Going to be shopping for a cell phone soon. Just wondering about which one to get. Hoping you can provide some recommendations for a smart phone that works seamlessly with Sync or is that a fools wish.

I have 2016 F150 Lariat.

The phones recommended on the Ford Owners site seem out of date?

 

Any current phone should work fine. Its a google/apple app so the dependency is with that and not the device itself so much. I will say it works well but not perfect, sometimes you will have to plug the phone in twice to get it to work, sometimes it locks up.

 

You`re really opening up a a can of haters on both sides by asking such a question. Also, don`t pay too much attention to the phones that are recommended on the Ford Owners website.

It`s not about which phone works seamlessly because most modern smart phones will serve you well when using it with the SYNC 3 system and the apps that are designed to work with it. With that being said, you have to decide on which OS you prefer using........Android or iOS.

I`m sure you know this but i`ll point it out so there won`t be any confusion. iOS is for iPhone only meaning Apple and Android covers many different brands of phones as well as prices.

Personally, i`m an Apple guy and I prefer iOS and it has worked well for me and the SYNC 3 system but there will be others who`ll say that iOS and Apple are terrible and you should stay away and go with Android and more than likely they`ll say that you should get a Samsung Galaxy phone.

I`m not going to get into that battle because to each his or her own.

I hope this info helps you out.

Have a great day.

 

I'm using an iPhone 7 Plus. Like any other phone, there are glitches every once in a while but for the most part the iPhone has done a good job. I've used Samsung cell phones in older model F-150's and they didn't work as well as the iPhone.

 

Thanks.

It looks like just get a phone that suits the needs and see what it does.

 

That's your best bet. In truck use is only a small part of what you will use your phone for, just have to find one with the right physical form factor and operating system you like best.

 

If you want to use Waze, Android is the way to go. Other than that, everything's the same.

If you have a 2016, make sure you have the latest version of Sync. Some 2016's require a firmware upload.

 

Another thing to remember is that since you have a 2016 F150 and if you decide to go with an iPhone, you`ll have to change/swap out the USB hub in your F150 to utilize Apple CarPlay which is the iPhone specific interface that works with SYNC 3.

No worries though as the swap only takes a few minutes and you can do it yourself. These replacement hubs range between $50.00-$60.00 dollars depending on where it`s purchased from and there are several Ford dealers on eBay that sells them but they might be a little more expensive for our neighbors in Canada. The part# is HC3Z-19A387-B

 

Thanks GABAR, and thanks again everyone.

My work cell is an Apple 6 and I can't find CarPlay and you have provided the solution needed. However, I think I will go Android when I retire very soon.

 

I live in a divided house. My wife is IOS, I am Android. As Gabar said it is just a matter of preference. This is also a third solution that I don't see mentioned that often.
As Sync is just Ford's word for integration with a phone, there are two levels of integration.
One is using the USB port and allowing the system to "take over" your phone. The other is simply connecting your phone via bluetooth. Many will say that the safest way to get the most out of your phone while driving is going full integration via the usb port. I agree with that.
But for some who just want a hands free phone and some occasional music via the phone here and there the bluetooth connection works just fine. This is especially true if you have factory nav and you like it. Voice recognition still works, text messages can still be read or heard, and you can see what music is playing from your phone on the Sync display.
My wife uses it the bluetooth with her iphone. She really doesn't see the point of ACP for her needs. I use the bluetooth for around town driving and the Android Auto for the longer trips.
And as Gabar said, I have had a Google Pixel and Galaxy Note. The Samsung by far has been the most seamless for me. Which is ironic as the Pixel is designed by the same folk that designed the Android OS. For me the bluetooth integration on the Note 8 has been flawless.