Configure Audio and CarPlay Hamilton Upgrade Kit for ToyotaUpdated 4 days ago
It is very important for you to understand all these steps closely to correctly setup your audio and CarPlay with your Toyota Hamilton Upgrade Kit. Keep in mind, we are adding cutting-edge functionality to a Toyota system first designed over 15 years ago. It won't be as intuitive as a new iPhone. This is why it's important to be really familiar with the below videos and steps.
Here is a video, that we recommend fully watching. It will show you not just CarPlay pairing but two really important steps for any Toyota Upgrade Kit: (1) Setting your factory radio to AUX mode
In another video below, I will show you how to delete your factory pair records to make sure they do not interfere with your new Hamilton network.
Please watch this full video very closely:
This video is shown in a 2014-2018 Toyota Rav4. It applies to all Toyotas. On hamiltonmotorcompany.com/pages/manuals we have videos just like this for every model car we offer.
Setting Factory Head Unit to AUX Mode - *Critical Step* to Play Audio
1. After you pair and setup CarPlay, it is really important to set your factory radio to AUX mode.Your phone is going to stream audio through the new Hamilton network to the Hamilton Upgrade Kit. Your Hamilton Upgrade Kit plays audio through your factory head unit using the AUX mode audio source, not your factory Bluetooth.
2. Long hold your voice-speech button on your steering wheel for 3 seconds to switch between the Hamilton OS and your factory Toyota OS.
3. Select "Audio" button on your Toyota Radio > Select "AUX" from the Source List. (The icon looks like an older-style iPod cord).
Pro-Tip: You may also toggle through the audio modes using the "Mode" button on the steering wheel without ever going back to the Original OS. Make sure you press the button repeatedly until you are in AUX mode. Usually, the car will hold AUX mode even after you turn it off.
Erasing Factory Bluetooth Pair Records (Important to Prevent Factory BT Interference)
It is very important to erase your factory iPhone pair records from your factory Toyota and from your factory Toyota network from your iPhone also.
Long hold the voice-speech button on your steering wheel for 3 seconds to switch between the Hamilton OS and your factory Lexus OS.
To Delete Toyota Pair Records:
1. Go to your original Toyota Home Screen. Click the Gear icon to open settings > Click "Bluetooth" > Click "Remove" > Follow the prompts to delete all of your Bluetooth pairing records from your factory radio.
You do not want your factory Bluetooth network trying to connect to your iPhone anymore.
To Delete Toyota Bluetooth Network from Your iPhone
1. On your iPhone open Settings > Bluetooth > Locate your factory Toyota bluetooth name (Usually named "CARMULTIMEDIA") > Click the blue (i) > Scroll to the bottom > Select "Forget This Device"
Pairing Wireless CarPlay CarPlay
1. To pair wireless CarPlay, when you get in the vehicle, pull out your iPhone. Open Settings > Bluetooth > Look for the new Bluetooth network similar to "Hamilton-1234."
2. Click on your new Hamilton BT network. Your phone will give you a pairing code. You can ignore what the code says and click "Pair." Next it will ask you to use Contacts and Favorites, click "Allow." Finally, when you get a prompt that says "Connect to CarPlay," click "Connect."
Try to answer these prompts without delay.
3. Wait a few seconds and wireless CarPlay will appear on the screen.
4. Make sure your factory radio is set to AUX mode.
How to Correctly Disconnect CarPlay (Watch to the End - Important)
1. CarPlay uses Bluetooth to initiate a connection, then it automatically switches over to a high-speed WiFi connection. This is how wireless CarPlay works from Apple.
2. To Disconnect CarPlay swipe down from the top right of your phone to access control center. Press the white "WiFi" button and your iPhone will prompt you to disconnect CarPlay. Then, press the blue Bluetooth icon to turn off Bluetooth to make sure it does not automatically reconnect.
Note: Apple has designated that WiFi channel to automatically be taken over for CarPlay. You never need to make a manual WiFi connection to use CarPlay.