What does connecting to WiFi do?

[SteveS]

In the settings menu, you can connect the info system to WiFi. That could be your own phone, home WiFi or a dedicated hotspot (not the junk AT&T installed in the vehicle).

My main reason for asking is that I have not seen any software updates or a list of versions to reference. I purchased the ATT hotspot service but it was crap.
It was my understanding, the car had its own connectivity for updates and telemetry without subscribing to anything. Is that true?

If I allow my 4R to connect to my personal 5G hotspot, what will it use that connection for and how much data will it use?

Will the vehicle get updates if the WiFi setting is not connected using its own connection?

Connecting to my home wifi when parked will do nothing as it seems to disconnect when you turn the car off.

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[4score]

From NotebookLM of the 2026 manuals:


Does the car have its own connectivity for updates without subscribing to the hotspot? Yes, your 4Runner is equipped with a built-in Data Communication Module (DCM). The DCM provides the vehicle with its own cellular connection, which the system uses to regularly check the distribution server and download Over-The-Air (OTA) software updates. The DCM is also what handles your vehicle's telemetry, Safety Connect features, and other Connected Services.


Will the vehicle get updates if the Wi-Fi is not connected? Yes. The vehicle can update its software using its own built-in DCM connection, so you do not strictly need to connect it to an external Wi-Fi network to receive them. Alternatively, if neither the DCM nor Wi-Fi is available (or if you prefer not to wait for an over-the-air download), you can download the update to a USB flash drive from a computer and install it manually.


If you connect to your personal 5G hotspot, what does it do and how much data will it use? If you connect the multimedia system to your personal Wi-Fi hotspot, the vehicle can route its internet traffic through your phone. This connection can be used to download vehicle software updates. It will also support any data-reliant Connected Services you use, such as Cloud Navigation, Destination Assist, or the Intelligent Assistant.


The manuals do not specify exactly how much data these tasks will use. However, they do warn that software updates can take several hours depending on the size of the update and the network environment. Because data is sent over the internet, using your phone's hotspot for heavy tasks like firmware updates could result in high data usage and potential charges from your cellular provider.


Connecting to home Wi-Fi when parked: You are correct that connecting to your home Wi-Fi is of limited use when the car is off. If you turn off the power switch while a software update is downloading or installing, the update process is suspended. The download or installation will automatically resume the next time you turn the vehicle back on.

 

[SteveS]

Thank You. I will remove the WiFi profile allowing it to use my hotspot.

Follow-up question:
1) Do you have a link or basic guidance on how to get the offline update. Once I have it, I assume the option to install it is in settings, somewhere.

2) Assuming answers to question #1, does the car need to be running to install the updates? I had a Ford and it requires the car to be running for 25-45 minutes.

3) Does Toyota publish a list of firmware updates, current, history, etc. I cannot find one.
Thanks in advance….

 

[LostInAZ]

https://www.toyota.com/firmware-updates#

Enter your VIN and model info and follow the directions on the next page.

 

[4score]

Here are the answers to your questions about the offline update process for your 4Runner:


1) How to get the offline update and install it You can perform an offline update using a USB flash drive (which needs at least 4 GB of available space) and a computer connected to the internet. Here is the step-by-step process:

• Step 1: Get your vehicle info. Go to the Settings menu (gear icon) on your multimedia display and select [Software update]. Insert a blank USB flash drive into the vehicle's USB Type-C port, and touch [Output info to USB memory]. This copies your specific vehicle information to the drive.
• Step 2: Download the update. Remove the USB drive and plug it into your computer. Go to the Toyota user portal at https://www.toyota.com/firmware-updates. The site will use the vehicle information on your USB drive to find the correct update. Download the update data and save it directly to the root directory of your USB flash drive (do not put it inside a folder, or the car won't be able to load it).
• Step 3: Install. Insert the USB drive back into the vehicle's USB Type-C port, go back to Settings > [Software update], and touch [Update software]. The system will copy the data and begin the installation.

2) Does the car need to be running? The USB installation process takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You do not necessarily have to sit with the car running the entire time. If you turn off the power switch while the software is installing, the installation will simply suspend and automatically resume the next time you start the vehicle.


Note: If you do choose to sit in the car and let the update finish all at once, you should have the vehicle fully turned on (in "READY" mode) rather than just leaving it in Accessory mode, as using the multimedia system for extended periods without the hybrid system operating can drain your 12-volt battery.


3) Does Toyota publish a list of firmware updates/history? Toyota does not mention a general public web page that lists all historical firmware updates and patch notes. However, you can check what applies to you in two ways:

• In the vehicle: You can view your current software version by going to Settings > [Software update] and touching [Model info]. You can also touch [History] to see a log of all past software updates installed on your specific vehicle.
• On the portal: When you visit https://www.toyota.com/firmware-updates with your USB drive, the site will tell you if there are any current updates available for your system. Update data is released there as necessary.

 

[SteveS]

Thanks.
I found the history on the infotainment screen but nothing listed. I conclude, no updates have been installed or needed.

I will try the portal as suggested

 

[a_double]

Does the Toyota software try to check for updates upon wifi connection? How often does it check? If I turn my ride on, but drive away from my wifi network within a few minutes, not long enough for a download, will the car display a unfinished update?

I opted out of connected services. According to whomever is on the other end of hitting the SOS button stated that entails disabling the DCM. I just want to keep my 4Runner up to date without connected services.

 

[Archer]

I visited this portal on my PC from above post, https://www.toyota.com/firmware-updates , added my VIN and I thought nothing happened. An hour later when I drove I noticed neither mine or my wife's phone could be connected any longer and we had to reinstall both phones.
Is that normal?


.

 

[4score]

I visited this portal on my PC from above post, https://www.toyota.com/firmware-updates , added my VIN and I thought nothing happened. An hour later when I drove I noticed neither mine or my wife's phone could be connected any longer and we had to reinstall both phones.
Is that normal?

Visiting the firmware update portal on your PC and entering your VIN simply checks the database for available USB download files; it does not remotely push an update or communicate with your vehicle to change its settings.


However, what you experienced is normal. It is highly likely that your 4Runner completed an automatic Over-The-Air (OTA) software update via its built-in cellular connection (DCM) around the same time.


The manual explicitly states that depending on the content of a software update, some of your system settings may be reset. When this occurs, you are required to reconfigure the applicable settings after the software has been updated, which includes having to re-pair or "reinstall" your Bluetooth phones.

 

[Wavedave]

From NotebookLM of the 2026 manuals:


Does the car have its own connectivity for updates without subscribing to the hotspot? Yes, your 4Runner is equipped with a built-in Data Communication Module (DCM). The DCM provides the vehicle with its own cellular connection, which the system uses to regularly check the distribution server and download Over-The-Air (OTA) software updates. The DCM is also what handles your vehicle's telemetry, Safety Connect features, and other Connected Services.


Will the vehicle get updates if the Wi-Fi is not connected? Yes. The vehicle can update its software using its own built-in DCM connection, so you do not strictly need to connect it to an external Wi-Fi network to receive them. Alternatively, if neither the DCM nor Wi-Fi is available (or if you prefer not to wait for an over-the-air download), you can download the update to a USB flash drive from a computer and install it manually.


If you connect to your personal 5G hotspot, what does it do and how much data will it use? If you connect the multimedia system to your personal Wi-Fi hotspot, the vehicle can route its internet traffic through your phone. This connection can be used to download vehicle software updates. It will also support any data-reliant Connected Services you use, such as Cloud Navigation, Destination Assist, or the Intelligent Assistant.


The manuals do not specify exactly how much data these tasks will use. However, they do warn that software updates can take several hours depending on the size of the update and the network environment. Because data is sent over the internet, using your phone's hotspot for heavy tasks like firmware updates could result in high data usage and potential charges from your cellular provider.


Connecting to home Wi-Fi when parked: You are correct that connecting to your home Wi-Fi is of limited use when the car is off. If you turn off the power switch while a software update is downloading or installing, the update process is suspended. The download or installation will automatically resume the next time you turn the vehicle back on.

Thanks for the insight.

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