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FAQs

iPod

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Can I use my Apple iPod Shuffle with SYNC?

The Apple iPod Shuffle may be used in your vehicle, but its more simplified design does not enable it to be used via SYNC’s USB connection. If you want to use SYNC to listen to music from an iPod Shuffle, you will need to connect it to your vehicle’s auxiliary input jack and control it manually with...
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Auxiliary input jack
Cables
Compatibility
iPod
Media Player
USB
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Can I use my iPhone for phone calls while I’m listening to music through it at the same time?

If you answer or make a phone call while you are listening to music, SYNC will automatically pause the media until the call has been completed. Always pair your iPhone with SYNC BEFORE playing media and do not use the media player controls while you’re in a phone call to avoid simultaneous phone and...
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iPod
Make a call
Pairing
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Can I use my iPod or iPhone’s controls (such as the click wheel) while connected to SYNC’s USB port?

During the time your iPod or iPhone is connected to SYNC’s USB port, you cannot use the controls of the iPod or iPhone to select a new song or playlist. The only way to make a selection is by using a voice command or the radio buttons using SYNC. If you would like to use the controls of the...
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Auxiliary input jack
Cables
iPod
SYNC controls
USB
USB port
Voice commands
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Can I use one of the older iPods with SYNC, such as the iPod Photo, iPod with Click Wheel, and the iPod Mini?

Many older iPods are compatible with SYNC, however, they may require a special cable. Please locate your media player and correlating firmware version on the chart on on the Media Players We've Tested So Far page and look for a...
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Auxiliary input jack
Cables
iPod
Media Player
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Can I use the seek and shuffle buttons on my radio to work my iPod?

The SEEK and SHUFFLE commands on your radio will work with your iPod (or other media player) when your SYNC unit is in Media mode. For a hands-free media playing view How to control your media player with voice commands.
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iPod
Media Player
Radio controls
SYNC functions
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Do I have to pair my iPod or MP3 Player with SYNC?

You don’t have to pair your iPod or MP3 Player to SYNC. You can play music through SYNC by connecting your media player through the USB port. You also can play your media device through SYNC wirelessly by pairing it to SYNC if your music player supports Bluetooth Audio Streaming (A2DP) Profiles. For...
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Bluetooth
Cables
iPod
Media Player
SYNC functions
USB
USB port
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Do I need a special cable to connect my iPod to SYNC?

Some iPods—including iPod Mini, iPod Click Wheel and iPod with Color Display—require a special cable to connect to SYNC. This cable ensures that all iTunes content and playlists are accessible to SYNC. Please ensure that your media player has the firmware version listed on the c...
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Cables
iPod
USB
USB drive
USB port
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Does Sync My iTunes work with all media players?

Sync My iTunes works with all media players that are supported by Apple iTunes.
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iPod
Media Player
Sync My iTunes
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How do I know whether or not my iPod or iPhone is connected correctly to SYNC?

For all supported iPod models—except iPhone and iPod Touch—a Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury logo will appear on the iPod screen when your iPod is connected correctly to SYNC. Also, an OK to Disconnect message may appear on the iPod screen. On the iPod Touch, an Accessory Attached mes...
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Cables
Connecting
Firmware
iPod
USB port
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How do I upgrade my iPod or iPhone firmware?

In order to upgrade your iPod or iPhone’s firmware level, please use the latest version of iTunes.
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Firmware
iPod
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I have updated my iPhone to firmware version 1.1.3 and now have problems staying connected to my iPhone via Bluetooth. Is there anything that I can do to reduce the number of Bluetooth disconnects?

Yes, turning off automatic phonebook download (within SYNC) will reduce the number of Bluetooth disconnects.
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Bluetooth
Firmware
iPod
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Some of the songs on my iPod won’t play through SYNC. How do I ensure the music on my iPod will play through SYNC?

In order to ensure that all digital media on your iPod is indexed, Album, Artist, Genre, and Song information must be properly populated in iTunes. When downloading media, de-selecting the Part of a Compilation (no check) checkbox in iTunes for all songs may also ensure those songs are indexed prope...
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iPod
Sync My iTunes
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Sometimes, when I connect my iPod it doesn’t communicate properly with SYNC. How do I fix it?

When connecting an iPod to SYNC, or resuming play after you turn the vehicle off and back on, the iPod may not communicate properly with SYNC. Resetting the iPod and making sure the device is fully charged may allow the device to reconnect. If the problem persists, it is possible that there...
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Connecting
iPod
Sync My iTunes
SYNC Unit
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What happens if I receive a call while listening to music on my SYNC connected media player?

SYNC will identify the caller and pause the music so you can hear and take the call.
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iPod
Media Player
Radio controls
Steering wheel controls
SYNC functions
Vehicle stereo system
Volume
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What is firmware and how do I find out which version is on my media player?

Firmware is a special type of software that controls the basic functions of your media player. SYNC is designed to work with the firmware versions listed on the Media Players We've Tested So Fa...
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Compatibility
Firmware
iPod
Media Player
Tested Media Players
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What is firmware?

Firmware is software that is embedded in the hardware of a device. Firmware often can be programmed and updated after the device has been manufactured. Versions of firmware are released as updates become available. Please contact your mobile phone carrier or device manufacturer for the fir...
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Compatibility
Firmware
iPod
Media Player
Mobile Phone
Tested Media Players
Tested Mobile Phones
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What media players and music formats does SYNC support?

SYNC works with most popular media players equipped with a USB connection, including iPod*, Zune, Plays for Device players and most USB drives. SYNC also plays audio files on most USB storage drives. Supported audio formats include MP3s, AAC, WMA and WAV. For a frequently updated l...
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File formats
iPod
Media Player
SYNC functions
Sync My iTunes
Tested Media Players
USB
USB drive
USB port
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What should I do if my iPhone prompts me to turn on Airplane Mode?

When plugging in your iPhone cable to SYNC, the iPhone may prompt you to turn on Airplane Mode. Select NO whenever the iPhone prompts you to turn on Airplane Mode if you would like to use the phone features while driving.
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iPod
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When I connect my iPod to SYNC, the SYNC screen goes blank and no audio can be heard. How can I fix this?

If the SYNC screen goes blank and no audio can be heard when you connect your iPod to SYNC, press the PLAY/PAUSE button on your radio twice to begin audio playback. This may correct the issue for some iPods, depending on the version of firmware. Please Note: Different iPod firmware versions...
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Firmware
iPod
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When I connect my iPod to SYNC, will SYNC continue the music in my Playlist from where I left off?

When a Now Playing playlist is playing before connecting the iPod to SYNC, SYNC will begin to play the Now Playing playlist from where it left off and begin to index the media in the background. When playing a particular genre or artist before turning off your vehicle, the iPod may not resu...
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iPod
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When I plug my iPhone into SYNC, it displays: This accessory is not made to work with iPhone. What should I do?

When plugging the iPhone cable into SYNC, the iPhone will display: This accessory is not made to work with iPhone. Please ignore the message, or select NO if the iPhone prompts you to turn on Airplane Mode if you would like to use the phone features while driving.
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iPod
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Which Generation of iPod do I have?

It’s easy to determine which generation of iPod you have by its features: - Scrolling device: scroll, touch or click wheel - Hard drive capacity, sometimes appears on the front or back of the device - Color or monochrome screen, or no screen - The type and placement of the dock...
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iPod
Media Player
SYNC Unit
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Why can’t I access my On-The-Go playlist through SYNC?

Some iPods and iPhones do not make the On-The-Go playlist available over a USB connection if it is not the Now Playing playlist. In order to play your On-The-Go playlist with one of these iPods and iPhones, disconnect the device from SYNC and select the On-The-Go playlist for playback. Then...
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iPod
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Why do I need Sync My iTunes?

In order for music to be played on SYNC, it is necessary for SYNC to retrieve and categorize music according to a song’s attributes, or metadata—information about each song such as Title, Artist, Album, and Genre—which is extracted from your music library. Sometimes this metadata is blan...
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File formats
Indexing
iPod
Media Player
Playlists
Sync My iTunes
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Why does BAD MEDIA appear on the SYNC screen, and how do I correct this condition?

There are a few situations in which BAD MEDIA may display: When attempting to play an empty playlist on your iPod or iPhone (such as the On-The-Go playlist) SYNC will display BAD MEDIA. You may then make another selection, or be sure to choose a set of songs on you iPod before conn...
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iPod
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Why does my iPod not play music and charge only?

When an iPod is in a low power state, there are times that it begins to charge only instead of communicating with SYNC as a media player. You may charge the iPod using SYNC’s USB port or using your desktop computer. Once the iPod is fully charged, reconnect it to SYNC. If this does not correct the c...
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Charging battery
iPod
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Why does some of the music on my iPod not play on SYNC?

In order to ensure that all digital media on your iPod can be played, it must be indexed first. The Album, Artist, Genre and Song metadata must be properly populated in iTunes and then synchronized with the player before connecting your iPod to SYNC. If you need assistance on updating your...
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File formats
Indexing
iPod
Media Player
Sync My iTunes
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Will my media player work with SYNC?

The answer is likely: “Yes!” Most popular media players work with SYNC, including iPod*, Zune, “Plays for Device” players, and most USB drives. Supported audio formats include MP3s, AAC, WMA, and WAV. Want to view and print a frequently updated list? ...
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Compatibility
iPod
Media Player
Memory stick
SYNC functions
Tested Media Players
USB drive
USB port
Vehicle stereo system
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