You can try DIYing it. There is a giant thread on here about it and many have successfully installed it on their own with a usb key.

 

Thanks mattviper, I have looked a little bit into that option. Unfortunately, I don't have the best track record with DIY attempts, to put it lightly. I have nightmares of me bricking my console and making things worse. But if it looks like the dealership route is hopeless, I might have to give it a shot.

 

Apple CarPlay Update Files (18 Camry/Sienna & 18/19...

WARNING If you don't know what you are doing, please DO NOT attempt this. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR BREAKING YOUR CAR! WARNING What you need: 1) A Windows Computer (Or a Windows VM) 2) 4~8GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive, good quality!! USB Flash Drives 32gb and under are FAT32. Above 32gb is exFAT...

www.toyotanation.com

 

I bet the dealership did NOTHING and just charged you for it. Since you paid for this "service upgrade", have the tech show you that it works. If the person or anyone at the dealership won't show you that it works as paid for:
*demand a refund
*start a chargeback claim w/ Credit Card
*report this malfeasance to your State's Automotive Repair Regulator
*File a complaint w/ Toyota
*1star Yelp review
*1star Googlemaps review
*1star dealership survey when it comes from Toyota

 

Just to clarify, they did this "service" for free. Which really just makes this all the more confusing. Why proactively offer me a free service and then not do it?

 

If it isn't in the setup menu it isn't installed. Menu > Setup > General > Apple CarPlay > ON.
Once your 2018 Camry is retrofitted with CarPlay, turning this feature on is fairly straightforward. You’ll need to connect your iPhone to the Camry using a lightning cable, then check the multimedia display to ensure that CarPlay is turned on. You’ll find the option by following Menu > Setup > General > Apple CarPlay > ON.

 

Thanks for the confirmation, this rules out scenario 2 as a possibility. I guess I'll either have to try another dealership or DIY it.

 

Do you have another dealership nearby that you can ask? I have a '18 SE and I had it installed at the dealer last year.

 

And just to make sure, you are using usb port under the radio, not the one inside the console under armrest.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

 

You won't be able to go to another dealership and get it "re-done". The service writer won't be able to charge Toyota again. First dealership already performed the service for which Toyota already paid for. Weather or not they did it, you will need proof and You need to contact Toyota corporate and have them resolve with original dealer or allow you to get this done again at another dellaler and cover the charges. I think the software code changes when you will install this update. What does your radio show now?

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

 

When I received the letter from Toyota about the retrofit of AppleCar play for my 2018 Camry SE, I contacted my dealer. They said they would do the upgrade for free. To do it they needed my car for half a day because the upgrade takes a while. They did it and it worked, but it is NOT wireless! You must connect your iPhone to your car via a USB cable. You will find the Apple Car Play under the Menu/Setup/General and the Apple Car Play should be there and it must be turned ON. If Apply Car Play is not there, they didn't install it. They might have thought they did, but the upgrade might have failed. WARNING - There is some information out there on how to install it yourself, but DON't do it. I had a friend who tried to do it and he failed and his entire intotainment unit became a brick. The entire unit had to be replaced. Very expensive failure.

 

Don’t go to dealer. Find in google about CarPlay for Camry 2018. So first find it (hard to find), download to your computer, take usb(format the usb) and put into usb. Go to your car but first read the instructions in website how to update.

PS I did download for free and updated it. I have not issue with CarPlay in Camry 18 since 2019.

 

I don't recommend this. My friend tried it and his unit failed to upgrade the unit became a brick. Your choice.

 

Hello everyone,

I wanted to provide an update on my Apple Carplay retrofit situation for my 2018 Camry LE. Firstly, I want to thank everyone for their help and suggestions.

After reaching out to other dealerships without much success, I contacted the service director of the original dealership. With their assistance, the foreman got involved and together they managed to figure out the issue. It turns out that my 2018 Camry LE had a slightly different console (referred to as a "legacy console") which was causing the update to fail. With some additional troubleshooting, they were able to successfully complete the Apple Carplay retrofit on my vehicle.

For anyone else who might be encountering similar issues, I recommend bringing up the possibility of having a "legacy console". It might help them figure out what's going on.

Again, thank you to everyone who provided guidance and shared their experiences. I hope this update helps others who may be facing similar challenges with their Apple Carplay retrofit.