Getting the most out of your Ford Sync system sometimes means learning more about your smartphone and here are some tips on how to use your iPhone with the Ford Sync system.
Having trouble accessing music on your iPhone?
If you’ve upgraded to a newer Apple iOS, then one of the options is to “back up” and store your music in the cloud. This uses a process called iTunes Match. Essentially, you see the song titles and information on your iPhone, but the music is actually “parked” in the cloud. The problem is that the Ford Sync system can no longer access this music as it has become part of Apple’s proprietary system. If you go to your iPhone’s Settings folder…scroll down to the iTunes & App Stores bar, then turn off the iTunes Match button.
This allows your Sync system to access music files. Re-enable the iTunes Match button to back up and store your music from time to time to keep your files up to date.
Has your iPhone music stopped playing?
If you pressed the voice button on the steering wheel to access music by saying “Bluetooth Audio”, then you can stream music through your vehicle’s sound system. It streams music, but doesn’t have enough bandwidth to give “Play Artist Bruno Mars” voice commands.
If you connect your iPhone to the USB port, you will have to press the Voice button and say “USB”. The sync system will index the music on your iPhone (or USB drive) and after a few minutes press the Voice button again and when the sync system says “USB, state your command”, then say “Play all”. The Sync system will start playing your music. You can then press the Voice button and say “Play artist Miranda Lambert” and it will find and play her music (if you have it in your collection).
So can I play music from Pandora?
If you have a Pandora account on your iPhone, you can press the Voice button and say “Bluetooth Audio”. The system will reply “Bluetooth Audio” and then you will go to your iPhone and tap on the Pandora (or other music streaming app) icon and then when that app starts playing your music will be muted and the streaming music will play.
Again, if you connect your iPhone to USB, you need to give your system a voice command of “USB” for the system to change the content you’re accessing.
Can I have my voice-to-text messages read to me?
If you have an iPhone 4s or iPhone 5, go to your phone and press the Home button (the large button at the bottom center of your phone). Hold down the Home button for a few seconds and you’ll hear a tome on your phone (and the sync system). Say “Read text messages.” Siri on your iPhone will search for messages and read them to you. If you want to send a message, press the Home button and say “Send text message”. Your Siri will ask you who you want to send and what you want to say. Just follow the instructions. In fact, you can press the Home button and ask Siri any question. When you’re done with Siri, simply press and hold the phone icon on the steering wheel and “hang up” the call.
So how can I get voice activated GPS directions through the Sync system?
Let’s say you want to use your iPhone 4s or iPhone 5 app, like Google Maps, to get turn-by-turn directions. Press the Voice button on the steering wheel and say “Bluetooth Audio.” Then go to your iPhone and activate your GPS app. It will “speak” the instructions through the Sync system. Press and hold the phone icon on the steering wheel to hang up the voice instructions.
Continuous support for your iPhone and Sync…
Complete the shutdown of your iPhone at least once a week. Keep the iPhone turned off for at least a few minutes. Then turn it back on.
Go to the main screen of your phone. Then press the Home button twice. The screen will slide up. You will see a group of app icons. Press and hold your finger on one of the apps until a red circle with a white minus symbol appears. Then tap on the red circle and the apps will be turned off. Most people will find that every time they open an app, it stays “in the background.” This uses more power and drains the battery faster. By turning off the music app on your iPhone, the music will not start playing automatically every time you start your vehicle.
By the way, if you’re playing music via Bluetooth or USB, you can press one of your vehicle’s audio buttons to switch to AM/FM, CD, Aux, or Sirius as the music source. Or, you can use the Media (or Source) buttons (if you have them on your vehicle) to access any of the Media available for your vehicle.