ios16 issues with Ford Sync

May have found resolve but haven’t tried yet. Restrictions was turned on. Wasn’t on before, guess it got a wild hair.

• Step 1: In the “Settings”, open “Screen Time”.
• Step 2: Turn on Screen Time if it’s already turned on then Locate “Content & Privacy Restrictions”.
• Step 3: Enter the required password if asked your iPhone.
• Step 4: Scroll and find “Allowed Apps” > “Enable CarPlay“.

i have a 2021 Ford Explorer & a iPhone 12 Pro Max running on the new IOS 16..0.02. The sync feature is glitchy, at times when I turn on the car it either won’t recognize a connected phone for Car Play or the Car Play itself won’t activate. I checked to see if Ford Sync needs an update but so far they haven’t released one. I can’t vouch that it connects on Bluetooth for Car Play because although it does connect to the car, it doesn’t activate Car Play. Thus I only get the basic phone functions & not the features such as using Apple Maps etc..

curious if anyone has contacted Ford on this, maybe it’s more a need to update Ford Sync to properly integrate with IOS 16?

Heya! Just got a new iphone 14 today and was having this issue getting it to connect to my 2018 Ford Escape - I took the vehicle off my Ford Pass app and added it back, tried turning bluetooth on and off both the vehicle and the phone, and then as a last resort used the OTHER USB plugin (I usually use the one at the bottom of the center control panel, but used the one inside the center console instead) and lo-and-behold I got the pop-ups on my phone and car to setup carplay then could use the usual usb again successfully. Hopefully this helps someone else because I found it frustrating but not entirely unexpected!

Hey there The1guy,

That is a strange issue to occur, but it's also good that you were able to test Bluetooth and found no issues. That being said, we'd like to help rule out some possible causes with that connection:

1. If you test plugging in your iPhone to a charger, or another USB device, are there any issues?
2. Were you able to test another iPhone connected to the same USB port on your car stereo, and if yes, what were the results?
3. We see iOS 16 is installed, but is iOS 16.0 the exact version showing under Settings > General > About?
4. Have you already tried a restart of your iPhone? If not, this link shows how to Restart your iPhone.
5. What about testing a different USB cable with your iPhone?

Cheers!

Mine was working fine yesterday on my 2019 F150 now no apps, CarPlay or anything will work with my iPhone 14 pro max. Tried resetting Ford sync with long press power and fast forward button and nothing. Bluetooth works but nothing while plugged into usb. Tried both outlets and it charges phone but won’t pull any apps (YouTube music, Waze etc) or CarPlay.

I have a 2016 Ford Transit Connect with Sync. Since the 16.1.1 update, Sync will recognize and connect to my Iphone 12Pro but as a media only, it will not take charge of phone calls and it is impossible to connect it as anything else than a media device. I can listen to a podcast while driving but not take a call and this started right after I installed the 16.1.1 update. Can anyone help me solve this issue please?

Uploaded existing contacts from iPhone to Ford SYNC. Sorry, I jumped the gun on the Ford SYNC, it's been a poor product from day one, but learned to work around it's weaknesses. In summary, the Ford Techs were worthless, so I finally muscled through and got my iOS16.1.2 iPhone synced to the Ford SYNC 1 Ver 4.6. When I downloaded the Apple iOS16.1.2 initially, the two immediately quit communicating.

• I rebooted the phone
• Removed contacts on Ford SYNC
• Added contacts from iPhone back on Ford SYNC

Now hands free calling works, I receive calls, updated contacts are back on, and Bluetooth radio works. FYI, years ago at the advice of Ford I dramatically cut back on contacts stored on phone, trimmed down to about 100. Also, the main folks I call only have "first" name records, no last. That way I can say call "Dave" and there is only one name, so the voice recognition does not trip over the pronunciation of a fall name. Until I went to the single name requests, the SYNC was worthless. Now it does okay. Hope this helps, Mark :-)

I have issues with Bluetooth on my 2017 Ford Edge and ios 16 in that my Amazon music does not play correctly whether my phone is cell or wifi connected. It plays a few seconds, goes quiet, and then picks up the song some number of seconds later.

I have done the following. Restart phone and also tried disconnecting the phone from SYNC by forgetting Bluetooth connection and reconnecting.

I am in the process of installing a map update which also updates system software to see if that rectifies the problem.

Map update made no difference.

IPhone 12, 256 GB with 164 GB available.

I too have the issue with my 2017 Fusion. My phone recognizes that I’m connecting to a CarPlay supported device, it will even ping me with an eta on how long it will take to get home. However, CarPlay on my car audio deck never launches; it does however recognize a usb audio source is connected and will allow me to play audio through the source, but it is delayed.

Things I’ve tried:

1) Brand new certified cable. No change

2) Removed CarPlay device from audio deck and Sync 3 settings from my iPhone, then reconnected. Both my phone and car recognize a CarPlay enabled device was connected; it allows me to go through the add process; CarPlay never launches. No change.

3) Restarted phone. No change.

4) Master reset audio deck. No change.

5) Plugged in an Android device: Android Auto launches as expected.

CarPlay has been flawless for me up until this lasted iOS version. Hopefully it can be resolved soon.

I was on chat and phone with Ford customer service and they could not assist me with the Ford MS SYNC (stink). On my end it appears the Ford SYNC 1 Ver 4.6 is incompatible with Apple iOS 16.1.2. Never cared much for the SYNC (stink) for last 8 years anyway. Ford sold me a $35,000 headache. Oh well, the iPhone is great. FYI :-(

Ok, the audio module has been ruled out. I'm using Bluetooth connectivity and I think that the problem is inherent in IOS 16 and something that happens when it connects with Sync. The problem is that the music plays and then loses volume (song still playing, though), then volume comes back periodically. The reason I think this is an Apple problem is that if I turn off the Edge and open the door, the problem still occurs solely on the iPhone 12 until I close the music app (both supplied Music app and Amazon music) and restart them. Maybe Ford and Apple should talk to each other about the problem??

I have to apologize, frustrated after a lot of time on phone and chat with Ford folks, that got nowhere. I’ve heard that necessity and frustration are the parents of invention and results. Well, I googled all the answers needed, tried them and got iOS 16.1.2 to work with SYNC 1 ver 4.6. Turned iPhone 11 off then on, turned bluetooth off then on. Paired SYNC by getting code from iPhone. SYNC still would not let me handsfree call out, so I erased existing SYNC contact record, and uploaded existing from iPhone. I can call out, get calls, and access bluetooth audio with Pandora. All I can say is don’t waste time with the Ford folks, look for answer you need with google search!

Hi bluezkat, Having what seems like a similar issue. I am able to understand all of your steps except "uploaded existing from iPhone". Can you explain what you mean, please? Just switched from Samsung to iPhone and this glitch makes me sad.

Thanks!

We plugged our sons iPhone 7 running an older ios in and carplay worked off the usb port like it used to for our phones. My wife and I are on iPhone 12’s running ios 16.2 have only been able to connect with Bluetooth, make calls and stream Bluetooth audio for a few weeks, assuming since we updated to ios 16. We have no app functionality with sync when plugged into either usb ports, it will only charge. Tried multiple suggestions on this thread with no luck so far.

I googled all the answers needed, tried them and got iOS 16.1.2 to work with SYNC 4 version 4.6. Turned iPhone 11 totally off then back on, turned Bluetooth off then back on. Paired SYNC by getting code from iPhone. SYNC still would not let me handsfree call out, so I erased existing SYNC contact record, and updated from iPhone contacts. I can call out, get calls, and access Bluetooth audio with Spotify. All I can say is don’t waste time with the Ford folks, look for answer you need with google search! The Ford tech reps cannot help with what should be just fundamental advice, bless their hearts. I'll finish with this, Ford told me years ago to minimize number of contacts that are SYNC'd to their system. Plus, consider changing your contacts to first names only, especially if you already know last the names anyway. The voice recognition on Ford's "stink" SYNC is so challenged, asking for one name only helps. Like, if you say "call Mark", the voice recognition does not have to decipher a command with two names, or sort out which Mark. I do not hook up to anything but Bluetooth Audio, and calling out, mainly with first names only. I do not hook up to my Ford with any USB cords. Hope this help. Bluezkat