Tacoma Apple CarPlay & Android Auto OEM Integration

I hate the Entune system. Is there a hack out there that will allow me to reprogram the JBL control head for my tacoma or at least let me add apple carplay???

 

No there is not. You have 3 options

Replace headunit with android unit that has carplay/android auto
Install 2020 tacoma headunit when it comes out (over $2k) Maynot even work, we dont know yet.
Replace headunit with aftermarket (sony, kenwood, alpine).


Some of these have problems since it sounds like you have JBL system.

 

Isn't your option 1 and 3 basically the same? You can also go this route discussed here - but expensive https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...roid-auto-interfaces-with-stock-etune.617605/

 

I love my Alpine “Tacoma Integration” unit. It looks great and has everything I need. Worth it for the sound alone. The entire kit comes pre programmed to work with the back up camera, antenna, GPS (even though no integrated gps), and steering wheel controls. Install took me an hour.

 

Yes and no. option 3 your limited to non-fitting aftermarket headunits... You can either get a double din thats smaller than the original or giant sticking out screens like the alpine (though the alpine does have a sweet controller box that interfaces with the headunit that allows you to turn aux lights on and off from the radio screen)
option 1 you get a unit thats designed to replace the entune radio and fits perfectly.

 

What is this aux control you speak of?? That’s awesome!!!

 

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-6sHYl...AXKl2ETi8JwFgu4boCCNVRojymOw8rUBoCMygQAvD_BwE





I almost got the alpine just because of this.

 

I'm sure these OEM Entune head units are relatively simple enough to dump and hack (although I wouldn't be surprised if the primary IC is glopped with epoxy) to run homebrew and unsigned code, but we just don't have a modding community willing to do it, for free, the way they do for the modded Xbox, PS, Nintendo or any of the Classic systems. (those btw have sales in the millions per device, where each US Toyota model at best is only 250,000 sold per year). Even if an Entune were made capable of running unsigned code, Carplay and AA are licensed and are going to require a vendor verified/approved OS to be running on. Carplay and AA are probably going to run with proper communications enabled only from a signed OS. It would be a nightmare for the 10-20 modders actually doing the work for everyone else just consuming their work for free. Also, we generally know nothing about the version of entune hardware that comes with each vehicle model, let alone the internal hardware changes that occur in the model year - the modders would need to have several versions of their hack, and would need to maintain their hack.

I've witnessed my parents, after being told by the dealer they could receive Carplay, tried to take their loaded 2018 Camry SEX or XSE model to the dealer for the Carplay flash - upon showing up for their scheduled appointment, they were then turned away after being told the firmware upgrade for their car's version of Entune wasn't yet available. I'm well aware of how shitty the phone integration is without carplay or AA - Toyota should be ashamed...especially if that shit is the same for the Lexus customers. Such a nice display that's mostly useless.

The easiest and fastest option for the Tacoma owners is to just buy an aftermarket head unit that has Carplay or AA. If you aren't an audiophile and picky on the audio tweaking features, they are relatively cheap.

 

That's awesome dude! So happy you shared this thanks!

 

I was just thinking about this... last week, a buddy who had to move away came to town, and had rented a car. It was a Mazda 6, but it had the Apple/Android Auto head unit. I liked that a lot... wish I had that in the Taco instead of the crappy ass Entune bullshit. It's pretty crap that Toyota didn't go that route.

Seems any solution to this issue won't be cheap.

 

What model is this?

nvm... found it.

$1,200 ILX-F309TCM HALO9 9" Receiver for Toyota Tacoma 2016-2019 - Compatible with CarPlay and Android Auto (No-CD)

ILX-F309TCM

 

The alpine unit is called the Halo 9. The Taco integration kit is the

$1,200 iLX-F309TCM HALO9 9" receiver for toyota tacoma 2016-2019 - compatible with carplay and android auto (no-cd)

iLX-F309TCM.

 

Just felt like I should mention that the Idatalink brain box that comes with the unit in order to retain functionality of the steering wheel controls etc, does not perfectly sync into the trucks gauge cluster screen. For instance the speed limit indicator goes away as well as the detailed song information.

Just a heads up.

 

that sucks for $1500 price tag.

 

Yeah I was a little disappointed myself. I’m quite into decent quality audio so I opted for this in order to get better sound quality as well as amplifier pre-outs. I also personally think that the unit looks great in the truck, It’s probably the most asked about feature of my truck.

If I were looking for just carplay, there are definitely cheaper options available. I have been told there will be updates to the brain box to better integrate it into the truck.

This unit also connects to the trucks OBDll and can display all kinds of vehicle information, such as tire psi, door indicator, and close to 20 selectable gauges (rpms, mph, hp output, throttle position etc... so you gain some function as well.