2018 FORD FLEX phone

AppLink issues
Possible solution(s)
Possible cause(s)
Issue
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's Mobile
Apps Menu. If not, "Force
Close" the application and
restart it.
The USB connection to
SYNC may need to be reset.
My iPhone phone is
connected, my app is
running, I restarted the app
but I still cannot find it on
SYNC.
Try increasing 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, but there is no
sound or the sound is very
low.
Force close or uninstall the
apps you do not want SYNC
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 apps can
use to connect. If you have
more AppLink apps on your
phone than the number of
availble Bluetooth ports, you
will not see all of your apps
listed in SYNC's mobile apps
menu.
I can only see some of the
AppLink apps running on my
phone listed in SYNC's
Mobile Apps Menu.
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SYNC™

GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING
Driving while distracted can result in
loss of vehicle control, crash and
injury. We strongly recommend that
you use extreme caution when using any
device that may take your focus off the
road. Your primary responsibility is the safe
operation of your vehicle. We recommend
against the use of any hand-held device
while driving and encourage the use of
voice-operated systems when possible.
Make sure you are aware of all applicable
local laws that may affect the use of
electronic devices while driving. Getting to Know Your System
The SYNC 3 system allows you to interact
with a variety of features using the
touchscreen and voice commands. By
integrating with your Bluetooth-enabled
phone, the touchscreen provides easy
interaction with audio, multimedia, climate
control, navigation, and your phone's SYNC
3 compatible apps.
Using the Touchscreen
To operate the touchscreen, you can
simply touch the item or option that you
want to select. The button changes color
when you select it.
The SYNC 3 layout allows you to quickly
select the feature you wish to use.
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SYNC™ 3E205444

Action and Description
Menu Item
Item
This bar displays icons and messages pertaining to current
system activities including climate settings, voice
commands and phone functions such as text messages.
Status Bar
A
This button is available on the main screens. Pressing it
takes you to the home screen view.
Home
B
This shows the current time. You can set the clock manually
or have it controlled by the vehicle's GPS location. See
Settings (page 415).
Clock
C
This displays the current outside temperature.
Outside
Temperature
D
You can touch any of the buttons on this bar to select a
feature.
Feature Bar
E
The touchscreen allows you quick access
to all of your comfort, navigation,
communication and entertainment
options. Using the status and feature bar
you can quickly select the feature you want
to use.
Note: Your system is equipped with a
feature that allows you to access and
control audio features for 10 minutes after
you switch the ignition off (and no doors
open). The Status Bar
Additional icons also display in the status
bar depending on market, vehicle options
and current operation. If a feature is not
active, the icon does not display. Certain
icons may move to the left or right
depending on what options are active.
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SYNC™ 3

Description
Item
Callout
This shows the temperature the driver selects through
the climate control system.
Driver Temper-
ature
A
When you activate the heated steering wheel option
on the touch screen, this icon displays. It only displays
when there is not a physical button for the heated
steering wheel.
Heated steering
wheel
B
(If equipped) When the passenger's temperature has been
adjusted and is no longer linked to the driver's
temperature, it displays here. If Dual is turned off and
the temperatures are linked, the passenger's
temperature does not display.
Passenger
Temperature
C
This icon displays when your phone's microphone is
muted. A caller cannot hear you.
Microphone Mute
D
This icon displays when the audio system is muted.
Mute
E
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SYNC™ 3E249671
i

Description
Item
Callout
This icon appears when SYNC 3 receives a software
update. Pressing the icon shows more details about
the new software.
Download
F
This icon appears if a Wi-Fi network is connected.
Wi-Fi
G
An available Wi-Fi network is within range.
Wi-Fi in Range
H
This icon displays the phone signal strength and the
roaming signal strength.
Signal Strength
I
This icon displays when you receive a text message
on your phone.
Text Message
J
This icon displays when 911 Assist is set to off and
your phone is connected to SYNC.
911 Assist Off
K
This icon displays when a phone call is active.
In-Call
L
This icon displays to show an active Bluetooth
connection.
Bluetooth
M
Messages may also appear in the status
bar to provide you with notifications. You
can select the message to view the
associated feature.
Feature Bar Functions
Feature Bar Item
Allows you to control the media playing in
your vehicle. You can control all audio
features including AM, FM and satellite
radio, CDs, and media streaming over a
Bluetooth device or through a USB
connection.
Audio
Allows you to adjust the temperature, fan
speed and airflow within the vehicle.
Climate
Allows you to make calls, receive calls, and
access the phonebook of your connected
device.
Phone
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SYNC™ 3

Functions
Feature Bar Item
Allows you to see your vehicle's location on
a virtual road map, get driving directions to
your destination and find points of interest
along your route.
Navigation
(If equipped)
Connect and control SYNC 3 compatible
apps running on your iphone or android
device. Also, access built-in additional
features such as SiriusXM Traffic and Travel
Link (if equipped).
Apps
If your vehicle is a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or
electric this is also where your settings and
power information is located.
You can customize your system with
various settings for the touchscreen display,
feature preferences, and how you want to
interact with your vehicle.
Settings
Cleaning the Touchscreen
You can remove fingerprints with a dry,
clean, soft cloth.
If dirt or fingerprints are still on the screen,
apply a small amount of alcohol to the
cloth and try to clean it again.
Note: Do not use detergent or any type of
solvent to clean the touchscreen.
Note: Do not pour or spray alcohol onto the
touchscreen.
Using Voice Recognition
Using voice commands allows you to keep
your hands on the wheel and focus on
what is in front of you. The system provides
feedback through audible tones, prompts,
questions and spoken confirmations
depending on the situation and the chosen
level of interaction (voice settings). The system also asks short questions
(confirmation prompts) when it is not sure
of your request or when there are multiple
possible responses to your request.
When using voice commands, words and
icons may appear in the status bar
indicating the status of the voice command
session. See Using Voice Recognition
(page 379).
Accessing and Adjusting Modes
Through Your Vehicle Information
Display
(If Equipped)
Depending on your vehicle and selected
options you may be able to control some
of the SYNC 3 features on your information
display. The features are visible the right
hand display (A).
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SYNC™ 3

You can make the following adjustments
using the information display SYNC 3
screen:
Information
Option
Information for current audio playing.
Entertain-
ment
Select source.
View current road and speed limit (if information is available).
Naviga-
tion
View current route, next turn, time to your destination (depending on cluster
level), distance to destination (depending on cluster level), and ability to
cancel route.
If you do not have an active navigation route programed, the compass is
shown.
If you are not on a call, a call can be made by selecting: 1
Phone
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SYNC™ 3E208626

Information
Option
Missed calls
Outgoing calls
Incoming calls
All calls
If you are on a call, the call information is displayed on the information display.
If you are receiving a call, you can accept it by selecting OK on the right-hand
steering wheel controls.
1 Depending on your vehicle options, all of these choices may not display.
Use the OK and arrow buttons on the right
side of your steering wheel to scroll
through the available modes.
The selection menu expands and different
options appear.
• Press the up and down arrows to scroll
through the modes.
• Press the right arrow to enter the mode,
use the left arrow to exit the mode.
• Press the up and down arrows to make
adjustments within the chosen mode.
• Press
OK to confirm your selection.
Note: If your vehicle is not equipped with
navigation, compass appears in the display
instead of navigation. If you press the right
arrow to go into the compass menu, you can
see the compass graphic. The compass
displays the direction in which the vehicle
is traveling, not true direction (for example,
if the vehicle is traveling west, the middle
of the compass graphic displays west; north
displays to the left of west though its true
direction is to the right of west).
Using the Steering Wheel Controls
Depending on your vehicle and option
package, you can use different controls on
your steering wheel to interact with the
touchscreen system in different ways.
VOL:
Control the volume of audio output.
Mute:
Mute the audio output. Voice:
Press to start a voice session. Press
again to stop the voice prompt and
immediately begin speaking. Press and
hold to end a voice session.
SEEK NEXT:
• While in radio mode, press to seek
between memory presets.
• While in USB, Bluetooth Audio or CD
mode, press to seek between songs or
press and hold to fast seek.
SEEK PREVIOUS:
• While in radio mode, press to seek
between memory presets.
• While in USB, Bluetooth Audio or CD
mode, press to seek between songs or
press and hold to fast seek.
PHONE ACCEPT:
Press to answer a call
or switch between calls.
PHONE REJECT:
Press to end a call or
reject an incoming call.
Note: On some models, SEEK NEXT
may
be combined with PHONE REJECT and
SEEK PREVIOUS may be combined with
PHONE ACCEPT.
M:
Touch the control repeatedly to switch
between media sources (modes).
See
Steering Wheel (page 75).
Using Your Bezel Controls
Depending on your vehicle and option
package, you may also have these controls
on your instrument panel:
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SYNC™ 3