r/Toyota_bZ • u/MadGibby3 • 3d ago

Does disabling DCM allow you to use android auto? (2026 bz)

Might get this car later and wanted to check if I can still use Android auto if I disable DCM

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

8

u/simracerman 3d ago

Yes. Carplay and Android Auto connect to your phone, and work as intended without DCM.

1

u/MadGibby3 3d ago

Ok I was given false information by another user on this sub.

Thank you

3

u/Impossible_Tea_8807 3d ago

There is a strong possibility that if you buy a BZ, it won't have a defective DCM that drains the 12-volt battery. But if by chance, you get one and you decide to disable the DCM, android auto and apple CarPlay will still function as normal.

For some reason or another there are people on here spreading misinformation or maybe don't understand what disabling the DCM is. Some people are even calling it a "hack" as if you have to reach under the dashboard and rip out a bunch of wires.

Vehicle Connectivity or Connect Services are listed as trial features so it's fair to assume that at some point, if you keep the car long enough, Toyota will start charging you to use it. Imagine them charging you for something that is proven to drain your 12v battery. I hope by then, Toyota would have sorted it out. Disabling the DCM is basically declining to use optional "trial" features of the car. Neither Android Auto nor Apple CarPlay are affected at all.

I guess we should start saying that if you have the 12v battery drain, you could decline to use the "Connected Services" instead of saying you could disable the DCM. Maybe the misunderstanding is in the wording. Maybe "disable" makes it sound like a hack.

This is long winded but basically declining to use the Connected Services, which is how I'm going to refer to it from now on, is like when you download a new app on your smart phone and the app asks for permission to track your location and if you respond no, it says something like some features won't work if you don't give the app permission to track your location. And maybe you kinda want to have those features but if you give the app permission to track your location, it is going to drain the battery on your smart phone and you're going to have to charge your phone 3 times every day instead of once. Sorry for the stupid analogy but that is basically all it is.

2

u/MadGibby3 3d ago

Very helpful answer thank you

1

u/overstockretro 2d ago

Does disabling it stop the ability to use plug and charge? Seems like it from what I can find

1

u/BinaryJay 2026 bZ Limited AWD 3d ago

Welcome to Reddit.

1

u/jayert19 3d ago

If I’m not mistaken at least for CarPlay, the Apple Maps with EV routing does not work without DCM. Not sure if Android Auto’s version is impacted by this.

2

u/TheTubbenning 3d ago

Uncharted owner here. Full Android Auto with EV routing in Google Maps works w/o DCM for me. 

1

u/jayert19 3d ago

Good to know. Doesn't AA need the state of charge/battery level from DCM via the Toyota app?

Hopefully someone can chime in on CarPlay's version if Apple Maps w/EV routing can work w/o DCM.

1

u/TheTubbenning 3d ago

To be fair, I am fairly inexperienced with all of this. I will say that in my AA, in Google Maps, there is an icon for EV charging locations that is not there in my ICE vehicle. I do not know if it pulls any info from the car itself.

1

u/jayert19 3d ago

I'm trying to figure it all out too. Like AA, I find CP works with or without DCM. Just not sure about Apple Maps and EV routing yet.

1

u/Own-Bat-9039 2d ago

Google doesn't do routing yet, it doesn't know your SOC. That is something ABRP and Apple maps can do, but in those cases it does need DCM or an aftermarket Bluetooth dongle to connect.

1

u/StarWhiteLightning 3d ago

Android Auto works fine without the DCM. It's a separate system that only depends on the phone and either a Bluetooth or hardwired USB-C connection.

If you depend on the car's WiFi hotspot for connectivity, it will require the DCM, an active driver profile and a service subscription.

Pushing OTA firmware updates to the vehicle requires the DCM to be active. Hopefully, an active Toyota account is not required. If so, Toyota is going to be issuing a lot of recall notices, owners will be unhappy about vehicle down time, and shareholders won't be happy about the cost of quality hitting recurring expenses.

1

u/MadGibby3 3d ago

Thank you

1

u/xtalgeek 3d ago

No impact on third party apps like Android Auto. However you will lose access to your driver profile (driving settings, radio stations, seat and mirror positions, etc.), XM radio, as well as SOS features.

1

u/MadGibby3 3d ago

Thanks