Text messaging with Ford Sync

Question

Level 1

14 points

Text messaging with Ford Sync

I have Ford's Sync service on a 2010 Flex. It works fine and connects through Bluetooth to my iPhone 3G and 3GS, for calls, voice and iPod use. Both the Ford and iPhone software have the latest updates.
The Sync, which is a MS product, has a messaging feature, where the car's system can send service warnings and status messages to a paired phone through text messaging or e-mail. When I attempt to turn this feature on, the system reports that the connected phone is not capable of connecting this way.
The Ford dealer suggests I use a Windows Mobile or Android phone, saying "all Apple products are crap." The dealer had originally said that I would not be able to pair my iPhone with the car at all and that is certainly not true. Is this just a Microsoft doesn't want to play nice with iPhone issue or is there some setting or other option that I am missing?

Macbook Pro 2.53 GHZ Intel Core i5, Mac OS X (10.6.5), iPhone 3G 4.2.1

Posted on Dec 19, 2010 11:25 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 16, 2011 6:21 PM in response to JohnJeffrey

I have the same issue! Anybody know the answer? I know Apple has a solution so let's hear it:).
iPhone texting with myford sync. I have a 2011 SHO and would love to have that feature so I don't keep missing my wife's text cuz the stereo is to loud:). Thx!

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Answer 2

bunky67

Level 1

0 points

Apr 5, 2011 3:23 AM in response to JohnJeffrey

Would love to know the answer to that question. Would hate to have to give up my Iphone to have this feature work with sync

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Answer 3

Tamara

Level 6

13,738 points

Apr 5, 2011 4:52 AM in response to JohnJeffrey

It's a Microsoft thing. Until Microsoft enables it, it won't work.

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Answer 4

Jul 12, 2011 11:29 AM in response to Tamara

I've seen a few different threads on this, and I think I'm going to CALL Apple. They don't like getting calls so maybe if enough SYNC users call, they will change their tune.

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Answer 5

drazan

Level 1

5 points

Aug 28, 2011 5:34 PM in response to Tamara

It's not a Microsoft thing, it's on Apple. The system uses MAP (Message Access Profile) which allows the messages to be sent through bluetooth. Most phone manufacturers have that on their phones, the iPhone does not. So it is up to Apple to enable it, which could easily be done with a small update.

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Answer 6

zoberg

Level 1

23 points

Nov 11, 2011 1:42 PM in response to JohnJeffrey

I also would like for apple to enable the MAP settings to work with SYNC. This should be something apple should do in the next iOS update, let's make sure enough people are heard so that this can be fixed.

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Answer 7

Nov 29, 2011 12:59 PM in response to JohnJeffrey

Is APPLE working to make Ford Sync & Messaging possable it really ***** that it doest work?

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Answer 8

Dec 7, 2011 6:04 PM in response to JohnJeffrey

I just bought my 2012 Ford focus. I love it but I'm bummed and surprised to find out Apple doesn't allow text messaging through bluetooth. The iphone is such a frontrunner with most things, I just assumed my iphone 4 would be able to text via bluetooth.

Apple - please enable the MAP (Message Access Profile) so we can text messag through blue tooth!

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Answer 9

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,333 points

Dec 7, 2011 7:17 PM in response to shawneeK6

You didn't bother to look at the compatibility chart Ford has published for their system, did you? Most of the phones that work with this are old dumb phones. I don't think there are very many smart phones at all that support MAP. BB being the exception... if you really want to call that a "smart" phone.

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Answer 10

IanBlank

Level 1

0 points

Dec 11, 2011 9:30 AM in response to KiltedTim

Most Droid phones work with the SYNC text messaging feature.

The fact that Apple does NOT support this feature of such a widely used system is absolutely stupid.

Sure if you've got an iPhone 4S you can use SIRI, but it still doesn't work quite the same.

The whole reason I bought my Ford with SYNC was so I could use my iPhone. Now half the time my iPhone doesn't cooperate with SYNC and only half the features work half the time! Come on Apple!!

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Answer 11

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,333 points

Dec 11, 2011 3:14 PM in response to IanBlank

It's clearly stated in Ford's compatibility chart for Sync that the iPhone does NOT work with text messaging. If that's the whole reason you bought your Ford with Sync, either you didn't do your research or you got lied to by a salesman.

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Answer 12

Jan 2, 2012 5:53 AM in response to JohnJeffrey

I have 3 2011 fords with Sync. It is just ashame iPhone can not make the text messaging work. In the truck I drive the most I use a blue ant for my hands free

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