SYNC® with Voice-Activated Navigation features may work differently depending on which phone model, firmware version, and service you have. For tips on making your phone compatible with SYNC, see the sections about the iPhone®, Android™, and Blackberry® phone platforms.12,33,41,26
Because SYNC uses Bluetooth® to connect to your phone, that’s the only feature your phone is required to have. However, to get the most out of SYNC, it helps to keep your phone updated with the latest firmware version.25
Just as your phone has physical features, such as buttons and jacks, that control how it works, it also has a type of software known as “firmware.” A change in the firmware version can significantly change the function of your phone. While all the supported phones offer basic SYNC functionality—such as making hands-free calls— to learn what firmware versions support more advanced features, see the phone compatibility chart. On the chart, the firmware version number is shown right after the model number.
Consult your phone manufacturer’s guide for instructions on how to find your existing firmware version. You can usually update your firmware via a free download from your phone manufacturer or service provider.
Consult your phone manufacturer’s guide for instructions on how to make the following platform-specific settings before pairing your phone. For step-by-step instructions, watch the video for your phone platform and see How to pair your phone to SYNC.
Before pairing your Android phone with SYNC:
During pairing, your Android phone may notify you that SYNC wants to access your messages and phonebook. Choose Always Allow.
Before pairing your Blackberry phone with SYNC:
During pairing, when asked, set Allow Outgoing Calls to Always. You may need to first check "Don't show me this message again."
After pairing, under Bluetooth Device Properties, set Trusted to Yes.
In rare cases, you may have trouble pairing your Blackberry with SYNC, or no sound comes out, or your Blackberry is frozen in “thinking” mode when you try to use it with SYNC. To solve these issues, try rebooting the device: remove the phone’s battery, wait 30 seconds, then reinsert it.
Before pairing your iPhone with SYNC, turn Bluetooth On.
During pairing, you'll be prompted to download your phonebook. To improve SYNC voice recognition, limit the number of contacts that download from your phonebook when pairing. To use Favorite contacts:
Note that if you do this, only contacts marked Favorite will be available to SYNC.
iPod vs. iPhone
iPods® work differently than iPhones when connecting with SYNC. Media players like the iPod are not paired like iPhones but are connected to the vehicle's USB port. Use voice commands for the USB mode with iPods.36