How to successfully connect an iPhone 5S to Entune for all compatible functions

Summary: Given the proper One-Time Setups, the keys to consistent success are 1) having the iPhone fully 'staged' before vehicle start, and 2) having the patience to wait for the cellular data feed to connect on its own after vehicle start. This will solve common iOS to Entune text message problems. UPDATE: A work-around for Siri Eyes Free on the Prius v has been added.

Phone & Text Message Notification Pass-Through and Voice Command Calling
ONE TIME ONLY per Phone - Pairing and Setup
1) iPhone - Settings: Bluetooth: ON
2) Vehicle - Apps: Setup: Bluetooth: Add
3) iPhone - <wait for scan>: <Select your Vehicle>: enter the PIN from the vehicle's display (if needed) then 'OK’
4) iPhone - touch (i) on Vehicle line just added and confirm 'Show Notifications' and 'Sync Contacts' are ON
Allow Auto Transfer of Contacts from the iPhone to Vehicle's Entune
5) Vehicle - Apps: Setup: Phone: Contact/Call History: <confirm Contacts transferred>
if did NOT, touch 'Update Contacts from Phone'
6) iPhone - Settings: Notifications: Messages: 'Allow Notifications' & 'Show on Lock Screen'
Reminder: iPhones can NOT currently SEND Text Messages from Entune, BUT, if you have a 2016 Toyota, see Addendum below

Entune App Suite and Bluetooth Audio Pass-Through
ONE TIME ONLY Setup
7) Create an Entune account at the MyEntune website
8) iPhone <install Toyota Entune> - App Store: Search: 'Toyota Entune': Get
9) If not already done, pair iPhone with the Vehicle as per above
10) Vehicle - Apps: Setup: HD Data: setting on head unit MUST be 'HD and Mobile Phone'

RECURRING Setup for EACH Vehicle Start
11) iPhone's Entune App MUST be running
AND logged onto
AND have SHOWN the App Suite icons page
BEFORE vehicle start
<> Can be in background and with screen locked
12) iPhone's Bluetooth MUST be ON BEFORE vehicle start
13) iPhone must NOT have an ACTIVE Wi-Fi connection
<> Entune App Suite WILL activate when depart Wi-Fi area
14) iPhone MUST NOT be connected by USB cable
15) Start vehicle then touch Entune: Home: [OR] <Apps: Weather>
16) Wait for HD Weather signal to be detected
<> PATIENCE is the key here ...
<> Wait time is inversely proportional to Cellular data speed

By leaving Bluetooth ON and NOT signing out of the Entune App Suite on your iPhone, you can just start the car and drive. Once away from Wi-Fi, cellular data kicks in on its own.

*>*> Note: When disconnecting any Bluetooth device from Entune, do so using the Entune system - Apps: Setup: Bluetooth: <device ID>: Disconnect All. Just shutting down vehicle is equivalent.

Above allowed Calls (In & Out), Audio Text (In only), Entune App Suite, AND Bluetooth Audio for the combination of an iPhone 5S (iOS 9.3) and Entune Premium JBL Audio in 2016 Prius v Five. Entune specs were: Model ID: 13TDANNA-DA01, SAM ID: AEAICxxxxx, Hard No.: 86100-nnnnn; Audio: 010154, Audio System: 000091, Dsp Module: 520070, Sub: 010001, Can: 130209

ADDENDUM for all 2016 Toyotas except Yaris, [correction] *Prius v*, and Mirai. See second Addendum below)]
Using SIRI 'EYES FREE' with Toyota Entune
17) Siri MUST be ON [meaning you've agreed to your Voice Inputs, Contacts, Calendar, Reminders, and other personal data being sent to Apple servers for processing]
iPhone: Settings: General: Siri: <slide ON>: Enable Siri
18) If not already done, pair iPhone with the Vehicle as per above
19) Hold down the 'Off-Hook Phone Button' on the steering wheel until you hear a beep and the Mobile Assistant screen appears with green microphone (Search YouTube for OS2XCt59wx8 to see in use)
20) Now interact with Siri as you would with the iPhone itself
>> This can include "SEND A TEXT MESSAGE to ...", as well as audio READ then REPLY, something that can't be done directly through Entune

ADDENDUM for 2016 Toyota **Prius v*** (and possibly Yaris, and Mirai)
Workaround for using SIRI with Toyota Entune's microphone, speakers, and screen
21) Instead of holding down the 'Off-Hook Phone Button' on the steering wheel, hold down your iPhone's Home button until you hear the Siri beep
(The Entune screen will show you 'talking' to your own iPhone.)
22) Now interact with Siri FOR SELECT INDIVIDUAL TASKS as you would with the iPhone itself
(Once the task is done, your 'talking' to yourself will end and the system will fall back to Entune)
>> Tasks can include "SEND A TEXT MESSAGE to ...", as well as audio READ then REPLY to texts, something that can't be done directly through Entune

>>> Genesis of the above came from numerous web comments. In particular Tuxedo's Jan 4, 2015 Apple Discussions comments, mshoo1's #2324606 post on this site, and Jim Schrempp's rants.

 

Air_Boss, care more about accountability than blame. Like who's 'accountable' for leaving Siri Eyes Free of my spanking new 2016 Prius v Five when the rest of the Prii family got it???

The cold hard truth is that all the car companies are years behind smart phones and will remain so given the huge difference in development cycles.

Think glennonrp is on the right track ...

The key to improvement will be added and deepened partnerships between the smartphone and car manufacturers.

In the meantime, we can all help figure out how to maximize utility of what we have in our pockets.

 

Absolutely agree with your first sentence. We would have bought our Prius v irrespective of phone compatibility.

We were just disappointed that the claimed Siri Eyes Free capability was lost to a caveat on page 36 of the car's Entune System Quick Reference Guide.