Good day,

We own a 2011 AH20 Toyota Alphard which was imported from Japan to Australia. As it’s imported the head unit is all in japanese. We are looking for a new head unit that is in english so we can use navigation etc.

However we would also want to try and keep some of the existing features (ceiling TV, steering wheel controls etc.).

 

If anyone can help us out with finding a replacement unit, that would be greatly appreciated.

13 hours ago, NicolasEly said:

Good day,

We own a 2011 AH20 Toyota Alphard which was imported from Japan to Australia. As it’s imported the head unit is all in japanese. We are looking for a new head unit that is in English so we can use navigation etc.

However we would also want to try and keep some of the existing features (ceiling TV, steering wheel controls etc.).

 

If anyone can help us out with finding a replacement unit, that would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hello Nicolas,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

Navigation is all about Satellites and/or Phone systems.

 

Living where you do, most of the membership (which is in the UK) will not be able to help much.

 

There are many head units that will give you English, and I believe your head unit may be settable to English.

But beware losing other functions that are 'managed' by (integrated into) the head unit.

Hey Rojie, thank you for your answer.

 

When you say our head unit is settable to English, do you mean the head unit that is standard with our vehicle (HU-no. is 26061) or do you mean any replacement head unit?

 

Thanks for your help.

6 hours ago, NicolasEly said:

Hey Rojie, thank you for your answer.

 

When you say our head unit is settable to English, do you mean the head unit that is standard with our vehicle (HU-no. is 26061) or do you mean any replacement head unit?

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Thanks for the photo.

 

I don't have a model as recent as yours, so cannot be specific.

 

However, many of the later head units can be set to English.

 

Until you get a more helpful answer, you may care to use the search box on your home page, top right.

 

Try head unit, set to English, or similar.

 

There have been many requests for this task so you may get lucky.

 

Hope so.

I believe the standard headunit in the facelift 20 series models can change language, which is 2012 onwards.  

 

Otherwise I have seen people fit a module behind the standard headunit which enables android auto/car play. This is the route I would choose over buying an aftermarket headunit which would probably require a new camera and drop screen.  check out the alphard groups on the socials for this, ben hau is the man that does the modules.

 

iv used google translate to work out the few menus/ buttons I regularly use. 

hi check this link  Car Radio For Toyota Vellfire Alphard H20 2008-2014 CarPlay AndroidAuto Automotive multimedia Tesla Style Bluetooth 4G GPS WIFI - AliExpress 34

That head unit is stuck in Japanese. 

It's a JDM model number. 

 

Some later 2014 versions had English, as well as the export models (hong kong, Malaysia)

 

That 3rd button with a G is a giveaway, as it means it is configured to connect to the Japanese data network, the export models do not have that button. 

 

That said, it has Bluetooth media and Bluetooth calling, and you can add a carplay box, and a small mod to the touchscreen that allows you to use it use your phone to display satnav etc.

On 2/4/2025 at 6:24 PM, Chris.ac said:

That head unit is stuck in Japanese. 

It's a JDM model number. 

 

Some later 2014 versions had English, as well as the export models (hong kong, Malaysia)

 

That 3rd button with a G is a giveaway, as it means it is configured to connect to the Japanese data network, the export models do not have that button. 

 

That said, it has Bluetooth media and Bluetooth calling, and you can add a carplay box, and a small mod to the touchscreen that allows you to use it use your phone to display satnav etc.

Hi. I know this was written a while ago. However do you have any more information or guidance regarding installing the mod to enable carplay/android auto? Thanks

On 9/5/2025 at 9:30 PM, glarhzilla said:

Hi. I know this was written a while ago. However do you have any more information or guidance regarding installing the mod to enable carplay/android auto? Thanks

You need to purchase a generic/Toyota compatible box from somewhere like AliExpress. 

You will need one that has an rca output. 

The box will usually come with either an external controller or a touchscreen interface board. 

 

I opened the screen and used a ribbon cable to connect to the touchscreen that has a switch to select of the touchscreen settings signal to the carplay box, or the official headunit. 

 

I  interrupted the parking brake signal to the headunit so that the aux video remains on when car is in motion.

16 hours ago, Chris.ac said:

You need to purchase a generic/Toyota compatible box from somewhere like AliExpress. 

You will need one that has an rca output. 

The box will usually come with either an external controller or a touchscreen interface board. 

 

I opened the screen and used a ribbon cable to connect to the touchscreen that has a switch to select of the touchscreen settings signal to the carplay box, or the official headunit. 

 

I  interrupted the parking brake signal to the headunit so that the aux video remains on when car is in motion.

Thank you for the Information