Charger and car calling adapter for iPhone 16 and 2012 Toyota Sienna?

March 18, 2025 12:48 PM

Can anyone suggest an adapter that will allow my wife to use her new iPhone 16 (iOS 18) to play music and place calls, while also charging? She has been using a Belkin dongle for audio playback & power (and the van's own mic & speakers for calls via Bluetooth), but the van's Bluetooth won't act as a microphone now.

The van long predates CarPlay or anything, and so far the (admittedly cheaper) dongles we have tried wouldn't handle the voice part of the calls -- i.e., she could hear the caller but the other person can't hear her speaking.

Most dongles will carry stereo audio out to the AUX jack, but won't act as a microphone. (Yes, the audio cable we're using has three bands, TRRS.)

The phone has a USB-C port and Bluetooth; the van has some quite old BT -- maybe version 2? But it worked with her iPhone 13 last week so it's unlikely the van's audio crapped out overnight.

posted by wenestvedt to Technology (6 answers total)

I had that van until two years ago. I had the worst time with that stereo's ancient bluetooth, so I'd suspect that the old spec is too old to work with the new phone. Your best bet is to get a new stereo head unit or one of those CarPlay screens if you didn't want to invest as much. Last time I looked, installers could hook up certain head units up to the car's steering buttons and microphone.
posted by advicepig at 1:36 PM on March 18

Sorry, no personal experience to share, but looks like Belkin used to make a hands free device with a microphone (Amazon link). From that page, I see two knock-offs that are "related products" that could be alternatives (Amazon Link 1 and Amazon Link 2).

It also looks like a combo handsfree / FM transmitter could work, but probably isn't what you were looking for (e.g., Best Buy Link).
posted by bruinfan at 2:27 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]

I think your Bluetooth has aged out. The handsfree system in my 2009 Prius stopped working reliably with my iPhone 13 about two years ago. I'd only ever used it for calling, not music, but had to give that up.

I hate to say it, but I solved the problem by buying a new Toyota RAV4, and a new phone. CarPlay is great.
posted by lhauser at 5:17 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]

Can you connect it with a cable, without charging? Because you can solve the charging problem by putting the phone on a wireless charging pad that's plugged into the car.
posted by metonym at 6:03 PM on March 18

You might consider replacing the stereo equipment in the Sienna. I believe that is where the Bluetooth capabilities reside, and a newer set of equipment would support a newer Bluetooth version. A tech at a car audio place, or perhaps even in Best Buy's car audio department, might be able to help.
posted by TimHare at 6:21 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]

I agree it's probably time to start pricing out new head units. Crutchfield is a good place to start - use the "find what fits your vehicle" tool and go from there. They also show you what's actually involved in replacing your head unit with pictures - some cars need an additional wiring harness, for example.
posted by Seeking Direction at 6:37 PM on March 18 [1 favorite]