Easy Sync 3 + Maps Update Process (2024) 

I was a bit nervous performing this update from 3.0 to 3.4 plus maps from 1 15 to 2 22. I'm here to say that it went perfectly...no issues. Very happy with the results. Great job to all involved!!

OK. I did not write a big thank you when I helped support Brian in his efforts. Thank you so much. I have way more hours in trying to update my Sync 3 than I want to admit. I was ready to go the Ford dealership and I really don't like the Ford dealership. I followed his directions the the nth degree and it worked! Thank you again for your time and your knowledge.😺😼😻😽

I am going to do this again. I did not make a comment when I helped support this site. Oh MY this video saved me a whole bunch of money because I could not update Sync 3. I have more hours in this endeavor than I want to admit. I was ready to go to the local Ford dealership and I really don't like the local Ford dealership. Thank you so much for your time and knowledge and hard work.

Outstanding video!!! I was 99.9% certain that I needed a new $500+ hardware unit (for my 2018 F50 Lariat 4x4 Eco) that attaches to the back of the screen, and perhaps a new screen itself, as my unit would consistently lock up, be slow to respond or simply not respond at all to touch screen inputs, and the physical control knobs were finicky as well. This incredibly well laid out and structured video (with time stamps!) guided me thorough the entire process and now my system is working better than ever. I am going to send some $ to both Navi Upgrades + Cyan Labs as together they saved me significant time + money. THANK YOU BOTH!!!

Just wanted to say thank you! it worked perfectly! Appreciate all the hard work you put in for us to be able to update the units!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you so much for your video. You explained everything so well compared to so many others on this subject. I actually watched it 3 times to be sure. I have never done any electronics work on my truck before. WOW! It worked.

thank you for this detailed video. I was having a hard updating with my 2016 mustang, and it was on sync3 V1.0 (never did an update in it in the past 6 years) until now. I appreciate your work on this because now I finally made it to sync 3 V3.4

This couldn’t be simpler! Thank you so much for the videos. Subscribed!

Did it, smashing success! Thanks a lot!!

Many thanks for a clear easy to follow video. You're the best. Keep up the tech stuff so us old geezers can stay up with user friendly video instructions. Hats off to your homerun, ya knocked it outta the park.

Thank you so much. I had been having problems getting my maps updated using Ford's download but the Syn3Updater completed it successfully. After the initial reformat, my EU Mustang took 51 minutes.

That was such a well done video and incredibly helpful and easy to follow along! Thank you and keep up the great tech tutorials 👍

Well done, I was running a Sync 3 1.0 version..upgraded from Ford to Sync 3 3.0 which I lost my voice prompts on phone and texts....I discovered your easy step by step upgrade to the 3.4 and what a dramatic difference! Thank you for providing such a detailed step by step process!! Awesome job!

Thanks for the awesome instructional video! Just upgraded my 2019 Explorer from NAV SYNC 3.0 to SYNC 3.4 including the map updates without any issues at all. I was surprised that My Ford website said my SYNC System was up to date when it only had 3.0 installed and they had not pushed any updates for the past 3 years. You were right in describing 3.4 as a much smoother SYNC experience. Thanks again!

Worked perfectly for Transit 2018 in Europe. Installation took 55 minutes. Great video and so easy to follow. Thank you!

Perfectly explained and practicable. I was also very skeptical, but I can reassure everyone. With the method explained here, it really is very easy. Installation in my car took about 1 hour 15 minutes in my SMAX (version with maps). Make sure that the automatic engine shutdown is deactivated, otherwise the process will start all over again. All functions are available again after the update. Great plus from 3.0 to 3.4 station logos on the radio. Ambient lighting now also adjustable in brightness!

So thankful for these videos. So glad I put a Sync 3 in my 2013 Flex. You rock!

This update was awesome! My 16 Expedition had Nav map from 2014. Thank you!

Thank you! I just used this video procedure to update my 2017 Expedition, from Sync 3 ver 2.0 w/2015 navigation maps (1 15), to 3.4 with 2022 maps with voice update. Took about 40 minutes. I did see a red "error" screen flash for a second or two a few minutes into the process (which nearly caused heart failure, as this is my wife's car and she has a major trip planned in a few days!), but it went away before I could even read the entire screen and continued through completion and works well! There were a few times where it appeared to be stalled (more heard failure!) but patience is key, as about 40 mins into the process I got the green screen announcing SUCCESS! I had been struggling with Ford's downloaded firmware update for several days, as a precursor to purchasing the $109 maps update for the upcoming trip (this update saved me that expense!). Had tried different flash drives and it just kept showing "software update" perpetually for hours at a time (wasted near a half tank of gas running the full time!)... Then I found this video whilst searching for a solution and it worked amazingly well -- and best of all I've got the new map update didn't have to pay the $109 to Ford!

Superb easy to follow video! Can’t thank you enough!

Followed the directions for Sync with Navigation and went super smooth. Yay for updated maps! Thanks so much!

Fantastic video!!! Simple step by step process whether you are updating the maps or not. Thank you !

I can't thank you enough for this video! I was pulling my hair out with my old SYNC 3 version and the way it was lagging. All is working flawlessly now with the latest SYNC 3, Gracenotes and maps.

I had to come on here and say how well you video work for me. It was right on, prefect instructuions. Did not exspect it to work so well but I was hoping. You did not let me down.. I when from the Sync 3.0 to 3.4 and map update.. Thanks so much again...

Just to say thank you! It worked perfectly. I have a late 2017 Fiesta. I had Sync 3.0 e F10 Maps. Bluetooth and android auto continue to work perfectly after update. It took me a while to realize that I should maximize te Syn3 window to see all the filling options available...🙄 my bad... Once again, thank you. Best whishes from Portugal.

Thank you! After an update to 3.0 over wi-fi my system was so slow as to be unusable. This was easy and a great fix to an even better updated system. Supported Cyanlabs, they totally deserve it!

Worked like a charm! thank you for saving me over hundred bucks!

Absolutely amazing software. Spent hours and hours messing with the Ford default files, this worked first try.

Thanks for the video. This is my first time using Cyanlabs program. The last time I updated sync I had to use the two USB method. LOL.. This was so much easier and this video helped me insure I was doing everything right. Thanks again.

Hands down the best I’ve seen on this issue. Thank you!

It works perfect, thank you .

Again, thanks to all involved! After days of working with Ford to try to accomplish the upgrades with little success, your program did it effortlessly in 90 minutes! ;)

Great tutorial. Thank you for the detailed walk-through of each type of download and installation.

Learned alot from your videos, thanks for putting it together.

oh my god thank you! This just solved all my problems and now I can use Apple Carplay in my Mustang! I wasted 4 hours and a lot of gas driving around trying to get Ford's USB update method to work and it would constantly be stuck. First time for an hour, second time for an hour and a half, and then I tried some weird script editing method I found in the Mustang forums that worked for non-Nav people, even though I have Nav I figured the same idea should work for me, and nope. 4 hours of my life gone and I thought I wasted money buying the USB hub needed for Carplay. After watching your tutorial, I now have Sync 3.4 and Apple Carplay working! A heads up for anyone with Nav doing this so you don't panic like I did, the install will periodically look like its stuck. its not, its just that the nav maps and nav voice files are massive so there's a point where the install bar doesn't move for like 15 minutes around the 25% mark because its installing the nav maps and then it suddenly shoots forward to 50-60% when those are done, and then it gets held up for like 5 minutes when doing nav voice and then shoots forward to like 80%. Because of how long it sat around 25%, I started to panic and browse the Cyanlabs forums to see if this is normal or if my install was screwed up. Its completely normal.

This was amazing! I just bought a 2016 Ford Edge yesterday, it still had version 1.0, used this tool and it worked quickly! With Android Auto to boot!

I too was very worried about this update. But, I can assure you all that is worked perfectly with my Ford Ranger here in Australia. Thanks guys great job.

This video is the best. Did mine. It's much better than before.

This is a really good video, i tried several times to do update on Ford website but it didnt work but ive tried this and its all worked perfectly … Thank You 👍

Just did this update today on my 2018 Ford Escape SEL. Worked perfectly. You'll lose your Nav destination favourites but thats ok. Thank you very much.

Worked great on my wife's Lincoln 2016 MKX! Thanks so much!

I am so glad I ran across this. We recently purchased a 2018 explorer and the sync 3 was at 3.0 but was super laggy. I mean 10 to 15 seconds. Installed this 3.4 and bam. Like a glove. No lagginess and works as it should. Thank you thank you

Worked like a charm on my Ford Focus estate 2017, 1.5 Diesel, Sync 3 2.2 16223 with Navigation EU 4 15 Thank you!

Thanks for the assist. Works great.

Just did this yesterday worked like a charm, Great info. Much appreciated..... 😁

Worked for me as well (SYNC 3 from 3.0 to 3.4, Region: Europe, Maps from EU 4 15 to F11; It took 55 min)! Many thanks for this video!

thank you so much this was a lot easier than trying to do it from my mac, thank God I still have my HP. you are the best.

works excellent, 2016 ford fiesta sync 3, been using for 1 month, fixed my phone call can't hear issues, thank you so much

Ford Focus, 2017, 1.5 ecoboost software updated with the latest maps of Europe, everything works perfectly. The whole process took about 55 minutes. Thank you very much and greetings from Germany

2018 Ford Mondeo 2.0 Econetic Zetec Estate - your instructions are brilliant updated Sync to 3.4 Maps F12 thank you!!

Big thanks .. was trying to update from long time .. Video really helped.

This video saved me so much time, and money! Local Ford quoted me at $170 and more to go into the dealership to update from Sync 1.0 to 3.0. I was able to update the system flawlessly to 3.3 and the maps to the latest version and had no problems. Thank you so much for this very thorough video :))

outstanding.Worked perfectly for me.Thanks so much.Will definetly send u send a contribution.Thanks soo much.

Worked perfectly on 2018 F150. Installation steps were clear and easy to follow.

Easy as described! Worked on 2018 Flex. Took 26 minutes. Thanks!

Well ive done it all updated to 3.4 and newer maps.Thanks alot for showing me

Brian, THANK YOU! Upgraded a 2018 F150 with Sync3 Build 19205 to v3.4. The wifi auto updater never worked so I was very happy to find your Mac video and manual instructions. Thank you thank you thank you.

I updated my Ford S-max 2018 Vignale from Sync 2.3 17109 directly to Sync 3.4 22251, and navigation maps from F6.1 to F11 (so EU maps). Update took about 55min with a Sandisk Cruzer Ultra 3.0A 64GB USB-drive. I was a bit worried about losing functions with this update, but everything is there! Car still shows the 'vignale' logo when booting the system. The front camera was also a concern (from what I had read beforehand about updating the S-max), just as the DAB radio logo's and ambient lighting, but everything is there and works great. Couldn't be happier, as the system now looks and feels a lot more modern and is faster/snappier. Thank you NaviUpgrade and Cyanlabs!

I can’t thank you enough, my Sync has been acting up for over a year and I lost voice recognition over the summer. This update did the trick.

Excellent video, thanks buddy. (Ford website used to say that my Sync 3.0 is up to date)

I was afraid something would get screwed up but I was desperate. The upgrade took about 45 min to download and 45 min to install in truck. After driving for 2 days I am insanely happy. Amazing upgrade. Thanks for the support. F150 2018

The NAV system and even the radio on my 2018 F150 have been terrible for month's now. The dealership wanted me to leave the truck for several days so they could look at it. I downloaded your update and everything works grate now. Thanks for walking me through the process.

After battling the autoinstall that ford provided for a while which was taking forever I factory reset my head unit and gave this a try. Was able to update my FiST 2017 from 2.2 to 3.4, whereas Ford was only providing me with 3.0.25. Thanks for the great video and great tool.

2018 Ford Explorer Sport. Flawless install took 31 1/2 minutes. Went from 3.0 to 3.4 and North America maps from 2019 to 2021. Thank you for the video.

Did the update today and now the navigation is working like it did.. Hopefully it will continue!! Thanks for this very useful video!!!! Looks like no APIM needed

Thanks, this worked on my 2019 Lincoln MKT. I didn't even need my maps update which i paid for - all included in the program.

This was amazing. I battled the Ford site for 2 days, but the file wouldn't download. It would say it was done but there was nothing in the folder. I tried to update over wifi leaving my Mustang running for 30 minutes for nothing. Sat online with their "live chat" for 20 minutes of messages telling me that I was next in line and would be assisted in 3 minutes 14 seconds. lol Then it was apparent I was either talking to a bot or someone in India, the responses were very canned and didn't address that their file download was jacked. Now it's gone from downloading an empty zip file to giving an error message. Found this youtube vid and I was like, it can't be that easy. The heck it couldn't. I struggled a little with one of the steps but My 17 GT is now updated from 2.2! Totally painless in the car and it probably took less than 10 minutes- non-nav. Thanks!

Nice one, haven't watched it all yet but i have updated the video on the Syn3 Updater application page :)

I just bought a 2016 focus with the Sony head unit, and it was still on version 1.0. The unit would freeze and disconnect Bluetooth after about 2 minutes of being on. I thought the unit was fried. Tried using ford's updater and it would just say it was updating for hours upon hours with no progress. I used this updater and all my issues are gone and I'm on 3.4. System is running buttery smooth, maps are updated, and I'm enjoying it. Thanks a ton for the tutorial.

I have to say. I just bought a 2016 fiesta that was still on version 1.0. I was trying to use fords download for days. Kept running out of memory or just bricking out. I tried tricks that forum folks used and had no luck. Used this program and I was done in about 15 minutes total time. I can finally use android auto!

I have been fighting with the ford update for months. I've tried multiple usb drives, Ota updates, everything except going to the dealership because I didn't want to pay that price. This worked beyond perfectly and my system is running better than ever. 10 out of 10.

I have tried several times to update the Sync 3 unit in my 2016 F150 from v1.0 and it always failed. This worked on the first try and I was able to install the latest version and I finally have android auto! It did throw an error about the USB hub not being supported but it still works so I ordered the latest version of the USB hub for my truck. Thanks!

I just read an article quoting you. It mentioned you are ordering a Bronco Sport Badlands. Me too. Looking forward to what you do to it.

Superb! than you so much; august 2023 and still works very well, easy to follow and intstall. All maps and dislpay whit the last update working on fusion 2017 sync3, no problems found whit apple and voice commands

Thank you, Worked perfectly on a South African Ford Ranger 3.2 XLT 2017 model

thanks for the video it helped alot, was able to go from version 3.0.18093 to 3.4.22251 easily, i stuck on the previous version for over 3yrs and with no luck finding any way to update it. thanks again now the screen looks 10x better than before and works smoothly. now to just see about getting some better backgrounds without having to jailbreak the system

Thank you, great video, I succeeded and everything works perfectly, sync 3 software version 3.4 build 22251 and map version F11 Europe, Ford Mondeo 2017, greetings from Croatia!

Worked badasss🔥🔥🔥🔥

After failed attempts from the official ford this video right here is the jackpot smooth update to my 2016 Escape! 🎉

Thank you!!!

Please ignore the question in my previous comment below. Now sorted it. Once again thanks for a great video.

Yo man you are the best man,,work soo nice ,Respect 🙏🔥🙌,thank you soo much man,,work perfectly 🙌🔥🙏

Merci ! 👍

Just updated my 2017 Ford F150 Raptor from 3.0.19205 > 3.4.22251 with NAV NA 1 15 > NA 2 21 without any issues. Took ~26 minutes to complete update, and another few minutes to do the recommended factory reset. All options appear to work, so far. I was nervous, but sent it, and worked out beautifully.

Thank you for the excellent excellent video. Bought a used Ford Cmax 2016 with Sync 3 version 1.0 and NA 14 maps. Updated to latest sync 3.4 and NA22 maps. As a bonus sapped the USB plug and now Carplay works too. Only hiccup was during first try during update it complained that update was not signed after about 25 minutes and never stared updating. Formatted the USB and did the whole process again and this time the update started right away without a hiccup.

Thanks!

perfect, updated my smax 2016 with cyanlabs syncupdater to latest version 3.4 with latest maps, all is nice and fast and free!! Update +-50 minutes WITH visible progress bar, much better than official Ford updater.. shame on Ford, they allowed me to update only to laggy obsolete 3.0. Will donate cyanlabs now, they deserve it..

2018 ford raptor fixed.. super laggy on 3.0... 3.4 works as it should . Thanks for the great walk through

Thank you so much for something that makes it so simple to update. My F-150 was at v1 and is now at v3.4. Simple and fast. The Ford auto-update does not work and from what I read would never have completed. New Subscriber.

I must say THANKS!! Really clear explanation! It worked perfectly for me! 2016 Ford Mustang Ecoboost Premium From SYNC 3.0 Build 19205 To SYNC 3.4 Build 22110

Great video; please get to the posting for Mac users soon!!!

I have a 2017 Ford F-150, bought new/original owner, and I am in the United States. The Sync 3 that came with the truck was software version 3.0, build 19205_PRODUCT and navigation maps version NA 1 15. In early September, 2022, I carefully followed the upgrade instructions in this video, and now, I have software version 3.4, build 22200_PRODUCT and navigation maps version NA 2 21. It's now a month later, and the upgrade has been working flawlessly! IMHO, the POI database in the earlier and the newer map is lousy - neither could find the three Harbor Freight stores in the Durham/Raleigh, NC, area that have been around for over a decade. Google could. However, knowing the street address of these stores, it did find them that way. Strangely, it did find Harbor Freight stores that were 100 or more miles away. In both versions, the maps themselves seem okay, though I did not test their differences too much. The good news is that the user interface is incredibly improved! It's been redesigned from 2017 that makes it easier to use for every purpose. Doing the upgrade is so totally worth it just for the user interface improvements alone.

Hope it really is as easy as this 👏🏽

Thank you very much mate !!!! from Mallorca Island, Spain, Europe......everithing ok

Nice… this was a Godsend. Just started having Bluetooth connectivity issues with my iPhone. Does everything but play my music on the phone unless I have it plugged in. Also, my 2016 Expedition has a map from 2014… 😖 Thank you!!! Will be updating this week for sure. As others have said I’ve had no update luck using Ford’s update option. What’s the point of having the option? Your developer is amazing!!! Will definitely be making a donation.

Worked on my 2018 Ford Escape. From Sync 2.3 to 3.4. Thanks from Canada!

A+++ 2016 Escape Titanium worked Great! Went from Sync3 - 2.5 to 3.4 and Map NA 1.14 to NA 2-22

My escape USB and Wifi upgrade didn't work. But you save me! I jumped Sync 2.0 to 3.4! Thank you!!

Success on the first try. 2017 Transit Sync 3 w/NAV, 2.2 16280 to 3.4 23188, NAV 1.15 to 2.22. SanDisc Ultra 3.0 64GB. It took 2 hours to download to the thumbdrive, but only 26 minutes to update the van's Sync.

worked perfect 2019 F150 Limited