Toyota introduced the USB Port in the 2010 Camry models. Since then, there have been several iterations of the Camry. For a bit, two USB ports were standard on all but the L model which only came with one. With the 2020 model, three USB ports became the standard for the higher trim models.
In 2010, one USB port was the standard for Toyota Camry models, with two USB standard in higher-end models. In 2020, three USB ports were standard for most Camry models. The front seat USB ports allow the user to charge devices, play music via a device, or play music directly from a USB drive.
As various tech devices have become more integral to all facets of modern life, automobile manufacturers have had to evolve. Moreover, some manufacturers are including more tech-based option packages. Keep reading to find out about all the options you have in the Toyota Camry for charging and using your devices.
Where Is the USB Port in a Toyota Camry?
The Toyota Camry USB ports are located below the dashboard and can be used to charge your devices and to play audio files. Take the time to review your USB ports. Not all USB ports are created equally. Some ports are for data transmission only, while others are just for charging. Some will charge and transmit data. The recent evolutions in technology allow you to do more in your vehicle than ever before.
- The front seat Toyota Camry USB ports are located under the dashboard. They are hidden from view in a compartment below the climate control.
- To access the USB ports, open the compartment lid. The USB ports are then readily visible.
- These can be used both to charge devices and to play audio files.
In some models, a third USB port also is located in the center console. This port can also be used for charging. Remember to check your ports to identify whether it is a charging port, a data port, or both. The third USB is only available in the higher trim Toyota Camry models.
Toyota Camry USB Flash Drive
USB flash, jump, or thumb drives were introduced in 2000. Within 10 years, Toyota had made a USB port standard in their Camry models. The USB flash drive is a transportable data storage device. For work and school, you can save any document files. In the car, however, you can use these handy drives to store your favorite driving music or podcast.
The storage capacity of these small portable drives is vast. A 1GB thumb drive can hold almost 250 MP3 song files. With the average song lasting around three minutes, that is more than twelve hours of music for your drive. For long trips, you can mix your music with your favorite podcasts too. You can also download audiobooks onto your USB thumb drive to listen to during your commute.
How to Use USB in Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry USB ports can be used in a few ways. The most utilitarian option is charging your cell phones and other devices. The 2.1A charging ports will charge your phone but may be slower charging on the newest cell phones and tablets. When you are on the road the additional charging ports can be used to charge up your power bank, ensuring you will not be left in a situation with a dead cell phone.
The other popular use of the USB ports is playing music or audio files.
- The front seat USB port can play music and mp3 audio files.
- You can play music via your phone streaming service or your device playlist.
- Additionally, you can download music onto a USB flash or jump drive and play the download directly from the drive via the USB port.
Your favorite podcasts and audiobooks can be saved to a USB flash drive as well.
Toyota Camry USB Music and Music Format
To play music from the Toyota Camry’s USB port, you need to choose whether you are going to play from your smartphone or via a USB jump drive. To play music from your phone’s playlist, connect the device to the front USB port. On the dashboard touch screen, make sure that you choose the source as either iPod or Aux. Then, follow on-screen directions to play your song or playlist.
Playing music directly from a USB flash drive requires you to download the playlist in a compatible format. This is true for any audio file as long as it is saved in the appropriate formats. Audio files could be music, audiobooks, podcasts, or other audio files. The music formats for the Camry include:
- OGG
- MP3
- AAC
- WMA
Keep in mind that some USB jump drives may need to be formatted before saving your music and audio files. Not all formatting is compatible with automobile entertainment and media systems.
Once the USB drive has been inserted into the port, the touchscreen display should engage. If not, go to the audio setting. Select USB for your source. Then, choose your song or audio file.
The copyright owner of this article is Knowmyauto.com and was first published on Jul 14, 2021..
Toyota Camry USB Music Not Working
If your USB port is not playing, you can try a few troubleshooting methods. First, try shutting your system down and powering it back up. If music is still not playing, you should check your cable. Some USB cables are designed for charging the device only. Also, assess whether the media is the correct format. Try playing the music files using the other USB port.
Once you have ruled out the USB cord and the media format, you can check the charging port itself. If you leave the compartment lid open frequently while driving, it is possible that dust and grit can get inside the USB port. Even the smallest speck of dirt can impact the functionality of the USB port. Try blowing out the ports themselves. If the port still will not play music, you may need to have the port and connections checked.
Toyota Camry USB Port Not Working or Charging
We depend so much on our phones and devices these days that it is critical to be able to charge them on demand. When our USB charging ports go wonky, it can be extremely frustrating. It is a good idea, especially when traveling long distances, to have an extra cable or two handy.
- As discussed above, check your cables first. Make sure that your USB cable is capable of charging.
- Also, you may want to change cords to see if this alleviates the problem. Once the cords are ruled out as the culprit, check the port itself.
- Clean out any dust or dirt from the USB port.
Occasionally, the port can become loose. The connections within the port are delicate and can get jostled out of place. You can try very lightly moving the pins up with a thin stick or safety pin or a similar item. If these options do not work, you may have to have the connections and wiring checked.
What If More USB Charging Ports Are Needed
If the standard USB charger ports do not meet your or your family’s needs, there are some alternative solutions. Customizable center consoles are available after the factory. You can also opt for a surface-mounted dual charger, available for less than $15 online. These options can add charging capability to your vehicle which can be very valuable if you have multiple devices for personal and work use.
Surface-mounted USB ports are more easily installed. Customizable center consoles and other USB expansions may require more intensive installation, including the need to create holes in existing paneling through which electrical wiring can be fed. If you prefer the DIY route, there are several video tutorials available to walk you through the process.
Related Articles
Toyota Camry Trunk Latch/Lock Problem
Toyota Camry Navigation System Problems
Toyota Camry Alternator Problems
KnowMyAuto is the sole owner of this article was published on Jul 14, 2021 and last updated on .