Never before have there been so many options and different ways to get the most out of your smartphone experience in the car. It seems like everyone from Apple to Google is trying to find ways to let you play music or search for contacts with your smartphone. A few years ago, Microsoft partnered with Ford to create a next-generation in-car entertainment and information system. Called Ford Sync, it’s an easy way to play music.
In some cases, iPhone apps offer extended functionality to the system, making your car the perfect iPhone accessory. Here’s how to connect your iPhone to Ford Sync.
Here’s how to connect your iPhone to Ford Sync
For the purposes of this tutorial, we’re using the latest update to the first version of Ford Sync on the 2011 Ford Fiesta. How you set up Ford Sync depends on the generation, so you’ll want to determine which version of Ford Sync your vehicle has. The first version, simply called Sync, has a small screen that displays call information, a digital cloud, and your radio stations. This is the Ford Sync version for which this tutorial is a guide. If the version of Ford Sync in your car has 3D mapping or a touchscreen, this tutorial will not match the one in your car.
First, take your iPhone and make sure it’s charged. If it’s not already open, open it.
If you plan to connect wirelessly, you will want to turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone. That’s where we’ll start.
Go to your car. If you have a passcode, put it on your iPhone. If you’re using an iPhone without a passcode, just swipe from the right edge of the screen to the left edge to unlock it. iPhone 5s users have a fingerprint reader that also unlocks this device when properly configured.
Open the application. The app with the gray gear as an icon in the middle.
Now make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone. The iPhone we’re using has iOS 7, so the Bluetooth control is third from the top of the screen. If it’s on, leave it on. If it’s off, tap Setting.
Tap on it now. Immediately your iPhone should start scanning for devices around it. So you definitely want to be in your car.
Take your car keys and put them in the ignition. Now turn it clockwise until it reaches the accessory position. You’ll know when it’s happening as the car’s stereo screen and speakers will turn on. If you’ve been listening to music or the radio before, this can play right away.
Press the button on the center console.
Look at the display of your center console. If there are no devices paired, press the OK button below until you see it.
Now the car should talk to you and tell you to press to pair your iPhone. Do so.
Unlock your iPhone and go back to the Bluetooth area inside. Select Sync from the list of visible devices.
Now this appears on your screen. In our case it’s 554123.
Yours will be different, but must be the same number of digits. Tap your iPhone.
Press to make your iPhone the primary device that interacts with Sync. Press again for Yes.
Press to let Sync download your iPhone’s Contacts. Yes for the price again. Allow your Phonebook to download.
When you are done, you will see the Redial Phone option.
Press and hold the Sync button on the left of your stereo to connect to Bluetooth audio. Then tell the car you want to listen to Bluetooth Audio.
This much. You have successfully connected your iPhone to Ford Sync. To be clear, this process is only necessary if you want to connect your phone with sync via Bluetooth. If you’re fine with plugging in your iPhone, all Sync-equipped cars have at least one driver-accessible USB port. Plug in your iPhone with a spare cable and you’re ready to go. Plugging in your iPhone reveals extra features like the ability to say “Play artist, Drake”. This goes for songs and albums as well.
This tutorial covers connecting to iPhone, but don’t let that put you off. Friends and family with other phones can connect to Sync via Bluetooth or USB.
As long as your iPhone is still set as the primary phone, you’ll be fine. Pressing the Phone button on the front panel also gives you some answering and calling features. For example, it lets you know who called you last. Unfortunately, Apple does not yet allow Ford Sync to read text messages aloud.
