2019 Prius Hybrid 11.6 in Screen Apply Carplay or Android Auto

the base model has your typical toyota audio system wiring but the 11.6" screen is quite different. The 2020 version Prius I believe got carplay, not sure about android auto. but wondering if you can swap your system with that system.

 

I've posted on here before about this, and even recently (July 2020) asked the dealer yet again about this for our 2018 Prius 4.

As for "OEM", as of now, it seems the only way to get OEM Apple Carplay/A. Audio functionality for this screen would be to replace the entire unit for one from a 2020 model, as it's all about newer vs. older entune (the older entune on 2019 and older Prius cannot be flashed to the newer version). And when you consider that the newer 2020 head unit costs over SIX GRAND, it would be expensive. When I asked the Toyo service manager about doing the swap and if there were any compatibility issues, he looked at my like I was crazy... and then said he was unsure, b/c there's been no one insane enough to drop that kind of money to do the swap.

As for aftermarket, there are a couple of companies that make modules you can wire in (requires removing parts of the dash) that produce a screen overlay on the OEM screen. But frankly those don't interest me because I like to keep everything with a "factory" look - I don't care to have external wires I have to hide, or after market buttons taped to the footwells/dash, etc.

 

I'm assuming the '18 prius 4 is similar to your non-jbl base model head unit. The 2020 Carplay head unit has different wiring than your previous models. You are going to have to figure out what the new colors of the wiring. Even Crutchfield does not have this info available yet of switching out 2020 headunits with aftermarket. If you are knowledgable with car audio, it may be doable. Usually once Crutchfield and the aftermarket world figures out the new wiring, then you have people selling their old unit for aftermarket stuff. Until then, you probably won't find a reasonable price 2020 headunit.

 

THIS is what I've been wondering about for a long time ("The 2020 Carplay head unit has different wiring than your previous models"). Thanks for the info.

 

https://gromaudio.com/grom_application_guide.htm

 

Just wondering if anyone has managed to get Carplay or Android Auto working on a 2019 Prius (Limited)?
I went down that rabbit hole so far, calling Toyota tech support & more, finally gave up and traded for a '23 Prius XLE (no regrets).
Android Auto is a game changer.
But had my 2019 USB port actually supported Carplay or Android Auto, I would have kept the car and used a magic box on the USB port or something to at least make use of the screen. Last I saw, there were several firmware updates to the 2019 Prius large screen infotainment system, but NONE of them added Carplay support. If they had done that with one simple update, I might still have that car.
That said, the '23 Prius is much better in almost every way: sporty and modern, less storage.
Is there any 2019 Prius in existence that has Carplay or Android Auto (via firmware update)?

2023 Toyota Prius XLE, Guardian Gray
2019 Toyota Prius Limited, Premium JBL Package, Electric Storm Blue (traded)
2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Smoked Quartz Metallic (traded)
2010 Toyota Prius IV, Solar Roof Package, Blue Ribbon Metallic (traded)
2006 Toyota Prius, Package #8, Classic Silver Metallic (sold)
2000 Toyota Celica GT-S, Liquid Silver Metallic (traded)
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24, Black (traded)

 

No firmware upgrades will contain the ability to turn on CarPlay as the hardware the 11.6 display used to support Apple Carplay is different to ones without it.

 

Anyone tried just using a simple $40 android Auto/car play box? There are tons on Amazon and eBay

 

That's basically the same question I had. But a $40 or any price Auto/car play box will not work if the 11.6 screen firmware updates never added CarPlay to begin with (those magic boxes usually require CarPlay).

If someone is out there using a magic box with the 11.6 screen (on a 2019), I'd be curious to hear about it!

 

Thanks, that's basically the confirmation I'm looking for. Such a missed opportunity, all those magic boxes that would have made the screen more useful.

 

Hello everyone! While choosing a replacement for my Prius, I encountered the same problem and started researching.
Unfortunately, I cannot attach a link to the author who found the solution. I will partially describe the essence of his actions here.

I didn't have Android Auto or CarPlay. I really wanted to install them.
The head unit is Toyota Touch 2 with Go (MM17 & MM19).

I searched for a long time and couldn't find a solution specifically for our cars with such a head unit.But!

Head units of our type were installed on the Toyota RAV4 and Corolla.

I used the Maintenance Bulletin BE-00439T-TME for Toyota RAV4 and Corolla vehicles:
Corolla — MZEH12, NRE210, ZRE210, ZWE211;
RAV4 — AXAH52, AXAH54, MXAA52, MXAA54.

I followed the bulletin strictly—it's very important to read the instructions carefully and do everything in order.

I had to first update the maps from version A_36 to the current version (2024v1), which cost me 3000 rubles. The bulletin states that the version should be 2018v1 or newer.

VERY IMPORTANT: all actions are at your own risk. If the head unit does not work or breaks, it is your responsibility.
I recommend contacting a specialist who works with head unit firmware and making a backup (BACKUP) of the firmware currently installed (for this, he will probably remove the head unit). If, during the firmware update, the device stops working completely, the specialist will be able to restore the previous firmware.

You will need three USB flash drives:
USB1: 8GB
USB2: 16GB
USB3: 32GB
(if the head unit manufacturer is DENSO, then only one memory stick is required)
The bulletin contains links to download the necessary files:
Full_upgrade_package_Toyota_USB1.zip
Full_upgrade_package_Toyota_USB2.zip
Full_upgrade_package_Toyota_USB3_EU.zip

IMPORTANT: Before use, be sure to format them using a special program (Windows tools do not always yield the correct results), for example, RecoveRx.

Some USB flash drives were not recognized by my head unit until I formatted them in the RecoveRx program. One USB flash drive was not recognized at all, and I couldn't use it.

VERY IMPORTANT:
Inside Full_upgrade_package_Toyota_USB3_EU.zip, there is a folder:
VehicleParameter\DCU\
If there is no folder for your device in it, the firmware (Retrofit) for USB3 will not install—it will install for some time and then show error code 002.

My head unit number is not in that folder.
I chose the head unit number used in the RAV4 Hybrid—86140-42571, made a copy of that folder, and renamed it to my device number 86140-47630. After that, the firmware installed successfully.

The entire installation process took about three hours.

Then I updated the MEU and DCU to the latest version.

**Update:**
Nuances after the firmware update:
1. In the head unit's screen at the top right, there will be a time field. Instead of the time, it will show dashes. In the Prius, the time is displayed on the top dashboard. In the RAV4 and Corolla, the time is presumably shown on the monitor. Apparently, the firmware has its own communication channel with the ECU, which is not present in the Prius.
2. In the top dashboard, on the compass tab and audio tab, there will now always be a black screen (empty). I think this is also due to the absence of such communication channels in the RAV4 and Corolla.
3. The part number of the head unit will change to the one whose folder you choose for renaming.
4. After the firmware update, the navigation block requires time to catch satellites and load the time via GPS. In my case, I didn't know this and immediately plugged in my phone, and Android Auto complained that the software in the car didn't pass the security check. (Additionally, I was in an area affected by electronic warfare, and subsequent attempts also yielded no results until I left that zone). After the satellites are caught, the phone will connect.

If anyone needs the links, feel free to send me a private message. I will share them with you. Wishing everyone success!

 

I could care less about adding non OEM features to any of the already overthetop (in my opinion) OEM features already in the Gen 4. I'm still learning and comparing OEM gauges to bluetooth apps to get more info about how the systems are interconnected, especially the high voltage hybrid battery since I've been babying an older 06 hybrid battery for more than 10 years.
I also appreciate the work others have provided in this thread. I've commented in other threads here at priuschat about the same question(s) and answers being asked and shared in this thread.

It seems to me everyone that wants carplay and android auto has their own unique reasons for adding the feature(s) they want.
My old android phone has a quad dac , I could use by connecting the phones 3.5mm headphone jack to the old hybrids Aux jack. I rarely used it but when I got all the systems synced it was a gas and beyond with the audio capabilities it produced.
I just added a 512Gb microSD to that phone (it no longer has a sim in it) and it threw a about 100 drprius app trip recorder (recorder on recorded off messages over the phone, after I turned the car off. LOL
( either the drprius app is malfunctioning without the sim card in, or the phone (oreo version 8) doesn't support the 512Gb microSD card) and I really don't care which it is or why it happened.
Besides, I'll probably be stuck using my newer old (android 10) phone until the battery flakes, or beyond.

I did get the misses an older 2020 flagship dual screen phone with 4k 30fps video, 5000mha battery that has support for (android 13 and is fully updated) since the manufacturer exited the phone arena a couple years ago. It's a nice phone with two full 6.8 inch screens and I think she still likes it since it's always got something streaming on at least one of those two screens.

I still use the OEM maps app in the Gen 4 and have never upgraded anything intentionally. I do suspect that there are upgrades and updates flowing throw the phones bluetooth connection. Just call me a suspicious cautious type, whatever than means these days of ubiquitous wifi connectivity.

I was using the OEM maps guidance on a road trip 2 weeks ago and it flaked through Philly and sent me in circles through police road blocked grid lock. I think it got confused LOL
I know I was after about 15 minutes of listing to the guidance in grid locked Philly. LOL

Other than some minor glitches like that one the integration of the audio guidance with the other screens including the OEM map app and the accompanied secondary temp screen that show up on the MID are nice features ( IMO ).

 

There is a difference between the a carplay dongle and what is called a magicbox. A magicbox will override the factory system, also giving you access to things like Netflix for example, while driving just fyi. magicbox works perfectly in my car for road trips, steaming video the entire time

 

Hi Zartur, I'm here to ask some updates and some advice.
I'm an owner of a Prius awd MY2019 in Italy and I'd like to have AppleCar in my car.
I read your experience upgrading the firmware.
Can you confirm that you currently have everything working, in addition to the problems you have already reported?
Thanks so much for the information