Researched from automaker information, owner forums and Amazon listings. Not a hands-on install.
Short answer: Every Toyota Tacoma through the 2019 model year lacks Apple CarPlay. Toyota made CarPlay and Android Auto standard starting with the 2020 Tacoma. For a 2016 to 2019 truck, our main pick is the IIWEY iK7, a 10-inch screen with a short, wide body that sits low on the Tacoma dash. If you want a built-in look and do not mind removing the radio, a Tacoma-specific head unit is the better choice, since many are sold for the 2016 to 2019 trucks.
Does the Toyota Tacoma have Apple CarPlay?
Toyota was late to CarPlay across its whole lineup, and the Tacoma was part of the group that finally got it for 2020. Before that, the truck used Toyota's Entune system, which handles Bluetooth and some apps but not CarPlay.
| Model years | Factory CarPlay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 to 2004 (1st gen) | No | Basic radios only. |
| 2005 to 2015 (2nd gen) | No | Standard radios on early trucks. Later trucks offered touchscreen Display Audio with Entune, and the owner's manual covers a USB and AUX port on equipped trucks. |
| 2016 to 2019 (3rd gen) | No | Entune 2.0 touchscreen. Sources agree it does not support CarPlay or Android Auto on any trim. |
| 2020 to 2023 (3rd gen) | Yes | Standard on the lineup. Toyota lists a 7-inch touchscreen on the SR and an 8-inch screen on other grades. |
| 2024 and later (4th gen) | Yes | Newer multimedia systems support CarPlay. |
If you have a 2016 to 2019 Tacoma, you are in the most common spot. These trucks are new enough to be worth upgrading, and the aftermarket has built a lot of products around them.
Your options for adding CarPlay
Portable dash screen. A standalone touchscreen that mounts on the dash, plugs into a 12V outlet, and plays audio through your truck's speakers by Bluetooth, AUX, or FM transmitter. Your Entune radio stays where it is. Portable screens are car-agnostic, so the only Tacoma-specific question is where it fits and how you power it.
Aftermarket head unit. You replace the factory radio with a CarPlay receiver. For 2016 to 2019 trucks, brands such as Alpine and Sony sell Tacoma-specific bundles, and Android-based units are sold to fit the factory opening. For 2005 to 2015 trucks, Metra and similar brands make double-DIN dash kits. Expect a dash kit, wiring harness, and steering wheel control adapter unless the bundle includes them. Trucks with the JBL audio system may need an extra interface, so confirm before you buy.
Interface module or OEM swap. There is no official Toyota retrofit for older Tacomas. Some vendors sell add-on modules for 2014 to 2019 trucks that add CarPlay to the factory Entune screen, but they only work with certain factory radios, so check the supported list for yours. Some owners also report swapping in a 2020 or later Toyota head unit, though this is a forum project rather than a supported upgrade.
| Option | Effort | Reversible | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable dash screen | Low: mount and plug in | Yes, fully | Owners who want CarPlay fast, leased trucks, or trucks shared between drivers |
| Aftermarket head unit | Medium: radio removal and wiring | Partly, if you keep the factory radio | 2016 to 2019 trucks kept long term, and 2nd gen trucks with basic radios |
| Interface module or OEM swap | Medium to high | Usually | Owners who want to keep the factory screen and look |
A head unit is the better choice if you dislike Entune, want a bigger built-in screen, and plan to keep the truck. A portable screen wins if you do not want to touch the dash, need a backup camera on an older truck, or might sell the truck soon.
For more portable options, see our roundup of the best wireless CarPlay screens for 2026.
Our top picks for the Toyota Tacoma
The Tacoma dash is smaller and taller than a full-size pickup's, and the hood sits high, so screen height matters more than width. These picks keep the screen low.
IIWEY iK7 10-inch: best overall for the Tacoma
The iK7 has a 10-inch, 1600 by 600 display, but IIWEY lists the body at 9.45 by 3.7 inches, so it is wide and short. That shape is what you want on a Tacoma, where a tall screen quickly cuts into your view of the road. It supports wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, AirPlay and Miracast mirroring, a 4K dash cam, and a 1080p backup camera, with a 64GB card included. Audio goes out by Bluetooth, AUX, or FM.
The catch: with a dash cam and backup camera in the mix, setup takes longer than a basic screen. It includes both a suction mount and a 3M adhesive mount.
Surcsa 9-inch: best for 2nd gen trucks with basic radios
If your Tacoma has an older radio with no Bluetooth audio, the Surcsa gives you every fallback: Bluetooth, FM transmitter, AUX, and a built-in speaker. It includes a suction cup mount and an adhesive dash mount, an 11.5 ft power cable, and a 1080p night-vision backup camera on a 19.7 ft cable. The listing rates it for -4°F to 167°F, which helps in hot climates.
The catch: 1024 by 600 resolution is lower than the iK7, and a 9-inch screen still needs careful placement on the Tacoma's dash.
Podofo 7-inch: best for the smallest footprint
The Podofo is the compact option. Its 7-inch screen has a built-in sunshade on top, which helps with glare through a sloped windshield. It runs on 7 to 32V vehicles, plugs into the cigarette lighter, and leaves the factory stereo in place. Audio goes through Bluetooth to your car stereo, AUX, FM transmitter, or the built-in speaker.
The catch: it is the smallest screen here, so maps show less, and it does not include a backup camera. Podofo also says a dash mount needs a smooth, flat surface.
Installation tips for the Toyota Tacoma
- Locate your 12V outlets. Outlet placement varies by trim and generation, from the lower center stack to the console. Pick the one closest to your mounting spot and tuck the cable along the dash seam.
- Use Bluetooth audio if you have Entune. 2016 to 2019 Entune radios handle Bluetooth, so pair the screen as a phone or audio device. On older 2nd gen trucks, check for an AUX jack before falling back to FM.
- Find a flat mounting spot. The 3rd gen dash has a textured top. Suction cups grip poorly on texture, so use the included adhesive base on a smooth section, or consider a Tacoma-specific dash accessory mount, which several aftermarket brands sell for 2016 to 2023 trucks.
- Keep the screen below the hood line. Sit in your normal driving position and make sure you can still see the road just over the hood. A low, wide screen like the iK7 makes this easier.
- Route the camera to the tailgate. Mount the backup camera near the license plate or tailgate handle and run the cable under the bed and cab, away from the exhaust.
- Pull the screen in summer. A Tacoma parked in the sun gets hot on the dash. Remove or cover the screen when parked for long periods.
Frequently asked questions
What year did the Toyota Tacoma get Apple CarPlay?
The 2020 Tacoma was the first model year with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, standard across the lineup. The SR got a 7-inch touchscreen and other grades got an 8-inch screen.
Can I add CarPlay to a 2016 to 2019 Tacoma with a software update?
No. The Entune 2.0 system in those trucks does not support CarPlay, and Toyota did not release an update for it. You need a portable screen, a replacement head unit, or an add-on interface module.
Will a portable CarPlay screen work in a 2005 to 2015 Tacoma?
Yes. Portable screens are car-agnostic and need only a 12V outlet for power. Pick one with an FM transmitter or AUX output if your radio lacks Bluetooth audio, such as the Surcsa or Podofo.
What size CarPlay screen fits a Tacoma dash?
Height matters more than diagonal size. A wide, short screen like the iK7 or a 7-inch unit like the Podofo is easiest to place without blocking your view. Hold a piece of paper cut to the screen's size on the dash before buying.
Is a head unit better than a portable screen for a Tacoma?
For a 2016 to 2019 truck you plan to keep, a Tacoma-specific head unit gives a cleaner, built-in result and keeps steering wheel controls. A portable screen is better if you want zero wiring, need to move it between vehicles, or want to keep the truck stock.
Bottom line
Any Tacoma from 2019 or earlier needs an add-on to run CarPlay. The IIWEY iK7 is the best fit for most 3rd gen trucks thanks to its low, wide shape. The Surcsa suits older trucks with basic radios, and the Podofo is the smallest option. If you want a factory-style result and plan to keep the truck, a Tacoma-specific head unit is worth the extra work.
CarPlay guides for other cars
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to an Older Chevy Silverado
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to an Older Ford F-150
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to an Older Honda Accord
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to an Older Honda Civic
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to an Older Honda CR-V
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to a Jeep Wrangler JK
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to an Older Nissan Altima
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to an Older Ram 1500
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to an Older Toyota Camry
- How to Add Apple CarPlay to an Older Toyota Corolla