I believe the answer to both of your questions is... No.

But someone correct me if I'm wrong as I'd love to know if there is a true plug/play option that keeps everything OEM.

 

I knew I was dreaming, but thought I'd ask..... it was tough to return the 2019 RAV4 XLE to National Car rental after my business trip this week..... that Apple Car play is amazingly simple and works wonderfully. I find myself not even turning on the entertainment system in the Highlander.... navigation is a joke.... I'm almost 50 and just want my phone calls to be able to made easily and my use of Google Maps / Navigation to occur without a hitch..... those headlights on the RAV were wonderful and the XLE was half what I paid

 

There are options...


Here's one...


https://www.audiodesignscg.com/mirroring-your-phone-factory-radio/


However these options are as expensive (or more), then just replacing the OEM radio with a better one from places like Crutchfield.

 

I'm betting its this device from Beat Sonic. http://www.beatsonicusa.com/if02aep2.html

Has anyone installed this in the group that could comment?

Will bluetooth calls still come through your vehicle as before if you have the mirroring option running, I wonder, or do you have to switch off the mirroring and thus Google maps?

This is my wife's vehicle, so, if its too complicated, I will just need to abandon this idea.

 

Technically there are two options to keep the head unit.
In summary:

1) someone on here is offering some kind of upgrade that allows you to use carplay... does require adding some kind of module to the original head unit and is not cheap. Costs more than the top end latest android head unit i think.

2) mirroring add on which also requires pulling out the head unit briefly to install it (if you highlander doesn't already have it)
problem with mirroring is your phone will always be on and any interaction is still through the phone. Might as well just mount the phone on a vent clip and just look at it directly.

the android head unit will be able to run android auto natively and car play with a cheap little usb dongle add on.
So any way you spin it the most bang for the buck cost effective solution is the android head unit.

 

I’m looking into this as well. I spoke to an advisor at Crutchfield who recommended a Pioneer unit, but when I googled the model number with other retailers, they claim it won’t fit in my 2019 Le Plus. Not sure what to think of it.

 

Better to buy a LE and replace the head unit, as that unit is more basic.

 

I’m looking into this as well. I spoke to an advisor at Crutchfield who recommended a Pioneer unit, but when I googled the model number with other retailers, they claim it won’t fit in my 2019 Le Plus. Not sure what to think of it.

I've installed several systems from Crutchfield. When my middle son was in High-school I probably installed 5-7 systems for his friends over the years. All from Crutchfield. I'd trust what Crutchfield says over any other vendor. Every system I installed came with a hardware and wiring kit. Each came with detailed instructions for that specific vehicle.

 

The iDatalink Maestro will interface with compatible 7" wireless Carplay head units from Alpine, Kenwood, Pioneer, etc. Use the link to select your vehicle and see feature compatibility. Will NOT work with Hybrid models due to Hybrid models using a different data system (confirmed by Maestro technical support).

This 10.2" screen unit (Android Car Stereo for Toyota Highlander 2014-2019) offers wireless CarPlay and AndroidPlay, but you loose your maintenance reminders. It's $550 USD. It's a base Android unit that can be extended to CarPlay, a Dashboard Camera, Backup Camera with an additional device module.

 

I’ve looked into most available options and in my opinion the only viable option is an aftermarket HU.
That said, it’s probably not ideal either, as today’s “infotainment” system are tightly integrated into the vehicle, so you’re likely to loose other features. Though I’m not sure what features it would effect as the HL is my wife’s daily driver (not mine), so I’m not intimately familiar with all the infotainment features.

I have an aftermarket HU in my truck (04’) and the steering wheel controls worked for about 2-3 months after install then stopped. I’m sure it’s an easy fix (probably needs to be reprogrammed), but I’ve never messed with it because I figure if it happened ones it’ll happen again, and I don’t want to rip my dash apart every few months to deal with it.

If you search the forum you’ll find a product out of Korea (I think), that looks very promising, but requires the system to be on a certain setting and installation of some kind of toggle switch to access the features (if I remember correctly); and I just can’t see my wife doing that each time she wants to use the features. If it was my vehicle, I’d consider it.
Also, it was expensive ($600+).





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I’ve looked into most available options and in my opinion the only viable option is an aftermarket HU.
That said, it’s probably not ideal either, as today’s “infotainment” system are tightly integrated into the vehicle, so you’re likely to loose other features. Though I’m not sure what features it would effect as the HL is my wife’s daily driver (not mine), so I’m not intimately familiar with all the infotainment features.

I have an aftermarket HU in my truck (04’) and the steering wheel controls worked for about 2-3 months after install then stopped. I’m sure it’s an easy fix (probably needs to be reprogrammed), but I’ve never messed with it because I figure if it happened ones it’ll happen again, and I don’t want to rip my dash apart every few months to deal with it.

If you search the forum you’ll find a product out of Korea (I think), that looks very promising, but requires the system to be on a certain setting and installation of some kind of toggle switch to access the features (if I remember correctly); and I just can’t see my wife doing that each time she wants to use the features. If it was my vehicle, I’d consider it.
Also, it was expensive ($600+).


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I can tell you from a few months of using the Dasaita 10" android head unit in the 2016 highlander the only function you really lose is the navigation prompts, and the music info in that little lcd window on the middle of the dash. There are two harness plugs that feed that data to the little screen computer i guess and they are the only two hardness plugs that don't have any matching connection on the new head unit. Everything else works just fine.

As a bonus the voice assistant button now acts like a mute button instead which is much more handy instead of scrolling the volume all the way down when i need a quick silent moment. Ok google works just with voice activation so no need for a physical button on the steering wheel.

 

I think it's coming..

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Don't think that's applicable to the 3rd Gen HL.

 

Below is a link to a good video on installation of an aftermarket head-unit with Apple CarPlay. Retains factory USB’s, steering wheel control, GPS antenna, satellite radio antenna, and rear view camera.
Plus adds some features with idatalink Maestro.

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Below is a link to a good video on installation of an aftermarket head-unit with Apple CarPlay. Retains factory USB’s, steering wheel control, GPS antenna, satellite radio antenna, and rear view camera.
Plus adds some features with idatalink Maestro.

I wonder What everything cost including installation? I have the JBL and parking sensors. I will have to check and see if my configuration loses any features.



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I think when I make up my mind about installing a unit in my Highlander, it'll be the floating one from Alpine, the Kenwood looks ugly with the massive bezels.

 

Found this online: https://www.automotube.com/watch/20...der-apple-carplay-oem-retrofit-oem-touch-controlled-tng-cb_ovD96Dkex55Pyrm.html

found it:

http://www.nvconnect.co.kr/product/detail.html?product_no=75&cate_no=94&display_group=1

Seems these guys are able to do CarPlay and retail touch controls on the head unit.

 

Found this online: https://www.automotube.com/watch/20...der-apple-carplay-oem-retrofit-oem-touch-controlled-tng-cb_ovD96Dkex55Pyrm.html



found it:



http://www.nvconnect.co.kr/product/detail.html?product_no=75&cate_no=94&display_group=1



Seems these guys are able to do CarPlay and retail touch controls on the head unit.

This thread has some info on pricing, etc...

CarPlay being added to 18 Camry/sienna
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sh...08&url=https://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1651508&share_type=t


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Here's another HU option. Higher resolution screen than the Alpine (many complain about Alpines poor screen resolution), and has some physical buttons and a volume knob (which I like).

 

Funny- my dealer told me it had apple CarPlay so that was such a great asset considering the lack of a digital speedometer. Those 2 were dealbreakers. I tried to find the YouTube vids about CarPlay, looked in the manual and went to the dealership. The guy had overheard another employee talking about it. I was irate after finding this out.

 

Hey guys, I'm a loyal Toyota guys and I just purchased a 19' Limited Platinum, my 3rd. I love my Highlander but the no carplay is brutal. I have gone thru all the threads regarding the carplay saga.

I work for a major luxury manufacturer and know that the power in numbers gets things changed.

I called the Toyota customer experience center and asked
-first of any updates on Highlanders getting retrofit with carplay since Sienna and Camrys.
-asked them what is the difference in the Entune that make those capable and our not. which they just repeated the brochure details.
-After much back and forth about why Highlanders should get the Carplay too she offered to create a case about my grievance. She could not say how many cases are there about it but she did say if there is enough a change can happen. (from my experience if there is enough complaints changes do happen)

I have my case on record and have a email. I would suggest if you are like me and want carplay call the customer service and submit a case.

Hopfully change can happen .

 

It is amazing the amount of people that purchased a highlander and are devastated by the lack of carplay, did they not think of this before purchasing and instead head over to the Kia dealership?

 

I never saw anyone say they were Devastated by not having Carplay. Perhaps the well known quality of Toyota's was enough to detract them from letting a radio be the deciding factor in which manufacture they would choose their next car would be.

 

I never saw anyone say they were Devastated by not having Carplay.

You missed it then. Some actually bought their HL without checking to see if it had Carplay first, then came here to post about it. Think they might have traded in their HLs and got something from Dodge.

 

portable carplay

I have 2 units from different brands. they work perfect carplay wireless/android auto wireless. the sound they produce is not very good, but once the unit is connected I use the lightning to usb cable to connect to the car, thus the audio is bypass-ing the portable unit.

 

My apologies as i've read through a bunch of threads on this but I have a 2014 Highlander Limited and was hoping to upgrade the head unit to use CarPlay but also retain both a clean OEM look and full OEM functionality. I've read through the variety of aftermarket solutions and it's really confusing trying to keep up. I'm wondering if just installing a new Sony/Alpine, etc... head unit would be the best approach? Does anyone have any advance on a suggested approach? Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Go aftermarket. Better sound, better interface, better display resolution

 

I installed the CARabc black box in my 2019 HL XLE about a month ago. Took about a half hour and cost under $200. Uses the stock head unit and retains all original functions accept 360 camera and AUX input. It essentially creates an alternate environment with its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Requires removing two trim pieces, two air ducts and the head unit…pretty straight forward. Not as simple to use as fully integrated CarPlay, but that’s not available with Entune 2.0.
I’d recommend.
(Amazon.com)

 

I installed the CARabc black box in my 2019 HL XLE about a month ago. Took about a half hour and cost under $200. Uses the stock head unit and retains all original functions accept 360 camera and AUX input. It essentially creates an alternate environment with its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Requires removing two trim pieces, two air ducts and the head unit…pretty straight forward. Not as simple to use as fully integrated CarPlay, but that’s not available with Entune 2.0.
I’d recommend.
(Amazon.com)

I had a very similar experience. Install was easy, I found a place to the right of the right side air duct to strap it to. I ended up drilling a hole for the USB to drop through into the dash shelf. The screen resolution is definitely low but the functionality was great. Touch was responsive, voice was responsive. All factory features remain. It froze for 20-30 seconds a few times but came back. Connected to both my Galaxy S21 and Wife's iPhone 14. Haven't spent much time with it (<1hr) but we've got an upcoming road trip where we'll get to use it and I'll report back.

Ironically, I recently had a rental car (Ford Escape) with factory Android Auto and it was terrible. Wired or Wireless it kept freezing and shutting down.