How do I use SYNC® AppLink® with my iPhone?

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Many of us want to be connected everywhere, all the time. SYNC AppLink allows you to use your compatible iPhone® mobile apps while keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. 27,48,63

Here’s how to use SYNC AppLink* with your iPhone* or other iOS device. 25

*SYNC AppLink works with iOS devices, such as iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, iOS 6.0 and later. Apple® users must connect their device via USB and have compatible app running in background.

Here’s how to get started:

There are a few things you should do before starting step 1:

Pair your iPhone with SYNC.

Download or update the latest version of your SYNC-compatible mobile apps on your iPhone.

Note: Make sure you have an active account for the app you just downloaded. Some apps will work automatically with no setup. Others will require you to configure your personal settings and personalize your experience by creating stations or Favorites. It’s best to complete configuration and personalization before connecting your device to SYNC.

  1. Connect your iPhone using a USB cable to one of the SYNC USB ports. (For the exact location of USB ports, please check your Owner Manuals.)

  2. Open the app on your iPhone and have the app running in the foreground.

    Note: Apple iOS devices (such as iPhone®, iPad® and iPod® touch) use multitasking to allow you to quickly switch between apps. Multitasking allows some apps to run, some to run in the background, and some to be suspended. When your iOS device is connected to SYNC, apps that are not running will not appear. See Accessing apps that are not running, below.

  3. Press the Voice button and say, “Mobile apps.”

    SYNC will respond, “Mobile apps, please say a command.” 

  4. Say the name of the App you wish to use.

    Note: You may be prompted with messaging asking you to enable mobile apps. Select Yes to enable mobile apps.

    Once you’ve accessed the app, you can use the steering wheel controls and voice commands to control it.

  5. You can also change apps by voice command.

     

Note to 2010-2012 owners that have updated SYNC to include AppLink

After installing a new application on your iPhone, close all apps and restart your iPhone. Once your device reboots and you’ve paired it, check to see if SYNC can find the new app. If not, try restarting your vehicle. Please notice that SYNC my take up to 70 seconds to discover a new application on iPhones and other iOS devices.

Notes: In order to enable mobile apps, SYNC requires user consent to send and receive app authorization information and updates using the data plan associated with the connected device.

The connected device sends data to Ford in the United States. The information is encrypted and includes your VIN, SYNC module number, anonymous usage statistics and debugging information. Updates may take place automatically.

Standard data rates apply. Ford is not responsible for any additional charges you may receive from your service provider, when your vehicle sends or receives data through the connected device. This includes any additional charges incurred due to driving in areas when roaming out of a home network.

App Permissions
The system organizes the App permissions into groups. You can grant these group permissions individually. You can change a permission group status any time when not driving, by using the settings menu. While in the settings menu, you can also see the data included in each group.

When you launch an app using SYNC, the system may ask you to grant certain permissions, for example Vehicle information, Driving characteristics, GPS and Speed, and/or Push notifications. You can enable all groups or none of them during the initial app permissions prompts. The settings menu offers individual group permission control.

Note: You are only prompted to grant permissions the first time you use an app with SYNC.

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