t3lcfe]

I am pretty hesitant on upgrading. I hear horror stories with people having issues connecting to Toyota vehicles with iOS 26. Is there anyone on here that can relate? Whos got iOS26 and having problems or not with it and CarPlay?

Where did you hear that horror stories from ?!
Nowadays, all kinds of news spread out without solid sources. I don’t mean you…but we should be aware those so-called news
No issues at all for me and many answers here…

 

[DubDub]

I don’t have any issues, but do have a minor annoyance that is still infinitely better than prior to the update over a month ago.

Prior to the update, it was 50/50 whether or not the LC would automatically connect to my phone. It is/was simple enough to force the connection manually, but still very annoying. I never could figure our rhyme or reason as the circumstances were random.

After the update, if I turn off the LC only briefly and open the driver door to de energize the radio (ex: morning run into the 7Eleven, quick grocery stop, shutting off to wait on school bus drop-off, etc…) my phone will not auto-connect upon the next restart 100% of the time. If I repeat the process of shutting it off and opening/closing the driver door, it connects. Or, I can manually connect. Or, and this is the slowest option, I can long press the volume knob to reset the infotainment.

It’s literally just part of my morning routine anymore. This specific instance is only post-IOS 26 install. I am hoping 26.2 releases soon and it fixes. And yes, I’ve done all of the normal troubleshooting things.

 

[SACTOWN]

Where did you hear that horror stories from ?!
Nowadays, all kinds of news spread out without solid sources. I don’t mean you…but we should be aware those so-called news
No issues at all for me and many answers here…

I have friends that are having problems with their iOS26. And i have read it on several different web pages

 

[Bedawson]

It’s literally just part of my morning routine anymore. This specific instance is only post-IOS 26 install. I am hoping 26.2 releases soon and it fixes. And yes, I’ve done all of the normal troubleshooting things.

I'm on 26.2 Beta RC, still an issue.. I didn't notice it getting worse with iOS 26, which i've been running since the first open beta, and thought it was more of a toyota issue. But.. I only had my LC for a month before I was on ios 26
This issue is very annoying tho. I always find myself going into settings and toggling the "use device for apple carplay"

Beside this somewhat of an edge case scenario, iOS26 carplay has been great, love the subtle changes. Hopefully we get a full rework outside of their integrated carplay soon

 

[JoeH]

IOS 26.1 yes we have random disconnects. have to "reenable" car play and it comes right back.

 

[sledgehammer]

I use IOS 26.1 and I get disconnected from Airplay about every day. There is a problem with it when you are wireless - not sure what is causing it. The fix is easy enough, just find your device and re-enable air play on it.

 

[awburton]

I'm running iOS 26.1 and I haven't had any connection problems.

Me too!

 

[RoundRock_Cruiser]

I upgraded and use a wired connection. I haven't experienced any new issues. I have been experiencing an issue off/on that is very strange - when using Pandora or Youtube music, the music sometimes skips or lyrics will jump over a few words. its very odd, i thought it was heat related due to the extreme heat in Texas but I've noticed it again this autumn.

 

[cruiser_ss396]

IOS 26.1.. The only time I have issues connecting is if I use remote start.. It never connects on its own when I jump in the car and press "start" button. So I have to manually enable it under "bluetooth" settings on the radio. This was never an issue with previous version of IOS

I have this issue also and I push in the volume button (1958 Small screen) to reboot the system (just manual shutoff and auto turn back on) and it comes up and connects after that no problem. For me it’s better than going into the settings. System takes less than a minute to reboot and connect back up.

 

[dato6966]

I've had phone disconnects happen randomly for the past 15 months (since new) and about 2 months ago it got much worse to sometimes every 30 minutes. Tried off-loading all non-essential apps on the phone which didn't solve anything. Reinstalled the system - problem persisted. Bought a proper apple cable at the apple store and used the USB connection instead of bluetooth - no change. Installed IOS 26.1 it got even worse. Took the vehicle into the dealer & paid for a diagnostic - the radio wasn't at fault & they blamed Apple. Gave up and bought an Android phone which works flawlessly & gave my Apple phone to my son. End of problem & I'm happy now

 

[robsurfskate]

I just upgraded to IOS 26.1. I'll keep you posted.

 

[treadmark]

I’ve been on iOS 26 for a while with no issues and I like some of the new features, which now I can’t even what they specifically are.

 

[bkral]

Works fine. It even handles hand-off from Airpods better now.

 

[Markarian421]

I haven't had any issues. 26.1.

Updating this to say that I’ve been having a lot of CarPlay issues since the Toyota SW update to fix the backup cameras. The first time I start in the morning now I often have to reboot the entertainment system before it will actually connect. The first attempt gives an error and then tries to connect as a USB device and then that also fails. Rebooting the phone changes nothing, rebooting the entertainment system and trying again fixes it.

 

[ultane]

Updating this to say that I’ve been having a lot of CarPlay issues since the Toyota SW update to fix the backup cameras. The first time I start in the morning now I often have to reboot the entertainment system before it will actually connect. The first attempt gives an error and then tries to connect as a USB device and then that also fails. Rebooting the phone changes nothing, rebooting the entertainment system and trying again fixes it.

Yea, it seams that after many months of near flawless function, CarPlay isn’t quite right again..

 

[Jay’s 2025 Land Cruiser]

I am pretty hesitant on upgrading. I hear horror stories with people having issues connecting to Toyota vehicles with iOS 26. Is there anyone on here that can relate? Whos got iOS26 and having problems or not with it and CarPlay?

No problem here.. works every time

 

[hikerdrg]

I also was hesitant, but upgraded to iOS 26 and no problems.

 

[NotJustaJeepGuy]

Sitting at the dealership for my oil change and mentioned this issue. The service writer said he had heard of it on the Tundras but not on the LC. They are going to take a look, but I am sure that they won’t find anything.

 

[ultane]

Sitting at the dealership for my oil change and mentioned this issue. The service writer said he had heard of it on the Tundras but not on the LC. They are going to take a look, but I am sure that they won’t find anything.

They never do..

 

[highsmith]

I had a iPhone XR for ages and it was running whatever the latest software version was for that model (18.7 I guess).

I had the random disconnect issue- usually Carplay would connect back up on it's own- but every now and then I would have to reboot the infotainment system to get Carplay to reconnect.

I generally try to keep phones until they are slated to no longer get updates- so I recently got a iPhone 17 and Carplay has been real solid on 26.1 so far... Much better experience. Don't think I have seen a disconnect yet (been a week or so)