As I have both Bluetooth and wifi and Carplay (Sync 3 system), why do i have to use a USB cable connection to my iphone to make it all work? Why can’t I connect wirelessly? I see wireless to iphone adaptors for sale that claim to do this but it seems an unnecessary extra when the tech is already built in. I really don’t like my iphone loose in the car connected via a cable, it normally lives in my pocket. 

Ford have a policy of punishing iPhone users 🤣

Only joking but iphone and Sync3 often have issues.

Apparently it can be done with Sync 4, I just watched the video.

48 minutes ago, Kenny321 said:

Apparently it can be done with Sync 4

very handy, but don't you have Sync3 ?

Sync 3 doesn’t have the necessary hardware for wireless CarPlay. 
 

It requires a 5 GHz WiFi radio in the car. Sync 3 only has 2.4 GHz WiFi. 

Yes , I have Sync3 but can’t this all be done by Bluetooth though? Stupid thing is, my phone is already connected by Bluetooth, seems ludicrous it can’t see the apps, and why does the Carplay system have to use 5GHz wifi? That is for high speed internet streaming, while I have an unused 2.5GHz wifi sitting there in Sync3 !! 

Seems like Ford left a line out in the code…’connect wifi to carplay….Mind you, what started this thread is I just found out Google Maps have only just added the link to Carplay despite Waze having it for years.

Bluetooth can't handle the data speeds

Ok, so why can’t I link Sync3 and Carplay via 2.4GHz wifi to my iPhone (hotspot says I can set to this wifi band)? This can handle the data speeds as all my home internet streams on this band ok.

Another thought….what is the Sync3 wifi used for other than auto downloading of updates (which I have disabled)?

It’s not Ford. It’s just part of the spec. There is much less interference on 5 GHz 

Connection to carplay and connection to the internet (which also doesn't work on Sync 3) need separate Wi-Fi receivers

My BMW X2 has Carplay and Wi-Fi hotspot and has two Wi-Fi antennas 

11 minutes ago, DaveT70 said:

Connection to carplay and connection to the internet (which also doesn't work on Sync 3) need separate Wi-Fi receivers

My BMW X2 has Carplay and Wi-Fi hotspot and has two Wi-Fi antennas 

WiFi connection to the internet seems to work fine on MY18.5+ APIM. 

7 minutes ago, alexp999 said:

WiFi connection to the internet seems to work fine on MY18.5+ APIM. 

Never worked on my 2017

5 hours ago, DaveT70 said:

Connection to carplay and connection to the internet (which also doesn't work on Sync 3) need separate Wi-Fi receivers

My BMW X2 has Carplay and Wi-Fi hotspot and has two Wi-Fi antennas 

Yes but….Sync3 carplay to iphone is one wifi channel (2.4GHz), and connection to internet is through 4G/5G phone network. Dont need two wifi channels to do this. I notice that the USB to ‘wireless’ adaptors on sale use a Bluetooth connection, not providing an extra 5GHz wifi channel, so I am really confused now!

1 hour ago, Kenny321 said:

Yes but….Sync3 carplay to iphone is one wifi channel (2.4GHz), and connection to internet is through 4G/5G phone network. Dont need two wifi channels to do this. I notice that the USB to ‘wireless’ adaptors on sale use a Bluetooth connection, not providing an extra 5GHz wifi channel, so I am really confused now!

Wireless CarPlay uses Bluetooth and 5GHz WiFi, the WiFi carries the audio and video feeds the usb would transmit.  The adapters pretend to be a phone to the car over USB and pretend to be a headunit to the phone over WiFi and Bluetooth. They then relay the touch inputs and video and audio. 
 

The adapters probably don’t advertise anything about WiFi because it would confuse people. There is no SSID broadcast. 

OK Alex, thanks for that explanation……seems an over complication! But now…how does an adaptor wifi connect if no SSID broadcast? My dashcam uses 5GHz wifi and that has an SSID I have to change my iphone wifi settings (from home internet)  to connect to it.

 

 

34 minutes ago, Kenny321 said:

OK Alex, thanks for that explanation……seems an over complication! But now…how does an adaptor wifi connect if no SSID broadcast? My dashcam uses 5GHz wifi and that has an SSID I have to change my iphone wifi settings (from home internet)  to connect to it.

 

 

It configures the AP and exchanges the key over Bluetooth. Then it connects over a hidden WiFi network. 

Hmm, thanks Alex. I was tempted to buy one and have a play but at  £40+ a pop and lots of bad reviews (lag, dropout, no aftersales support), and my own poor experience of these mostly foreign imports, I think I will stay with the cable, haha.

If you have the patience with me, so how is the FordPass app supposed to link everything (never worked for me either!).

Hi Alex, maybe you missed this one…..do you know how does the FordPass app link to the car. I never got this working either, I just never get connectivity.

regards Ken

1 hour ago, Kenny321 said:

Hi Alex, maybe you missed this one…..do you know how does the FordPass app link to the car. I never got this working either, I just never get connectivity.

regards Ken

Has your car got a modem?

Well, the fact that it has both bluetooth and wifi, I assume it must have, otherwise data would not flow. I can do OTH software updates, so I thought the Fordpass app must work in similar fashion? In the sync3 menu, there is a ‘connectivity’ button but my phone and the car don’t link up when I do ‘activate vehicle’. 

10 minutes ago, Kenny321 said:

I assume it must have, otherwise data

You assume wrong.🙁 Not all cars got the modem fitted due to cost saving

In the Sync3 menu have you got a modem listed, with a serial number ?

On 6/27/2021 at 8:57 PM, unofix said:

I'm sure your car will have a modem and it will be working - Just not for Wifi. On the inside roof of your car will be a button, with "SOS" if you have that then you have a modem.

On your Sync3 screen go to "Settings" this will show you 'On-Board Modem Serial Number' and if you select that then it will display the number, and confirm that you have a modem fitted and working.

See the attached photos:

 

 

No, I don’t have an SOS button but I do have an accident assist icon that is disabled. I don’t appear to have a serial number for a modem, which I guess needs a 4G phone type module and SIM card?., but I don’t want to call for help, I just wanted vehicle data to appear on the FordPass app on my phone. Thought it would link through the bluetooth or wifi? Seems more I ask these questions, the less I am impressed by all that onboard tech that does not link up.

1 minute ago, Kenny321 said:

No, I don’t have an SOS button but I do have an accident assist icon that is disabled. I don’t appear to have a serial number for a modem, which I guess needs a 4G phone type module and SIM card?., but I don’t want to call for help, I just wanted vehicle data to appear on the FordPass app on my phone. Thought it would link through the bluetooth or wifi? Seems more I ask these questions, the less I am impressed by all that onboard tech that does not link up.

They discontinued Applink (Bluetooth data link), so afaik Ford Pass only works if the car has a modem, otherwise all you can get is the service history.