Text Message Voice Dictation Stopped Working

2020 TRD Pro w/factory JBL head unit, zero modifications to the truck. Owned since new. 19,000 miles on it now.

Since new the truck has always allowed me to press the voice button on the steering wheel while driving and then say "Text name" and then asked me what I wanted to send, and the truck would then type out the message and allow me to say 'yes' to send it.

A couple weeks ago it stopped doing this.
When I say 'Text name' it only comes up with ten options of pre-typed text replies to send.
There is no dictation option anymore.

This happens while in park and while in motion, dictation worked fine during both since purchased.

I checked for an update to the system, it said it was up to date.
I rebooted the head unit by holding the power button.
Unpaired my phone (Android) and re-paired it.
Checked settings on my phone and it allows access to messaging, audio, files and network.
Tested two other phones of friends and they paired to the truck easily, but also could not dictate text messages.


Before I take it to the dealer, anyone have this issue and fixed it?

 

Did you figure out a resolution? I had the exact same thing happen to me at almost the exact same time. 2020 TRD Off Road Pro w/JBL, and no aftermarket mods. I would LOVE any help.

 

Maybe the latest update to the Apple iphone making phone and truck not compatible. Until the next Apple update fixes it.

 

It doesn't work on either Apple or Android phones anymore.

 

Say "Send a text message to <contact_name>"
That will work.

 

It only brings us the default messages. No dictation available

 

If we are talking Android, then I would try Force Stop on Google Assistant App, UNINSTALL, then re-INSTALL. After that, I'd reboot the phone.
If we are talking IOS, I have no idea.

 

Ive done that a couple times already, and nothing changed. Neither iPhones or Androids work at all. Tried a different line of Android (Samsung) and different iPhone versions, even ones that Toyota's website lists as being fully compatible with the audio system in this vehicle. Its like a weird retro-world where Toyota took back a new technology feature for some dumb reason. My dealership has no idea, is there some 1-800-Toyota technical support line?

 

Have a look at these debugging steps:
https://www.lifewire.com/fix-google...ure the slider next,app to its original state.

If Google Assistant works when not in your vehicle to send texts, then try uninstalling and re-installing Android Auto

Toyota Customer Service: 1 (800) 331-4331

 

Toyota Customer Service could not solve the issue and recommended going to the dealer. Of course we know that won't work. Has anyone found a solution yet? Dictation has completely disappeared from Text Reply and Steering Wheel control.
I have a 2020 Tacoma TRD Off-Road with all Premium packages. Dictation has worked most of the time for the 3 years I have had it. When it didn't, rebooting the radio head a few times usually brought it back, but the steering wheel control to dictate a message always worked. Now neither works. Toyota Customer Service did confirm that it has nothing to do with my expired subscription services.

 

Thanks Greg, that is exactly where Im at, same vehicle/package, and it stopped working at almost the 3-year mark from purchase. The only other thing I can think of is when Toyota disabled the Entune 3.0 app, it killed that feature?

 

It is interesting that it happened to both of us right at the 3 year mark of being put in service, from the day I bought it new. That 3 year point was about a week ago and that's when I noticed Dictation was totally gone.
On another note, Toyota Alexa hasn't worked since about the 2 month I had it.

 

Since it occurred right at about 3 years, I figured it was a subscription that expired, but none of the available ones look like they would do anything whatsoever, and the dealer said I didn't have any special feature from the original new purchase.

I don't use Toyota-Alexa either, I just click on the primary Alexa app if I want to use that program. Its just an annoying notification that pops up on my phone everytime I start my truck up.

Based on other online reconnoitering, it seems like this happened to other Toyota models, too. Exceedingly frustrating.

 

I just ask Siri on my iPhone. All hands free...

 

lost that feature 3 or 4 month ago, 2020 OR non jbl system, I believe that happened after some android auto updates

 

I used to ask my secretary to take dictation, she was good at it too.
( yea I'm in a mood )

 

If you have Android Auto, and it will not send texts, please do yourself a favor, and try to use the google assistant outside of your vehicle. If your phone can't handle it, then it won't work in the car. I believe AA like Apple CarPlay takes over that functionality if connected. I might be wrong though.

 

I contacted the Toyota Corporate Engagement Center (Customer Service) and explained the situation and how many others are having the issue. I was trying to get a senior corporate tech to provide some help. No go! Was advised to have it diagnosed at the dealership, and I would have to pay for it. I have 77K miles. THEN, call the Engagement center back with the proposed resolution and costs and MAYBE Toyota would help since I am on my 4th Tacoma (customer loyalty), but no guarantees. WE all know that Toyota isn't going to help. But I will make an appointment and do it anyway. I have done all I can.
BTW, On Android Auto, using Google Assistant, I can dictate a text but I shouldn't have to do that. The truck had Dictation without plugging in my phone before all this.

 

Was the dictation that was part of the head-unit better than Google Assistant? If you say yes, I have no reason to doubt you, but overall AA is so much better than what is in the head-unit of my truck (2nd tier - not the JBL). And you don't have to plug in your phone if your HU can run AA. Just get a Wireless AA Adapter. You'll like being able to hop in the truck and go. No cables.

Now back to your issue, sounds like maybe the Head Unit automatically updated, -or- it was updated at the dealership. I might be wrong, but potentially there is a way to downgrade the Head Unit firmware to a previous version that worked. Maybe you can ask the dealership if they can do that.

If you give me some scenarios you'd find yourself in, I might be able to tell you how to command them in Android Auto. I find the hands-free operation to be all around outstanding but I realize, it isn't for everyone.

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/android-auto-tips/
https://support.google.com/assistant/answer/7172842?hl=en#zippy=,in-your-car

 

The truck's Head unit dictation was indeed better than Google Assistant. It could very well be that an automatic software upgrade (I have mine set to do it automatically) caused the issue. But I already know the dealer will not go backwards on versions. I looked up the wireless AA you spoke of and if I can't get the trick's version fixed I will go to the wireless AA. Somehow, someway I will be such a pain in Toyotas butt that they will want to get it fixed, even if I have to pay. Then I'll post it here for all.