Sync 3 question.
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 280
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From: Vancouver, Wa USA
So Sync 3. Is that just for syncing to your smartphone for music and voice calls? Do you have to physically plug your phone into the truck with a USB cord in order to use the rest of the Carplay features? Lastly, I saw on Ford’s website that they have a partnership with Waze. Does that mean you can sync Waze off your phone without using a cord or does Waze run natively off the head unit when you have internet service turned on for your truck?
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
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So Sync 3. Is that just for syncing to your smartphone for music and voice calls? Do you have to physically plug your phone into the truck with a USB cord in order to use the rest of the Carplay features? Lastly, I saw on Ford’s website that they have a partnership with Waze. Does that mean you can sync Waze off your phone without using a cord or does Waze run natively off the head unit when you have internet service turned on for your truck?
New User
Joined: Jan 2021
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@ford390gashog Not sure that is correct 100% of the time. I just bought a 2016 F250 and upgraded Sync to the latest version of Sync 3.0. No go with Android Auto. I always get an error when I plug the phone in ("USB insertion error"). I called Sync support who looked up my VIN and told me that my vehicle was not capable.
Some googling around leads me to believe that the USB Adapter that I have is USB 2.0, but that 3.0 is needed. Apparently one can upgrade the adapter but I haven't found a source for that. Yet.
Some googling around leads me to believe that the USB Adapter that I have is USB 2.0, but that 3.0 is needed. Apparently one can upgrade the adapter but I haven't found a source for that. Yet.
Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 72
Likes: 7
From: Havelock, NC
check out RF life + gps. Put in your year make and model of camper/RF and it will use that data for navigation and making sure roads are safe for you. It’s payware, but might be worth the piece of mind!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 141
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From: Florida
There are companies offering a VIN specific module swap. Here is one for '19-'21.
This was done by me on my STX XL w/ SYNC 3 and it worked fine.
This was done by me on my STX XL w/ SYNC 3 and it worked fine.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: NY/Canada border
In my experience Ford's factory navigation is not the wonderful option you'd think it would be. The last truck I had it in was a 2017. I don't think that it was that fantastic and updates were seldom, and certainly not free.
I don't have unlimited data on my phone because I simply don't need it 99% of the time, so plugging the phone into the head unit isn't something I'd be interested in. I do, however have a Garmin that's a few years old and it seems that I can update it frequently for free. So for the few times per year I might use navigation this fits the bill. And it can be used in my non SYNC equipped Mustang and Explorer.
I don't have unlimited data on my phone because I simply don't need it 99% of the time, so plugging the phone into the head unit isn't something I'd be interested in. I do, however have a Garmin that's a few years old and it seems that I can update it frequently for free. So for the few times per year I might use navigation this fits the bill. And it can be used in my non SYNC equipped Mustang and Explorer.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: in the woods of MA
One advantage of the factory nav, being satellite based, is that it will typically work in places where you have no phone signal. Not an issue for you urban folks, but in the more remote places it can make a difference. Also, instead of paying full price for the factory nav updates, go to ebay and buy the penultimate version -typically about $20 from someone who *had* to have the latest version, lol. 
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2021
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@ford390gashog Not sure that is correct 100% of the time. I just bought a 2016 F250 and upgraded Sync to the latest version of Sync 3.0. No go with Android Auto. I always get an error when I plug the phone in ("USB insertion error"). I called Sync support who looked up my VIN and told me that my vehicle was not capable.
Some googling around leads me to believe that the USB Adapter that I have is USB 2.0, but that 3.0 is needed. Apparently one can upgrade the adapter but I haven't found a source for that. Yet.
Some googling around leads me to believe that the USB Adapter that I have is USB 2.0, but that 3.0 is needed. Apparently one can upgrade the adapter but I haven't found a source for that. Yet.
Not sure if the F250 changed at the same time or not, but I would at least swap cables then pull the USB hub to make sure the cable is plugged in correctly. If all else fails maybe buy a new hub.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2021
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So yes you can use either plug.
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