Ford updates its 2016 vehicles to support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Ford is bringing Android Auto and Apple CarPlay software support to its 2016 vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 and adding that support will be as simple as downloading a piece of software from owner.ford.com and installing it with a USB drive (you can also get the update over the air if your vehicle supports Wi-Fi, or take the car to a dealership). The massive update will be available for some 800,000 vehicles.

Needless to say, having access to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay makes the infotainment system on Ford cars much more modern, streamlined and comfortable to use. It's a great feature to have, especially given the fact that it does not require you to buy a new car to get it.

Keep in mind that while the getting Android Auto would be as simple as downloading the update, enabling CarPlay would require an upgrade of the vehicle's USB hub, something that requires a dealership visit and extra costs.

This is also Ford's first software update of such scale, and shows the work of some 400 new software engineers that Ford has recently hired.

Having such an update to an already released car is definitely something new in the automotive world, a move we hope other car makers will soon follow.

source: Ford

10 Comments

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posted on 19 May 2017, 08:54 1

1. Melee (Posts: 6; Member since: 30 Apr 2017)

Installed this last week on my 16 Focus ST. Andoird Auto works like a charm. Great for navigation, shows constant real time traffic. You can also say "Ok Google" in the car to request music or directions. It's truley amazing. Haven't gotten to the dealership yet to pick up the USB port replacement to enable car play. Saw on YouTube that it's not too difficult to replace however. Just costs like $80 :/

posted on 19 May 2017, 22:28

7. tuminatr (Posts: 855; Member since: 23 Feb 2009)

the port will also enable faster charging,

posted on 19 May 2017, 22:29

8. tuminatr (Posts: 855; Member since: 23 Feb 2009)

I have a sync 3 system retrofit into a 2013 MKZ works great

posted on 19 May 2017, 09:50

2. torr310 (Posts: 1071; Member since: 27 Oct 2011)

Great move Ford!
Wish others will follow to give car owners some software updates.

posted on 19 May 2017, 19:52

6. TeriusRose (Posts: 35; Member since: 12 May 2017)

It isn't necessarily that simple. OTA updates means that manufactures can fix certain issues without a car ever seeing a dealership. I can guarantee you that once that begins to become something of a push from major manufacturers, dealers will be very much against that loss of revenue and will try to block them from being a thing.

posted on 19 May 2017, 12:43 3

3. trojan_horse (Posts: 4569; Member since: 06 May 2016)

"enabling CarPlay would require an upgrade of the vehicle's USB hub, something that requires a dealership visit and extra costs."

Extra costs! That is the typical money complications users have to deal with when using Apple products.

posted on 19 May 2017, 17:26

4. andynaija (Posts: 964; Member since: 08 Sep 2012)

Exactly my thought as well.

posted on 19 May 2017, 22:31

9. tuminatr (Posts: 855; Member since: 23 Feb 2009)

True, and its not required with android auto but still a good idea. All the 2017's come with the correct port

posted on 19 May 2017, 19:18

5. iCloud (Posts: 84; Member since: 15 May 2014)

Thank you for this article. I updated my c-max 2 weeks ago and android play worked perfect but carplay didn't. I called the dealer and they directed me back to apple...