Toyota Highlander Head Unit Decoder CarPlay/AndroidAuto (2014-2019) - [Pioneer Head Unit]

I purchased the CarPlay decoder from Carsyntech to add Apple CarPlay to my factory head unit and the experience has been very positive. Amazing customer service and they respond to queries immediately. The installation was straightforward even though the YouTube installation video didn't exactly match my Pioneer head unit. With a little patience everything fit and worked as expected. Wireless Apple CarPlay is very responsive on the factory touchscreen and automatically loads in about 15 seconds reconnecting to the last paired iPhone. If you want to switch to a different phone you simply open the submenu and select the other device. The process takes only about 5 seconds and is quick and easy. The display quality is excellent, with a sharp, clear image that looks like a factory installed system. All of the original Toyota functions remain fully operational which was important to me. One of the biggest advantages is that the system retains the stock appearance of the dashboard making it look like original factory display.

Big Improvement

Overall I am very pleased with this upgrade to my 2018 Toyota Highlander. I am using my Sirius XM phone App to continue receiving my favorite channels. My son-in-law installed the CarPlay unit without any trouble. We just returned from a long trip and having CarPlay was a big improvement over using my phone for navigation as well as the many options for listening content. Biggest glitch came with switching phones (as someone else drove my Toyota at times), but a few changes in settings usually solved the problem. Currently, I still have to go to Settings for get bluetooth connected from my phone every time I use it, but this is well worth the trouble to have the CarPlay features. I like the fact that my phone just has to be in the car....not attached to a cord.

CarPlay on stock Entune Headunit

Installation was pretty easy even though the video on YouTube wasn’t exactly like my pioneer model. CarPlay is very responsive to the touch screen and loads in about 15 seconds automatically to the last connected iPhone. If we switch cars you have to go into the sub menu and select the other phone. It takes an extra 5 seconds and seems pretty easy. The resolution is excellent and all the other stock functions of the car are there. I like that it also looks stock and won’t change the risk of someone breaking into the car. I edited the photo to remove my location and street name, but wanted you to see the quality of the screen.