Sync3 = Garbage

[thejrod]

Bit of a rant here, but my 2021 F350 Lariat's Sync system is borderline unacceptable for a new vehicle.
In addition to the low mic volume with plugged into USB (detailed in other threads - no fix btw), I also get random Carplay disconnects at least once every single drive. The amazon Music app also randomly quits while listening (hasn't happened to any other app yet) - I have to go back to the phone and restart the app. I've had the entire Sync system freeze up a couple times as well, requiring a restart. And I've had it go unresponsive a couple times, taking several seconds before it responds to any input again.
I'm on the latest build as-checked on the website w/ my VIN, and my iphone 11 pro is on the latest version of iOS.

We have a 2019 Chevy Traverse in the garage as well, and that system is worlds better than Fords. It just works. So I know it's not my phone or cables or a Carplay issue.

My concern is with the Sync4 system out now, the Sync3 will get less attention, and we'll be stuck with this buggy OS. Hoping they continue to provide updates that address the bugs down the road.

 

[Loshad]

Funny that whatever Sync version is in my '16 F150 works pretty well. Granted, I don't use Carplay, or anything it didn't come with, so my standards are lower. The system in our '18 Volvo is probably a lot flashier but, again, all I use is the radio and the nav so I dunno and I don't care - it works for me. As a pilot I'm only concerned with navigation and communication - the 2 keys to getting somewhere in one piece.

 

[Driftwood]

I've had no issues or problems with my Sync unit

 

[ScottyG1150]

I've had no issues or problems with my Sync unit

Having just read the headlights blinding folks thread and now this, you, Sir apparently got the Goldilocks Edition ?

 

[BigJack601]

My only complaint would be the lagging audio when watching movies on an iPad and playing the sound through the truck speakers. Not even sure that’s a sync issue??‍??‍

 

[jhblaze1]

They just sold 2021s with Sync 3. of course they'll continue to update it. Apple still updates 10 year old OS. Software companies dont abondon older versions right away.

Mine works great so far.

 

[pkrexer]

I have an Android phone and use Android Auto. Surprisingly I haven't had to many issues and things have been responsive.

I also came from a ram with an old uconnect system... So maybe my expectations are a lot lower lol

 

[Accuracy International]

Have you tried Bluetooth and wireless charging? I think it works pretty darn nice, never had a issue with low mic volume. I've never tried it plugged into a USB.

 

[RAVAGE88]

Have you tried Bluetooth and wireless charging? I think it works pretty darn nice, never had a issue with low mic volume. I've never tried it plugged into a USB.

^^^^THIS. I've found that I prefer Sync 3 Bluetooth with Wireless Charging over CarPlay. Especially since I'm moving away from Apple, Google, etc., as much as possible.

MB

 

[Yukon Bush Tremor]

I havent had any issues with Sync 3 whatsoever.

Love it but like some of the guys above I cant stand car play so dont use it.

 

[Phoenix]

Bit of a rant here, but my 2021 F350 Lariat's Sync system is borderline unacceptable for a new vehicle.
In addition to the low mic volume with plugged into USB (detailed in other threads - no fix btw), I also get random Carplay disconnects at least once every single drive. The amazon Music app also randomly quits while listening (hasn't happened to any other app yet) - I have to go back to the phone and restart the app. I've had the entire Sync system freeze up a couple times as well, requiring a restart. And I've had it go unresponsive a couple times, taking several seconds before it responds to any input again.
I'm on the latest build as-checked on the website w/ my VIN, and my iphone 11 pro is on the latest version of iOS.

We have a 2019 Chevy Traverse in the garage as well, and that system is worlds better than Fords. It just works. So I know it's not my phone or cables or a Carplay issue.

My concern is with the Sync4 system out now, the Sync3 will get less attention, and we'll be stuck with this buggy OS. Hoping they continue to provide updates that address the bugs down the road.

Is sync 4 in the 21 250? If there is another version where is it used if not in the 21’s?

 

[Worley]

My only complaint would be the lagging audio when watching movies on an iPad and playing the sound through the truck speakers. Not even sure that’s a sync issue??‍??‍

Mine has the same lag with iPhone or iPad. I use a Bluetooth speaker when watching movies. Such a shame with an $80,000 truck.

 

[Dissident]

I have had great success with android auto. I also have ram wireless charging holder mounted to the dash so the plug for the phone android auto is not contacting anything when i didn't have it the cutting out was due to the cable.

 

[BigJack601]

Is sync 4 in the 21 250? If there is another version where is it used if not in the 21’s?

21 F250 has Sync3
21 F150 has Sync4

 

[cookiemonster]

Mine has the same lag with iPhone or iPad. I use a Bluetooth speaker when watching movies. Such a shame with an $80,000 truck.

Not at all the right solution, but a hack to have a better experience:

I believe VLC allows you to control the audio lag, so you could use that media player and adjust the audio so it's back in sync with the video.

 

[BigJack601]

Not at all the right solution, but a hack to have a better experience:

I believe VLC allows you to control the audio lag, so you could use that media player and adjust the audio so it's back in sync with the video.

What’s VLC?

 

[cookiemonster]

What’s VLC?

It's a different media player that should be available on iOS and Android (as well as PC / Mac / Linux) - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vlc-for-mobile/id650377962 <- for the iOS link.

It gives you more control over playing media with the tradeoff that it's not as smooth of an experience. But I recall having audio sync issues with a pair of bluetooth headphones and my phone once, so I used VLC to adjust the audio track by a tenth of a second or so to get it synced back up.

 

[Criossk]

Bit of a rant here, but my 2021 F350 Lariat's Sync system is borderline unacceptable for a new vehicle.
In addition to the low mic volume with plugged into USB (detailed in other threads - no fix btw), I also get random Carplay disconnects at least once every single drive. The amazon Music app also randomly quits while listening (hasn't happened to any other app yet) - I have to go back to the phone and restart the app. I've had the entire Sync system freeze up a couple times as well, requiring a restart. And I've had it go unresponsive a couple times, taking several seconds before it responds to any input again.
I'm on the latest build as-checked on the website w/ my VIN, and my iphone 11 pro is on the latest version of iOS.

We have a 2019 Chevy Traverse in the garage as well, and that system is worlds better than Fords. It just works. So I know it's not my phone or cables or a Carplay issue.

My concern is with the Sync4 system out now, the Sync3 will get less attention, and we'll be stuck with this buggy OS. Hoping they continue to provide updates that address the bugs down the road.

Thanks for this post. I have constantly experienced every single issue you just listed here.

 

[Chris21667]

My only complaint would be the lagging audio when watching movies on an iPad and playing the sound through the truck speakers. Not even sure that’s a sync issue??‍??‍

this is a bluetooth thing, it just how bluetooth works it doesn't have a high data rate speed so it lags behind all my vehicles have this issue and my bluetooth speaker also has this issue

 

[JesseR]

My only complaint would be the lagging audio when watching movies on an iPad and playing the sound through the truck speakers. Not even sure that’s a sync issue??‍??‍

This is a Bluetooth latency issue. Some work better than most but overall almost all head units in vehicles have this delay.