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Ford Sync 3 USB connection broken with IOS 11.2.5

After updating IOS to 11.2.5 usb connection to Ford Sync 3 no longer works with native Sync 3 OS running.


With the Ford Sync 3 system audio and maps can be either Apple Carplay or the Ford Navigation and Music program. If one is to run the native Ford Music and Navigation program Apple Carplay must be disabled.


The problem is after updating IOS, the USB connection for the Ford Sync 3 music app no longer functions and even blocks the ability to use the Bluetooth connection to the iPhone on the same app. Siri is down at this point also. One must disconnect the USB connector to allow the use of bluetooth to connect to the iPhone for the Sync 3 music app. After the bluetooth connection is established, the USB connector can be reattached to charge the iPhone and use Siri. Also, the button to select USB for a music sources reappears on the Sync 3 Music Source page, but if you select it, it locks out the iphone again in both USB and bluetooth. Then you have to disconnect the USB connector again so you can select Bluetooth again.


This problem was replicated in two different Ford vehicles with the Sync 3 system.


If Apple carplay is enabled that system works fine.


Prior to IOS update to 11.2.5 everything worked fine.

iPhone X, iOS 11.2.5, Ford Sync 3

Posted on Jan 25, 2018 11:05 PM

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62 replies

Jan 27, 2018 12:50 PM in response to BravoMike09

I have this exact problem as well after updating to 11.2.5. My Lincoln dealer is no help at all. When I bought my iPhone X it worked great in the car up until the update. I also had exactly the same problems with an iPhone 7 Plus in this same car. Worked directly with Apple Support for several months and they determined my phone and software were fine and that it was s Ford issue, which of course Ford denied. This phone works perfectly in my Range Rover and in other car brands belonging to my friends.

Jan 28, 2018 9:19 PM in response to BravoMike09

I have the same exact set of problems and I might note that I have 2016 F150 running sync 3 running v2.3. I think Sync 2.3 has some bugs as well because the Album art stated to get totally messed up in 2.3. Everything was great in Sync 2.2. Now that Sync has OTA updates, I guess this means no one has to QA the product until the field tests it out....bummer.

Jan 30, 2018 6:56 PM in response to Markar97

Upgrade to iOS11.3.. It won’t be out until the spring, but Apple released the public beta almost immediately after supply get to developers, so you can get it now. It actually is more stable on my iPhone X than 11.2x. Just search on the Apple site for Apple Beta Program and you will find a link with easy to understand directions.


This will solve your problem, but don’t be too hard on Apple. I worked with a support technician back and forth for several months to try to solve this problem when I bought my 2017 Lincoln, and he went over and above the call of duty to try to figure out what was going on. I should say that I was having connectivity issues only in Ford products, and did not have these horrible connectivity and cover art problems in the cars of friends or in our Range Rover. I also had similar problems In rental cars made by Ford and into previous Ford’s that I have owned. This is a long-standing issue because even though Sync3 is no longer supplied by Microsoft, I suspect there is a great deal of Microsoft code remaining in the interface systems at least.

Jan 31, 2018 10:47 AM in response to BravoMike09

Let me clarify: this is an ongoing problem for Sync properly interfacing with iOS. Sync 3 2.0 and 2.3 worked pretty well except for occasional metadata -related issues with the iPhone X, and broke with the iOS 11.2.5 update. Previous versions on earlier iPhone model series had the same problems. Trust me, I think I’ve invested more time, research, and troubleshooting to these ongoing issues between Apple and Ford than anyone except Apple engineers, including Ford’s Sync team. You can and should update to iOS 11.3 Beta if you want full functionality before the general release. History has shown o er many years that Ford will not address the issue outside of major system updates.

Jan 31, 2018 12:26 PM in response to mgemma

I've seen the metadata issues myself prior to 11.2.5. Most of the issues I see are with Gracenote and the sometimes weird album artwork it downloads. Even when Gracenote is disabled it keeps getting different album art then what is attached to the music file.


I'm guessing there is a formatting issue with album art. If it does not meet certain formatting requirements it does not display it and goes to Gracenote instead?

Jan 31, 2018 4:46 PM in response to BravoMike09

I had similar problem with my IPad. Bluetooth and USB worked fine prior to iOS 11.2.5 update last Friday. Next day, Bluetooth connection still worked but usb would n work. After much troubleshooting, I finally decided to roll back to iOS 11.2.2 and reload 11.2.5 And perform a restore. Once restore was complete, hooked back up to sync and both Bluetooth and usb worked great.

Feb 1, 2018 7:05 AM in response to BravoMike09

I have exactly the same issue with the Sync3 fitted on my Ford Kuga (EU version) manufactured in 2017. Apple must resolve this issue as soon as possible!
Hope that Apple will fix it prior to 11.3 being released (planned for next spring..)

Ok for immediately upgrade to iOS 11.3 public Beta.. but I think that it would be better to have an official final release to solve this bug.. (prior to 11.3)

Feb 1, 2018 8:26 AM in response to BravoMike09

I echo your issues here. Only thing, mine is Hyundai. Before this update everything was fine. It’s the update that not only broke the music system, but also call and connectivity. I have to manually choose car speakers every time after answering the call. Many a times it doesn’t connect. Music now is a nightmare when playing via Bluetooth.

Feb 2, 2018 6:16 PM in response to mvalpreda

The iPhone is no longer cool. I fail to see innovation. Rather we now have to seek updates to fix a crash. Heck, iOS got more frequent OS updates these days than Android. Every time something or other is broken. Every year there is a new launch with a slight big screen size and a huge increase in price. They call Face ID an innovation which android shared 3years back. AR: games and app developers have to use it intelligently. Every single app now who’s is based on virtual reality makes you hold your phone in air pointing at a empty space. That’s not smart: it’s makes you feel stupid. Why don’t use it wisely. This no longer seen as a luxury item and my personal take: Apple’s brand is on the decline. iPhone 7’s gonna be my last payment to apple.

Feb 6, 2018 4:39 PM in response to BravoMike09

Same issue on a 2017 Focus RS. USB and Bluetooth worked perfectly before updating the iPhone 7 to iOS 11.2.5

After updating, USB won’t work (“Unable to Connect to Media Device) and app link is broken, Bluetooth only works if the usb cable is not connected. Nice update, Apple. Let’s not bother to test the most basic of connectivity functions on the second largest car company in the US.

I Spent 3.5 hours on the phone with Apple support, heard numerous ******** excuses and blaming everyone under the sun for the problem, including me. Thankfully I found this thread and pointed it out to the senior Apple care advisor, who opened a case with engineering.

I’m so pleased with all the cute new emojis, almost makes up for the loss a useful function. Apple is becoming Microsoft.

Feb 7, 2018 6:45 AM in response to BravoMike09

16 Fiesta ST. I have same issue and can confirm developer ios 11.3 will fix the issue. I had to remove 11.3 from my phone. I need to use my phone (6S) camera for work and copy pictures from the phone to a Windows PC. 11.3 Fixed Sync connection and broke the connection to download photos out of my phone into my PC. Just FYI. Going back to 11.2.5 fixed pc connectivity and re-broke ford Sync. Frustrating.

Ford Sync 3 USB connection broken with IOS 11.2.5

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