SYNC 3 / Android Auto Issue
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New User
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 11
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SYNC 3 / Android Auto Issue
Hey guys- Having an issue with my 2018 SD w/SYNC 3.
Everything seems to be working as it should EXCEPT for being able to use my phone (via Android Auto) to run apps on the touch screen. Ideally I'd like to run google maps or another traffic app to get real time info (traffic slow downs, accidents, road closures, etc). I've searched and so far have come up with nothing. I've verified that I'm running the right software on my phone (Android version 6.0.1 According to Ford and others I need at least 5.0 'lollipop'. I'm pretty certain my 6.0.1 'marshmallow' is okay.) Also according to Ford my (pretty old) Droid Turbo XT1254 is compatible. I have the latest version of Android Auto on my phone- just down loaded yesterday. The phone is on a Verizon unlimited data plan.
I've followed the directions and gone through all the motions but I have yet to see the Android Auto Icon appear in my settings on the SYNC 3. The phone is connected via bluetooth as well as USB.
At this point, according to Ford's website I should go to the settings icon and then the Android Auto Preferences icon but its simply not there...
I'm not the most tech savvy guy I'll admit- What am I missing here?
Thanks.
Everything seems to be working as it should EXCEPT for being able to use my phone (via Android Auto) to run apps on the touch screen. Ideally I'd like to run google maps or another traffic app to get real time info (traffic slow downs, accidents, road closures, etc). I've searched and so far have come up with nothing. I've verified that I'm running the right software on my phone (Android version 6.0.1 According to Ford and others I need at least 5.0 'lollipop'. I'm pretty certain my 6.0.1 'marshmallow' is okay.) Also according to Ford my (pretty old) Droid Turbo XT1254 is compatible. I have the latest version of Android Auto on my phone- just down loaded yesterday. The phone is on a Verizon unlimited data plan.
I've followed the directions and gone through all the motions but I have yet to see the Android Auto Icon appear in my settings on the SYNC 3. The phone is connected via bluetooth as well as USB.
At this point, according to Ford's website I should go to the settings icon and then the Android Auto Preferences icon but its simply not there...
I'm not the most tech savvy guy I'll admit- What am I missing here?
Thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 402
Likes: 26
From: Anywhere USA
Android Auto on my 2017 F450 sucks. I have the latest Sync 3 software on the truck and the phone is updated with latest software as well. Sync 3 and Android Auto are nothing but frustrating pieces of crap in my opinion. My wife plugs in her Iphone and it works flawlessy. I gave up using Android Auto to play music. I just use my Garmin GPS for nav and the phone media player to play music. I'm pretty good with tech stuff but I'll be darned if I can get Android Auto and Sync 3 to play nicely.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 737
Likes: 13
I recently (like just last weekend) set up my wife's Android (S7) to work over Android Auto. It was more painful than my iPhone (which was really just plug it in and it worked). On hers, I had to first download an app, then I had to launch said app, and then spend like 10 minutes accepting various license agreements, approving notification settings, allowing access, etc... And if I skipped a step, or didn't allow something, it'd all go back to square one and I'd have to start over. In the end, I just had to blindly accept everything the phone asked in order to get it to work.
Then, once it was on the screen, I shut if off and unplugged and haven't tried using it since. I did see it's monochrome, reminiscent of green screen interface, looks like something that will frustrate the heck out of my wife.
Then, once it was on the screen, I shut if off and unplugged and haven't tried using it since. I did see it's monochrome, reminiscent of green screen interface, looks like something that will frustrate the heck out of my wife.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 941
Likes: 25
From: Port huron MI
Android auto is super picky about cables, if you google "android auto errors" that's the answer to everything, and it actually is in most cases. My oem samsung cable and about 4 aftermarket ones i had all would cause random errors. I ordered one from their approved list (3' anker braided one) and it's worked great ever since. Some cheap and quick you can try. AA works great once its set up, full control of spotify, google music, pandora, google maps and waze. Google assistant works a ton better than SYNC, it can be a bit slower but you can speak to it normally without having to remember the commands. Definitely not monochrome, so there is something wrong there.
list of some of the google recommended cables.
https://productforums.google.com/for...I/Cv6ti399BAAJ
list of some of the google recommended cables.
https://productforums.google.com/for...I/Cv6ti399BAAJ
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 8
No problems with my Pixel. Just plugged it in and Google maps came right up on the dash screen. That’s lucky for me. Any button pushing or head scratching and I’d have given up within seconds and defaulted to the Rand McNally that’s tucked between the seat and console!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,541
Likes: 5
From: Weatherford Texas.
I also found that cables have a lot to do with it, I also found that if your phone has the usb C plug, it matters, atleast on mine, which way it is plugged in. I put a mark on my cable, if I turn it over it wont work for data it will just charge.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
Hey guys- Having an issue with my 2018 SD w/SYNC 3.
Everything seems to be working as it should EXCEPT for being able to use my phone (via Android Auto) to run apps on the touch screen. Ideally I'd like to run google maps or another traffic app to get real time info (traffic slow downs, accidents, road closures, etc). I've searched and so far have come up with nothing. I've verified that I'm running the right software on my phone (Android version 6.0.1 According to Ford and others I need at least 5.0 'lollipop'. I'm pretty certain my 6.0.1 'marshmallow' is okay.) Also according to Ford my (pretty old) Droid Turbo XT1254 is compatible. I have the latest version of Android Auto on my phone- just down loaded yesterday. The phone is on a Verizon unlimited data plan.
I've followed the directions and gone through all the motions but I have yet to see the Android Auto Icon appear in my settings on the SYNC 3. The phone is connected via bluetooth as well as USB.
At this point, according to Ford's website I should go to the settings icon and then the Android Auto Preferences icon but its simply not there...
I'm not the most tech savvy guy I'll admit- What am I missing here?
Thanks.
Everything seems to be working as it should EXCEPT for being able to use my phone (via Android Auto) to run apps on the touch screen. Ideally I'd like to run google maps or another traffic app to get real time info (traffic slow downs, accidents, road closures, etc). I've searched and so far have come up with nothing. I've verified that I'm running the right software on my phone (Android version 6.0.1 According to Ford and others I need at least 5.0 'lollipop'. I'm pretty certain my 6.0.1 'marshmallow' is okay.) Also according to Ford my (pretty old) Droid Turbo XT1254 is compatible. I have the latest version of Android Auto on my phone- just down loaded yesterday. The phone is on a Verizon unlimited data plan.
I've followed the directions and gone through all the motions but I have yet to see the Android Auto Icon appear in my settings on the SYNC 3. The phone is connected via bluetooth as well as USB.
At this point, according to Ford's website I should go to the settings icon and then the Android Auto Preferences icon but its simply not there...
I'm not the most tech savvy guy I'll admit- What am I missing here?
Thanks.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
My Note 5 and Sync 3 have been flawless. I plug in and use maps, waze and google play music. also I use the "ok google" command to text, call, search, launch nav, etc. I can even broadcast messages across all of my google home speakers and control my lights in the house from the truck. The mapping is worlds better than the ford nav.
I just enabled android auto, downloaded the app, and accepted all of the permissions.
I just enabled android auto, downloaded the app, and accepted all of the permissions.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: NC USA
I seem to recall that it is mutually exclusive with Android Auto and Car Play.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jun 2018
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Thanks for the feedback everyone... I'm going to order a new 'google approved' cable from amazon right now. (I am just using some random charging cord ATM) It probably won't get here in time for my trip but hopefully it will work. I also just uninstalled android auto from my phone and will reinstall making sure to accept, like, and give permission for whatever they ask.
Follow up question (just for my sanity). The android auto icon should not show up on my SYNC until I (successfully) connect it to my phone which has it installed correct? Some of the videos I watched left this a bit vague. Just want to make sure its not something a bit more sinister than a quality cable or proper downloaded app.
Thanks again.
Follow up question (just for my sanity). The android auto icon should not show up on my SYNC until I (successfully) connect it to my phone which has it installed correct? Some of the videos I watched left this a bit vague. Just want to make sure its not something a bit more sinister than a quality cable or proper downloaded app.
Thanks again.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Heck- I'm not even sure about all these current bells and whistles but since they are there and I paid for them I'd like to use them.
Thanks.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,541
Likes: 5
From: Weatherford Texas.
you can have both apps installed but can't run them both at the same time, to run ford pass, you have to disable AA in the sync AA setings.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 219
Likes: 4
From: SoCal
Agree with the cables. I know on my phone... I was only able to get AA to work using the OEM cable.
Also check your power setting. I found that certain apps are "optimized" to not use battery power. IE: I had an issue with Pandora and Spotify working. I had to "not optimize" the apps in the battery settings. Did the same to AA when I fist started using it.
Also check your power setting. I found that certain apps are "optimized" to not use battery power. IE: I had an issue with Pandora and Spotify working. I had to "not optimize" the apps in the battery settings. Did the same to AA when I fist started using it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 941
Likes: 25
From: Port huron MI
Thanks for the feedback everyone... I'm going to order a new 'google approved' cable from amazon right now. (I am just using some random charging cord ATM) It probably won't get here in time for my trip but hopefully it will work. I also just uninstalled android auto from my phone and will reinstall making sure to accept, like, and give permission for whatever they ask.
Follow up question (just for my sanity). The android auto icon should not show up on my SYNC until I (successfully) connect it to my phone which has it installed correct? Some of the videos I watched left this a bit vague. Just want to make sure its not something a bit more sinister than a quality cable or proper downloaded app.
Thanks again.
Follow up question (just for my sanity). The android auto icon should not show up on my SYNC until I (successfully) connect it to my phone which has it installed correct? Some of the videos I watched left this a bit vague. Just want to make sure its not something a bit more sinister than a quality cable or proper downloaded app.
Thanks again.