My Ford is a 2015 model, and it came with the Ford Sync 2 head unit, essentially running Microsoft software underneath. It's decent enough for what it does, but doesn't have any phone integration beyond Bluetooth. The Sync 3 units came a few years after, and run BlackBerry's QNX OS underneath; they support Android Auto and Apply CarPlay nicely (wired).
If you want to upgrade from Sync 2 to Sync 3, you need a Sync 3 unit, a bunch of adapters, and some software to code the car. It's expensive, probably UKP500 plus any labour needed.
However, there's an alternative. A Chinese company, Carabc, makes Android Auto/Carplay units you can stick to your dash, and they also make adapters that plug into your existing head unit, both for Ford Sync 2 and for some other car manufactures. I saw a link to one somewhere, and saw there was a first-time-purchase special on Aliexpress, only R1871 ($109). For that, I figured it was worth a try, so I bought it last month.
On Sunday I roped my tame mechanic into helping me install it. The instructions include the plastic tools to pull interior panels off, as well as links to videos showing what to do. We pulled the centre console panels off, unbolted the head unit, and pulled it out. I had to disassemble the screen section, and add a new circuit board inside, daisy-chaining it to the existing board there. I used a dremel to cut a hole for a new cable to exit. All the cables were supplied, so we plugged them all in, cut a hole in the back of the glovebox for the USB cable, and ran the microphone cable to up near the sun visor, and bolted it all together again (after testing!!!). I still have my phone resting in its wireless charging cradle where I can see it and read messages and stuff.
It actually works really nicely. The Bluetooth/WiFi for Android Auto connects very quickly, Waze works perfectly, Deezer works fine, and phone calls and messages are good too. Even Hey Google is instant. The only oddities are that I have to turn the volume up much higher than the "built-in" unit, and the microphone isn't as clear for people I call (but I ordered a couple of replacement microphones I can try out).
To switch between Android Auto and the car's own native screen (which has all the climate control settings, etc.), I just long-press the skip button on my steering wheel. All very convenient.
If you want to upgrade from Sync 2 to Sync 3, you need a Sync 3 unit, a bunch of adapters, and some software to code the car. It's expensive, probably UKP500 plus any labour needed.
However, there's an alternative. A Chinese company, Carabc, makes Android Auto/Carplay units you can stick to your dash, and they also make adapters that plug into your existing head unit, both for Ford Sync 2 and for some other car manufactures. I saw a link to one somewhere, and saw there was a first-time-purchase special on Aliexpress, only R1871 ($109). For that, I figured it was worth a try, so I bought it last month.
On Sunday I roped my tame mechanic into helping me install it. The instructions include the plastic tools to pull interior panels off, as well as links to videos showing what to do. We pulled the centre console panels off, unbolted the head unit, and pulled it out. I had to disassemble the screen section, and add a new circuit board inside, daisy-chaining it to the existing board there. I used a dremel to cut a hole for a new cable to exit. All the cables were supplied, so we plugged them all in, cut a hole in the back of the glovebox for the USB cable, and ran the microphone cable to up near the sun visor, and bolted it all together again (after testing!!!). I still have my phone resting in its wireless charging cradle where I can see it and read messages and stuff.
It actually works really nicely. The Bluetooth/WiFi for Android Auto connects very quickly, Waze works perfectly, Deezer works fine, and phone calls and messages are good too. Even Hey Google is instant. The only oddities are that I have to turn the volume up much higher than the "built-in" unit, and the microphone isn't as clear for people I call (but I ordered a couple of replacement microphones I can try out).
To switch between Android Auto and the car's own native screen (which has all the climate control settings, etc.), I just long-press the skip button on my steering wheel. All very convenient.
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