2021 Tacoma Off Road with JBL stereo - Apple Carplay

What the heck can I NOT get apple car play to work?

Using iPhone 12
My phone is paired with system
I have my phone plugged into the USB jack under the stereo (not the USB jacks in the center console)
iPhone has carplay enabled
In settings in stereo I am not finding carplay as an option
On the stereo all I have is the 4 boxes asking to press to add contact.
When I plug my phone in the carplay option does not appear.

Any Ideas?

 

Make sure to use a known quality cable if you are having issues. An actual apple cable is best, Apple certified second best.

Start the truck and let the radio boot. Plug the phone in unlocked.

I think there was a setting for CarPlay in the head unit, I do not remember where.

 

thats strange. It should automatically start but since its not, instead of looking in your audio/stereo area click the physical "Menu" button on the head unit, and then in the next screen "Apple Car Play" should be an option on the bottom left. Success??

 

I agree it is most likely not liking the cable you are using. Try using different apple cables, third party knock off cables are very finicky and don't always work. The third party ones have caused mine to continue to disconnect and reconnect while using even when the phone is being moved, no issue with standard apple cables. Find one that works and leave it in the car as your go-to carplay cable.

 

I had this problem months ago. It ended up being my Lightning port needed cleaning. It looked clean but had a bunch of pocket lint inside. Give that a try and make sure you have a good cable.