Older iPod connection issues with 2012 Prius 4

Hi Everyone,

I just bought a 2012 Prius 4, with Navi/Entune. I have an earlier generation iPod that is not detected when I connect via USB. I've updated the firmware with Apple to meet the version required by Toyota, (believe it is 1.1.3). I'm also able to connect to other devices successfully with the same USB cable, (so it should not be a cable problem).

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

I should add that the USB cable is a factory Apple, iPod cable.

Thanks.

 

Thanks, Big Steve. It's reassuring to know that it should work.

What should I expect to see when it works? Should the music just start playing through once I connect, (and have the iPod set to play)? Do I have to select 'USB' from the Audio menu?

When I connect, the music does not automatically play through the system, and the 'USB' audio menu option is disabled.

I had the latest software loaded as of last week. It still wasn't working. I'll check iTunes again to see if there is another update.

If anyone has experienced the same issue and found the step(s) necessary to resolve the problem, your help is greatly appreciated.

 

Very good to know. Thanks again for the replies. I'll keep you posted, hopefully with good news.

 

Unfortunately, no dice. I even did a full iPod restore in iTunes and made sure the latest firmware is installed, again.

Also, using the same iPod cable, I plugged in an iTouch iPod and it worked just as you described. The iPod option appeared in the Audio source menu, and the music played through like a charm.

It's pretty frustrating. I'm going to have to contact Toyota.

I'm still open to any other suggestions, or tips. Thanks again, Big Steve, for the info.

 

We might be splitting hairs on the iTouch vs. iPod Touch name. ;-) Sorry, it's 2 AM here and I'm a bit frustrated. Any help you can offer, would be great.

My iPod is a second generation iPod Nano, firmware version 1.1.3 (latest as of this week from Apple). When I connect it via USB in the center console, the device charges. However, nothing appears on the display: no error messages (I've read about others experiencing 'incompatible device' errors), and the iPod source is not available on the Audio menu.

I've also tried plugging it into two different cars now, same year and model, (2012 Prius 4); same results. Now that I've seen the iPod Touch works without any hassle, I can't help but wonder if Toyota cut off support for older devices. I found a support document on the Toyota owner's website that lists the supported iPod models/versions, and version 1.1.3 is listed. I'm at a loss.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

 

Well, I found the answer I didn't want to find. After looking at the Toyota Prius Audio System Operation Quick Reference guide again, I found that Toyota's iPod Nano support skips a generation. It just so happens they support the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generation iPod Nano, not the 2nd generation.

I was so focused on the firmware version that I didn't pay as much attention to the actual model support; Toyota supports the 3rd generation iPod Nano with the same firmware version, 1.1.3. Thanks, cwerdna for making me pay more attention to the model, and not just the firmware version.

So, now the next question...bite the bullet and get a new iPod?

Thanks again for your help Big Steve, and cwerdna.

 

For those looking for a complete list of supported iPod models and firmware versions, here is the download link from Toyota, (Audio System Operation - Quick Reference, iPod section on page 145):

Toyota 2012 Universal Display Audio System Owners Manual (OM33A02U)