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USB Music - The Saga Continues

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Audio, Electronics and Infotainment' started by sewolawen73, Sep 3, 2024.

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  1. sewolawen73

    sewolawen73 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2024
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Brooklyn, NY
    Vehicle:
    2024 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I recently had to buy a new 2024 Prius Hybrid XLE AWD after my 2017 model met an untimely end with the engine dying (won't get into that story right now). Forgive me if this has been posted on other threads. Just trying to find the most up-to-date info.

    Even though it's considered obsolete, I was happily using my iPod classic 160GB to play music in my 2017 Prius (ripped from my own CD collection on iTunes (PC) from years of collecting). Now I can't say I'm surprised that newer cars don't recognize it and I've been trying to find workarounds to continue playing my own music collection rather than streaming (Bluetooth transmitters, FM transmitters, etc.).

    So I found that the USB flash drive is the best option, BUT I know there are limits on how the files show up and I'm trying to figure out the file structure. I know that the USB flash drive has to be formatted to FAT32, (supposedly) it only takes 32GB, but I'm using a 256 GB drive and my Prius can show more than 32GB if I have the right file structure.

    Currently, my folder structure is:

    My Music ->
    Artists ->
    Albums ->
    Tracks 01 02 03, etc.

    I've tried different folder structures and different artists/albums would disappear after I would check progress in my car. This musician who listens to LOTS of different music would deeply appreciate help from anyone here with similar listening habits that has cracked this. Does hard drive size, # of folders and/or files play into this? If I can put at least 130-160 GB, I'll be content.

    Many thanks in advance.
     
    #1 sewolawen73, Sep 3, 2024
  2. Julio_E

    Julio_E New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2024
    15
    6
    4
    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2024 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XSE Premium
    I just got a 64gb usb 2 flash drive to work for me, ie, my Prius detects it and plays the music on it. I have the usb 2 (aka usb A) plugged into a usb-c adapter and that's what plugs into my Prius. I first tried several other methods unsuccessfully but this finally worked for me. I downloaded Rufus (which was suggested by another Priuschat member) and formatted the entire 64gb drive to FAT32 (Large Fat32 was the choice in the Rufus executable). I then googled these instructions which worked for me. I've been only able to fill 27gb so far but in searching Priuschat, it seems this method may allow more than 32gb to be read in a Prius.

    To format a USB flash drive to FAT32 using Rufus, you can do the following:
    1. Download and double-click the Rufus .exe file to start the application
    2. Select the USB drive
    3. Click the Boot selection dropdown and select Non bootable
    4. Click the File system dropdown and select FAT32
    5. Change the name of the USB drive under Volume label
    6. Click the Start button to format the drive
    The drive will be formatted to FAT32 after a few seconds
     
    #2 Julio_E, Sep 7, 2024
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2024
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