JOYING Android Head Unit: Apple Carplay / Android Auto Info Thread ( US-JY-TO160N4GS-1 with Canbus)

Hey TW,

I haven't been able to find a similar thread with information consolidated for this specific head unit, so I'll attempt to provide as much detail as I can on my personal experience with this item. If anyone has this head unit already, I'd encourage you to share information here as well to help people out with their installation and use. Information on this damn thing is scattered around everywhere, from single page mentions, to Reddit posts, so here's hoping that this can be a solid reference for anyone interested.

Where I purchased it:

JOYING Android Car Stereo 4GB + 64GB Android 8.1 GPS Navigator with 4G SIM Card Slot - Support Android Auto/DSP/SPDIF/Fast Boot/Split Screen/Bluetooth/WiFi for Toyota Corolla 2017 2018 with Canbus

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07W1ZML6V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This head unit was intended for the Toyota Corolla, though, the fit and functionality is almost perfect for the Third-Gen Tacoma. Joying even lists it under the "Tacoma" radio selection on their website, so they've confirmed it works well too. I'll continue updating this thread as I discover more with it. There is also an extensive review on this head unit on the Reddit post below by another user.

Reddit Review - https://www.reddit.com/r/ToyotaTacoma/comments/eubifx/joying_head_unit_review_for_3g_tacoma_long/



Fitment/Installation: As mentioned earlier, the fit for this thing is perfect. It looks OEM, doesn't require aftermarket brackets (but it's usually recommended), and the installation is plug and play. I'm not including installation steps because it's really that simple if it fits, it clips, can't really mess anything up. I've also used the provided Mic that came with the unit and can confirm the quality is great. I'd recommend using the provided mic since your voice commands will be accurate.

Here's the mic:


Usability: It's fast and accurate. I haven't had the unit function slow or crash on me yet. Navigating around the settings is really annoying at first, and Joying, for whatever damn reason, put password locks when trying to enter the car options. I guess it can help passengers or children from screwing shit up, but this was really annoying when I first noticed it. The OEM USB hub works, charges, and recognizes Android Auto. They also provide another USB extender to connected different devices.

NOTE: Updating the application will set things back to factory settings. Make sure you install the latest update before really messing with the settings.

Car Settings Password: 3368

There are additional passwords for sub settings which I'll update later as I find them.

Android Auto/ Apple Carplay: Part of the reason why I purchased an android based unit was to avoid using my phone. Aside from setting up mobile hostpot to allow the device access to a network, I've connected the phone using Android Auto, and it worked great. The actual Android Auto app you can download on the device looks a lot better though, and it sucks you can't use that interface when connecting the phone. The resolution also doesn't look as great, and there aren't any widgets available like the one on the actual app.

Someone with an iPhone can comment on their apple experience if they'd like.

GPS: You'll likely end up using google maps which requires internet. I've ordered an adapter to make use of the OEM GPS receiver just in case as well(Joying provides one as well, though, OEM is better). Honestly, just use google maps and download the data offline. The UI is better, and this makes more sense on an android unit.

Backup Camera: Works fine, resolution sucks because Toyota put a cheap camera which looked good on the old entune unit. I'll be replacing this with a better resolution camera eventually.

Application Support: The unit is running Android 8.1, so all of the mainstream apps are available. YouTube works as well, though, when I first started watching videos, the sound came through, but the videos were just black. I fixed it by following the instructions in the link below.

YouTube Issue - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyZqCiPhEWI

Steering wheel buttons: Everything for the most part works. You will, however, lose turn by turn nav, compass, and music information. I've always found those to be extremely useless, so I don't care. My mirror provides me with compass directions, and my headunit is what I've always referenced for music and directions. The voice button will open Google Assistant, the call buttons function correctly, it's all good.

Button Backlight Color: Finally figured this out. The unit right out of the box didn't have the latest update, which meant that the "Lantern" application wasn't available. Joying finally reached out and sent me an update file for the firmware. Once the update was installed, the lantern application was now available.

Thoughts: For the price and capability, I'm happy with it. It's not the most intuitive unit I've ever used, but it gets the job done. Having Android Auto, along with all the bells and whistles an Android tablet allows is HUGE. I'm still keeping the old head unit just in case, but you'd pretty much even costs out after selling it since this thing is so cheap. I'm not ready to fork up $1K+ on the new 2020 OEM head unit, and this will do just fine for the time being. I'll continue updating this the more I use it, and I hope those that already have it will provide better information if I've missed anything. If anyone needs more info, I'd be happy to try and answer any questions. It's still new to me, so I'm learning as I go.

**Update 6/20/20**
After using this in the real world, I wasn't a big fan with how it was performing. Long story short, I've returned this head unit and have moved on to the Pioneer DMH-WC6600NEX.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-audio-build-android-3-way-components-3-amps-wow.576729/

 

Does it work with JBL system?

 

Check thread above your post, its all about this headunit. There are a few people who tried with the JBL system.

 

You said that no after market brackets were available but the stock brackets on my 2016 radio did not fit. I have the bigger touch screen radio. Would you mind telling me where I could buy a bracket that would fit?

 

Are you talking about the metal ones? because those should fit just fine. Granted only 1 screw on each side, but they still work.

But if you want aftermarket mounts you need the scoche tacoma radio kit, it will come with metal mounts, everything else in the scoche bag is not used. Then you need to cut the metal mounts down to fit.

Check the thread in the second post, its like 35 pages about this radio.

 

The mount that holds the stock 7 inch radio in place doesn’t fit the radio. Everything else is fine the bracket just doesn’t fit

 

Can you post a picture? Because if the stock one doesnt fit, then no mount will fit because they are all based off the stock mount.

 

I know this is an old thread, but can you elaborate on why you eventually gave up on the Android head unit?

I am on the fence about buying one for my 2016. I would really like carplay, but I am concerned from prior experience with an older Android head unit, that they are a still a little too buggy/glitchy to be a great solution. The initial reviews of these seem to be very positive, but I am more interested in what people think after 6 months or a year?

 

I think user experience varies heavily with aftermarket units. Many folks love this and swear by it, but I personally didn’t enjoy using the joying system at all. I explained this in more detail in my pioneer thread.

Long story short, for me, this felt like an aftermarket unit whereas the pioneer felt OEM. You definitely get what you pay for with these things. Hope that helps!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/pioneer-dmh-wc6600nex-information-thread.672425/#post-23620029

 

Thanks for following up. Any comments on what the specific issues with the Joying that didn't work for you, laggy, unreliable etc? I read through the other thread, but couldn't find many details. I think my usage case would be similar to yours, 98% using carplay, did that now work smoothly on the Joying unit?

The Pioneer looks great, but $1200 for something that is really just going to be a pass through for my iPhone is a bit hard to swallow.

 

Figured I would post since I just installed this unit a few days ago. I like to tinker so this system is a plus on that side because it has about zero useful instructions and is also basically just an android tablet. I used another set of Tacoma World Posts to help me as well as a bunch of trial and error. I also used the AGAMA app for the home screen which is a big plus. I have a few things I need to iron out such as how the heck do you actually adjust the door lock features. Used to be my locks engaged when I put it in D, not any more. They are listed but I can't change them. Everything boots on startup pretty quick including wireless carplay. Even where I am with it right now it is way ahead of the old system I had in the truck.

 

so everything work including steering wheel controls minus the door lock? Amazon reviews have torn this thing apart so I’m worried to even waste 500 on it.

 

Yep. I believe I ordered default option with the CANBUS since I have a non JBL unit, but with nav. They refer to a picture which does not exist and I used a ebay link to figure out. It was not 500, but like 360. Steering wheel controls are fine. I linked my google account so when I press the button with the person speaking on the wheel I can tell it what to do. It may not work all the time, but I am used to that as when I tell my wife what to do that button never works. I also read the Amazon reviews, but I took them with a grain of salt as I also followed all the TACO world links (those are usually ay worse). There is a learning curve as this is essentially an android tablet. The cool thing was I loaded some of my mapping apps that were not available through carplay and my phone. I will say there are a few volume issues which have me stumped. On Bluetooth when a call comes in it is insanely quiet so I have to pump up the volume. Carplay is a little better, but I have heard this complaint about a lot of aftermarket units besides this one. Overall though I really like it. Just did a 2k mile trip in my truck, and I was very happy with how it performed. I hear a lot about reboots and such, but I wonder it it has to do with apps loaded. I have never had a random reboot, but a couple times I turned it off and back on when something froze, which honestly seems no different than my ipad or my old android tablet. Overall, for the price I have been extremely impressed. The install instructions are kind of lacking, but with the CANBUS you only have a couple of options do no big deal and you can't plug anything in wrong. I figured out the wiring in about two minutes. In fact the whole install took about 5 minutes. The only thing you have to watch for is the backup cam and steering wheel controls. The steering wheel controls came ready to roll in my case but some have said you need to plug the CAN in and CAN out plugs (mine were already plugged together), and they are labelled. Same with back up cam, One of the RCA connectors needs to be plugged in, but using this forum I figured it out. I did note that mine has three USB connectors, but not all do what you would think. Not really sure what they do, but it came with an adapter that allowed me to use the USB that was mounted below the AC in the truck.

 

Thanks for the reply. Yea I have read a lot of things on this forum for it but it’s so scattered I end up losing what I have read ha. Could you shoot me over the eBay you bought from? Btw there seems to be a new version listed on joying site but it is hard to tell if it’s the same dimensions. I’m guessing yours is the latest? Anyway I may bite the billet if it’s in the 300 range.

 

This is the one I bought. I used EBAY to figure the harness specs out. Joying talks about harness one and harness two on Amazon, but don't tell you what it means. The JOYING store on EBAY had an actual picture of the back of the unit and a description. Harness 2 is for the newer Tacomas, 20 plus I believe when they went to the CARPLAY option on their stereos. I have a 2018 so I used harness one which is the one that ships by default. I like Amazon as there is a free return window with my Prime membership

$396 JOYING Android 10 Car Stereo 9" Head Unit 1280 x 720 Compatible with Toyota Tacoma 2016-2021 Support Android Auto/CarPlay/5G WiFi/Plug & Play

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08KD68BZT?ie=UTF8

There is one big plug that is not used for the 2018 non-JBL, but just plug plugs where they fit. It did take me a while to figure all the menus out as they go pretty deep. I would like to be able to use the stock GPS antenna instead of theirs but I have not seen the correct adapter yet. Took me a while to find a good spot for it where it acquired satellites quickly.

One other note was the WIFI ability. Have full internet when my hotspot is on on my phone, but you do have to reattach to your hotspot everytime you start the truck. This is not big deal for me as I only used it to download apps and update maps I had. I asked Joying and they said you have to reconnect each time. Probably so folks don't forget and blow through all their data. Carplay works great for me. I have it autoconnect on startup.

I also used the AGAMA launcher app which has a great you-tube tutorial and allows you to customize it. The default you get with joying is basically a screen with a bunch of apps. The weather thing front and center you will notice is different from vehicle outside temp which is read from the truck. The weather part only works when connected to a hotspot so is pretty worthless. AGAMA uses it by default as well, but you can just put something else in that spot.

I used the stock mounts. It only allows for one bolt to be used on either side of the head unit but as others have said it works fine. It also allows a little movement which helps since it fits exactly inside the bezel.

 

You actually got your CarPlay to work??? Help me lol

 

Hi, can you explain how you got carplay to autoconnect on start up? Are you using an apple or android phone?

Edit: Found this and will try

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGePk9uj3d0

 

I will see if I have time to look, as offhand I cannot remember, but I do remember having to change a setting. There was also a setting I think I changed in my phone, but that might have just been for Siri. Something about allowing it to do things while locked. BTW I use an Iphone 12.