As the title suggest, my drive connect expired and I am back to using CarPlay. Apple released CarPlay ultra on May 15th 2025 but my LC250 still uses the older version. I have the up to date IOS software on my phone so I would assume it's the car that might not be compatible with the ultra version. Has anyone able to get CarPlay ultra to work on our LC250? Do I need to update the cars software at the dealership? FWIW, its a 2024 model LC LC.
How to install CarPlay Ultra
- Thread starter LC_DFW
- Start date
Toyota has long been on the list of automakers with no intention, or no declared intent to support ultra. I think it's cool, but I think I have been misinformed in that my interpretation of ultra support included development of the integration in design phase. I did not get the impression that it was ever going to be a backwards compatible integration, but rather vehicles being delivered to consumers with the ability to integrate as an OEM design feature.
I need to nerd out again.
I need to nerd out again.
i didnt deep dive into this too much and i think you are probably right. but i also wouldnt put it behind apple to make ultra easy to integrate to recently redesigned models as they would need to be able to test carplay ultra in a real-world environment prior to release. its possible to assume that any recent car with a digital guage cluster would support ultra without many other modifications.
Likely possible, unlikely free. I personally think the concept is neat. However, I also personally would rather not be among the first to incorporate it. Other than my wife's super-tech Sequoia, this is the most technologically integrated vehicle I have ever owned... and I have a 1958. I have no interest in adding to the list of things without a decade of application behind them.
I do not carry this opinion without merit either. In fact, and with intentional vagueness, I make a living out of monitoring, assessing and reporting on the integration and interoperability of complex electronic systems. Perhaps more than most I am extremely attuned to weak areas in this area, and alert to issue potentiality. I just wanted to provide context to what may otherwise be perceived as simple resistance to progress.
There is allegedly a new version of CarPlay in the next iOS that will have a largely different user interface and the ability to handle widgets differently. One thing I look forward to in particular is that incoming and active phone calls will not take over the entire screen so that you can’t see the map while you’re on the phone.
This should happen automatically as soon as that iOS rolls out. I do not know whether it’s in the beta.
CarPlay Ultra is another thing - it occupies pretty much the entire media experience inside the car. The MMI, the gauges, air conditioning controls, everything. It’s a partnership between Apple and the car companies where Apple handles the entirety of the user interface. The car companies have to go to deliberate and non-trivial effort to enable their vehicles to use the technology at that level. As someone said, Aston Martin is the only car company who has made tangible commitments. Porsche has talked about it but hasn’t shown much.
This should happen automatically as soon as that iOS rolls out. I do not know whether it’s in the beta.
CarPlay Ultra is another thing - it occupies pretty much the entire media experience inside the car. The MMI, the gauges, air conditioning controls, everything. It’s a partnership between Apple and the car companies where Apple handles the entirety of the user interface. The car companies have to go to deliberate and non-trivial effort to enable their vehicles to use the technology at that level. As someone said, Aston Martin is the only car company who has made tangible commitments. Porsche has talked about it but hasn’t shown much.
Last edited:
I’ve heard the new iOS 26 is excellent, especially the CarPlay version. Looking forward to it!
I installed iOS 26 yesterday. The updated CarPlay is pretty slick. We get widgets now.
- Thread starter
- #10
Were you able to see the difference in the car? It would be cool if you could make a video or share some pictures.
you can find reviews online already. i thought this was a good one -
Yes, the UI has been updated with their new Liquid Glass design language. It should look like this:
Ah so the widgets will display more information on the larger screen. I have been on developer beta since launch, but with my smaller screen on the 1958, I don't get additional widget on the left.Yes, the UI has been updated with their new Liquid Glass design language. It should look like this:
We can finally view the weather in CarPlay!
I also love that you can have a widget with just the time. makes for a quick way to dim the screen when driving at night
