It is funny when you write a blog post – and it becomes strangely popular.   This is a tech blog, but I toss in some occasional rants, or rally type stuff about thing going on around me.

I’m going to help you FIX this if you own at least a Ford F-Series….

To give you an idea of what I am talking about, and why it confuses me so…  In 2017 here are the top posts on my site.  As of 4/22/2017 when I wrote this.

Ford Promises CarPlay – Fails to Deliver – 4967 unique views

Cisco Spark Board – Innovation In Collaboration – 2108 Views

I’m horrible at web sites, and at SEO, but I guess sometimes the SEO bit starts to work properly, because my Ford Promises CarPlay blog is by far the most popular thing around here.    With that in mind, everyone is finding their way here because of the issue, so let me try and help out.

First – go to your dealer and try and get the upgrade, that is the legal, non warranty voiding method, if you do not want to wait anymore – proceed with the understanding this is at your own risk.

There are 2 scenarios you are in

 

You own a 2016 Ford with Sync 3 Version 2 – but CarPlay does not work

The good news is, this is very easy to fix.   The issue was that when these vheicles shipped, Ford was not shipping a “CarPlay” compatible USB Hub, the Sync unit has 1 USB output which goes down to a hub in the dash that you plug into.

Once you update to the correct USB Hub – CarPlay will just work for you.  So what do you need to do?

Goto Ford, and get the correct hub, I don’t know the part number for every car, if you look online the various car forums can probably help you – OR – you can simply go and ask for a replacement USB hub for a 2017 model of your car.

For the 2016 Ford F-150 here is the model number you need.    The parts guy might give you a hard time, tell him it’s for a 2017 Ford F-150 Lariat, tell him you don’t have a VIN, and that’s the part number, if he says “IF this is the wrong part it is your fault” — just say “Yep i’m fine with it”  it shouldn’t cost you more than $100

GJ7Z-19A387-B (WHITE BACKLIGHTING)
HC3Z-19A387-B (BLUE BACKLIGHTING)

Here is a video showing how to do it…  Thanks to that user for posting.

 

You own a 2016 Ford with Sync 3 – and your version is not 2.0 or higher

This is where things get a little more complicated.     First you need to do the step above for those who have 2.0 or higher, so stop now, and go order that part, when you are done, come back.

Ford seems to not want to send out the upgrade from 1.0 to 2.0 – that is the problem here – yes the issue is some kind of software issue, which we don’t know why because the rest of us who are willing to play with our vehicles, have been running CarPlay for — 4 months at this point.

Now that you have the new hub, you need to search online for the specific Sync 3 2.0 upgrade package, you put it on a USB key, and plug it in, and the upgrade procedure starts.    I am not providing links to that software, that would probably break all kinds of laws – if you are willing to take the chance, I am sure you can find it.   WARNING:  It is very easy to use the WRONG upgrade file, ensure you are using the correct file, for NAV vs NON-NAV models (no you can’t upgrade to free NAV) .

Here is a video of someone doing it on a Ford Focus RS