iPhone users, what is your preferred phone to infotainment connection method?

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aporthole

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I’m still not sure which method/system I prefer out of Apple CarPlay via USB, Sync3 with USB and AppLink apps, or just Bluetooth connection. All methods seem to have pros and cons.

If you have built in navigation and an iPhone, I’d love to know which method you find yourself using the most.

I want easy access to switch between audio sources (iTunes library on my phone, Amazon Music, and Spotify).

I find myself switching methods depending on whether I’m the driver versus riding shotgun. When I’m shotgun, I want to retain the ability to use other apps on my phone (Instagram, Chrome, camera), so i usually only connect via Bluetooth when shotgun.
 

aggiegrad05

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I’m usually in CarPlay as I listen to podcasts and like Waze. But I agree Ford makes it a pain in the butt to change audio sources. And I actually really like the native nav even though the ETA is wildly inaccurate and doesn’t account for traffic.

In any case, almost always CarPlay.
 

Habbibie

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I use bluetooth, primarily because I have two phones connected and an ipad, they all link up at the same time with bluetooth vs 1 device support for other type of connections, I use Google maps and pandora and can make/receive calls and texts on both phones at the same time...
 

Artie

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Bluetooth and sync nav. I don’t care for the waze setup on sync and I if I wanna use it I’ll use it on my phone just for the alerts while still using the sync nav. My phone is usually being used for audio as I listen to podcasts but if I want to switch to xm I just use the ‘source button’.
 

benyl

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I use CarPlay, but I hate that I can’t see outside temp.


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MostlyHarmless

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I use CarPlay, but I hate that I can’t see outside temp.


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That really irritates me - I have rented several Chrysler/Jeep models when traveling for business and they leave a small native bar above the CarPlay screen with the climate settings and external temperature - seems like a much neater solution than both Ford and GM who allow CarPlay to take over the whole screen

Mark
 

shane_th_ee

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I’d be ok with CarPlay taking over the whole screen if the outside temperature could be displayed on the instrument display...
 

DD777

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We have only had ours about two weeks so far, but so far I think we like Apple CarPlay the most.
 

O5111

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I prefer CarPlay, but I wish I could see the speed limit on Google Maps and would like to see the outside temp too.
 

benyl

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I prefer CarPlay, but I wish I could see the speed limit on Google Maps and would like to see the outside temp too.

Speed limit is on Waze. Plus red light cameras.


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O5111

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Speed limit is on Waze. Plus red light cameras.


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I know, but I can’t get used to Waze. It is really laggy on my truck. Maybe on a long trip.
 

Artie

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I know, but I can’t get used to Waze. It is really laggy on my truck. Maybe on a long trip.
Agreed. I’ll use waze along with the Sync3 nav for a long trip just for the notifications. I’m just not that into car play for whatever reason...
 

aggiegrad05

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I know, but I can’t get used to Waze. It is really laggy on my truck. Maybe on a long trip.

I agree that Waze is laggy and glitchy as all hell when using it through Sync, but it works like a dream when you run it through CarPlay. If you are using CarPlay and it’s still problematic I wonder if you’re running an old version or something.
 

O5111

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I agree that Waze is laggy and glitchy as all hell when using it through Sync, but it works like a dream when you run it through CarPlay. If you are using CarPlay and it’s still problematic I wonder if you’re running an old version or something.
I’ve used it on the wife’s Expedition the past few days and it has worked great, so I guess now I should go back and try it on my truck. You may be correct on this!
 

rhk118

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Tried CarPlay and want to like it but just isn't my thing. I love that with the phone unplugged I can just use the stock ford navigation but for longer trips or trips where I want smarter navigation I can plug the phone in and the stock Ford navigation gets replaced by Waze....Waze for long trips through Sync hasn't been buggy for me like other have mentioned...iPhone 8, iOS 12.
 

Dscustoms

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Gotta use CarPlay, Bluetooth is crap for audio. Either one is pretty buggy. I’d say once a week I can’t get CarPlay to work on plugging it in the first few times.
 

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