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Was told I cannot sync audio ONLY in a Gen2 -- solution?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by AJP, Feb 4, 2020.

  1. AJP

    AJP Member

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    I stopped by my dealership yesterday to ask whether I could sync ONLY my phone's audio to the car via bluetooth, without syncing the phone. After messing around with it for a while, the tech guy went back to read a manual and then relayed that the Gen 2 (2007) doesn't have this capability.

    He suggested that I purchase an AM/FM radio adapter, sync my phone's bluetooth to it, and then tune the car's radio station to that channel. However...does this actually solve the problem? Won't the same issue occur? To my knowledge, the adapters that I looked at last night on Amazon are just that -- a way to bypass "the bluetooth problem" in an older car that doesn't actually HAVE bluetooth. Mine does. The issue is, I only want the audio to sync, NOT the phone.

    Any help?
     
  2. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Check the options in your phone after the sync occurs.
    Pretty sure that mine shows options for "music" and "phone" and they can be disabled independent of each other.

    The other option is to connect the phone to the "entertainment head" with a USB cable.
    That should give you audio only.
     
  3. egg_salad

    egg_salad Active Member

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    Does your car have the BluLogic dealer accessory add-on? I assume it does, because no '07 had BT from the factory. I added the BluLogic kit myself, and yes, your dealer is correct, there is absolutely no way to use this for BT audio, only phone.

    I found an app called "Bluetooth Mono" that can force audio from your phone down the BT phone pipe, but the sound quality is abysmal to the point of being useless for music. I only use it for voice navigation.

    There are aftermarket solutions for adding BT audio to your OEM radio, such as the USA-Spec BT45TOY, but unless you're a purist who wants to retain the original radio, kits like that are more expensive than replacing your entire radio with an aftermarket unit with built-in BT audio.
     
  4. oldtechaa

    oldtechaa Active Member

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    As stated above, the kit only allows syncing phone audio, not music/podcasts/etc. The Bluetooth adapter that the dealer is recommending can be found for like $10 at Walmart, and allows for Bluetooth or 3.5mm headphone input, then broadcasts a low-power FM signal that you can tune your radio to. Some also have a USB port for charging devices. I had a family member use one for a car with no auxiliary input at all to listen to music.
     
  5. AJP

    AJP Member

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    So here's my question: would an aftermarket radio allow the syncing of JUST audio, or is every option going to "bundle" phone and audio?
     
  6. George W

    George W Active Member

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    Do you have an aversion to just using a Bluetooth receiver that would connect to your AUX input? Those can actually sound quite good.
     
  7. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    CHECK THE BLUETOOTH CONNECTIONS ON YOUR PHONE.
    It is highly likely that this is NOT controlled by the audio head like you think it is.

    Then.....do you have a problem with connecting to the phone with a USB cable ?

    It seems like you are making this MUCH harder than it needs to be.
     
  8. AJP

    AJP Member

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    No, I'm fine using a Bluetooth receiver. I was just curious what the options were.
     
  9. egg_salad

    egg_salad Active Member

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    To answer your question, you control what bits of your phone sync with anything capable of syncing. Assume both your phone and the device to which you want to connect via BT, you can choose:
    Sync audio and telephone
    Sync audio, no telephone
    Sync telephone, no audio
    Sync nothing
     
  10. AJP

    AJP Member

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    Thank you! I was under the impression it was the reverse. I'll pick up a Bluetooth receiver tomorrow.
     
  11. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    I don't think he understands the situation at all.
    NO extra equipment is needed, most likely.
    I quit.
     
  12. AJP

    AJP Member

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    First of all, I'm female. Second, apologies that I'm not tech savvy, but there's absolutely no reason to be rude. My dealer could not manage to sync the audio to the Prius, so I don't believe we are incorrect in that extra equipment IS needed.
     
  13. George W

    George W Active Member

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    There are so many blutooth adapters our there, whatever fits your budget. This is one I use, but since it is older that mini USB might be harder to replace if it gets lost. Rechargeable, lasts all day.
     
  14. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    I had no way of knowing your gender.

    My post was not intended to be rude but my input was being ignored......and part of it STILL is.

    Have you tried connecting your phone to the car with a simple USB cable ?
    What music app are you using on the phone ?
    What brand of phone IS it ??

    Believe it or not, some dealers employees are LESS tech savy than you are.

    Good luck.
     
  15. George W

    George W Active Member

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    I'm surprised that a Toyota dealer wouldn't have known better. Are you sure the tech wasn't just flirting with you? ;)
     
  16. George W

    George W Active Member

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    I have never seen a USB port on my 08 Touring.
     
  17. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    OK, well that would be a good reason for not doing it then.
    The newer models have them.
    Some more than one, I think.
     
  18. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Not true, the Gen can only connect to the telephony part. It does not stream music.
    Quite true. It applies equally whether the poster is female or male.
    Sadly your dealer is not knowledgable, s/he should know the information, as above.
    Again, you are quite correct.
    You only needed to look at the poster's profile details.
    Where exactly would you find that?
    And, this is a great example of what I have said before, if a person is not specifically knowledgable about a specific generation of Prius, they should refrain from commenting on specific details. Not every generation crosses over, and that is why there are separate forums for every Prius variant.
     
    VFerdman and kenoarto like this.
  19. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    YOUR opinion.
    It is called a "discussion" for a reason.
    I have learned something from the exchange too.

    So.....if that model has only "one channel" Bluetooth.......and it has no USB jacks.......does it also not have an AUX input jack ??
     
  20. egg_salad

    egg_salad Active Member

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    It may or may not, but lots of current phones don't have a headphone jack, you see.