Question: I know there’s a way to track my car from my phone, but I’m not sure how to do it. How can I find my vehicle through the Toyota app?
Answer: If you’re looking to track your vehicle with the Toyota app, being able to do so depends on the model of your car. The app works with select models from 2010 and on. In general, the Toyota app does not track your car’s location while it is moving in drive mode. But the app has some features that allow you to locate your Toyota vehicle.
The app can be downloaded from the app store and can be used on both Android and Apple mobile devices—smartphones, smartwatches and handheld tablets.
Once downloaded, you will need to set up your account. You also will need to enter in your car’s VIN number to add your vehicle. The VIN number, also known as the Vehicle Identification Number, has 17 characters and can be found on your car insurance card, insurance policy, car title or inside of your car in various places. The most common place to find it is on the driver side’s dashboard near the windshield.
Toyota’s Connected Services
You are required to get a paid subscription to Toyota’s Connected Services to use the app’s tracking features. Toyota’s Connected Services works on select models. The subscription is available at different price points depending on which plan you choose.
You can determine if your model has access to Connected Services after you add your car with its VIN number within the app. Or you can speak to a Toyota representative.
Remote Connect
Remote Connect can locate where you last parked your car using GPS coordinates. The ignition must be turned off for this to work. If your vehicle was towed or moved after the ignition was turned off, the app cannot provide you with the new location details.
There are more limitations you need to be aware of when using this feature. For instance, if you left your car in a parking garage and forgot which floor you parked on, the app cannot determine which floor the car is located on.
Safety Connect
In the event your car is stolen, you can use the app’s Safety Connect feature to help find your car if it is compatible.This feature works on select models built with an LTE network. On Nov. 1, 2022, Toyota discontinued Safety Connect on models that have 3G wireless so it only works on models built with newer wireless technology.
If your vehicle can have Safety Connect, here are some steps to follow if it gets stolen. First, you would need to contact the police and file a stolen vehicle report.Then, you need to contact Safety Connect’s response center so a representative can help the police track your vehicle.
Safety Connect will track your vehicle using GPS technology for a week. Once your vehicle is located, Safety Connect will report the car’s whereabouts to the police. If a week goes by and your car is still not found, you can ask to track your car for another week. (To contact Safety Connect, call 1-800-331-4331.)
If your car is found, the police or a Toyota representative will contact you.
This feature will not work if your car battery is dead or has been disconnected.
Andrea Richard is a writer and editor with nearly 15 years of experience crafting content for a variety of industries. In writing for Jerry, Andrea’s mission is to deliver relatable and informative content so readers can better understand the costs associated with car ownership and car leasing. A native Floridian and a road trip enthusiast, Andrea first learned to drive on a Honda Accord when CDs were still a thing. She has served on the Society of Professional Journalists Florida board of directors and volunteers as a judge for national journalism contests. Her work has earned several awards for feature writing, investigative reporting and branded content campaigns.
Chris Burkhardt is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience across various storytelling mediums. With Jerry, Chris hopes to help anyone with a question about their vehicle easily find the answers they are looking for. Whether you need to know how much insurance costs for a classic car, how to replace a broken light or tell if you need an oil change, Chris wants to help you find solutions the best he can. Prior to joining Jerry, Chris was a digital content producer and writer for NBC and a freelance editor for NerdWallet. A graduate of the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication, if Chris is not working on content, he’s sure to be found cheering on his Ducks!
