2013 Ford SYNC 3.8 and Google Nougat Capabilities

[tloewenberg]

My wife and I just upgraded our smart phones from Samsung Gal S4s to Google Pixels running the Android Nougat OS. I've noticed two immediate differences. We have our home phones (VOIP) simultaneously ring to the smart phones allowing us to take a call even if not at home. With the S4, I would get the ring thru bluetooth on SYNC and could take the call. SYNC seemed to detect the call as a bluetooth stream (?), maybe because it was coming from the phone? Regardless, that no longer works. Also, I used to see phone text messages on the phone SYNC screen, as well. When I initially connect the Pixel phone to SYNC, I would get blasted with every text I had on the phone regardless of whether the msg had been read or not. Now, I notice that I get nothing except a pop-up on the SYNC screen saying that the phone is not compatible for messaging. I went to the Ford owners website and checked the SYNC phone compatibility section and the HTC manufactured for Google, Pixel phone is not listed. If anyone has any insight into V3.8 SYNC compatibility with the Google Pixel phone running Nougat, I would appreciate your sharing. BTW, other phone functions, i.e. call related seem to work fine other than occasionally, the phone doesn't wake up and I need to place the call a second time before it works.Thanks.

[akirby]

It's most likely a phone setting. On the iphone you have to access the bluetooth connection on the phone once sync is connected and enable notifications. Check all the bluetooth options and connection settings.

 

Does your voip service simply place a normal phone call to your mobile phone or does it come in via a voip app on the phone?

[tloewenberg]

Thanks, akirby. However, all notifications are enabled and messages still don't show up. Unless there is a hidden Android setting someplace, I'm at a total loss. Where commonality exists between this phone and my old Samsung S4, the settings are the same. Part of the issue is that the phone and OS are new, so there's not a lot of user support out there. Under the wireless & networks settings - bluetooth - SYNC, message access is turned on. Ain't working though.

 

As for the second issue, the voip services come through a "connect" app on the phone. I've noticed of late some stability issues with the app. Somes I'll see calls, sometimes not.

 

Do you know how often Ford updates their compatibility list? Any searches I do seem to pop suggestions for the new SYNC. Orphaned already. :-)

Edited December 22, 2016 by tloewenberg

[omar302]

I have an HTC 10 updated to Android Nougat and can confirm that messaging works fine on MFT V3.8 on my car & on an earlier build maybe V3.6 on a rental.

 

If I am not mistaken, it is a Google thing as the Bluetooth profile responsible for messaging (MAP?) is not an Android thing, rather manufacturers like HTC & Samsung add it.

 

Try the 24 hour support feature of the Pixel if they can help. Make sure to tell them otherwise Android nougat phones work fine so they don't blame MFT instead of finding a solution.

Edited December 22, 2016 by omar302