This finally solved my problem too. Turning up Bluetooth volume is done the same way as turning up the phone volume (side buttons on the iPhone) but has to be done while a call is in progress - ie while the Bluetooth is engaged! You will see it say Bluetooth volume on the phone screen when you do this. Turn the volume down on the car console (doesn’t have to be super low, just maybe below 40) and turn the Bluetooth volume up on the phone itself. This did finally solve my echo problem.
The echo is not on my end in the car, but on the other end, and occurs whether I’m connected via Bluetooth or usb aux port. It seems to me that the iPhone mic stays engaged even when in hands Free mode, so that when the other person speaks and I hear them through my car speakers, the Apple mic picks up their voice and sends it back over the call. That seems likely an Apple setting or bug to me.
I have a 2018 4Runner and have the same issue. When I got the 4Runner, I had an iPhone 6 and had no problem. I recently got an iPhone 8 and the problem started. My husband still has the 6 and he has no issue in my car. This has to be an Apple issue and I wish they would fix it!!
Dear All,
Have the same problem in Toyota Prius I think that it may be the way the car microphones are positioned as the caller on the other end always gets an echo even in other cars in which I have used bluetooth hands free. So I don't think it is a problem with apple phones more the way that Toyota and other companies position their car microphones as it is such a large space so difficult to remove background noise and echo in sound. It tends to be the same in most cars its like having speakerphone on in a loud area or in a big hall except both at the same time. Background noise is added (from driving) and also echo from large space with enclosed walls.
I have a 2013 Avalon - this problem started with the last update to two. I connect my iPhone7 via bluetooth to the car stereo. Customer complain that they hear an echo of themselves back on their side but I sound fine and they sound fine on the car system.
I do not connect via USB but strictly bluetooth. It appears that this is a common issue for some time. My car system is up to date - and so is my phone.
Has anyone else tried to go straight to USB to see if this eliminates the issue?
It's not an Apple problem...it's a Toyota problem. I've been trying to find answers to this issue from the Toyota side, with no luck. But I've read that some android (non-iPhone) phones have been experiencing the same problem.
Just purchased a 2017 Highlander and call recipients hear an echo when I use my iPhone 7. Same for calls to cell phones and land lines. No problem when my husbands Samsung phone is used. Running latest iOS. Restart didn’t fix. Repairing the blue tooth connection didn’t fix. Fine when I use a headset, seems specific to the cars Bluetooth function. Found posts on a Toyota forum (as recent as Aug 2017) about the same issue but no resolution has been found. Help Apple!
ust purchased a 2017 Highlander and call recipients hear an echo when I use my iPhone 7. Same for calls to cell phones and land lines. No problem when my husbands Samsung phone is used. Running latest iOS. Restart didn’t fix. Repairing the blue tooth connection didn’t fix. Fine when I use a headset, seems specific to the cars Bluetooth function. Found posts on a Toyota forum (as recent as Aug 2017) about the same issue but no resolution has been found. Help Apple!
I have the same problem with my "new to me" 2015 Toyota Highlander using an iPhone8. Funny enough, I also had to buy a 2017 RAV4 for my wife at the same time and I DO NOT have any problem in her car with echo, just mine. I've been round and round with the Toyota dealership to address the problem and they insist it is an Apple problem. Won't even attempt to change any hardware on the Toyota vehicle. Apple's problem.
We're having the same problem with my wife's iPhone 7 running iOS 11 in her 2018 Highlander that we purchased last week. In her 2013 Highlander that we traded in, using the same phone and iOS, there was no echo at all.
Whether it's Apple or Toyota there needs to be a fix soon. Very dissapointing.
My wife is having the same problem on her 2018 Highlander and iPhone 7+. We stepped out of a 2013 highlander into a 2018 highlander same day. No issues with echo in 2013 and immediate issues in 2018. Same phone.
Has to be Toyota.
Man, the ratio to people with this problem to Apple responses is not great (well, if you don't count the first answer that doesn't even begin to address the actual question).
I'll join everyone else here in shouting into the void: 2016 Highlander and iPhone 8 Plus, Bluetooth calling essentially unusable due to the echo people are getting on the other end. Wasn't a problem with my iPhone 6 Plus, started the day I bought the iPhone 9. I've gone through all the usual steps (reconnecting Bluetooth, etc.), and even had Toyota install a software update yesterday just in case that was the issue. Nope, this is all on Apple.
Picked up a brand new 2017 Highlander and also have the echo problem for the person I'm speaking with. I'm rocking a iPhone X and the latest updates. I'm in outside sales and spend a lot of time working out of the car, this is tremendously disappointing. I have also noticed that turning down the volume helps sometimes.
Definitely an Apple issue for me. Been driving my Highlander for over two years, calling worked fine for the first year and a half. Switched to a new iPhone, and now I’ve got this echo problem that makes hands free calling completely unworkable.
Asked Toyota about the issue at my last service appointment, they said they’d had several people mention it. They tried updating my software, but that’s did nothing.
Lots of people having this problem, seems like the only response from Apple has been crickets. Very frustrating.
Because it doesn't happen at all when using an Android phone.
That's interesting and I will try it with our 2018 HL and iPhone 6 and 7. Does the issue also occur when receiving a call in the car?
toyota hands free echo
