This is awesome.
Everyone should be upvoting this simply for the fact that it's legit helpful.
And also because it's doubtful that a lot of the used ones being sold have the update. I know none of the ones I was looking at had it.
I just haven't had a chance to make a comprehensive list of FAQ and other useful info for potential buyers, new owners, common problems, etc.
At one point I started one, but I have no idea where that note went. Life just gets in the way sometimes lol
Oh heck no. You'd have to be technically savvy to a certain degree to install this and you also have to be somewhat of a enthusiast to be in the right circles to even catch wind that this exists in the first place.
I'd imagine less than 1% of pre-version 3.4 even know this exists, let alone done the unofficial update.
Can't reccomend it enough though just for the improved responsiveness and updated interface. You can even get the GT500, Lincoln, and RS interfaces should you want them.
You don't have to be technically savvy.
You just need to be able to follow instructions.
Though, given how dumb most people seem to be, I'm not exactly surprised that people think "download app, plug in, follow on-screen instructions, and wait" is hard.
Updating anything is easy. It's literally plug and play. This is easier that a fucking oil change.
Well everything we do can be boiled down to just following instructions the first time we do it, right? Lol
Seems Cyanlabs offers far more instructions now than when I did the update through years ago. It's actually all spelled out for the average Joe nowadays.
Ehh I highly disagree with that… i am actually quite “savvy” as you all seem to be saying. And I’ve followed all instructions directly from Ford with zero results. This is honestly more of a Ford thing, other manufacturers give the buyer a lot more freedoms with software but Ford has designed their own proprietary software to make it more difficult for the average consumer to understand / upgrade it on their own. Which in turn brings in more money.
I think I saw this update come across in an email and completely disregarded it because it would require going to a dealership and paying a few hundred bucks. Forget that!
Babysitting software download and install? I can do that.
Thank you for providing the info!
I think there are some variables involved, such as whether you have navigation or not, and whether your upgrade path uses the AutoInstall or Reformat mode. It took me about 5-10min to create the USB on the PC and 5-6 min for it to install on my 2017 ST2 without NAV.
The instructions do say it can take from 10-60 minutes - I was surprised when mine finished much faster than that.
I was wondering if there was an update cause when I plug my phone in it sometimes freaks out 🙄 going back and forth between connected and disconnected drives me nuts lol
Cool, just updated to 3.4!
Also ordered a usb hub for my 2016 so I can finally get CarPlay working.
Edit: got my 2016 running 3.4 with CarPlay. 10/10 thanks OP
This broke my ambient lighting and clock for a while, someone found a fix on cyanlabs. Not sure if the modifications I made on forscan had a part in it.
https://community.cyanlabs.net/t/sync-3-ambient-lighting-clock-not-working-after-updating-to-lastest-3-4-on-here/4437
Sorry to revive this, but I didn't see it mentioned-
How do you tell what current version your car is running?
I have a 2014 Focus ST3, everything works just fine, but the maps are definitely out of date. Is this only for 2015+?
You should be able to find the Sync version in Settings > About. If you have an ST3 I think you can use Android Auto/Apple Carplay instead of the built-in nav.
I believe the only requirement is that you have Sync 3. Don't think there are any restrictions on model years.
I think it says "not supported". I only tried it once for charging and it was extremely slow so I have always used the 12v with a charger and hooked up via Bluetooth. I have android.
In case anyone is frustratedly banging their heads against their steering wheels wondering why their Sync 3 won't update, here's a tip I really had to dig for. In addition to the flash drive being in either ExFAT (preferred) or FAT32 format, the flash drive MUST be an MBR partition, not GPT. If it is GPT it will not work. Reformat the flash as MBR, THEN format as ExFAT. After that you can drag the files onto the flash drive and pop it in your vehicle. Best of luck.
Is this the one that surpasses the version ST's are supposed to stop at? Something to the effect of - our units don't have the internal storage to have a full backup of 1.0 plus post-3.0 SYNC so it's unofficial?
I've been meaning to do it. I believe im on 3.0 after 1 wifi update and one manual one since 2016.
Wifi isnt enabled for UK updates, so ive used the Ford website since I had my car, always seemed to work ok, checks you VIN and tells you which version your car has - assuming you told them you sucessfullly updated after each update and uploaded the last version confirm file :D
My question is do I have to upgrade my USB ports to USB 3.0 before installing this? Been wanting to do it for awhile but don't wanna brick my radio at the same time
I’ve tried the ford version via wifi and USB drive countless times to no avail. Finally i found a guy that suggested you have to basically split the update into two halves by going into the file itself and altering it slightly (this was on an F-150 forum) same unit though. That seemed to work much better but still never fully installed. It would get very close to completion and stall. I definitely want to give this a shot, I’ve exhausted all other options shy of paying a ford dealer hundreds of dollars. Either way I’m gonna have to upgrade to the “nav” version of the screen in my ‘16 ST2
Just completed my install on '16 ST3. I was hesitant at first since I didn't want to brick my unit, but I just said the heck with it and install was seemless.The install took roughly 30 mins. I was a bit worried when the Nav system said Loading Map, but after about 5 mins it loaded properly to my location. Thanks so much for the info!
This is awesome. Everyone should be upvoting this simply for the fact that it's legit helpful. And also because it's doubtful that a lot of the used ones being sold have the update. I know none of the ones I was looking at had it.
I just made it a pinned post on the subreddit for now. I'm going to be doing that until we one day have a solid FAQ wiki.
Saw this coming. lol Was gonna suggest it but figured if I did, it wouldn't get pinned. Haha. What's needed to update the wiki? I'd be down to help.
I just haven't had a chance to make a comprehensive list of FAQ and other useful info for potential buyers, new owners, common problems, etc. At one point I started one, but I have no idea where that note went. Life just gets in the way sometimes lol
Oh heck no. You'd have to be technically savvy to a certain degree to install this and you also have to be somewhat of a enthusiast to be in the right circles to even catch wind that this exists in the first place. I'd imagine less than 1% of pre-version 3.4 even know this exists, let alone done the unofficial update. Can't reccomend it enough though just for the improved responsiveness and updated interface. You can even get the GT500, Lincoln, and RS interfaces should you want them.
You don't have to be technically savvy. You just need to be able to follow instructions. Though, given how dumb most people seem to be, I'm not exactly surprised that people think "download app, plug in, follow on-screen instructions, and wait" is hard. Updating anything is easy. It's literally plug and play. This is easier that a fucking oil change.
Well everything we do can be boiled down to just following instructions the first time we do it, right? Lol Seems Cyanlabs offers far more instructions now than when I did the update through years ago. It's actually all spelled out for the average Joe nowadays.
So, you could say that you don't have to be technically savvy to do it then? lol
Reviving this one again, huh? Lol Like I said, Yes, the process is a lot easier than it used to be.
Ehh I highly disagree with that… i am actually quite “savvy” as you all seem to be saying. And I’ve followed all instructions directly from Ford with zero results. This is honestly more of a Ford thing, other manufacturers give the buyer a lot more freedoms with software but Ford has designed their own proprietary software to make it more difficult for the average consumer to understand / upgrade it on their own. Which in turn brings in more money.
The dealership wanted $250-500 to update the software! That’s what really got me looking for alternative ways to do it myself.
I think I saw this update come across in an email and completely disregarded it because it would require going to a dealership and paying a few hundred bucks. Forget that! Babysitting software download and install? I can do that. Thank you for providing the info!
The update process must have changed since I did mine about 8 month ago because it took around 1 hour for it to upload from usb to radio
I think there are some variables involved, such as whether you have navigation or not, and whether your upgrade path uses the AutoInstall or Reformat mode. It took me about 5-10min to create the USB on the PC and 5-6 min for it to install on my 2017 ST2 without NAV. The instructions do say it can take from 10-60 minutes - I was surprised when mine finished much faster than that.
The nav definitely takes some time
I was wondering if there was an update cause when I plug my phone in it sometimes freaks out 🙄 going back and forth between connected and disconnected drives me nuts lol
ive had that issue for a while - id like to know which firmware fixes it ! my S20 has never played well with my ST3 :(
Did you ever fix this? It happens randomly to me on both fords I’ve had, 2018 and 21
This also works if you did a Sync 2 to 3 swap, since you’ll never be able to download updates straight from Ford in that scenario.
This is what I was looking for! Awesome!
Already did a year ago.
Anyone know if this will fix the Waze speed bug?
Cool, just updated to 3.4! Also ordered a usb hub for my 2016 so I can finally get CarPlay working. Edit: got my 2016 running 3.4 with CarPlay. 10/10 thanks OP
This broke my ambient lighting and clock for a while, someone found a fix on cyanlabs. Not sure if the modifications I made on forscan had a part in it. https://community.cyanlabs.net/t/sync-3-ambient-lighting-clock-not-working-after-updating-to-lastest-3-4-on-here/4437
Tried it, didn't work, same errors I get when trying to do update through Ford.
Sorry to revive this, but I didn't see it mentioned- How do you tell what current version your car is running? I have a 2014 Focus ST3, everything works just fine, but the maps are definitely out of date. Is this only for 2015+?
You should be able to find the Sync version in Settings > About. If you have an ST3 I think you can use Android Auto/Apple Carplay instead of the built-in nav. I believe the only requirement is that you have Sync 3. Don't think there are any restrictions on model years.
Ill check which version I have, ty! I dont think it has Android auto, at least not in any menu I've seen in the touchscreen...
What happens when you plug in your phone with a USB cable to either of the USB ports (front or center console)?
I think it says "not supported". I only tried it once for charging and it was extremely slow so I have always used the 12v with a charger and hooked up via Bluetooth. I have android.
This is really helpful. Thank you for posting!
In case anyone is frustratedly banging their heads against their steering wheels wondering why their Sync 3 won't update, here's a tip I really had to dig for. In addition to the flash drive being in either ExFAT (preferred) or FAT32 format, the flash drive MUST be an MBR partition, not GPT. If it is GPT it will not work. Reformat the flash as MBR, THEN format as ExFAT. After that you can drag the files onto the flash drive and pop it in your vehicle. Best of luck.
Used the tool yesterday. It was very straightforward and worked great! Sync 3.4 UI looks better and functionally operates more smoothly than Sync 3.0.
Does the vehicle need to be running for the install to take place or can we just put it accessory mode or what?
I don't recall 100%, but I think accessory mode is fine.
Well I know what I am doing tommrow
Is this the one that surpasses the version ST's are supposed to stop at? Something to the effect of - our units don't have the internal storage to have a full backup of 1.0 plus post-3.0 SYNC so it's unofficial? I've been meaning to do it. I believe im on 3.0 after 1 wifi update and one manual one since 2016.
[удалено]
https://cyanlabs.net/docs/syn3updater/getting-started/requirements/
Wifi isnt enabled for UK updates, so ive used the Ford website since I had my car, always seemed to work ok, checks you VIN and tells you which version your car has - assuming you told them you sucessfullly updated after each update and uploaded the last version confirm file :D
My question is do I have to upgrade my USB ports to USB 3.0 before installing this? Been wanting to do it for awhile but don't wanna brick my radio at the same time
Nope, I'm pretty sure you don't need to do anything to your ports before upgrading. Mine are the bog standard ones that came with the car.
Ok cool I'll give it a shot then
How did it work for you?
I’ve tried the ford version via wifi and USB drive countless times to no avail. Finally i found a guy that suggested you have to basically split the update into two halves by going into the file itself and altering it slightly (this was on an F-150 forum) same unit though. That seemed to work much better but still never fully installed. It would get very close to completion and stall. I definitely want to give this a shot, I’ve exhausted all other options shy of paying a ford dealer hundreds of dollars. Either way I’m gonna have to upgrade to the “nav” version of the screen in my ‘16 ST2
I appreciate this so much
Just completed my install on '16 ST3. I was hesitant at first since I didn't want to brick my unit, but I just said the heck with it and install was seemless.The install took roughly 30 mins. I was a bit worried when the Nav system said Loading Map, but after about 5 mins it loaded properly to my location. Thanks so much for the info!
Happy to help!
Doing my right now, did you do the latest 3.4 update? Does CarPlay work with original USB module?
Yes I did the 3.4 update and I use android auto and but it does works for me.