Update all versions of Ford Sync 3 to the latest Sync 3.4

[SurDre]

Finally got around to trying the update out. First try resulted in the the screen throwing an error indicating the USB drive files were corrupt and to re-download them. I removed and reinserted the USB drive and the car no longer recognized (or indicated) it was a Sync update USB drive. Performed a Factory Reset of Sync and re-tried the USB drive - success. Took just over 37 minutes to complete the upgrade. So far, no issues noted and we are very happy with the results. Thanks to the community here and CyanLabs for the heavy lifting. Now on to the next "fix" for the car...

EDIT: Only took a single 16GB drive in my case.

 

[Overtow]

Finally got around to trying the update out. First try resulted in the the screen throwing an error indicating the USB drive files were corrupt and to re-download them. I removed and reinserted the USB drive and the car no longer recognized (or indicated) it was a Sync update USB drive. Performed a Factory Reset of Sync and re-tried the USB drive - success. Took just over 37 minutes to complete the upgrade. So far, no issues noted and we are very happy with the results. Thanks to the community here and CyanLabs for the heavy lifting. Now on to the next "fix" for the car...

EDIT: Only took a single 16GB drive in my case.

Did you end up going with 3.4.22110? I presume you went with the 2.21 North American maps?

3 weeks in, any issues?

Getting ready to take the leap with my 2018....

 

[chuck s]

Let us know what maps you get. My version 3.4.21265 has Maps NA 2 20 and is behind my Garmins (plural) in many respects.

-- Chuck

 

[LokiWolf]

Let us know what maps you get. My version 3.4.21265 has Maps NA 2 20 and is behind my Garmins (plural) in many respects.

-- Chuck

The Map Update is separate than the software version. You can do one, the other or both. There are some challenges with the 2020/2021.

 

[Overtow]

Let us know what maps you get. My version 3.4.21265 has Maps NA 2 20 and is behind my Garmins (plural) in many respects.

-- Chuck

The latest option I see for Sync Version in Syn3 (2.11.4.0) is 3.4.22110 and the maps version I selected is NA 2 20 (latest in the dropdown). My truck (Aug/2018) is still running 3.0.19205 which I assume was the factory version and I suspect may affect which options I can choose from the dropdown. I just tried changing options and I'm not seeing 3.4.21265 as an option - how did you get to this version?

Edit 8/14/22 - I just realized I was reading your version incorrectly....I thought you had said 3.4.22265 - disregard the question above, 22265 is not a valid version (yet).

FWIW, the supposedly 'stable' version of Syn3 that I am running is anything <but> stable.

I'll update once I hear back from @SurDre that his experience post-update has been positive. I'm an IT guy and hate being first for changes like this.

 

[chuck s]

This may require a two-step upgrade. First to Sync 3.4 (you're on 3.0) and then to the latest version. This strictly my vague recollection from a couple of years ago.

-- Chuck

 

[chuck s]

Fairly cool day so I sat out in the Expedition in the driveway and updated Sync 3.4 to the latest build 22110 (from 21265) and Maps 2 21 (from 2 20 and still 18 months out of date).

Started with a clean USB drive. Download to it took a while as I did other things. Installation in the truck took maybe 30 minutes. Wiped out all the navigation data among other things -- as usual -- and still very much not appreciated.

Anyone just update the maps? Curious if all the navigation data is lost by this method. Won't know if the map updates did anything for me for a couple of days.

-- Chuck

 

[LokiWolf]

The latest option I see for Sync Version in Syn3 (2.11.4.0) is 3.4.22110 and the maps version I selected is NA 2 20 (latest in the dropdown). My truck (Aug/2018) is still running 3.0.19205 which I assume was the factory version and I suspect may affect which options I can choose from the dropdown. I just tried changing options and I'm not seeing 3.4.21265 as an option - how did you get to this version?

Edit 8/14/22 - I just realized I was reading your version incorrectly....I thought you had said 3.4.22265 - disregard the question above, 22265 is not a valid version (yet).

FWIW, the supposedly 'stable' version of Syn3 that I am running is anything <but> stable.

I'll update once I hear back from @SurDre that his experience post-update has been positive. I'm an IT guy and hate being first for changes like this.

@Overtow What year is your Expedition? 2020+ Have a different Firmware on the APIM than Chucks 17. You will notice the 2020 Protection option in the CyanLabs installer. DO NOT uncheck that. If you run certain updates on a 2020+ without the protection there is a great risk it will brick. Based on your current version number, and the fact Ford is telling you it is up to date on that version, I am guessing you are a 2018/2019, because you most likely do not have the 2020+ APIM. In that case do the install and let it rip. You won't have any issues.

Fairly cool day so I sat out in the Expedition in the driveway and updated Sync 3.4 to the latest build 22110 (from 21265) and Maps 2 21 (from 2 20 and still 18 months out of date).

Started with a clean USB drive. Download to it took a while as I did other things. Installation in the truck took maybe 30 minutes. Wiped out all the navigation data among other things -- as usual -- and still very much not appreciated.

Anyone just update the maps? Curious if all the navigation data is lost by this method. Won't know if the map updates did anything for me for a couple of days.

-- Chuck

Ford's updates for some of this will not clear the Nav Data, because the install is tailored to the VIN and Serial Number of Sync. CyanLabs install uses a different method, that will always clear the data if the Nav is part of the process. If you are doing an "upgrade" to just the apps, it should not clear the nav data. I don't do the Nav updates anymore, we just use Sync and Waze for Nav in the Expy. Not worth it.

 

[chuck s]

Only reason for my updates is the maps. Doubt if I use any "apps."

-- Chuck

 

[Rob6805]

I think I've asked this before but forgot the answer.

I have an early build 21(Feb) and have my Sync 3 updated to the latest the Ford site will give me. The terrestrial radio album art and station logos do not show up. I saw on CyanLabs a mention of a way to update the firmware so this feature will work but I cannot find clear instructions. Has anyone done this?

 

[chuck s]

Did you download the Cyanlabs software? All you're looking is the screen display logos?

-- Chuck

 

[Overtow]

@Overtow What year is your Expedition? 2020+ Have a different Firmware on the APIM than Chucks 17. You will notice the 2020 Protection option in the CyanLabs installer. DO NOT uncheck that. If you run certain updates on a 2020+ without the protection there is a great risk it will brick. Based on your current version number, and the fact Ford is telling you it is up to date on that version, I am guessing you are a 2018/2019, because you most likely do not have the 2020+ APIM. In that case do the install and let it rip. You won't have any issues.


Ford's updates for some of this will not clear the Nav Data, because the install is tailored to the VIN and Serial Number of Sync. CyanLabs install uses a different method, that will always clear the data if the Nav is part of the process. If you are doing an "upgrade" to just the apps, it should not clear the nav data. I don't do the Nav updates anymore, we just use Sync and Waze for Nav in the Expy. Not worth it.

Mine is a 2018, June build IIRC. I ran the CyanLabs interrogator today after spending a couple hours reading the forums over there. My APIM version has a number of people who have upgraded without issue. Currently planning to run the upgrade on Saturday, I'll post results on how it goes.

Only reason for my updates is the maps. Doubt if I use any "apps."

-- Chuck

@chuck s - Hows 22110? Any issues? I don't care about the maps, I'm a Wazer and I'm specifically hoping this upgrade fixes the issues I'm having with Waze lagging when my phone is connected to the truck.

 

[Rob6805]

Did you download the Cyanlabs software? All you're looking is the screen display logos?

-- Chuck

Easily Update SYNC 3 using our Automated Method - CyanLabs

A guide on updating your Ford Sync 3 based car to the latest Sync 3.4 version using Syn3 Updater making it as simple as possible for you!

cyanlabs.net

I am already on 3.4.
There is one mention of this on the page the above link takes you to. But I cannot find the instructions anywhere.

"If you update your firmware (not the same as this guide) you can also get Radio logos and Calm Mode."

 

[LokiWolf]

DO NOT Do the APIM firmware unless you are VERY comfortable with FORSCAN, and you have one of the 2 recommended FORSCAN cables. Do not use generic adapters or wireless adapters. The process is very picky. I have done it a few times. My 2021 already is the 2020+ firmware revision, so haven't needed to do it. I have done a few for other people, including one for my Dealer, because a Tech believed it couldn't be done...HaHa!

 

[LokiWolf]

Mine is a 2018, June build IIRC. I ran the CyanLabs interrogator today after spending a couple hours reading the forums over there. My APIM version has a number of people who have upgraded without issue. Currently planning to run the upgrade on Saturday, I'll post results on how it goes.

Just do it. The 2016-2019 as far as Sync and the APIM, are basically the same. Should not have any issues.

 

[chuck s]

Hows 22110? Any issues?

Seems to be working fine. Still haven't confirmed it shows the round-abouts the county put in a couple of years ago and that my Garmins picked up about that time.

-- Chuck

Sunday edit:

At least one of the new round-abouts shows on my routing. Since it's the most recent I suspect the others will too. Of course the map update wiped my routing data clean -- heck all my data including not recognizing my iPhone until I paired it again.

 

[Rob6805]

DO NOT Do the APIM firmware unless you are VERY comfortable with FORSCAN, and you have one of the 2 recommended FORSCAN cables. Do not use generic adapters or wireless adapters. The process is very picky. I have done it a few times. My 2021 already is the 2020+ firmware revision, so haven't needed to do it. I have done a few for other people, including one for my Dealer, because a Tech believed it couldn't be done...HaHa!

Where do you get the Firmware update file?

 

[Overtow]

Ran the upgrade Friday night, took 28 minutes and seems to be working great. I performed a master reset right after the install and I've not noticed any issues.

I was trying to fix two specific problems with this upgrade:
1. When receiving calls while connected to bluetooth, callers could not hear me talk. I would have to hang up and call them back. This is fixed.
2. Waze is lagging. This is still not fixed and it seems I've isolated this to being a problem with Waze.

 

[chuck s]

1. This may have been my problem with my wife constantly saying "Hello. Hello. Hello?" and hanging up many times. Appears fixed now.
2. Any app connected to my Sync system takes it over completely so I don't use any.

-- Chuck

 

[LokiWolf]

Ran the upgrade Friday night, took 28 minutes and seems to be working great. I performed a master reset right after the install and I've not noticed any issues.

I was trying to fix two specific problems with this upgrade:
1. When receiving calls while connected to bluetooth, callers could not hear me talk. I would have to hang up and call them back. This is fixed.
2. Waze is lagging. This is still not fixed and it seems I've isolated this to being a problem with Waze.

1. Interesting...because the BT module is not updated as part of this update, but there are MANY software tweaks in many of the updates for calling and BT integration, so probably one of those.
2. Waze via what? Applink? CarPlay? Android Auto? Aftermarket Wifi Adapter?

I use wired CarPlay in our 2020 with Waze with no issues. When I use my CarlinkIt Wireless CarPlay adapter, the further I get in to a route the further Waze gets off. Don't use it when I need Nav.