HELP - Drive Connect (GPS) not showing as a subscription

[brumey]

New 4r SR5 here. I was under the impression that even the SR5 has a Drive Connect subscription for 1 year. I see all the other subscriptions like remote connect, service connect in the app but not drive connect. The main Info screen always starts with a "Get Started" message for what I assume is drive connect. It says open the app or get a text which is only a link to download the app. I have the app and all other services are showing. Could the dealer have screwed up the registration?

Also, I tried to get my iPhone on the AT&T WiFi but it stops car play working. The only reason I have the AT&T wifi is to cover the cellular data when using maps. If I can't use both the WiFi hotspot and Car Play, I am doomed. My thoughts on this are that CarPlay should use Bluetooth and allow your phone to connect to any network. Another workaround might be to use a cable connect for the iPhone.

Can anyone confirm that CarPlay on the iPhone uses a WiFi connection to the vehicle?

UPDATE - Toyota Support and the dealer confirmed the SR5 does not have a Drive Connect trial.

 

[brumey]

Looks like the SR5 does not have the Drive Connect subscription. This is a real pain because the screen seem to default to that every start up.

Added to that, you cannot use Wireless CarPlay and connect to the Internal AT&T hotspot as CarPlay uses Wi-Fi. I am experimenting with a cable connection which has to be plugged into the USB-C on the side of the display. I got it to work but, it's not consistent.

My goal is to get in the car, plug in iPhone and have that screen be the startup screen. I want my phone on the AT&T hotspot so cellular data can be used on that and not my phones provider which is very low data plan. It seems that unless the infotainmentainment system sees the phone at startup, it goes to the Direct Connect system screen for which I don;t have a subscription and really do not want to pay $15 a month for.

Is anyone using Car Play, with iPhone on the car hotspot and getting their screen to not show direct connect? Wired or otherwise.

Can you force the system to not go to the direct connect screen at start up?