Got an email notice that an update was available for my truck’s SYNC.
Decided to try the update via WiFi this time. Last time I tried it it didn’t seem to work, tried to update via USB thumb drive but that was a fiasco. So next oil change, I had the dealer service do the update. Cool.
I set up the truck to use the home Wi-Fi. Initial “check for updates” says “up to date”. WTF? So I start scrolling through the owners manual on my phone to read about updating SYNC. When I next looked at the screen, it says “Updating” and lists a huge update number designation. After idling for 15 minutes, I shut the truck off, turn the key to the on position and waited another 15 minutes, still updating. Reading the manual that the truck may continue downloading for 30 minutes after shutting it off, I removed the key and went inside. Manual did say if the download was interrupted, it would restart itself.
Clarity on the update process is clear as hot chocolate.

 

It took HOURS for mine to update using WiFi, but finally did.

 

Hmmm, usually mine takes a lot longer than others, but I have mine set-up to connect to my home wifi and it does it eventually at it's own pace. I got the email too, thought about throwing it on a flash drive, then I saw the 1 hr driving, might not do that until Feb so I'm kinda staying idle for now. If anyone gets it installed, please share what I am missing...

 

Ford purchased update on thumb drive took over one hour. Reports are that the WiFi method takes several hours.

 

If it takes several hours over wifi who cares? Are you saying the truck must be running or turned on to get the wifi update? I thought it was automatic and sorted itself out as needed?

 

I left mine on, idling...as that seemed to keep it from faulting out.

What was interesting is, there's instructions on how to download and put on a flashdrive...however there are entire PAGES of text that need editing, it is literally crap like, "Okay, now hit control/shift/delete and select the first THIRD of paragraph 7, page 32...now copy that. Now go to page 76 and eliminate the words, 'hasenpfeffer', 'jingo', and 'orbit' and paste in the previously cut item...DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES go past the word 'orbit' or the process must be started over again..."

 

Your truck's WiFi radio turns off 30 minutes after you shut the truck off, just like the power ports, and hot spot if you have it. Before someone jumps in to tell me that's not true, I have access to the user interface on my home router where I can see if my truck is connected and I've watched it drop off when it times out. So if you're downloading updates over WiFi, you will be receiving them in half hour segments and they won't install until the entire update is downloaded. Shouldn't be a big deal for Sync and map updates - it's not critical to have it installed the day it's released, as you noted, which is why they offer the automatic/slow WiFi option.

 

After downloading and spending 1:40 installing the update a couple months ago, I noticed no difference at all. Maybe some bugs fixed, but no new features. I'll probably let the next one install itself the slow automatic method.

 

Thanks for the explanation. This is sorely lacking in the owners manual. Each time I come home, I’ll make sure it connects to the wifi and is downloading. I noticed today once I reconnected it said downloading and now shows a blue progress bar under the download code, maybe 10%. However, before I reconnected, it still said up to date. Adds confusion. This is like a used car salesman telling you what they think you want to hear even when it’s a boldface lie.

 

It always says it's up to date, until it connects and checks, even if it already has a partial download. That's technically true but poor communication programmed into the user interface.