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How do I connect Apple CarPlay®* to SYNC®**?

Using Apple CarPlay requires connecting your iPhone®† or iPad® to your vehicle's SYNC system. This can be done using the instructions below.

Connecting Apple CarPlay to SYNC

Important: Ensure that your vehicle is on and running in a well-ventilated area, and it is in Park (P).

Select your SYNC generation (gen) from the drop-down options below to learn how connect to Apple CarPlay:

Note: If you need assistance determining the generation of your SYNC system, select the first drop-down option. 

Identifying Your Vehicle's SYNC Gen

Two resources to help you identify your vehicle's SYNC gen are the:

  • SYNC and Navigation Updates page. Either:

    • Enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and select Check for update.

    • Log in with your Ford credentials, choose a vehicle from your garage, and select Check for updates.

      Note: Your SYNC gen will appear on the right-hand side of the page.

  • SYNC Visual Reference Guide, which provides example images of SYNC gens that Ford has offered.

SYNC 4A

If your phone is already paired to your SYNC system, then:

  1. Press the Home icon on your vehicle's SYNC screen.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Select Phone List.
  4. Choose your iPhone from the displayed list.
  5. Press Enable.

If your phone is not already paired to your SYNC system, then:

  1. Press the Home icon on your vehicle's SYNC screen.
  2. Tap Phone.
  3. Select Add Phone
  4. Go to Settings on your iPhone. 
  5. Tap Bluetooth
  6. Select your vehicle name on your iPhone's discovery list. A Bluetooth pairing request pop-up will appear on your iPhone with a PIN. 
  7. Confirm that the PIN matches the code on your vehicle's SYNC screen. Tap Yes when prompted. 
  8. Select Pair on your iPhone. "Allow Contacts and Favorites Sync?" will appear on your iPhone. 
  9. Tap Allow to download phone contacts to your vehicle's SYNC system. After a few seconds, "Use CarPlay with SYNC 4?" will appear on your iPhone. 
  10. Select Use CarPlay. "Would you like to enable CarPlay?" will appear on your vehicle's SYNC screen.
  11. Tap the Enable button. "Connecting to Apple CarPlay" will appear and Apple CarPlay will launch on your SYNC screen. 

SYNC 4

If your phone is already paired to your SYNC system, then:

  1. Tap Settings on your vehicle's SYNC screen.
  2. Select the Phone List setting.
  3. Choose your iPhone from the displayed list.
  4. Select Enable.

If your phone is not already paired to your SYNC system, then:

  1. Tap Phone on your vehicle's SYNC screen.
  2. Select Add Phone
  3. Go to Settings on your iPhone. 
  4. Tap Bluetooth
  5. Select your vehicle name on your iPhone's discovery list.  A Bluetooth Pairing Request pop-up will appear on your iPhone with a PIN. 
  6. Confirm that the PIN matches the code displayed on your vehicle's SYNC screen.
  7. Tap Yes when prompted. 
  8. Select Pair on your iPhone. "Allow Contacts and Favorites Sync?" will appear on your iPhone. 
  9. Tap Allow to download phone contacts to your vehicle's SYNC system. After a few seconds, "Use CarPlay with SYNC 4?" will appear on your iPhone. 
  10. Select Use CarPlay.  "Would you like to enable CarPlay?" will appear on your vehicle's SYNC screen.
  11. Tap the Enable button. "Connecting to Apple CarPlay" will appear and Apple CarPlay will launch on your SYNC screen. 

SYNC 3

To enable Apple CarPlay with SYNC 3:

  1. Enable Siri in your iPhone settings. 
  2. Plug the iPhone into the vehicle's USB port with an Apple Lightning cable.
  3. Tap Continue on the pop-up window on your vehicle's SYNC screen:
    Apple CarPlay description screen in SYNC with Continue highlighted
     
  4. Select Agree to accept the Terms & Conditions on the next pop-up window:
    Apple CarPlay Terms and Conditions screen in SYNC with Agree highlighted
     
  5. Click Allow on the iPhone for SYNC 3 to complete the Apple CarPlay setup.

Once the connection is made and the Terms and Conditions are accepted, Apple CarPlay will automatically launch on your SYNC 3 touchscreen.


*Requires a phone with an active data service and compatible software. SYNC 3 does not control third-party products while in use. Third parties are solely responsible for their respective functionality.

**Don’t drive while distracted. Use voice-operated systems when possible; don’t use handheld devices while driving. Some features may be locked out while the vehicle is in gear. Not all features are compatible with all phones. 

iPhone, iPad, Apple CarPlay, and Siri are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Actual screens may vary.