Just got my 2024 F350 regular cab STX so it has the single USB 4 and USB C ports. Since Ford dropped the Sirius XM out of anything in the XL/STX and I think XLT line (without Nav) I am trying to find a way to trick the system into allowing for both Android Auto to function giving me the on dash maps and turn by turn audio prompts but also allow an external Sirius XM radio to act as a source for music. Did some research on this and below is what I found out plus what I was able to experiment and find with my truck.

• Sirius XM Roady BT will sync to the head unit by blue tooth just fine - research based
• Android auto will sync as well but Sync 4 does not allow both the Android and Roady BT to be synced at the same time. The Roady gets booted out - research based
• Using the USB to connect, the Android phone will take precedence over all other inputs again kicking the blue tooth linked Roady out - research based
• Bluetooth connection to the head unit for Android Auto will allow for music audio to run from the FM tuner source and mute it during turn by turn prompts from Google maps while displaying the map on screen - personal trial

Here is what I'm thinking could work and wondering if anyone has tried:

• Roady BT has a 3.5mm audio output capability instead of Bluetooth. Bluetooth function can be disabled on the Roady. By disabling the bluetooth function on the Roady, getting a 3.5mm to USB 4 converter you could plug the Roady into the USB port to feed purely an audio signal, no data. The head unit should see this source as a just that, similar to the FM tuner. Skip, pause, etc. would have to be run from the Roady unit but that's not a deal breaker to me. Also the factory screen would not have the song/artist title but I'd have the Google map there anyway and I can see the Roady screen for that info
• For long trips plug the phone into an old school charger from the cigarette lighter. Bluetooth the phone's Android Auto to the head unit for maps and turn by turn and avoid any USB connections that could cause conflicts in prioritization of feeds.

The question is, has anyone tried this and if so does the factory head unit see the Roady USB input as purely audio and allow it to run in the background and Android in the foreground with similar results as using the FM tuner and Android? Anyone used something different to feed audio only into the USB and then ran Android Auto via blue tooth, if so did it work?

Know there is another mfg that makes a box that will plug into the USB port and "activate" the XM option on the factory head unit but at almost $300 versus the SiriusXM Roady BT normally $100 and currently on sale on the XM site for $59 it is sort of a no-brainer to me, IF it will work this way. Hate to waste $59 on a unit to find out I can't out smart the Sync 4 system.

Thanks in advance! Joe

 

Know it's been a long time since I posted this but here is an update, if anyone ever wants to know.

• The small USB C is charging only, no data. Just plugging in a cable connected to the phone trying to link the Andriod Auto the truck pops up a screen essentially saying that.
• All the USB to audio adapters only work for gaming applications with microphone jacks and will not work with purely audio jacks, and didn't seem to be able to back feed an audio signal, they are only audio out put when not using a mic. through the adapter

 

I came here to see if the USB ports will play music stored on a USB Key; I miss the "aux" jack, where I could plug an MP3 player into the dash. My 2024 doesn't seem to "find" my current MP3 player & my phone will NOT be paired with the truck. FWIW my XLT version does include XM radio, but we don't use it