Android Auto Cars

How to Add Android Auto to Ford Vehicles?

How to Add Android Auto to Ford Vehicles?

How to Add Android Auto to Ford Vehicles? No matter you drive brand-new F-150 with latest SYNC 4 interface or older Mustang that equipped with SYNC 2, you still have way connect to Android Auto. Let's dive into How to Add Android Auto to Ford Vehicle. First at all you must ensure that your phone runs Android 8.0+ and you can connect via wired or wirelessly by enabling Bluetooth.

Recommended products for upgrade Android Auto Ford:

💡
Wireless Adapters (For wired SYNC 3)
- Stable Connection: Ottocast A2Air Pro
- Budget-Friendly Price: Motorola MA1
- Multi-platform Household: Carlinkit 5.0

Portable Screens & AI box (Or Any Ford)
- Without replacing factory hardware: Ottocast ScreenFlow
- To turn your screen into tablet: The Magic Box 3.0
- Video Streaming App supporter : Carlinkit AI Box Plus

Replaceable Head Unit
- For multiple impute: Portable CarPlay Android Auto Touchscreen 7 Inch 

Simple Key setup for Add Android Auto to Ford Vehicle

Ford vehicles have different infotainment system call SYNC 2, SYNC 3 and SYNC 4/4A. So, these SYNC systems work different with Android Auto wireless and wired models. Lets' look how connect Android Auto to ford Vehicle, step by step according to your SYNC system.  

SYNC 4 (Newer Models): 

SYNC 4 is later infotainment system that connect with cloud. This SYNC 4 work as factory build wireless android Auto.

  1. Ensure Bluetooth is on 
  2. Select “Add phone” on the screen 
  3. Pair via Bluetooth and Confirm the PIN
  4. Select “Enable Wireless Android Auto” when prompted.
step-by-step-guid-for-sync-4-connecting
Step by Step guid for sync 4 connecting to Android Auto

SYNC 3 (2017-2020) 

This is the infotainment system that build in Ford vehicles released between 2017 to 2020. SYNC 3 have touchscreen interface and this one is support to both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

  1. Plug phone into USB port using a certified USB cable. 
  2. Ensure Bluetooth is paired 
  3. Go to Settings> Android Auto Preferences on touchscreen and enable your phone 
  4. Follow on-screen prompts to “Agree”
step-by-step-guid-for-sync-3-connceting
step by step guid sync 3 connecting Android Auto

SYNC 2 (Older Models) 

Since SYNC 2 does not support Android Auto, you need Upgrading require third- party modules or upgrading the SYNC module.

Option A

Swap your old SYNC 2 hardware with SYNC 3 unit. Then pair phone like usual.

Option B 

Install a third- party radio.

Why my Ford is not responding to Android Auto?

Most of times when you try to connect your Android Auto in Ford common problem is showing a message on screen like “Device not Recognized”. Here the common reasons and how to fix that.  

  • Change the Cable - Use a high-quality, data capable USB cable (Original OEM cable) to connect.
  • Reset SYNC System- Usually holding Forword-seek and volume-down on the steering wheel or dashboard.
  • Cheak phone settings - Ensure Android Auto is allowed; Bluetooth is paired. And all permeations are given. (Setting>Apps>Android Auto)
  • Check phone compatibility - Check your phone runs android 8.0 or higher for wired and Android 11.0 or higher to wireless.
  • Remove and Re-pair -Remove your devices from both devices (Phon and Ford) and re-pair.

How upgrade SYNC for Android Auto Ford?

Portable Android Auto Touchscreen

This is a portable 7-inch head unit that design to mirroring phone without disassembling the dashboard. Which means you don’t need to break apart your dashboard. This is a “Plug & Play” device.   

This head unit is compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. So, it easy to use with both Android Phones and iPhones. (Compatible with Android Version 11-15 and iOS 10-18.5.) 

  • Screen: 7-inch HD touchscreen
  • Input Ports: USB, AUX and SD card
  • Audio Output: Build-in FM transmitter to sync audio with existing car speaker
  • Streaming: Build-in Wi-Fi for direct media streaming and download.
android-auto-touchscreen-7-inch
Android Auto Touchscreen 7 Inch
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Ottocast ScreenFlow

This is also for older version SYNC system, that don’t have factory wired Android Auto or Ford vehicles that with small screen.  

  • Compatible Android Version: Android 10.0 or newer versions
  • Screen: 11.4-inch portable HD display
  • In-build Bluetooth for phone pairing and output for specker through Bluetooth.
  • Input & Output: USB-C port, USB-A port
ottocast-screenflow
Ottocast ScreenFlow
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Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto Dongle- Carlinkit

This is a plug and play dongle design for convert wired Android Auto/CarPlay into wireless Android Auto/CarPlay. After installing and connecting this dongle your phone will re-connect automatically with SYNC system. This dongle can connect through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.  

Vehicle Requirement: Must need factory wired SYNC system. (Ford Vehicles from 2016)

compatible Phones:

  • Android Version 11.0 or higher
  • iSO version 10 or higher
wireless-android-auto-dongle-carlinkit
Wireless Android Auto Dongle- Carlinkit
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Carlinkit AI Box Plus

This is an upgraded version of wireless adapters because these AI boxes have own memory. The main purpose of Carlinkit AI box is play streaming apps on your Ford Android Auto.  

You can Play Netflix, YouTube, Disney + and many more streaming apps on your CarPlay.  

  • Input ports: USB type C port, SD card HDMI output for HD quality video experience.
  • Split Screen Mode: support to “Navigation+ Media” experience.
carlinkit-ai-box-plus
Carlinkit AI Box Plus
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Magic Box 3.0

This also an AI box. Magic Box 3.0 have own operation system it allows ti download apps directly from Play Store. You can Plug this via USB port on you Ford and use as usual wireless adapter, but more advanced than usual adapter. With HDMI output you can plug external devices to Android Auto Ford like gaming console or digital camera.

  • Compatible with both Android Auto (Android 11.0+) and Apple CarPlay (iOS 10+)
  • Support video streaming apps
  • Physical ports: USB-C, SIM card, Micro SD card, HDMI output
magic-box-3.0
Magic Box 3.0
Shop on the Official Site
Current Version Compatibility Upgrade Requirement Method Recomanded Products
SYNC 1/2 No Hardware Swap Must replace the screen and APIM module with a SYNC 3 kit
  • Portable CarPlay Android Auto Touchscreen
  • Otttocast A2Air pro
SYNC 3 Yes Software Update Update to SYNC version 2.0 r higher
SYNC 3 Yes Convert as wired to Wireless Use Android Auto Adapter to convert as Wireless
  • Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto Dongle - Carlinkit
  • Otttocast A2Air pro
  • Motorola MA1
  • Carlinkit 5.0
SYNC 4 Yes Compatible to video streaming apps Use AI Box to compatible for Video streaming apps
  • Carlinkit Carplay Android Auto Netflix, Youtube AI Adapter
  • Magic Box 3.0

Why does my Bluetooth keep disconnecting my Ford?

To Bluetooth disconnection have several reasons. 

1.The SYNC “Index” Glitch

The SYNC system on Ford vehicle is maintaining metadata on system. So sometimes these metadata like contacts, call logs or media files can be crash. With that its cause to Bluetooth disconnection.  

    How to Fix: at first just off and on the system and connect Bluetooth. If it does not work, go to Setting>General>Master Reset and forget your phone from system and reconnect.
2. Battery Optimization 

To this cause your phone and most of time this happened with wireless Android Auto Ford. Low battery can cause to disconnect the Bluetooth connection. If you have turn on battery saving mode on your phone it will impact to disconnection 

    How to Fix: Go to your battery optimization settings keep supporting Bluetooth from your phone and keep your battery percentage at least 20% to avoid unnecessary disconnection.
3. Error of third-party adapter

Connector may not connect properly, damaged or not compatible with your phone or Ford vehicle. 

    How to Fix: check USB port and ensure adapter has connected properly. Before choosing Wireless Android, Auto Adapter or AI Box check the compatibility.

Why does my Android Auto keep Disconnecting Ford Focus?

This is a very common problem among Android Auto and Ford Vehicle. Below has mention common reason for these things and have fix them. 

1. USB port issues.

This is the main reason for Android Auto disconnection. Some USB cables and Adapters can’t handle fast data transmitting. So, if you use original Cable of your phone, can reduce this problem.  

    How to Fix: use high quality cable, that reduce the getting hot the cable and disconnection. And keep your cable under the 3 feet (1 meter) to reduce lacks.
2. SYNC system Software Glitches

SYNC system errors can be pop sometimes. Especially if you do not update your firm on time can cause these errors. 

    How to Fix: Update your software properly.
3. Battery Optimizations.

Check your phone battery and settings. If you allow options like battery saver or other battery options. Ensure it not bother the Android Auto. 

How to Reset Ford Android Auto?

💡
Quick fix
This is guidance for restart the SYNC system and this will not erase previous connected or settings
- SYNC 3 & SYNC 4 (with physical power button)
Press the power and seek Right simultaneously for 10 seconds.
- SYNC 4A (without Physical power button)
Press and hold Volume down and Seek Right button on your steering wheel for 10 second. 

Then screen will go black and released the buttons. After that Ford Logo will appear and SYNC will reboot 
quick-reset-android-auto-ford
Android Auto Quick Reset
❌
Mastre Reset
This will reset your entire system and factory settings.
Warning: this erases all paired phones, navigation favourites and other media information.
-On SYNC 3
Setting> General> Master Reset> Continue
-On SYNC 4/4A
 Vehicle icon or Setting> Reset> Factory Re-set> then follow the prompts.

How to turn Ford Sync into Android Auto?

This turning process is completely dependent on SYNC version. Before start turning SYNC into Android firstly should get idea about SYNC version on Ford.  

  1. Identify Your SYNC Version

  

SYNC Version Screen Type & Size Android Auto Support
SYNC 4/4A 12-inch or 15.5-inch vertical touchscreen. Build-in (May be wireless
SYNC 3 8 inch capacitive “tablet-style” touchscreen Supported (Sometimes need Software update)
SYNC 2 (MyFord Touche) 8-inch screen No (Hardware retrofit)
SYNC 1 Small 4-inch non-touch text display No (need complete head unit change)

If you have SYNC 3 (2016-Present)

Most of SYNC 3 support Android Auto natively. If SYNC 3 is not supported follow these steps to turn SYNC into Android Auto.

Most of SYNC 3 support Android Auto natively. If SYNC 3 is not supported follow these steps to turn SYNC into Android Auto. 

  1. Check the software: 

Check the last software update of your SYNC. Go to Setting> General> About SYNC. It must be 2.0 or higher, if not update the software through the Wi-Fi or USB drive from Ford Owner website.  

  1. Enable preference: 

Go to Setting> Android Auto Preferences and toggle it too on.  

  1. USB Cable: 

Always try to use high quality cable to connect phone and Android Auto. After connecting through cable system will show automaticl prompt to open Android Auto.  

If you have SYNC 2 (2011-2015)

SYNC 2 can’t updated just with usual software update. You have main 2 options to turn SYNC 2 into Android Auto. 

  1. Hardware upgrade  

You can purchase a SYNC 2 to SYNC 3 upgrade kit and replace it with your SYNC 2 kit.  

  1. Android Auto AI box 

This is a third-party AI adapter that can connect to your SYNC 2 kit plug via UBS port. This will mirror as Android Auto.  

If you have SYNC 1 (before 2015)

To turn SYNC 1 into Android Auto, must need head unit replacement or attach Stand- Alone screen. 

Can I use Google Maps on my Ford Sync?

Google Map compatibility on Ford SYNC is directly depend on SYCN version. So, your car modal will directly impact when use Google Map. 

 

SYNC Genaration How to use Google Maps Connection Method Visual Map on screen
SYNC 1/SYNC 2 Bluetooth Audio only. (you can hear the direction via the car specker, but you have watched the direction on your phone) Bluetooth Paring  No
SYNC 3 Android Auto or CarPlay. (Phone can mirror through that) USB cable (Some models support as wireless) Yes
SYNC 4/4A Wireless Android Auto or CarPlay. (Wireless Connecting) Wireless (via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) Yes
Ford Digital Expirence Google Build-in (newer models have in-build Google Map on Ford Vehicles) Pre-installed App Yes (Full Screen)

Can What apps can connect to Ford Sync?

You can connect apps through different ways to Ford SYNC, but it depends on the SYNC generation.  

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

This have wides range of apps that most users are working with. These apps mostly support to SYNC 3 and SYNC 4/4A,  

  • Messaging: WhatsApp, Telegram, iMessage 
  • Music: YouTube, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon music 
  •  Navigation: Google Maps and Apple Map 

The Ford App

This is official mobile app that provide by Ford to customize, connect and control your Ford Vehicle. This app can install from Apple App store or Google Play Store.  

This app provides: 

  • Fuel/charge level of your Vehicle 
  • GPS location tracking of your Vehicle 
  • Remote star/stop and lock/unlock 

Conclusion

By adding Android Auto into your Ford Vehicle is one of best way to enhance your driving experience, with seamless access to navigation, music and hand-free commutation. No matter you are driving a brand-new with SYNC 4 or older vehicle with SYNC 2. you can connect Android Auto to Ford.  

FAQs Related to Android Auto Ford

Ensure on compatibility. Android Auto available on most Ford models from 2017 onward. But still, you can add Android Auto by upgrading your Ford’s SYNC.
2016. Ford is making Android Auto and Apple CarPlay software support available to model-year 2016 vehicles equipped with SYNC 3.
YouTube does not support officially. But you can use AI box or Android Auto Streaming supporters to watch YouTube on Android Auto on Ford.
Yes. After the initial setup, your phone will connect to Android Auto automatically when plug a USB port. Then you can access phone, text massages, music, Google maps and many more.
Eliza Faith

Eliza Faith

As an Android Auto expert and app developer, I specialize in discovering new features and improving Android Auto technology.

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