Mar 16, 2018 Wow, that's very concerning. What version of Sync 3 are you on, 1.x, 2.x? My 2016 XLT 302a doesn't have the NAV option but I performed the DIY update to Sync 3 version 2.2 with Android Auto. The navigation with Google runs perfectly, so that could be a work around for you if/when Ford actually fixes the internal GPS. May 19, 2017 Ford is making Android Auto and Apple CarPlay software support available to model-year 2016 vehicles equipped with SYNC 3. Customers with model-year 2016 Ford vehicles can update to the new SYNC 3 version 2.2 by downloading to a USB drive, visiting a dealership or automatically via a wi-fi.
Ford is rolling out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to its earlier SYNC 3 cars, with a hotly-anticipated update for its model year 2016 vehicles. SYNC 3 version 2.2 will be available both via a dealer-installed update and via a DIY method, with owners able to load the new software onto a USB stick themselves. However, for the first time, Ford will also offer an over-the-air update as a third option, part of its shift to bring some smartphone-style thinking to its infotainment platforms.
It takes advantage of a feature the automaker added in SYNC 3, utilizing the system’s integrated WiFi connection. As long as the car is on a WiFi network – such as when it’s parked in the garage, hooked up to the home’s internet connection – it’ll be able to download the new software in the background. The car needn’t be left running, either: as long as the WiFi is connected prior to shutting the engine off, it’ll continue the process.
Not all of the model year 2016 cars have WiFi, of course, and so for those – and owners who don’t want to rely on wireless methods, or perhaps have a slow internet connection – there’s a direct install option too. The v2.2 software will be available to download from owner.ford.com today. Once saved to a USB drive, and plugged into the car’s USB hub, it’ll automatically update.
Finally, those who don’t want to go through the process themselves will be able to take their Ford into the nearest dealer and have it done there, instead. It’s worth noting that there might well be a charge for that, however.
With approximately 800,000 vehicles running SYNC 3 from 2016 in the wild, it’s a significant update. Ford made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard on all of its model year 2017 cars, from the smallest Fiesta, through sports cars like the Mustang and GT, to SUVs like the Escape and Explorer, and trucks in the F-Series. In addition to the new smartphone integration, the updated version for 2016 cars will add a manual update check option over WiFi, rather than owners having to rely on the car checking periodically itself.
There’s one minor hitch in the whole process, however. While those with an Android phone will be able to update the SYNC 3 software and get going with Android Auto straight away, the 2016 Fords will need a USB hub upgrade in order to play nicely with CarPlay on the iPhone. That’ll need to be handled by a dealer.
Although automakers like Tesla have made dashboard updates more commonplace, it’s still fairly unusual in the auto industry as a whole to see older cars get major updates of this sort. While patches and security fixes are fairly common, traditionally car companies have preferred to sell you a whole new vehicle. Ford is looking to buck that trend.
Indeed, connected vehicle program chief Don Butler explained to me, the goal is to eventually push out updates to the automaker’s cars on a monthly basis. Before that can happen, Ford plans to reduce its use of tier 1 infotainment systems – that is, externally designed and manufactured radio and navigation hardware that the company slots into its dashboards – and “roll our own,” Butler says. That should be faster, since it can all be done internally rather than outsourced, but also less expensive, since Ford will be able to reuse technologies like the Bluetooth stack which currently it’s paying for with each system iteration.
At the heart of the project is the former BlackBerry team Ford acquired, a roughly 400 strong group based predominantly in Ottawa, Canada. They’re being positioned at the center of Ford’s software overall; initially, they’ll be working on QNX-based infotainment systems, but eventually Ford hopes to expand the OS to other modules in the car. They’ll also be challenging some of the status-quo thought processes in the auto industry with smartphone and software development-style alternatives.
For instance, Butler explained, Ford is looking to make better use of computer modeling in the prototyping process. Currently, the company’s engineers make hundreds of physical prototypes, which is time-consuming, expensive, and fairly wasteful in the long run. Butler estimates that more aggressive use of computer modeling could cut that number by around 70-percent.
There’s also a push for more runway in component selection. Currently, he explains, “you proved you were a good engineer” by finding the most inexpensive, minimally-required components to suit the task; that keeps the bill of materials down, but in the case of infotainment comes at the cost of future upgrade potential. Ford is now pushing to be more aware of what its developers might want to coax from the hardware years down the line, and spec vehicles accordingly.
Story Timeline
Ford is now offering a SYNC 3 software update that enables Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to model-year 2016 vehicles through computer download onto USB drive,over-the-air via a Wi-Fi connection or at dealers.
For the Wi-Fi update you can use home computer Wi-Fi network or Wi-Fi hotpsots from a smartphone. Data chargers from for the phone will incur. Make sure you have a strong signal before starting.
The Wi-Fi update using a home network will be the trickiest because Wi-Fi signals degrade over long distances and depending upon your router, antenna and location of your garage and type of Wi-Fi, you may experience long download times. Before starting the update, you can connect your phone to Wi-Fi or notebook computer to Wi-Fi and see if you have a signal in your garage. We have found in the past, that opening the garage doors may help getting a signal. If your Wi-Fi router is a house or apartment, opening the windows and putting the router near the open window will also make it the signal flow easier. Trees or larg objects can block a home Wi-Fi signal.
Ford reports that it is first software update via Wi-Fi and a automated alternative to existing upgrade methods
We at AUTO Connected Car News suggest that you allow plenty of time for the update. In fact the USB methods takes at least 20 minutes for the car to reboot.
USB installation of CarPlay & Android Auto Update for Ford SYNC 3
- Go to owner.ford.com have an empty USB drive that holds 2 GB or more of data.
- Log in to your SYNC Owner account.
- Go the SYNC Software Updates page, choose Download SYNC Update.
- With the USB drive in the computer, choose Start Download Process. Follow instructions on how to download the files and transfer them to your USB drive.
- Take the loaded USB drive to your car to install the software update files to SYNC.
- Remove any USB drives or devices that are plugged into the media hub USB ports.
- Start car the engine must be running during the update.
- Turn on audio system with low audio.Insert the USB drive into the port. Don’t remove your USB drive until the installation is complete.
- The installation should begin automatically.
- A message is spoken by the system and displayed on-screen to let you know the process is about to start and what to expect. The on-screen message has an “OK” button for you to confirm the start of the process.
- The system reboots, and then an installation progress bar displays on the touch screen. This segment may take up to 20 minutes.
- At the completion of this part of the process, a “Restarting System” message displays on the touch screen. A reboot will occur during this process.
- The touchscreen will then remain black for up to two minutes.
- “Installing Service Pack …” is displayed for more than 10 minutes.
- Another black screen could last up to two minutes for rebooting.
- The system displays the Home Screen briefly, followed by a progress bar.
- A message acknowledges completion of the update along with a reminder to visit syncmyride.com/support to confirm successful installation.
- The update is complete when you see an “Installation Complete!” message. Press “OK” on your eight-inch center screen and remove the USB drive to enjoy your newly enhanced system.
- Take the USB drive back to your computer to report your installation.
- Once you’ve installed the update, you’ll need to pair your phone and download your phone book. You’ll also have to re-enter any saved Navigation points.
SYNC 3 currently supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on all model-year 2017 Ford cars including the Fiesta, Focus, Fusion and Mustang, SUVs including the Escape, Explorer and Expedition, F-Series trucks and Ford’s electrified vehicles.
Though Ford has been issuing SYNC upgrades since 2009, this is the first time the company is offering an update via Wi-Fi. In Wi-Fi-enabled vehicles with Automatic System Updates turned on within SYNC 3, the system will periodically connect to a customer’s designated Wi-Fi network to check for updates. If an update is available, the system automatically downloads the update in the background over a period of time without any customer interaction. And SYNC 3 is designed to perform the update as long as Wi-Fi is connected prior to the vehicle turning off, therefore there is no need to keep the vehicle running for the update to take place.
- Enable Automatic System Updates through Wi-Fi, then SYNC 3 will download, install and activate available system updates when SYNC is connected to a Wi-Fi network, automatically.
- Go to Settings.
- Automatic System Updates.
- Slide Off Button to On.
- The System when Connected to Wi-Fi will autmatically update SYNC.
- Press View Networks.
- A list of networks, will appear.
- Press the name of the network.
- Press Connect.
- Enter the password required by the network.