2018 FORD FLEX USB

Navigation Source Selection
The screen lists available alternative
navigation sources using Applink.
Mobile Apps
You can enable the control of compatible
mobile apps running on your Bluetooth or
USB device on SYNC 3. In order to enable
mobile apps, SYNC 3 requires user consent
to send and receive app authorization
information and updates using the data
plan associated with the connected device.
The connected devices send data to Ford
Motor Company in the United States. The
encrypted information includes your VIN,
SYNC 3 module number, anonymous
usage statistics and debugging
information. Updates may take place.
Note:
Not all Mobile Apps are compatible
with the system.
Note: Standard data rates will apply. Ford
Motor Company 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. Action and Description
Menu Item
Enable or disable the use of
mobile apps on SYNC 3.
On
Mobile Apps
Off Disabling mobile apps in the
settings menu disables auto-
matic updates and the use of
mobile apps on SYNC 3.
You can view the status of mobile app permissions in the settings
menu.
Once Mobile Apps is enabled, you have the following options: This provides information on the current state of available app
updates.
Update Mobile
Apps
There are three possible statuses: Updating Mobile Apps\b
Up-To-Date
Update Needed
The system is trying to receive
an update.
No update is
required.
The system has
detected a new app
requiring authoriza-
tion or a general
permissions update is
required.
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SYNC™ 3

SYNC™ 3 TROUBLESHOOTING
Your SYNC 3 system is easy to use.
However, should questions arise, please
refer to the tables below.
To check your cell phone's compatibility,
refer to the regional Ford or Lincoln
website.Cell phone issues
Possible solution
Possible cause
Issue
Refer to your device's manual about audio
adjustments.
The audio control
settings on your cell
phone may be affecting
SYNC 3 performance.
There is back-
ground noise
during a phone
call.
Try switching your cell phone off, resetting
it or removing the battery, then try again.
Possible cell phone
malfunction.
During a call, I
can hear the
other person
but they cannot
hear me.
Make sure that the microphone for SYNC
3 is not set to off. Look for the microphone
icon on the phone screen.
To restart your system, shut down the
engine, open and close the door, and then
lock the door and wait for 2-3 minutes.
Make sure that your SYNC 3 screen is black
and the lighted USB port is off.
The system may need to
be restarted.
During a call, I
cannot hear the
other person
and they cannot
hear me.
Check your cell phone's compatibility.
This is a cell phone-
dependent feature.
SYNC 3 is not
able to down-
load my phone-
book. Make sure you allow SYNC 3 to retrieve
contacts from your phone. Refer to your
cell manual.
Possible cell phone
malfunction. You must switch on your cell phone and
the automatic phonebook download
feature on SYNC 3.
Try switching your cell phone off, resetting
it or removing the battery, then try again.
Make sure you allow SYNC 3 to retrieve
contacts from your phone. Refer to your
cell manual.
Limitations on your cell
phone's capability.
The system
says "Phone-
book down-
loaded" but my
SYNC 3 phone-
book is empty or
is missing
contacts.
If the missing contacts are stored on your
SIM card, move them to your cell phone's
memory.
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SYNC™ 3

Cell phone issues
Possible solution
Possible cause
Issue
Replying to text messages using SYNC 3 is
not supported by iPhone.
Text messages from WhatsApp and Face-
book Messenger are not supported.
Your cell phone must support downloading
text messages through Bluetooth to receive
incoming text messages.
This is a cell phone-
dependent feature.
Audible text
messages do
not work on my
cell phone. Because each cell phone is different, refer
to your device's manual for the specific cell
phone you are pairing. In fact, there can be
differences between cell phones due to
brand, model, service provider and software
version.
This is a cell phone limita-
tion. USB and Bluetooth Stereo issues
Possible solution
Possible cause
Issue
Disconnect the device from SYNC 3. Try
switching your device off, resetting it or
removing the battery, then reconnect it to
SYNC 3.
Possible device malfunc-
tion.
I am having
trouble
connecting my
device. Make sure you are using the manufacturer's
cable.
Make sure to correctly insert the USB cable
into the device and your vehicle's USB port.
Make sure that the device does not have
an auto-install program or active security
settings.
Make sure your device is unlocked before
connecting it to SYNC 3.
The device has a lock
screen enabled.
Make sure you are not leaving the device in
your vehicle during very hot or cold
temperatures.
This is a device limitation.
SYNC 3 does
not recognize
my device when
I start my
vehicle.
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SYNC™ 3

USB and Bluetooth Stereo issues
Possible solution
Possible cause
Issue
Make sure you connect the device to SYNC
3 and that you have started the media
player on your device.
This is a device-
dependent feature.
Bluetooth audio
does not
stream. The device is not
connected.
Try switching your device off, resetting it or
removing the battery, then reconnect it to
SYNC 3.
The device is in a bad
state.
Make sure that all song details are popu-
lated.
Your music files may not
contain the correct artist,
song title, album or genre
information.
SYNC 3 does
not recognize
music that is on
my device. Try replacing the corrupt file with a new
version.
The file may be
corrupted.
Some devices require you to change the
USB settings from mass storage to media
transfer protocol class.
The song may have
copyright protection that
does not allow it to play.
Convert the file to a supported format. See
Entertainment (page 386).
The file format is not
supported by SYNC 3.
Update media index. See
Settings (page
415).
The device needs to be
re-indexed.
Make sure your device is unlocked before
connecting it to SYNC 3.
The device has a lock
screen enabled.
Disconnect the device from SYNC 3. Try
switching your device off, resetting it or
removing the battery, then connect it back
to SYNC 3.
This is a device limitation.
When I connect
my device, I
sometimes do
not hear any
sound.
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SYNC™ 3

USB and Bluetooth Stereo issues
Possible solution
Possible cause
Issue
To listen to Apple devices through USB,
select AirPlay from the devices Control
Center, then select Dock Connector.
To listen to Apple devices through
Bluetooth Stereo, select AirPlay from the
devices Control Center, then select SYNC.
Connect a compatible device or media
player.
The device or media
player is incompatible.
SYNC 3 does
not display the
song informa-
tion, repeat, or
shuffle buttons. Wi-Fi Issues
Possible solution
Possible cause
Issue
Verify password.
Password error.
Failed connec-
tion.
Check for a poor Wi-Fi signal.
Weak signal.
Use a unique name for your SSID, don ’t use
the default name unless it contains a
unique identifier, such as part of the MAC
address.
Multiple Access points
within range with the
same SSID.
Position the vehicle close to the hotspot
with the front of the vehicle facing the
hotspot direction and remove obstacles if
possible. Other Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, microwave
and cordless phones may cause interfer-
ence.
Weak signal probably
due to distance from the
hotspot, obstruction or
high interference.
Disconnecting
after successful
connection.
If the vehicle is equipped with heated
windshield, try positioning the vehicle so
that the windshield is not facing the
hotspot. If you have metallic window tinting
but not on the windshield, position the
vehicle to face the hotspot. If all windows
are tinted, you can open the windows in the
direction of the hotspot if that is feasible.
There may be an
obstruction between
SYNC 3 and the hotspot.
Poor signal seen
by SYNC 3
despite being
near a hotspot.
Try to remove other obstructions that may
impact signal quality such as opening the
garage door.
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SYNC™ 3

AppLink issues
Possible solution(s)
Possible cause(s)
Issue
Make sure you have a compatible smart-
phone; an Android with OS 2.3 or higher or
an iPhone 3GS or newer with iOS 5.0 or
higher. Additionally, make sure you pair and
connect your phone to SYNC 3 in order to
find AppLink-capable apps on your device.
iPhone users must also connect to a USB
port with an Apple USB cable.
You did not connect an
Applink Compatible
phone to SYNC 3.
AppLink Mobile
Applications:
When I select
"Find Mobile
Apps," SYNC 3
does not find
any applica-
tions.
Make sure you have downloaded and
installed the latest version of the app from
your phone's app store. Make sure the app
is running on your phone. Some apps
require you to register or login to the app
on the phone before using them with
AppLink. Also, some may have a "Ford
SYNC" setting, so check the app's settings
menu on the phone.
AppLink-enabled apps
are not installed and
running on your mobile
device.
My phone is
connected, but I
still cannot find
any apps.
Closing and restarting apps may help SYNC
3 find the application if you cannot discover
it inside the vehicle. On an Android device,
if apps have an 'Exit' or 'Quit' option, then
select it and restart the app. If the app does
not have that option, select the phone's
settings menu and select 'Apps', then find
the particular app and choose 'Force stop.'
Do not forget to restart the app afterward,
then select "Find Mobile Apps" on SYNC 3.
Sometimes apps do not
properly close and re-
open their connection to
SYNC 3, over ignition
cycles, for example.
My phone is
connected, my
app(s) are
running, but I
still cannot find
any apps.
On an iPhone with iOS7+, to force close an
app, double tap the home button then
swipe up on the app to close it. Tap the
home button again, then select the app
again to restart it. After a few seconds, the
app should then appear in SYNC 3's Mobile
App's Menu.
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SYNC™ 3

AppLink issues
Possible solution(s)
Possible cause(s)
Issue
Switch Bluetooth off and then on to reset
it on your phone. If you are in your vehicle,
SYNC 3 should be able to automatically re-
connect to your phone if you press the
"Phone" button.
There is a Bluetooth issue
on some older versions
of the Android operating
system that may cause
apps that were found on
your previous vehicle
drive to not be found
again if you did not
switch Bluetooth off.
My Android
phone is
connected, my
app(s) are
running, I
restarted them,
but I still cannot
find any apps.
Unplug the USB cable from the phone, wait
a moment, and plug the USB cable back in
to the phone. After a few seconds, the app
should appear in SYNC 3's Mobile Apps
Menu. If not, "Force Close" the application
and restart it.
You may need to reset
the USB connection to
SYNC 3.
My iPhone is
connected, my
app is running, I
restarted the
app but I still
cannot find it on
SYNC 3.
Increase the Bluetooth volume of the
device by using the device's volume control
buttons which are most often found on the
side of the device.
The Bluetooth volume on
the phone may be low.
I have an
Android phone.
I found and
started my
media app on
SYNC 3, but
there is no
sound or the
sound is very
low.
Force close or uninstall the apps you do not
want SYNC 3 to find. If the app has a "Ford
SYNC" setting, disable that setting in the
app's settings menu on the phone.
Some Android devices
have a limited number of
Bluetooth ports that
apps can use to connect.
If you have more AppLink
apps on your phone than
the number of available
Bluetooth ports, you will
not see all of your apps
listed in the SYNC 3
mobile apps menu.
I can only see
some of the
AppLink apps
running on my
phone listed in
the SYNC 3
Mobile Apps
Menu.
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SYNC™ 3

Voice command issues
Possible solution
Possible cause
Issue
SYNC 3 applies the phonetic pronunciation
rules of the selected language to the
contact names stored on your cell phone.
You may not be saying
the name exactly as it
appears on your phone-
book.
The SYNC 3
voice control
system is having
trouble recog-
nizing foreign
names stored
on my cell
phone.
Helpful Hint: You can select your contact
manually. Press PHONE. Select the option
for phonebook and then contact name.
Press the soft-key option to hear it. SYNC
3 will read the contact name to you, giving
you some idea of the pronunciation it is
expecting.
SYNC 3 applies the phonetic pronunciation
rules of the selected language to the names
stored on your media player or USB flash
drive. It is able to make some exceptions
for very popular artist names (for example,
U2) such that you can always use the
English pronunciation for these artists.
You may be saying the
foreign names using the
currently selected
language for SYNC 3.
The SYNC 3
voice control
system is having
trouble recog-
nizing foreign
tracks, artists,
albums, genres
and playlist
names from my
media player or
USB flash drive.
SYNC 3 uses a synthetically generated
voice rather than pre-recorded human
voice.
SYNC 3 uses text-to-
speech voice prompt
technology.
The system
generates voice
prompts and
the pronunci-
ation of some
words may not
be accurate for
my language. SYNC 3 offers several new voice control
features for a wide range of languages.
Dialing a contact name directly from the
phonebook without pre-recording (for
example,
“call John Smith ”) or selecting a
track, artist, album, genre or playlist directly
from your media player (for example, "play
artist Madonna").
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SYNC™ 3