USB iPhone connection issues

Same issue. Actually mine got worse until it does not connect anything USB to the head unit. At worst the audio system will shut down and restart by itself. Replaced the head unit already and still not fixed. Waiting on Toyota Corporate to reply to me. This is very disappointing for a Toyota.

 

Take your vehicle in to the dealership. There is a firmware update for this problem. There is a Toyota Service Bulletin TSB 0236-17 that is supposed to update the radio head for Premium and Advanced trim levels. It was released July 10, 2017.

 

Thanks. Is there a way to tell if this update was already made (purchased my Prime post-7/10). Can you check the firmware version on the MFD (one of the numbers on the software update screen)?

 

Firmware update definitely had no improvement or actually worsen the issue. They also changed my head unit and the Corporate had no idea why it's acting like this. I also tried connecting my Android tablet and it won't read either. Here's what I have tried to connect to the car: iPhone 6/ iPhone 7 plus/ iPod Nano/ iPod Classic/ Amazon Kindle Fire HD8.
USB drive works fine however..
Someone from the corporate actually said that those devices are drawing too much power....
They are having some serious issue with their design team who can't even make a MODERN piece of technology to work with our smartphones

 

Seems odd to me because I have used iPhone 6 and 7 (although not the Plus model), along with an older iPod Nano. All those work for me, with the updated firmware on the radio head. Does your I-device work without the USB plugged in? that is, does it work correctly with Bluetooth? If it does, you might skip the USB connection all together and just get a cigarette lighter-power cord for your phone.

 

Yeah, everything else works except USB and Toyota Corporate have officially gave up on my car and sent the data to Denso which makes the head unit.

 

I was wondering if this issue got resolved? I just got my Prius Prime Advanced and my head unit is also rebooting I believe because of an iPod classic (old 14 pin connector) connected via the USB port. I think it only happens when the iPod was the source when the car was stopped, once the car is started again the head unit starts normally and when it picks the iPod as the current audio source it reboots and lose the connection with the iPod, the source button is grey and the iPod is frozen, having to be restarted. Once the iPod restated it works again but it takes about 30 seconds to start and sound is broken for another few seconds until it is OK

It seems there is some sort on software comm issue with the iPod, it doesn't appear to be a hardware issue on either of the units as they work fine individually. I will try with another source via the USB port to see what happens

 

Just a quick update in case someone is having the same issue. I isolated the problem to my iPod Classic 5th generation, it turned into a constant issue from what it was an occasional issue, the iPod simply stopped working with the USB port, it froze all the time and the head unit rebooted all the time the iPod was selected as audio source

I took my iPod out, synced again with iTunes and reading some of the comments about Toyota saying the devices "drew too much power" from the USB port, gave it a full charge at home and connected it again using a new cable. The issue appears to be resolved but only time will tell, when I connected my iPod the first time it worked fine for a few days, then rebooted occasionally until it stopped working completely

I know there is a Toyota bulletin for a software update that in principle fixes this issue but considering my Prius Prime is a 2018 model, assembled after that bulletin I would assume the software is up to date. My dad used to say "never assume", so here is that

Today I received my satisfaction survey from Toyota and pointed out this issue together with the no BT sound from the car speakers. Let's see if they come back to me

 

I picked up a brand spanking new 2018 Pprime. Same thing happened with me. As soon as I plugged the OEM apple cable to the USB port of the car and then to my phone, the connection would connect/disconnect/connect/disconnect, etc. for 4-5 cycles. It may or may not connect. I though there was something wrong with the audio system until I found this thread.

I picked up Anker Powerline+ and mysteriously it now connects fine. If the unit doesn't read it as an Music Device, then reboot the phone and it should read it as an Ipod device. Thanks to whoever provided this tip!

 

I'm hoping to get a Prime Advanced soon and have an iPhone 7 Plus. Wondering how the car's Navigation system updates? Will I have to use a USB cable to get Traffic on the car's display like I must do on my current 2015 Prius? If the phone is integral to the Nav will Google Maps nav audio play via Bluetooth? I would rather just leave the phone in my purse.

 

The Prius Prime navigation system is stand alone, part of the infotainment system of the car. There is no Apple CarPlay or similar that would allow you to add external information to the navigation system via your iPhone. It does have, however, its own traffic information on the system, picked up as part of your complementary subscription to Entune. It works OK, I have compared it with Waze and the later is more dynamic and also changes routes faster in case traffic builds up ahead. The map can be updated via an SD card slot but this will only change the maps in the system, not your location or traffic info. Personally I would have preferred a CarPlay type interface but again, CarPlay doesn't allow Waze to run on its app suite so to me it makes not difference in terms of navigation to have CarPlay or not.

The Entune App suite for the iPhone has some functionality added to the map when the iPhone is connected to the car via Bluetooth, like destination search, Charging Stations, etc. But nothing about traffic

Keep in mind that once your Entune subscription ends in about 3 years, you will have to pay a monthly fee to keep the traffic info on your map

I'm curious though, how do you connect your Prius 2015 via an USB cable to the navigation sytem and get traffic information into the car map? I had a 2011 Prius and this was not possible, but it sounds like a neat functionality that should have been continued with the Prime

 

Entune on my 2015 has a Traffic app. I've hardly used it...BUT for whatever technical reason Bluetooth isn't enough for these Entune apps or at least not for Traffic. I must plug the iPhone 7 plus into the USB port. I believe this is an iPhone thing only.

The trouble I was having is resolved... I needed to learn how to change the sound source to Bluetooth in order to get the Google Map audio. Works great.

Too bad I can't wait for the Prius Prime Advanced update in a couple more years?

 

Traffic comes over the HD radio as well as the entune app. It works perfectly fine without the phone connected (until 2 months ago I had a Windows phone and did not have access to the entune app and traffic worked great (commuted from NJ into the financial district of NYC daily).

 

2018 Prius Prime Advanced here. This issue is driving me freaking crazy with random reboots, disconnects, iPod errors (happens frequently enough I have videos and pictures). The dealer already replaced the USB port (I knew that wouldn’t do anything) and now they’re going to replace the head unit (I’m skeptical). I’m an electrical engineer (test engineer even) and am pretty sure they did not fully think this head unit through. They keep trying to blame my phone (iPhone XS Max for the record) but I tell them it’s multiple phones and cables. I am inclined to believe that the power draw wasn’t considered when this was designed.

I know you’re thinking that I should just use Bluetooth and move on, but I shouldn’t have to on a new vehicle, my 2015 Honda Odyssey doesn’t care and will play music over USB without a hiccup all day long. Let’s not even get me started on album art. I have also tried the Anker powerline+ with no change.

I know it’s a first world problem of the highest degree (trust me I know), but I’m in my car for almost 2 hours a day and am constantly reminded of how terrible the head unit and entertainment system are. What’s a bummer is the JBL speakers are absolutely fantastic and delightful over USB...which you can see where I’m headed with this. If I wasn’t already upside down on this car I’d trade it in a heartbeat for a hybrid Camry with CarPlay, which is a shame because the Prime is a great car marred by one of the worst entertainment setups in modern hybrids and EVs.

I’ll keep you all posted on my progress with the dealer and Toyota, but my guess is they’ll blame the shoddy engineering on “a software compatibility” or my phone or something that isn’t their fault.

\ Rant over

Other than that I love my Prime (seriously awesome car). This experience has definitely soured it unfortunately.


iPhone ?

 

As I have mentioned in another post, I am an electrical test engineer and I can tell you this would never fly if I were to blame the user for drawing too much power, this would mean I didn't design properly to account for higher power draw (which in this case the newer phones are not pulling out of USB spec). This is a design flaw on their end, plain and simple, and it sounds like they have reverted to blaming the user for something they didn't account for. This is normal use that they didn't design for, it's not like people are modding anything or running out of spec to get this error. Plenty of other vehicles handle "higher power drawer" like our Honda Odyssey with zero issue in 4 years. Total excuse making.

 

But the problem IS the audio system, the fact these threads even exist is a testament to that. This issue is just being masked by a slightly less lossy cable, the underlying problem is still there and that it was designed properly.

 

Interesting thread. I have a 2018 Prius Prime Plus, and have successfully used my iPod Classic (160GB) through the USB port while my Android phone is connected via Bluetooth. At work, they just issued me a 256GB iPhone (my first), so I thought, huh -- I can sync it up with iTunes, and plug it into the USB port just like my iPod.
And it worked... at first! I could also, it seems, make and receive calls on both phones, which is terrific. Then today, I went for a drive and plugged the iPhone in, and it connected, then didn't play, then vanished off of Entune. When I turned the car off and on again, it still didn't work. Then I plugged the iPod back in, and it worked.
So.... huh? Maybe I need a different lightning cable? I'm using the one that came with the Magic Mouse. But "use a different cable" always strikes me as dubious. But maybe.
Any thoughts?