2018 Tacoma - Not compatible with Entune App? (iOS)

Hey Guys,

I just bought a 2018 Tacoma TRD Sport with Premium Package that comes with the JBL / Entune system. At the dealership, I downloaded the Entune app for iOS and upon entering my VIN number during registration in the App, the app threw an error saying that I had entered an invalid VIN. I thought okay well my truck was only built on Thursday (4/26) and delivered to my dealership Saturday (4/28) so it may take some time for my VIN to propagate through all of Toyota's systems.

However, today I got curious and I contacted Toyota Customer support and they told me verbatim: The 2018 Toyota Tacoma with JBL Audio System is unable to connect to Entune App on IOS. They said my truck can only connect to my phone via bluetooth (duh) but delivers no additional functionality outside of wireless calling, music, etc. However is verbiage on the Toyota website that frequently mentions the Entune App suite. (maybe this means the suite of apps on my truck rather than the actual phone app?). Can someone clarify what the Entune app does, and whether it works with my 2018 TRD Sport with Premium Package?

Also the Tacoma 'features' page on the Toyota website clearly shows the Tacoma with apps such as FaceBook in the 'Apps' section of the console. Yet I have none of these apps. Can someone clarify? Not saying I need any of this shit, I would just like to know what is going on.

Thanks in advance.

 

There are two entune apps in the Apple store, one for 3.0 (which you probably installed and isn't compatible) and Entune 2.0 which is the one you need and which the Tacoma has.

Once you install it on your phone and if you are in the USA and your phone is connected to the internet through wi-fi or data-plan...
And you paired your phone to the stereo, the stereo will d/l the entune App from the phone and install and re-boot.
Be prepared for "lunchbag letdown"

 

I wouldn't even bother with the app. It's not worth the time to install it, and there are only a handful of apps for available for Entune. The only useful ones are iHeart Radio and Pandora.

There is no Soundcloud, No spotify, No Itunes, no podcast app, nothing to that effect....

You would be better off without installing the app.

Toyota threw in the towel and made all 2019 models come with apple carplay stock, so...

 

Ran into this.

You can only use the Entune app with the Entune PREMIUM head unit. It does not work with the Entune PLUS.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys. @FrayAdjacent - Does one have to special order the Premium head unit? I have the premium package so I am super confused. Like I said, Im not so much bothered by the fact that I cant use app or listen to iHeartRadio, just confused about what Toyota is advertising vs what I have purchased.

Also @daks - I'm aware of the two different apps and was using the non 3.0 app. Still no dice.

 

does your radio have the volume buttons at the top or bottom?

if at the bottom, you should be able to use the entune 2.0 app. no need to input VIN # or anything.

Link your phone via BT first, then open the Entune app. After a few seconds the radio should update showing that you need to do an update to the software. Let it do its thing and that's it. I only linked entune as I use pandora frequently. Otherwise it isn't necessary.

 

@commbubba19 - Yes the volume buttons are at the bottom. Hmm. Anytime I open the app, all I am prompted with is to register or login. This is very weird. I'll take a photo of my system when I go back out to my car in an hour or so.

 

I have a 2018 and mine works fine with a sync cable and through bluetooth.

 

yes, you will need an entune account. if you haven't registered you will need to do so. Once done, you will need to link your iheart or pandora account within the entune app. this is under settings (gear icon on bottom right). Make sure in settings you have your tacoma showing listed there. once done, with the app left open, turn on your vehicle and let the radio link via the bt connection previously setup to your phone. should go smooth from there.

 

@Everyone - I found out what was going on. There is currently a bug with the entune registration system that myself and other new Toyota owners are experiencing. They hope to have it fixed in a day or so. Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

so you couldn't register an account?

 

Exactly. Every time I entered the VIN (a required field in the registration process for the app) it said invalid VIN and /or your radio is not compatible.

 

I installed the app and configured it in the parking lot the day I bought mine. The only useful feature (for me) is setting destinations, like my daughter's daycare, wife's work, etc. Not street addresses. It needs a podcast app though, that's for sure.

 

Has it been confirmed yet that CarPlay is in the 2019 tacoma? I've seen its on a lot of the 2019 lineup but haven't seen anywhere that says its on all the 2019 lineup.

 

Since this thread is active, I have a question that I haven’t been able to get answered clearly. I have a 2016 with JBL premium blah blah. Every few weeks, when I start the truck, I get a popup on my iPhone that my truck wants to communicate with the Entune app. It’s really a hassle to log in to Entune on the phone, when I want to just start driving. Is there any way to save the log in user and password, or use Touch ID, as some other apps allow? Is this login requested to do an update from my phone to the truck head unit? Or what? The phone still connects, my call history etc get updated, so I usually ignore it. Though sometimes I can’t get updated gas station info which is the only vehicle app I use that might need to access the Internet through the phone app occasionally to get updates. (I assume traffic and weather use HD radio and not the phone connection). Any insight?

 

Where did you hear this?

 

Same issue for me. I like to search for the best gas prices and would like to save some destinations. The app on my iPhone keeps logging me out. Anyone find a fix? Or is it just too much to ask for a decent app?

 

Weird, a zillion posts complaining about Entune but no one seems to know yes or no on this logout feature. I do use the gas station finder occasionally and invariably I’m logged out, and sure as hell not going to log in while I’m driving. Where is Toyota’s commitment to safety? That app is way overdue for fingerprint touch ID login ...

 

...so I am reviving this, as I picked up my 2020 TRD Sport last week and am getting the same error message when I try to register for an Entune account. I've downloaded both apps - Entune 3.0 (which connects automatically but has ZERO functional apps associated with it) and Entune App Suite. Mine has the premium package. Any news on this problem?

 

I just bought a 2020 Limited. I was having the same issue - my VIN was not accepted. I called Toyota and talked with a rep. Bad news. I told her the app said my truck wasn't capable of having Entune. I asked her why then does the head unit constantly display an error popup message that I need to install entune? She had no answer. I finally pinned her down. I said "Well then, you're saying all I can do is hit cancel every time that error pops up." She said yes. It's like right out of a Seinfeld episode. The toyota app says I need to download it but the app says my truck can't have it. "No app for you!"