Has anyone been able to do the Sync 3 map update on a 2020 F150?
I got the notification a few weeks ago that there was an update to the maps on my 2020 F150 Limited. I downloaded the update and the license file, formatted and loaded them on a 32gb USB drive. I then got in the truck, started it up and inserted the drive. Got all the correct prompts and it appeared that the process started. The top line on the display said something like Updating System Software. I took a drive for about an hour & 15 minutes and nothing changed. Went I got back home, shut the truck off, took out the drive and figured I'd try it again later. A few days later, I had to run an errand that was about 45 minutes away. Again started the truck, inserted the drive and got the message it was updating. When I got to my destination, I left the truck running, ran the errand and drove back home. Total round trip time was 1hr 45min. Pulled into my driveway and left the truck running. Checking on it every few minutes, still no change. When I finally gave up and shut the truck off, the total elapsed time was 2hrs 42 min.
Any ideas on what the problem is?

 

I just completed the process on my 2019 over the weekend and it was a PITA. It definitely does take longer than an hour, I didn't time it but I was running errands all afternoon and the process took up most of the time. It also took me three attempts because I didn't fully understand the instructions.

What maybe isn't clear is that after the update is complete, you'll get a popup message telling you that you may now remove the USB drive and the update will be finalized with a cycling of the key. When you see this popup message, you MUST remove the USB drive immediately. If you leave it in for an extended period afterward, the update appears to start all over from the beginning. If you leave the USB in when you cycle the key, you will get a message saying the update failed. So, removing the USB drive promptly seems to be key to getting it right. The problem is, I don't know if the "update complete" message stays on the screen for very long (I don't think it does from my experience), so if you're leaving the truck while it's updating you might miss the message, and when you return the process will have already started over, making it seem like nothing has changed. Hope that helps you, it may take some trial and error.

 

Sometimes it just takes awhile.

Leave the USB inserted and don’t remove it until prompted to.

Patience is the key and every vehicle is different so don’t expect it to upload as fast as other owners.

 

Never have been able to get mine to update using WiFi or the USB method. I’ve ended up going to the dealer and complaining about the update. Because it’s still under warranty they’ve done it for me at least once now.

 

My now-old F250 was the same- but it kept "searching" for the update in the garage... even where the internet strength is good. Never even downloaded or found an update even though it told me there was one.

My new Raptor downloaded and installed within an hour total, to the new version. I kept it in ACC in the garage the whole time. Maybe you have to hold your breath, and stand just right?

 

I also have the 2020 F150 Limited and decided to attempt the map update. Followed the download instructions. Inserted the USB device. Got the starting prompts. Stated "Updating System Software". Approximately 40 minutes into the update the system came up with a message that I was not able to read fast enough. The system rebooted. I recall it said something to the effect about reboot, update complete and recycle before the system rebooted. I think. Waited a few minutes, after reboot, but nothing else happened. System stated the update was successful. Thinking it was done I then removed the USB device and shut off the truck, opened the door and waited for the Sync screen to go out. I then started the truck back up. I let the system boot up then noticed a down arrow in the upper right corner of the screen. I then touched the down arrow and it stated that the system was updated successfully. I never got the "Installation Complete" message and to remove the USB device. According to the Ford installation instructions it said "Sync will auto restart twice". Mine did not. Only once but did nothing else after the reboot. I then checked my version of the map. It shows that the map version is now NA119 the most current version. It was NA118 before the update. My Sync version is 3.4 build 20136 which I updated the build number a week ago.

After awhile I did not feel comfortable about the update so I tried the update again. I started the truck and waited for Sync to load. I inserted the USB device again. The message "Updating System Software" showed up right away. I did not get any prompts this time. I let it run. It ran for approximately 20 minutes and then the same message about rebooting and recycle came up. Doesn't stay up long enough for me to read. Sync rebooted. It right away stated "Updating System Software" again. I let it run. It ran for approximately 40 minutes. I then received the "Installation Complete" message and could remove the USB device. Checked the map version and system version again. Nothing changed as far as versions.

Not sure if everything is Ok. It is possible that I did not wait long enough on the first reboot for the system to continue the update. Probably should have not pulled the USB device out and shut the truck off then. Also not sure why the system said it was updated successfully after the first reboot and the map had the new version of NA119. I may try the update again later to make sure everything is OK.

Sorry for the long post. I just wanted to share my experience with this update. Do you think everything is OK or should I attempt the update again?

 

This is the message telling you the update is complete. In my experience, you MUST remove the USB stick immediately after seeing this message or the update process will start again automatically. You can cycle your key after removing the USB stick without issue, but you should not cycle the key with the USB stick still plugged in.

Mine did not restart twice either, the instructions seem to be a little off for whatever reason.

If this is the case, you have the most recent map version correctly installed. If the update had failed, it would've told you. I understand your hesitation to believe it because of how messed up the installation process was, but I don't think you need to try doing it all over again. I don't think it'll hurt anything, but it's not going to help either. If you're really not comfortable with it I'd recommend taking it to the dealer for piece of mind.

 

Thanks for the reply lwk362393. What has me stumped is the first reboot of Sync during the initial update. It did not tell me to remove the USB device before it rebooted. Instructions say not to remove device until the message says to. After Sync rebooted and started up it did not appear to continue the update. Again maybe I did not wait long enough for it to continue but I did not get the message to remove the USB device either. After waiting and not seeing anything else happen I did remove the device and then did a key cycle. After start up I then put the device back in and it continued to update. As I stated before during this time Sync rebooted like before but this time it continued the update right away after reboot. This did not happen on the first reboot. After a while I then got the message "Installation Complete and to remove the device and the updates will take effect the next time I start the truck". Again instructions say not to remove the device until I get this message. So in theory the instructions are correct that Sync will auto restart twice. But that's why the first reboot has me stumped. I should not have had to remove the device and restart the truck.

Anyway, at this time I'm not going to worry about it. Everything seems to be working Ok. If I find something not working later or missing then I will attempt the update again in case something got missed. Sync is showing me the most recent updated versions so I'll leave it at that. Thanks again.

 

Is anyone else having issues with voice commands not working for navigation after the update?

 

Thanks everyone for all the detailed responses! I have tried it again while taking a long drive but it still didn't work.
Started the truck up in my driveway and waited for Sync to initialize, inserted the USB drive and got the message on the top of the display that update was in process. After about 35 - 40 minutes, I happened to look down at the display and that update message was gone. Pulled into a QT, shut the truck off, took out the USB and started it back up. Waited a while and did not get any more messages. I then checked the system settings and the map was still on NA118.
Based on what I'm reading here, looks like my mistake was to take the USB drive out before restarting and not waiting for the message that install was complete. As for that instruction sheet that came with the map update, it isn't worth the two sheets of paper it took to print it out.
Next time I have to go somewhere and be in the truck for at least an hour, I'll try it again, leaving the USB stick in after restarting the truck until I (hopefully) get the message that the install is complete.

 

Before you try the update again I would suggest replacing the license file on your USB device with the original one. After a few days I attempted to start the update all over again with the same files on my USB device. When I inserted the device I received a message that my system, something to this, is already updated. I then inserted my device into the PC to check the files. I noticed after my initial update that something had been written to the license file. This may be preventing yours to continue the update also.

 

YES!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks for the tip. I brought the USB stick back to my PC and did a compare of the contents to the folder I built on the PC with all the files I initially copied to the USB. Everything was the same except for one file on the USB that was not in the original folder. That file had the date that I last tried doing the install. I assume that file keeps track of the update process. I have deleted that file from the USB and will try the update again when I have the time.

 

I'm having problems with the nav voice commands and as far as I know it doesn't have the update. Build date was 8/20 so maybe it has the latest version already. $795 option that I can't use because it's not user friendly. Thankfully the gps on my phone still works.

 

You are welcome. Correct. That's what I was trying to explain. All files stay the same except that file. The license file. This file gets written to during the update. You didn't mention it but after you deleted this file you need to put the original license file back on the USB device before attempting the update again. It is a separate file download and not included in the original folder. The license file name I have is 4U5T-14G424-CC.TAR. This way you know it will be a fresh update.