Why Wi-Fi for Apple carplay?
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Why Wi-Fi for Apple carplay?
I've got a 22 F350 Lariat with the 12" screen and Sync 4. When I attempt to connect to apple carplay using Bluetooth, I get a message to either use a usb cable or turn on Wi-Fi to complete the connection. Both methods work, but since when to you need to use a Wi-Fi signal instead of the most common Bluetooth method. Also, I know that I get limited Wi-Fi free for a trial period, but will I have to pay subscription fees if I want to continue with carplay wirelessly? Using a cord isn't the end of the world, (I do in my 4Runner) but when I first heard about the sync 4 wireless connectivity I thought it was kind of a nice feature. My real question is did a get a bad unit or is Wi-Fi the only way to get carplay wirelessly?
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New User
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I've got an iPhone 11 with the latest update, so that's not the case. I just checked my owners manual and it says it can be connected with Bluetooth but even after checking all the settings on my phone and in the truck, it won't connect the 2.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
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From: GA
Wireless CarPlay has nothing to do with the actual free trial of WiFi in your vehicle.
Have you tried a Master Reset of the SYNC 4 system?
Do you know how to do this?
Also, make sure you don’t have the Hotspot feature on your iPhone turned on while plugged into USB. When attempting to use Bluetooth, the message you mentioned will pop up.
Many times once this is done, weird problems such as the one you’re having will clear up.
Have you tried a Master Reset of the SYNC 4 system?
Do you know how to do this?
Also, make sure you don’t have the Hotspot feature on your iPhone turned on while plugged into USB. When attempting to use Bluetooth, the message you mentioned will pop up.
Many times once this is done, weird problems such as the one you’re having will clear up.
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New User
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No I haven't and don't know how. I've only had the truck for about 3 weeks so I'll probably just take it back to the dealer to fix. I'm not big on using the dealer except as a last resort. I don't really want to go through the hassle of leaving my new truck there for a period of time for anything I can fix myself. I want to make sure it isn't an error on my part before the "mechanics" at the dealer get a good laugh at the idiot who wasn't smart enough to synch his phone to the truck.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
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From: GA
No I haven't and don't know how. I've only had the truck for about 3 weeks so I'll probably just take it back to the dealer to fix. I'm not big on using the dealer except as a last resort. I don't really want to go through the hassle of leaving my new truck there for a period of time for anything I can fix myself. I want to make sure it isn't an error on my part before the "mechanics" at the dealer get a good laugh at the idiot who wasn't smart enough to synch his phone to the truck.
On the actual 12 inch screen on the center stack, just press settings, then general, scroll down and press reset then tap Master Reset and follow the screen prompts.
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New User
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I'll give it a shot tomorrow. Will I have to re-do all my Fordpass crap, or will that stay in memory? I'm assuming that if I re-synch my phone it should all still be there since everything is on the app.
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More Turbo
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All is well. Wireless Appleplay just uses both BT and WiFi to do its thing. The wireless connection is between your phone and the Sync 4 system. It should keep working fine once the trial runs out since they are two totally different things.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 968
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From: Middle TN
I've got a 22 F350 Lariat with the 12" screen and Sync 4. When I attempt to connect to apple carplay using Bluetooth, I get a message to either use a usb cable or turn on Wi-Fi to complete the connection. Both methods work, but since when to you need to use a Wi-Fi signal instead of the most common Bluetooth method. Also, I know that I get limited Wi-Fi free for a trial period, but will I have to pay subscription fees if I want to continue with carplay wirelessly? Using a cord isn't the end of the world, (I do in my 4Runner) but when I first heard about the sync 4 wireless connectivity I thought it was kind of a nice feature. My real question is did a get a bad unit or is Wi-Fi the only way to get carplay wirelessly?
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 52
Likes: 7
The way it works is:
Your phone hooks up to Sync4 with bluetooth and announces that it can do screen sharing
Sync4 turns on wifi and sends the details to the phone over bluetooth
The phone joins the wifi network and starts sharing the screen wirelessly
This is pretty much how it works when you use a cable too (you'll notice bluetooth is active even with the cable attached) and bluetooth is acting as the "control" channel to get things connected and organized, but it doesnt have the bandwidth to actually move all the data to update the screen, so it has to switch to either a cable or wifi.. this has nothing to do with the wifi hotspot, which you may not be able to use at the same time as your auo screen sharing (I haven't tried this)
Your phone hooks up to Sync4 with bluetooth and announces that it can do screen sharing
Sync4 turns on wifi and sends the details to the phone over bluetooth
The phone joins the wifi network and starts sharing the screen wirelessly
This is pretty much how it works when you use a cable too (you'll notice bluetooth is active even with the cable attached) and bluetooth is acting as the "control" channel to get things connected and organized, but it doesnt have the bandwidth to actually move all the data to update the screen, so it has to switch to either a cable or wifi.. this has nothing to do with the wifi hotspot, which you may not be able to use at the same time as your auo screen sharing (I haven't tried this)
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