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RAV4 CarPlay and Android Auto: setup by year, and what to do when it keeps disconnecting

If your CarPlay won't connect or keeps dropping, this guide covers which RAV4 years are wired or wireless, how to set it up on each screen, the fixes to try in order, and which Toyota bulletin to bring to the dealer.

LB
by Lance, RAV Buddy
Updated Oct 15, 2026
2019202020212022202320242025
So if your 2019 to 2022 RAV4's CarPlay won't connect, it's usually the cable or the port, because those years are wired only. The 2019 has Apple CarPlay only, and Android Auto starts with the 2020. On those years, you have to plug into the one USB media port in the front tray. The 2023 to 2025 RAV4 and the 2026 RAV4 have wireless CarPlay and wireless Android Auto on every trim, and a cable still works too. And when CarPlay keeps dropping, I'd try a good data cable, phone settings, deleting old phones and restarting the screen, in that order. After that, check for the software update and the Toyota bulletin for your year.

Quick picks

📱You want to know if your RAV4 is wirelessCheck the year table2019 to 2026 🔧CarPlay or Android Auto keeps droppingTry the six fixes in orderFree fixes first 📋You're going to the dealerBring the bulletin for your year1 visit

What Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are

So Apple CarPlay and Android Auto put your phone's maps, music and calls on the RAV4's touchscreen. Basically, the apps still run on your phone, and the car's screen just shows them and lets you tap them. Apple CarPlay is for iPhones, and Android Auto is for Android phones.

And Toyota calls the car's screen and radio system the head unit. You'll see that word in Toyota's bulletins and hear it from the dealer, so it's worth knowing it just means the screen and the computer behind it.

Which RAV4 years have wireless CarPlay and Android Auto

So the 2019 to 2022 RAV4 needs a cable, and the 2023 and newer RAV4 can connect without one. This table covers the gas RAV4, the RAV4 Hybrid, the 2021 to 2025 RAV4 Prime and the 2026 RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid.

Model yearApple CarPlayAndroid AutoWhich USB port to plug into
2019Wired onlyNot available on the 2019 RAV4 in the USThe USB media port in the front tray, marked with the USB symbol
2020 to 2021Wired onlyWired onlyThe USB media port in the front tray
2022Wired onlyWired onlyThe USB media port in the front tray (the other ports are USB-C charge-only ports)
2023 to 2025Wireless or wired, on every trimWireless or wired, on every trimNone for wireless. For wired, the USB media port in the front tray
2026Wireless or wired, on every trimWireless or wired, on every trimNone for wireless. For wired, the USB-C media port in the center console

Now something to note is that the only USB port that carries CarPlay and Android Auto is the media port. The other USB ports are charge-only. Toyota's 2025 and 2026 manuals say a "USB port used exclusively for charging cannot be used for smartphone apps." So if your phone charges but CarPlay never shows up, the wrong port is the first thing to check.

And the 2019 to 2022 RAV4 can't get wireless CarPlay from Toyota. There's no factory update that adds wireless, so the only way to go wireless on those years is a plug-in adapter, which I cover further down.

Something to note is that you don't have to link your RAV4 to the Toyota app to use CarPlay or Android Auto. Both work with a phone that isn't registered to a driver profile. I explain the setup screen that keeps asking in my Toyota welcome screen guide. And wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are free on the 2023 and newer RAV4, which I cover in my Toyota app guide.

How to set up CarPlay and Android Auto on each RAV4

So the steps depend on the year, because the 2023 RAV4 got a whole new screen system that Toyota calls Toyota Audio Multimedia. And the 2026 RAV4 got another new version of that system. Here are the steps for each screen system.

2019 to 2022 RAV4 (wired only)

  1. Get the phone ready. On an iPhone, turn on Siri, because CarPlay won't start without it. On an Android phone, make sure the Android Auto app is installed. Newer Android phones have Android Auto built in.
  2. Start the car first. Let the screen finish starting up before you plug in. Starting the car first is an owner tip, not something in Toyota's manual, but some owners say it helps.
  3. Plug the phone into the USB media port in the front tray with a data cable. I cover which cable to use in the fixes below.
  4. Pick "Always Enable" on the RAV4's screen. You'll also see "Enable Once" and "Do Not Enable." Basically, "Do Not Enable" turns CarPlay off until you turn it back on in the settings.
  5. Unlock your iPhone and allow CarPlay if the phone asks, including while the phone is locked.
  6. Press MENU, then pick Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. CarPlay or Android Auto can take about 3 to 6 seconds to start.

Now if you tapped "Do Not Enable" by mistake, you can turn CarPlay back on. Press MENU, then Setup, then General, then Projection Settings. Then turn Apple CarPlay or Android Auto back on.

And something worth knowing is that Siri's voice and the map directions have their own volume on these years. So if Siri is too quiet, the setting is under Voice settings, then Voice Volume, not the main volume knob.

2023 to 2025 RAV4 (Toyota Audio Multimedia)

  1. Get the phone ready. On an iPhone, turn on Siri, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. On an Android phone, turn on Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Location, and make sure Android Auto is installed.
  2. Tap the gear icon on the RAV4's main menu to open Settings, then tap Bluetooth & Devices.
  3. Tap "Add another device." If no phone has ever been set up in the car, you'll skip straight to the next step.
  4. Tap "Search for devices," then pick your phone from the list.
  5. Check that the PIN on the RAV4's screen matches the PIN on your phone, then tap OK on both.
  6. When the screen asks about Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, tap Yes. CarPlay or Android Auto takes about 3 to 6 seconds to start.

Now if you'd rather use a cable, you just plug into the USB media port in the front tray, and CarPlay comes up. And if you set up with the cable first, your phone can connect wirelessly the next time.

And if your phone is already paired but CarPlay won't start, go to Settings, then Bluetooth & Devices, then tap your phone. Then turn on "Use for Apple CarPlay" or "Use for Android Auto."

Also, to talk to Siri or Google Assistant, press and hold the talk button on the steering wheel. And "Hey Siri" works through the car when the RAV4's language is set to English and your iPhone is on iOS 14.3 or newer.

2026 RAV4

So the 2026 RAV4 uses the same steps as the 2023 to 2025. You go to Bluetooth & Devices, add your phone, and turn on CarPlay or Android Auto for that phone. But there are a few things that are new on the 2026.

CarPlay or Android Auto keeps disconnecting: the fixes, in order

So these are the fixes I'd try, in this order, before going to the dealer. The first steps are free and take a minute, and they fix the most common causes.

Step 1: Check the cable and the port

So on a 2019 to 2022 RAV4, the cable is the most common cause. And on the 2023 and newer RAV4, the cable matters any time you plug in.

  1. Use the USB media port, not a charge-only port. A charge-only port will charge the phone but never start CarPlay.
  2. Use a data cable, not a cheap charge-only cord. Toyota says to use "an official Apple USB cable or a USB cable that has been Apple MFi certified." Basically, MFi certified means Apple approved the cable's maker. For Android, Toyota says to use a cable 6 feet or shorter, with no extension.
  3. Try a new cable. Toyota's 2025 manual says, "If the smartphone linking function worked previously but no longer works, replacing the USB cable may resolve the issue."
  4. Plug straight into the port. Don't use a USB hub or a splitter, because the RAV4 only uses the first device it sees.
  5. Clean your phone's charging port. Steve Clifford from Sheehy Toyota says lint in the phone's port is "very, very common." And a phone repair shop can clean it out.

Now here's which cable fits which RAV4, with prices checked October 15, 2026. Keep in mind the 2026 media port takes USB-C. And Steve Clifford from Sheehy Toyota says the wired Toyotas, like the 2019 to 2022 RAV4, use the older USB-A plug.

Now on a 2023 to 2025 RAV4, Toyota's manuals don't say whether the media port in the front tray is USB-A or USB-C. So on any year, I'd look at the port before you buy a cable. The USB-A port is the wider, flat rectangle, and the USB-C port is the small oval.

Also, keep in mind that CarPlay didn't work with any iPhone 12 on the 2020 to 2021 RAV4 and the 2021 RAV4 Prime at first. Toyota's fix is a new USB port at the dealer, under bulletin T-SB-0113-20.

Step 2: Check your phone's settings

  1. Update your phone and restart it. Toyota's 2026 manual says to update iOS or the Android Auto app to the latest version and then restart the phone.
  2. On an iPhone, make sure Siri is on. CarPlay won't start without it.
  3. On an iPhone, make sure CarPlay isn't blocked. Go to Settings, then Screen Time, then Content & Privacy Restrictions, then Allowed Apps, and make sure CarPlay is on. If CarPlay is off there, the RAV4 will never see it.
  4. For wireless CarPlay, turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. And in your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings, turn on Auto-Join for the car's CarPlay network.
  5. For wireless Android Auto, check your phone's version. Google says Android Auto needs Android 11 or newer. Wireless Android Auto also needs a data plan and 5 GHz Wi-Fi on the phone.
  6. On an iPhone, forget the car and set CarPlay up again. Go to Settings, then General, then CarPlay, pick your RAV4, and tap Forget This Car.

Step 3: Delete old phones from the RAV4

So the RAV4 can only remember so many phones. One video on the 2021 RAV4 says the limit is about five or six phones. And the video says a full list is often why a phone won't connect.

  1. On a 2019 to 2022 RAV4, press MENU, then Setup, then Bluetooth, and remove phones you don't use anymore.
  2. On a 2023 to 2026 RAV4, go to Settings, then Bluetooth & Devices, tap the old phone, and delete it.
  3. On your phone, go to Bluetooth, forget the RAV4, and then pair the phone again from the start.

And on the 2026 RAV4, Toyota's own tech tip has a quick fix when CarPlay's sound or icon stops working. Go to Settings, then Bluetooth and Devices, tap your phone, and turn CarPlay off and back on.

Step 4: Restart the RAV4's screen

  1. Press and hold the POWER VOLUME knob for 3 seconds or more. Basically, that's the knob you turn for volume, and holding the knob restarts the whole screen system. Holding the knob works on every RAV4 from 2019 to 2026.
  2. Wait for the screen to start back up, then reconnect your phone.
  3. If that doesn't help, turn the car fully off, open the driver's door, and start the car again. Apple also says to restart both the iPhone and the car.
Keep in mind that System reset is a last resort, not a restart. On the 2023 to 2026 RAV4, Settings, then Info & Security, then System reset puts every setting back to factory, and Toyota says it can't be undone. On the 2026, it also deletes all the drive recorder footage. So I'd only try System reset right before going to the dealer.

Step 5: Update the RAV4's software

Now something to note is that Toyota sends these updates out in phases. So your RAV4 might not see an update the same week another owner does. And updates you accept at home are free.

Step 6: Go to the dealer with the bulletin number

So if none of those five steps works, it's time for the dealer. And it helps to walk in with the bulletin number for your year, which is in the next section. Tell the dealer these things:

And keep in mind that Toyota told dealers a new head unit won't fix the software problems on the 2023 to 2024 and 2026 RAV4. So if the dealer quotes you a new screen for a CarPlay drop on those years, it's worth asking about the software update first. When the dealer does the update for a problem the bulletin lists, Toyota covers the work under the Basic Warranty, which is 3 years or 36,000 miles.

Toyota's CarPlay and Android Auto bulletins by year, and what to tell the dealer

So a bulletin is a fix Toyota sends to its dealers for a known problem. Toyota calls them technical service bulletins, and it also sends tech tips, which are advice to dealers without a new part or update. Something to note is that there's no safety recall for CarPlay or Android Auto on any 2019 to 2026 RAV4.

2019 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid

What to tell the dealer: "My 2019 has Audio Plus (or Premium Audio). Can you check the screen's software against T-SB-0051-21?"

And if people can't hear you on CarPlay calls on a 2019 to 2022, the problem may not be the phone. Toyota says the microphone runs through the car's data module, and one 2019 owner reported that a failed data module killed the microphone.

2020 to 2021 RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid and 2021 RAV4 Prime

What to tell the dealer: "Can you check my screen's software against T-SB-0025-21 and T-SB-0019-21?" And if you have an iPhone 12, ask about T-SB-0113-20 too.

2022 RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime

What to tell the dealer: "Can you check my 2022's screen software against T-SB-0019-21?" And if your 2022's screen software is already up to date, the cable, phone and restart steps above are the main fixes.

2023 to 2024 RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime

These are the CarPlay and Android Auto problems the 1861 update fixes:

What to tell the dealer: "Is my screen on version 1861? If not, can you do T-SB-0029-26?" And Toyota's bulletin says the head unit should not be replaced for these problems.

2025 RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime

So the 2025 uses the same Toyota Audio Multimedia system as the 2023 to 2024. But NHTSA's records don't show a CarPlay bulletin for the 2025 as of October 15, 2026. So for a 2025, check for a software update in Settings, then go through the fixes above.

2026 RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

What to tell the dealer: "Is my screen on version 8612G42397? If not, can you do T-SB-0050-26?"

Two 2023 to 2025 problems Toyota hasn't fixed yet

So owners have reported two CarPlay problems on the 2023 to 2025 RAV4 that no Toyota bulletin covers as of October 2026.

Wireless adapters for the 2019 to 2022 RAV4

So a wireless adapter is a small box that plugs into the RAV4's USB media port. Basically, the car thinks a phone is plugged in, and the adapter talks to your phone wirelessly. Toyota doesn't sell or support these adapters, and owners' results are mixed.

Keep in mind that an adapter only adds wireless to what your RAV4 already has. So on a 2019 RAV4, only a CarPlay adapter will work, because the 2019 doesn't have Android Auto at all. Prices were checked on each maker's site on October 15, 2026.

AdapterWorks withPriceSomething to note
Ottocast U2-AIR ProCarPlay only$59.00 on sale (listed as $89.00)The one to look at for a 2019 RAV4 with an iPhone.
Carlinkit 5.0 (2air)CarPlay and Android AutoCarlinkit's own page doesn't list a priceCarlinkit says wireless Android Auto needs Android 11 or newer.
AAWireless TWOAndroid Auto only$59.99For a 2020 to 2022 RAV4 with an Android phone on Android 11 or newer.
AAWireless TWO+CarPlay and Android Auto$69.99AAWireless says wireless CarPlay needs an iPhone X or newer.
Motorola MA1Android Auto only$69.99Motorola says most phones that came with Android 11 will work.

Now Steve Clifford from Sheehy Toyota recommends these adapters. Steve says they work "really well," but they're "a little bit finicky," with a short delay when the car starts. So I'd buy one from a store with an easy return policy, in case the adapter doesn't get along with your phone.

A few more things owners run into

Videos worth watching

Connection issues with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in Toyota, from Steve Clifford, July 2024, 3.5 minutes.

Steve Clifford from Sheehy Toyota in Virginia goes through the fixes for wired CarPlay and Android Auto on the 2019 to 2022 RAV4 and other wired Toyotas.

  • Projection Settings: If the phone charges but CarPlay won't start, they say to check MENU, Setup, Projection Settings and make sure CarPlay or Android Auto is turned on.
  • The right port and cable: They say to use the port with the USB symbol. And they say the wired Toyotas use USB-A, so you need a USB-A cable that fits your phone.
  • Lint in the phone: They say lint in the phone's charging port is very common, and a phone repair shop can clean it.
  • Wireless adapters: They say a wireless adapter works well but is a little finicky, with a short delay.
2020 Toyota RAV4 Smartphone Pairing Guide (Bluetooth & Apple CarPlay), from Jim Pattison Toyota on Regent, February 2020, 3.5 minutes.

A Canadian Toyota dealer pairs an iPhone with a RAV4, and the video covers the 2019 and 2020 RAV4.

  • Bluetooth first: They pair the phone over Bluetooth and set up favorite contacts before plugging in for CarPlay.
  • The cable: They say cheap cables from the dollar store or gas station are the number one mistake their customers make, and to use an Apple cable.
How to Set Up Wireless Apple CarPlay in your New Toyota, from Performance Toyota Bountiful, January 2023, 1 minute.

A Toyota dealer sets up wireless CarPlay on the 2023 Toyota Audio Multimedia screen, the same system as the 2023 to 2025 RAV4.

  • The steps: They go to Settings, then Bluetooth and Devices, and search for the phone. Then they confirm the code on both screens, pick whether to sync contacts, and turn on Apple CarPlay.
  • Before you start: They say to update the phone and make sure Bluetooth is on.
Android Auto NOT Connecting in Your 2026 Rav4? TRY THIS!, from The Smoking Beard, May 2026, 2 minutes.

A 2026 RAV4 owner shows a workaround for wireless Android Auto that won't reconnect.

  • The problem: They say wireless Android Auto rarely connected on its own, even after they got a new phone, but a cable always worked.
  • The owner's workaround: Remote-starting the RAV4 with the key fob got wireless Android Auto connecting again for a while.
  • The real fix: Their video came out before Toyota's August 2026 update, T-SB-0050-26, which lists this problem as fixed.
RB

Buddy's take

So ultimately, on a 2019 to 2022 RAV4, I'd start with a good data cable in the USB media port. A new cable is the cheapest fix there is.

And on a 2023 and newer RAV4, I'd make sure the screen's software is up to date. Toyota's updates fix a long list of CarPlay and Android Auto drops.

But keep in mind that if the drops keep coming back, you don't have to live with them. Bringing the bulletin number for your year gives the dealer a clear place to start.

So hopefully this gets your phone connecting every time you start the car.

Have a question about “RAV4 CarPlay and Android Auto: setup by year, and what to do when it keeps disconnecting”?

Ask it here. Every question comes to me first. I answer as many as I can, and each answered question goes on this page with my answer so other RAV4 owners can see it too. I don't ask for your email, so check back on this page for the answer.

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RAV4 winter prep: clear windshields, frozen doors, block heaters and a checklist

The defrost settings that clear a 2019 to 2026 RAV4's windshield fastest, how to open a frozen door, liftgate, fuel door or charge port without breaking anything, which RAV4s can take a block heater, and what to do before the first snow.

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The Toyota app on a RAV4: what's free, what costs money, and what to keep

When you link your RAV4 to the Toyota app, it walks you through a lot of trials and paid plans. Here's what each one does, what it costs when the trial ends, and what you already get free. And I cover how to link every RAV4 year and what to do when the app won't work.

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How to stop the Toyota welcome screen, and whether you need to link your RAV4

The Toyota welcome screen on your RAV4 keeps asking you to link the car to the Toyota app. Here's how to make it go away for good, and what you give up if you never link it.

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How to turn off your RAV4's automatic parking brake (PKSB)

The switch that stops your RAV4 from slamming on the brakes while you park is not the same switch as the parking beeps. Here's exactly which switch does what, where to find the PKSB switch on your RAV4, and how to turn PKSB back on.

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RAV Buddy is an independent fan site. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Toyota. RAV4 is a trademark of Toyota Motor Corporation.