2020 FORD EXPLORER USB

Automatic crash notification
system off.
Cell phone network signal
strength.
Vehicle data sharing on.
Vehicle location sharing on.
Vehicle data and vehicle location
sharing on.
Wireless charger active.
Feature Bar Select to use the radio, a USB, a
media player or a Bluetooth
device. See Entertainment
(page 446). Select to adjust climate settings
See
Climate (page 456).
Select to make calls and access
the phonebook on your cell
phone. See
Phone (page 458).
Select to use the navigation
system.
See Navigation (page
460). Select to search for and use
compatible apps on your iOS or
Android device. See Apps (page
466
). Select to adjust system settings.
See
Settings (page 469).
Cleaning the Touchscreen
See
Cleaning the Interior (page 348). Updating the System
Updating the System Using a USB Drive
Downloading an Update
1. Go to the SYNC update page on the
local Ford website.
2. Download the update.
Note: The website notifies you if an update
is available.
3. Insert a USB drive into your computer.
Note: The USB drive needs to be empty and
meet the minimum requirements detailed
on the website.
4. Follow the instructions provided to download the update to the USB drive.
Installing an Update
Note: You can use the system when an
installation is in progress.
1. Disconnect all other USB devices from
the USB ports.
2. Connect the USB drive with the update
to a USB port.
Note: Installation starts automatically
within 10 minutes.
Updating the System Using a Wi-Fi
Network Connection
Connecting to a Wi-Fi Network Select the settings option on the
feature bar.
1. Select
Automatic Updates.
2. Select
System Wi-Fi.
3. Switch
System Wi-Fi on.
4. Select
Available Wi-Fi Networks.
5. Select an available Wi-Fi network.
Note: Enter the network password to
connect to a secure network.
439
Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201902, Third-Printing- SYNC™ 3 E100027 E283811 E280315 E280315

Description
Voice Command
Go to the next page.
Next Page
Go to the previous page.
Previous Page
1 Add the name of the feature to the command.
Entertainment
Audio Source Description
Voice Command
Use the radio.
Radio
Use the CD player.
CD Player
Use a Bluetooth device.
Bluetooth Stereo
Use a USB or media player.
USB
Radio Description
Voice Command
Listen to AM radio.
AM
Tune to a specific AM frequency.1
AM ___
Listen to SiriusXM radio.2
Sirius Channel ___
Listen to FM radio.
FM
Tune to a specific FM frequency.1
FM ___
1 Add the radio frequency to two decimal places to the command.
2 You can say the Sirius channel name or number such as "Sirius Channel 16" or "Sirius
The Pulse".
441
Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201902, Third-Printing- SYNC™ 3

USB and Media Player
Description
Voice Command
Play your music by category. 1
Play Album ___
Play Artist ___
Play Genre ___
Play Playlist ___
Play Song ___
Play Audiobook ___
Play Podcast ___
Browse music on a USB device.
Browse All Albums
Browse All Artists
Browse All Audiobooks
Browse All Genres
Browse All Playlists
Browse All Podcasts
Browse All Songs
Browse your music by category on a USB device. 1
Browse Album ___
Browse Artist ___
Browse Audiobook ___
Browse Genre ___
Browse Playlist ___
Browse Podcast ___
1 Add an album name, artist name, audiobook name, genre name, playlist name, podcast
name or track name to the command. Say the name exactly as it appears on your device.
Climate (If Equipped)
You can control the temperature of the
vehicle using voice commands. ___ is a dynamic listing, meaning that for
climate voice commands it can be the
desired degrees for the temperature
setting.
442
Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201902, Third-Printing- SYNC™ 3

Sources
Press this button to select the source of
media you want to listen to.Menu Item
AM
FM 1
SIRIUS
1
CD
The name of the USB that is plugged in displays here.
USB
Bluetooth Stereo
If you have SYNC 3 compatible apps on your connected smart phone, they
display here as individual source selections.
Apps
1 This feature may not be available in all markets and requires an active subscription.
AM/FM Radio
Tuning a Station
You can use the tune or seek controls on
the radio bezel to select a station.
To tune a station using the
touchscreen, select: Menu Item
Direct Tune
A pop up appears, allowing you to type in
the frequency of a station. You can only
enter a valid station for the source you are
currently listening to.
You can press the backspace button to
delete the previously entered number. Once you have entered the station's
call numbers, you can select: Action and Descrip-
tion
Menu Item
Press to begin
playing the station
you have entered.
Enter
Press to exit
without changing
the station.
Cancel
Presets
To set a new preset, tune to the station
and then press and hold one of the
memory preset buttons. The audio mutes
briefly while the system saves the station
and then returns.
You may be able to add additional preset
pages using the settings option on the
feature bar.
447
Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201902, Third-Printing- SYNC™ 3

Function
Button
For MP3 CDs, this button allows you to toggle through repeat
off, repeat one track (a small number one displays), and repeat
current folder (a small folder displays).
Select the shuffle symbol to have the audio on the disk play
in random order.
Shuffle
You can use the forward, reverse, pause or
play buttons to control the audio playback. Bluetooth Stereo or USB
Bluetooth Stereo and USB allow you to
access media that you store on your
Bluetooth device or USB device such as
music, audio books or podcasts.
The following buttons are available for Bluetooth and USB: Function
Button
Pressing the repeat button toggles the repeat setting through
three modes: repeat off (button not highlighted), repeat all
(button highlighted) and repeat track (button highlighted with
a small number one).
Repeat
Play the tracks in random order.
Shuffle
You can use the forward, reverse, pause or
play buttons to control the audio playback.
To get more information about the
currently playing track, press the cover art
or Info button. For some devices, SYNC 3 is able to
provide 30-second skip buttons when you
listen to audio books or podcasts. These
buttons allow you to skip forward or
backward within a track.
While playing audio from a USB device you
can look for certain music by selecting the
following: Function
Button
If available, displays the list of tracks in the
Now Playing playlist.
Browse
This option, which is available under
browse, allows you to play all tracks or to
filter the available media into one of the
below categories.
New Search
Play All
454
Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201902, Third-Printing- SYNC™ 3

Function
Button
Playlists
Artist
Albums
Songs
Genres
Podcasts
Audio books
Composers
This button allows you to choose a specific
letter to view within the category you are
browsing.
A-Z Jump
If available, this allows you to browse the
folders and files on your USB device.
Explore Device
USB Ports The USB ports are in the center console or
behind a small access door in the
instrument panel.
This feature allows you to plug in USB
media devices, memory sticks, flash drives
or thumb drives, and charge devices if they
support this feature. Select this option to play audio from your
USB device.
Apps
The system supports the use of certain
audio apps such as iHeartRadio through a
USB or Bluetooth enabled device.
Each app gives you different on-screen
options depending on the app's content.
See Apps (page 466).
Supported Media Players, Formats
and Metadata Information
The system is capable of hosting nearly
any digital media player, including iPod,
iPhone, and most USB drives.
Supported audio formats include MP3,
WMA, WAV, AAC, and FLAC.
Supported audio file extensions include
MP3, WMA, WAV, M4A, M4B, AAC, and
FLAC.
455
Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201902, Third-Printing- SYNC™ 3E211463

Supported USB file systems include: FAT,
exFAT, and NTFS.
SYNC 3 is also able to organize the media
from your USB device by metadata tags.
Metadata tags, which are descriptive
software identifiers embedded in the
media files, provide information about the
file.
If your indexed media files contain no
information embedded in these metadata
tags, SYNC 3 may classify the empty
metadata tags as unknown.
SYNC 3 is capable of indexing up to
50,000 songs per USB device, for up to 10
devices.
CLIMATE
Touch the climate button on the
touchscreen to access your climate control
features.
Note:
You can switch temperature units
between Fahrenheit and Celsius. See
Settings (page 469).
Accessing the Climate Control
Menu Touch the button to access
additional controls for the front
climate system.
Directing the Airflow Touch the button to direct
airflow to the windshield air
vents and de-mister.
Touch the button to direct
airflow to the instrument panel
air vents.
Touch the button to direct
airflow to the footwell air vents. You can direct air through any combination
of these air vents.
Setting the Blower Motor Speed Touch up or down to increase or
decrease the volume of air that
circulates in your vehicle.
Setting the Temperature
Touch up or down on the left-hand
temperature control to set the left-hand
temperature.
Note: This control also adjusts the
right-hand side temperature when you
switch off dual zone mode.
Touch up or down on the right-hand
temperature control to set the right-hand
temperature.
Switching Auto Mode On and Off Touch the button to switch on
automatic operation, then set
the temperature.
The system adjusts the blower motor
speed, air distribution, air conditioning
operation, and outside or recirculated air
to reach and maintain the temperature you
have set.
Switching the Air Conditioning On
and Off A pop-up appears on the screen
to display the air conditioning
options.
MAX A/C:
Touch the button to activate
and maximize cooling. The driver and
passenger temperatures are set to LO,
recirculated air flows through the
instrument panel vents, air conditioning
automatically turns on and the fan
automatically adjusts to the highest speed.
456
Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201902, Third-Printing- SYNC™ 3E265038

Using Text Messaging
Description
Menu Item
Hear the text message.
Hear It
View the text message.
View
Call the sender.
Call
Reply to the text message with a standard text message.
Reply
Apple CarPlay (If Equipped)
1. Connect your device to a USB port.
2. Follow the instructions on the touchscreen.
Note: Certain features of the system are
not available when you are using Apple
CarPlay.
Switching Apple CarPlay Off Select the settings option on the
feature bar.
1. Select
Apple CarPlay Preferences.
2. Switch
Apple CarPlay off.
Android Auto
(If Equipped)
1. Connect your device to a USB port.
2. Follow the instructions on the touchscreen.
Note: You might need to enable Android
Auto from the settings menu.
Note: Certain features of the system are
not available when you are using Android
Auto.
Switching Android Auto Off Select the settings option on the
feature bar.
1. Select
Android Auto. 2. Switch
Android Auto off.
NAVIGATION
(IF EQUIPPED)
Note: For more information, refer to our
website. Select the navigation option on
the feature bar.
Map view menu.
A
Zoom out.
B
Zoom in.
C
Route guidance menu.
D
Destination entry menu.
E
460
Explorer (CTW) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201902, Third-Printing- SYNC™ 3 E297557