Toyota’s Entune infotainment system is available on almost every Toyota currently on sale, including the popular Corolla. If you have an iOS device and looking to connect it to your vehicle, this is the guide for you. Entune brings hands free calling capability over Bluetooth, wireless music playback from the phone, and third-party app support. The added functionality is well worth the process of initially pairing the phone to the vehicle. After the initial pairing, the phone will automatically connect each time the vehicle is started.

Above is a brief overview video showing how to make the connection. For step-by-step instructions, continue reading.

entune

Pressing the start button without a foot on the brake turns on accessory mode.

To begin, the vehicle must be either started or in accessory power mode. For a standard key vehicle, insert the key and turn it one click forward. In a push-button start Corolla, press the start button once without having your foot on the brake.

entune

The Toyota startup screen on Entune.

It is important to remember that trusting the rear-view camera or navigation system completely isn’t a wise idea. Always look around and check surroundings while driving.

entune

Do not drive distracted and make sure you check surroundings.

The infotainment system will display the Toyota logo and then a warning screen about distracted driving and trusting the navigation map data. After a few seconds, the driver is presented with the home screen.

entune

The Toyota Entune home screen.

Press the phone button in the upper right hand corner of the system.

entune

Entune asking you if you want to pair a phone.

The display will say that there is no phones paired, and ask you if you want to pair one. Choose Yes.

entune

This screen is where you find the car on your phone.

An information screen will appear that says Waiting… at the top. This is where you will tell your phone to connect to the vehicle.

entune

iOS 7.1 home screen.

Unlock your phone and tap on the Settings icon.

entune

Settings menu including the option for Bluetooth.

Tap on the Bluetooth icon.

entune

The Bluetooth settings page where you select the Corolla.

Make sure the button is turned to the on position. TOYOTA Corolla will appear in the devices list. Tap the TOYOTA Corolla device.

entune

Bluetooth pairing request on the iOS device.

The Bluetooth PIN on the radio and the code on the iPhone will match when you are connecting at the same time.

entune

Bluetooth pairing request on the Entune system.

A screen will appear labeled Bluetooth Pairing Request. At the same time, the new pairing code will appear on the iOS device and the vehicle at the same time. If they match, press Pair on the phone.

entune

Bluetooth menu on the phone indicating the successful pairing.

The iPhone display will show that the pairing was successful and add it to the list of connected Bluetooth devices.

entune

Pairing successful message on the Entune system.

On the display in the car, a Bluetooth pairing was successful box pops up and then disappears.

entune

The popup showing that the phone is connected.

A Phone Connected message should immediately appear on the display and then disappear.

entune

Popup indicating that the address book was downloaded successfully.

Wait for a few seconds for the display to pop up a message that says Phone connected and Contact and call history transfer complete. The second message may take up to a minute or more to complete. Once that is complete, pressing the voice button on the steering wheel allows you to control the phone, as well as the other functions of the infotainment system.

entune

iOS screen where you can turn on text message notifications for Entune.

If you want the system to be able to read you text messages when they arrive, return to the phone and choose the little (I) icon next to TOYOTA Corolla on the devices screen under Bluetooth in the phone settings. This opens more information about the connection to the vehicle. Tap the slider that says Show Notifications to turn it on (it will be off by default). Now, when text messages come in Entune will beep telling you that you have received a message and give you the option to play it back to you using the computer generated voice of the system.

During one of our attempts at pairing an iPhone 5s running iOS 7.1 we had a problem where Entune would not download the phonebook. Since the phonebook wouldn’t download, voice commands were unavailable for the entire infotainment system. In order to get it to work, we had to start the process over. If you run into the same issue, restart the process from the beginning and you should be okay.

Pairing the phone to the vehicle makes driving safer by allowing the driver to use his or her phone hands free. We also like the convenience of being able to play music, audiobooks, or podcasts straight from our phone without it leaving our pocket. By following these simple steps, you can also experience the convenience of wireless phone use in your Toyota Corolla.