I am looking at new and used trucks. I want Sync 3 for Android Auto. Can someone tell me which years have Sync 3?

 

Any 2016-2018 F150 with the eight inch screen will have what you`re looking for.

 

Really. I had read somewhere that Sync 3 was introduced mid-2016. Are you saying all 2016s have Sync 3?

 

Well the screen is very different between Sync and Sync 3. Look at the screen in a 2015 or earlier truck then a 2016 or newer truck you will see the difference. I have currently have a 2015 truck with Sync 2 and a 2016 Escape, the Escape has Sync 3.

 

I thought I had looked at a ton of photos between the 2015-2018 Lariats with the 8" screen. They all looked the same to me. If I am looking at interior photos of the screen, how do they appear different?

 

If it's just a big screen without buttons on the sides, then it's the Sync 3.

Only from 2016 and after.. I use Android Auto on my 2016. The 2017's are readily compatible, but for certain 2016 models, especially the earlier ones, you need to perform an update on the Sync 3 to make it work.

 

Good to know. Does this upgrade require any new hardware or is it a software upgrade?

 

For the most part.......all 2016`s will have SYNC 3 but there have been some very early 2016`s that still have MFT but they are far and few between.

My 2016 Lariat with the 502A package was built in late 2015 and it came with SYNC 3.

 

Yes, the screens are the same size but 2015 F150`s came with the Microsoft system called My Ford Touch or SYNC 2 whereas 2016 and later F150`s came with SYNC 3 which is based on the QNX system which is BlackBerry.

 

The upgrades are software based and the most current version that`s officially released from Ford is version 2.3. If you purchased a used 2016 or newer F150, you can go into the settings section on the screen and see what version it`s currently running and if it`s not 2.3, it`s a free download from the Ford Owner website. All you`ll have to do is register and put in your VIN# and they website will tell you if an upgrade is available form your vehicle.

If you ever want to switch to an iPhone and run Apple CarPlay, you will have to replace the USB hub but it`s only a 5 minute job to do that and the hub runs close to 60.00 dollars or a little less depending on where you purchase it from.

One last thing, disregard people telling you to upgrade to version 3.0 Yes, it comes stock on some newer Ford vehicles and some people have downloaded it because it`s out and about on the web but it has not been officially released from Ford yet so proceed with caution if you go this route. I`m not saying that it`ll mess up your SYNC system but why take that chance. Just be patient because it`ll be released by Ford when they think it`s ready for the masses.

Hope this helps you out.

Have a great day.

 

Thanks for the tips!

 

You can add Sync 3 to a 2015. My daughter and I added it to her truck. Not cheap but can been done very easily.

 

Yes, I saw that. About $2000 with Navigation. I think I will just opt for the years that already include Sync 3. Thanks for the thought, though.

 

For the earlier 2016 models, it's just software, you need a USB thumbdrive for Android Auto. However, if you're using Apple's CarPlay, then it's hardware.

 

No Sir. my 2012 and 2015 had a big screen and no buttons on the side. they were the Sync and Sync 2 respectively. Both Microsoft based the Sync 3 screen looks exactly the same. The layout is different between the 2 systems. The early Micosoft systems the home screen is divided into 4ths and the Sync 3 screen the left half is Navigation (if you have it) and the right half is divided into half on top and half on bottom. To be honest i can't say what a none Nav screen sync 3 looks like because I haven't seen one.