So my 4Runner is push button start and from what I understand, you absolutely should NEVER try jumping another vehicle if yours is a push button start nor I believe getting a jump if yours is a push button start (not totally sure on the latter). The reason is because you run the risk of frying the electronics to the starter system or something. My question though is, can a portable jump starter pack be used on a push button start, or are those only safe to use on key turn ignitions?

I have a 2012 Limited w push button and I've never heard that one. Maybe the newer models have changed.

The risk is present on any vehicle regardless of ignition switch type. The culprit being the human factor and incorrectly utilizing jumper cables, connecting them wrong or incorrectly in sequence etc.

These NOCO Lithium units eliminate that problem because they sense polarity. So maybe best to have one of those, small and portable. Safest bet I think.

Sounds like urban legend to me. I’ve had several push button start vehicles and never an issue. Hook up cables correctly and you’re fine.

You are fine to use a jump starter if you hook it directly to the battery.

Where the issue of frying the electronics, comes mostly from hybrid vehicles. Lets take my Toyota RAV4 hybrid as an example. The 12 volt battery is in the back cargo area and hard to get to (especially if the battery is dead and you can't unlock the rear hatch). To jump start it, Toyota provides a jump start terminal in the engine compartment in one of the fuse boxes. You hook up the positive cable of your jump starter to that terminal, and the negative a place on the engine block. The problem is some people have been attaching the negative terminal to a ground point next to the fuse box that just happens to be the ground point for the engine/hybrid system ECU. The high current from the jump start then goes through the ECU and fries it. Toyota released a T-TT (Toyota tech tip) to address the issue reinforcing the rule to attach the negative cable only to the engine and not near the ECU.

You can jump them like any other vehicle.

Seems like the owners manual would cover this.

Can confirm. We’ve jumped our ‘12 Limited several times with NOCO. No issues.

Not sure why you would settle for rumors and misinformation when this is covered directly and incorruptibly in the manual. Page 510 of mine. Ch.7. It’s available online if you don’t have a paper copy.

You can jump start regardless if key or push button. There are some specific instructions regarding smart key/push button procedure.

I think myths like this originate from people who have tried to jump start vehicles improperly and caused damage to their electrical systems. I've seen many people hook up jumper cables in very dangerous ways, including backwards and in the wrong order.

Using a jump pack limits that danger as it removes the 2nd vehicle completely and simplifies the process.

With jump pack off and vehicle ignition off, hook red to red, black to black. Power on the jump pack, wait until it signals it's ready to provide the boost, then start the vehicle. Turn OFF the jump pack, then disconnect black, then red clamps, although with the jump pack turned off, the last step isn't as critical.

When using booster cables:
Red to dead battery first, then red to support vehicle.
Black to support vehicle first, then black to dead battery.
Then start the support vehicle and then start the dead vehicle.
Remove in reverse steps.

I see a lot of people hook up both cables to the support vehicle while it's running, then hook up the cables to the dead battery, causing sparks, which can damage the electrical circuits of the dead vehicle.