Can’t give sync voice commands when connected to CarPlay

[maracle]

‘23 Bronco Sport here. When I don’t have my phone plugged in a short tap on the voice command button activates the sync voice commands and a long press invokes Siri via Bluetooth.

If I plug in the phone then either a short or long press on the voice button both activate Siri. I want to be able to change audio input using the sync commands and I expected that a short press would still allow that.

Any ideas?

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[Dude]

‘23 Bronco Sport here. When I don’t have my phone plugged in a short tap on the voice command button activates the sync voice commands and a long press invokes Siri via Bluetooth.

If I plug in the phone then either a short or long press on the voice button both activate Siri. I want to be able to change audio input using the sync commands and I expected that a short press would still allow that.

Any ideas?

Not sure if Siri allows sync voice when Siri is active on Sync 3.4 (‘21 to ‘24 models)

Also what about using the 2 buttons just to right of the voice command button to cycle through programmed stations?

 

[dwrufus53]

Not sure if Siri allows sync voice when Siri is active on Sync 3.4 (‘21 to ‘24 models)

Also what about using the 2 buttons just to right of the voice command button to cycle through programmed stations?

Not sure if it's how CarPlay works in general or if it's the Ford/SYNC implementation of the interface, but with CarPlay active (phone connected in CarPlay mode), the Ford/SYNC voice activation is disabled. With CarPlay active, it's all or nothing for CarPlay.

 

[thomasm23]

‘23 Bronco Sport here. When I don’t have my phone plugged in a short tap on the voice command button activates the sync voice commands and a long press invokes Siri via Bluetooth.

If I plug in the phone then either a short or long press on the voice button both activate Siri. I want to be able to change audio input using the sync commands and I expected that a short press would still allow that.

Any ideas?

While you are at it, please let us know what Build of SYNC 3.4 you currently have installed.

On the center screen:
Tap on SETTINGS
Scroll left or right to GENERAL
Tap on GENERAL
Scroll down to ABOUT SYNC
Tap on ABOUT SYNC

Also, tell us what your current version of iOS is. The current version should be 18.6.2

 

[maracle]

I have iOS 18.6.2 and Sync 3.4 build 23188_PRODUCT.

using the seek keys on the steering wheel only changes to a preset if there’s no audio playing on the iPhone. If podcasts or any music app is playing then those buttons control the app.

I’m ok with this being the way it is, just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something. If Ford could allow its own voice system to coexist with Siri that would be really useful though. It seems like it does on other cars, maybe just a matter of needing Sync 4 or something.

 

[dwrufus53]

I have iOS 18.6.2 and Sync 3.4 build 23188_PRODUCT.

using the seek keys on the steering wheel only changes to a preset if there’s no audio playing on the iPhone. If podcasts or any music app is playing then those buttons control the app.

I’m ok with this being the way it is, just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something. If Ford could allow its own voice system to coexist with Siri that would be really useful though. It seems like it does on other cars, maybe just a matter of needing Sync 4 or something.

SYNC4 works the same way. You can play audio from the SYNC system with CarPlay active, but you cannot control the SYNC audio via voice.

 

[DWG]

I have a 25 BS OBX sasquash package loaner. I connected my phone to use CarPlay for navigation and noticed that CarPlay at times automatically comes on when starting the car and hands free calling through sync does not work. I have to switch to sync by tapping the home button if I do not want to be in CarPlay. I prefer initially being in sync and activating CarPlay when I need it. Since this is a loaner connected services are not connected so I do not know if this is just a setting I need to change or this is the way CarPlay operates.

 

[dwrufus53]

I have a 25 BS OBX sasquash package loaner. I connected my phone to use CarPlay for navigation and noticed that CarPlay at times automatically comes on when starting the car and hands free calling through sync does not work. I have to switch to sync by tapping the home button if I do not want to be in CarPlay. I prefer initially being in sync and activating CarPlay when I need it. Since this is a loaner connected services are not connected so I do not know if this is just a setting I need to change or this is the way CarPlay operates.

Not sure. My '25 Big Bend would always connect to CarPlay every time I started it up. Last week my wife's car was in the shop for routine service and she drove my Bronco Sport. I paired her phone and set it up for her, and ever since I have to tap a button on the touchscreen to start CarPlay. Strange.

 

[dfwplaneguy]

If you are only connecting a cable to your phone to charge your phone, find a charge only cable. This type of cable only has power and ground connection but not data connections.

This would allow both sync and carplay to work since your wirelessly connected, and allow you to charge your phone at the same time.

 

[Dude]

If you are only connecting a cable to your phone to charge your phone, find a charge only cable. This type of cable only has power and ground connection but not data connections.

This would allow both sync and carplay to work since your wirelessly connected, and allow you to charge your phone at the same time.

Is your response to the prior owner with the 2025 connected wirelessly to CarPlay or to OPs post who has a wired CarPlay connection with a 2023.

 

[BroncoBoy25]

I had that happen, and I received a message to hold the button down longer for Siri. It worked for me.

 

[Dude]

Results for Sync 3.4.23188 ‘21-‘24:

The info below is for the case of not having a separate module that provides wireless CarPlay in a ‘21-‘24 BS.

iPhone 15 Pro (iOS 26.0 Beta 8 23A5330a) not plugged into data port below 8” center screen:

short press: Sync voice commands active
longer press: Siri voice commands active

Note 1: CarPlay features are not active, Sync runs the 8” center screen including Ford Nav in my 2022, iPhone can stream music (for example) over Bluetooth to the vehicle

Note 2: a wired CarPlay vehicle does not use Bluetooth when iPhone is not plugged into a data port; CarPlay requires a physical data cable connection for both data and power, and any Bluetooth connection is for a separate function, such as to pair a phone to the vehicle. When a USB data cable is connected, it overrides any potential Bluetooth connection for CarPlay.


iPhone 15 Pro plugged into data port below 8” center screen using USB-C data cable:

short or longer press: Siri voice commands active

note: CarPlay features are active, Sync voice commands not active including when switching from CarPlay to Sync using Ford SYNC button on CarPlay display

My USB cables are all data/power cables. I do not have a USB power only cable.

 

[TEdison]

Not sure if it's how CarPlay works in general or if it's the Ford/SYNC implementation of the interface, but with CarPlay active (phone connected in CarPlay mode), the Ford/SYNC voice activation is disabled. With CarPlay active, it's all or nothing for CarPlay.

Not deactivated on mine.

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