2014-2016 Lexus IS 200t 300 350 Screen Upgrade Install: 10.25 Inch Wireless CarPlay Display
This Lexus IS screen upgrade install replaces the dated 7 inch factory display in a 2014 to 2016 Lexus IS with a 10.25 inch plug-and-play screen running wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The entire dash transforms, the factory backup camera stays intact, the steering wheel controls keep working, and you can finally throw the vent phone mount in the trash. This is a prototype install ahead of full release, and the steps below walk through the exact process our team used in the shop.
Why the Lexus IS Factory Screen Feels Stuck in 2014-2016
The third generation Lexus IS is still a phenomenal car. The chassis is sharp, the interior holds up, and the engine choices age well. The factory infotainment screen does not. At 7 inches with no CarPlay, no Android Auto, and a finish that scratches under direct sun, the original display is the single biggest reason Lexus IS owners feel like the car has fallen behind newer competitors. Our 10.25 inch Lexus IS and RC screen replacement fixes that without trading in the car.
What the 10.25 Inch Screen Replacement Adds
The new screen utilizes the entire dash real estate available on the 2014 to 2016 Lexus IS 200t 300 350 and the Lexus RC 200t 300 350. The factory controls all stay live, including the joystick controller and steering wheel buttons. Backup camera, climate control, and OEM aesthetics are preserved. On top of that you get wireless CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, AirPlay screen mirroring for video playback, a front camera input, and an upgraded backup camera input. If you want to add even more visibility, our factory camera integration kits pair directly with the new screen.
Vehicle Compatibility for the 10.25 Inch Screen
This screen replacement is compatible with the 2014 to 2016 Lexus IS 200t, IS 300, and IS 350 with or without factory navigation, and the 2015 to 2017 Lexus RC 200t, RC 300, and RC 350 with or without factory navigation. The kit is the same hardware across all of these trims because they share the same 7 inch factory display housing and connector layout. If your car falls in those model years and you can confirm the OEM screen is the 7 inch unit, you are in scope for this upgrade.
Tools You Need for the Lexus IS/RC Screen Install
Pull these together before you start. The install takes most of an afternoon at a comfortable pace.
- 10 mm socket and ratchet
- Phillips screwdriver
- Plastic panel removal tool
- Thick towel or old sweater to protect the shifter and dash
- Electrical tape for unused wire ends
Step 1: Prep the New Screen Bracket
Before you go inside the cabin, mount the bracket onto the back of the new 10.25 inch screen. In most cases the bracket arrives pre-installed. If it is loose in the box, line it up with the threaded holes on the back of the screen and snug it down. Confirm the bracket clips orient correctly before walking it out to the car.
Step 2: Remove the Shift Knob and Trim Panels
Inside the car, pull down the shift boot and turn the shift knob counterclockwise until it lifts off. With the knob out, work the two side panels around the center console free with a plastic panel removal tool. Then remove two Phillips screws holding the next panel. Drop each screw back into the hole it came from so nothing wanders off across the carpet. Pull the panel outward following the direction of its clips. Pry against the clips and you will snap them.
Step 3: Release the Shifter Surround
There is one more Phillips screw hidden inside the cavity. Look straight down into the opening you just exposed and remove it. Engage the parking brake firmly. The shifter has to drop into neutral to clear the surround, and the parking brake is what keeps the car still while you do that. Raise the armrest, pull the upper console piece up, disconnect the connectors behind it, then either press the shift release lever or use the manual release under the boot to drop the shifter into neutral. Lift the panel out and disconnect the remaining harnesses.
Step 4: Pull the Factory Radio
Lay a thick towel or old sweater across the shifter and lower console. The radio comes straight out toward the driver and the bottom edge rests against whatever you put down. Remove the four 10 mm bolts that secure the radio. Two are on the sides, two are on the bottom. Pull the radio straight out and lift the climate control panel above it to free up access. While the dash is open, this is a smart time to plan for our Beat-Sonic plug-and-play amplifiers if you want to address the factory audio at the same time.
Step 5: Remove the Factory Screen
Pop the small trim panel above the radio cavity with the panel removal tool. That exposes two more 10 mm bolts holding the factory screen. Remove both bolts, grab the screen from the back, and pull it forward. There are two connectors on the rear of the screen. Disconnect both. Look at the front of the factory display once it is in your hand. The scratching alone is usually enough to justify the upgrade.
Critical Safety Step Before Disconnecting Anything
This step protects thousands of dollars worth of infotainment hardware. After your last drive, let the car sit for a full 10 minutes before disconnecting any factory connector or the negative battery terminal. The Lexus IS infotainment system downloads driving data after each trip. If you interrupt that process, you can corrupt the factory infotainment module. Wait the 10 minutes. Every time.
Step 6: Connect the Main Harness
Remove the trim panel above the radio cavity to expose the wire routing path. Start with the largest connector on the new harness and plug it directly into the factory radio harness. Reconnect the auxiliary connector on the other side. Run the auxiliary lead from the car to your harness, and from your harness back into the radio. Everything is plug-and-play. No cutting, no splicing.
Step 7: Route the Screen Cable Carefully
Routing the screen cable up to the dash is the most frustrating step if you rush it. Run it toward the glove box, loop up, and feed it out where the factory screen sits. You usually do not have to remove the glove box. Tape any secondary wires you are routing together to the main harness so the bundle pulls cleanly. Move slowly. There are sharp bracket edges back there, and yanking the bundle can split the insulation.
Match the 3.5 mm Mic and Audio Jacks Correctly
The harness has two 3.5 mm connectors. The microphone input is labeled MIC IN and connects to the microphone lead. The audio output labeled NV7 connects to the auxiliary out. Mismatch these two and you will hear static instead of audio. Triple check the labels before pushing them home.
Step 8: Transfer Bracket Clips and Mount the New Screen
The factory screen has two bracket clips on the back. Pop them off the original display and snap them onto the new 10.25 inch screen. Leave the dip switch configuration alone. It ships preset for the Lexus IS and RC application, and the instruction manual covers the correct configuration if anything ever needs to change. Insulate any unused wires on the harness. Some carry live 12 volts, and an unintended ground can short the head unit or even the ECU.
Step 9: Plug In the Screen and Verify Function
Connect the large primary connector to the back of the screen and push until it clicks. Connect the two remaining connectors. Reinstall the factory bolts that originally held the screen. Snap the upper trim cover back in place. Before you button up the rest of the dash, reconnect the joystick controller, press the start button to ACC, drop the shifter back to park, and confirm the screen powers up. If you also want to refine driving feel to match the upgraded interior, our ShiftPower throttle response controllers are a natural pairing on the Lexus IS.
What the Lexus IS Looks Like With Wireless CarPlay
Boot the car and the new home menu loads. The phone pairs over the wireless connection and CarPlay launches automatically. Android Auto behaves the same way. You can navigate with the touch screen or with the factory joystick controller, which shows a pink cursor on the new display. Press and hold the home button to swap back to the native Lexus interface. Tap the home button to return to the new user interface. Drop the shifter into reverse and the factory backup camera still functions, then returns to the previous screen when you shift back to park.
Siri, Screen Mirroring, and Front Camera Demo
Siri summons from the steering wheel by pressing and holding the phone pickup button. The system also has its own independent Siri volume so the response does not get swallowed by phone call volume. Screen mirroring works through the AirPlay function in settings. Once active you can mirror video, YouTube, or any media from the phone directly onto the 10.25 inch display, with audio cycled through the auxiliary input via the media button. The front camera input lives in the user interface and can be configured to auto-display for a set number of seconds after the car comes out of reverse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Lexus models is this 10.25 inch screen replacement designed for?
The screen fits the 2014 to 2016 Lexus IS 200t, IS 300, and IS 350 with or without factory navigation, plus the 2015 to 2017 Lexus RC 200t, RC 300, and RC 350 with or without factory navigation.
Does the install require cutting or splicing factory wires?
No. The kit is plug-and-play through OEM connectors. The only wiring task is insulating unused leads on the harness so they cannot accidentally ground out.
Will my factory backup camera and steering wheel controls still work?
Yes. The factory backup camera passes through to the new screen, and all steering wheel controls remain fully functional, including the source toggle and the Siri summon button.
Is this Lexus IS screen upgrade currently available?
This is a prototype unit shown ahead of full release. To join the waitlist, email info@beatsonicusa.com and you will be the first notified when the product ships.
How long does the screen install take?
Plan for most of an afternoon. The screen swap itself is quick, but careful panel removal, cable routing, and the mandatory 10 minute wait after the last drive add up.
Get This Install Done at Beat-Sonic in La Mirada, CA
If you would rather have our install team handle this on your Lexus IS, we offer professional installation at our facility in La Mirada, CA. Contact us to schedule a professional installation and we will have your Lexus IS dialed in the same day.