Upgrade Sync 3 V3.0 to V3.4 instructions
Well, I didn't use Cyanlabs, but I did need my neighbors help today to show this motor head where I was making a stupid mistake.
Last edited by tinner1; Aug 29, 2022 at 07:00 PM.
5 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 66
Likes: 18
From: Winston Salem, NC
My Truck: 2016 Ford F150 Lariat 5.0L Super Crew
So I did the Cyan Lab Sync 3.0 to 3.4 update last night. Zero issues. Followed all the tips and tricks outlined in this thread.
This was my sequence:
1. I used the Ford Motor Company (My Ford dot com) website to confirm the OEM sync version they had on my VIN. It matched what I saw on my F150 screen. I had 3.0 Build 19205.
https://www.ford.com/support/sync-maps-updates/
2. I used the Ford Sync Update to go from 3.0 Build 19205 to 3.0 20204 mainly as a test to see if my truck was capable of accepting an update before I moved to the "big" update with Cyan labs. The 3.0 20204 update went perfectly:
https://i.ibb.co/bKwDdGK/syncupdate.jpg
After the Ford update, I uploaded the .xml file to Ford's website to update my VIN. The Ford update generates an XML file post-update that allows you to update your configuration at Ford.com. That's the file I updated. I found it on the USB drive after the Ford update finished. That worked too. My Ford now shows my VIN has 3.0 20204 build.
3. Once I confirmed that Sync was running ok with 3.0 20204 I decided to try the Cyan Labs update. The Cyan Labs build I used was: Syn3 Updater 2.11.4.0 I used a new 64GB USB stick that I purchased locally. I selected
Region: United States, Canada, & Mexico.
Version: 3.4.22200
Map Version: 2.21 (2021) - NA
At bottom of screen Install mode was: reformat, Forced - No MY20 Protection - Auto-Detect
I clicked start and the build process started, and took about 30 minutes over a wired home internet connection. Once the build was finished I moved to the truck with the USB fob.
4. For the truck install, I started by doing a Master reset on the system. Waited for it to come back up and checked to make sure no phone was attached and that all features were working. I then turned the truck off (engine off), exited the vehicle and left it alone for about 15 mins.
5. 15 mins later I came back to the truck, opened it, inserted the Cyan Labs generated USB fob in the USB receptacle under the center dash, and then started the truck. Closed the doors and waited.
6. A minute or so after the truck started, I saw "Update in progress" (or a similar message) and it appeared the update was running. I kept the engine running and stayed in the truck the entire time while the update loaded. I saw the Sync screen cycle between the horse (mustang) image and the mustang (car image) as the progress bar below move from 1% to the right in increments.
7. I didn't time the update, but my guess is it took about 30-35 minutes. At the end I got a message that the update was complete and to remove the USB fob. Which I did.
8. I turned the truck off, exited it, and locked it. Waited about 10 mins and then re-entered, started truck and the new Sync 3.4 loaded. Everything seemed to work except for a message at the beginning that said "USB hubs not supported". But the message auto disappears a minute or so after starting so I didn't troubleshoot that. No issue for me.
9. I checked Sync and all appears to be working. The new interface is amazing! And Voice Commands via the steering wheel button now work! Voice commands never worked before, and now it does. My Nav maps updated from 2014 to 2021. Huge improvement in Nav Maps.
Overall I am very happy with the update.
Sync 3.0 20204 start:
https://i.ibb.co/MnB0HS6/SYNC30.jpg
Start of Cyan Lab Update from 3.0 to 3.4:
https://i.ibb.co/ZzyGs31/CYANLABUPDATE.jpg
Finish. Sync 3.4 installed:
https://i.ibb.co/yhh7QL2/SYNC34-FINISH.jpg
Photo showing software update screen and new update Nav Maps (Feb 2021)
https://i.ibb.co/XXDwbTG/UPDATEDSYNCMAPS.jpg
So I did the Cyan Lab Sync 3.0 to 3.4 update last night. Zero issues. Followed all the tips and tricks outlined in this thread.
This was my sequence:
1. I used the Ford Motor Company (My Ford dot com) website to confirm the OEM sync version they had on my VIN. It matched what I saw on my F150 screen. I had 3.0 Build 19205.
https://www.ford.com/support/sync-maps-updates/
2. I used the Ford Sync Update to go from 3.0 Build 19205 to 3.0 20204 mainly as a test to see if my truck was capable of accepting an update before I moved to the "big" update with Cyan labs. The 3.0 20204 update went perfectly:
https://i.ibb.co/bKwDdGK/syncupdate.jpg
After the Ford update, I uploaded the .xml file to Ford's website to update my VIN. The Ford update generates an XML file post-update that allows you to update your configuration at Ford.com. That's the file I updated. I found it on the USB drive after the Ford update finished. That worked too. My Ford now shows my VIN has 3.0 20204 build.
3. Once I confirmed that Sync was running ok with 3.0 20204 I decided to try the Cyan Labs update. The Cyan Labs build I used was: Syn3 Updater 2.11.4.0 I used a new 64GB USB stick that I purchased locally. I selected
Region: United States, Canada, & Mexico.
Version: 3.4.22200
Map Version: 2.21 (2021) - NA
At bottom of screen Install mode was: reformat, Forced - No MY20 Protection - Auto-Detect
I clicked start and the build process started, and took about 30 minutes over a wired home internet connection. Once the build was finished I moved to the truck with the USB fob.
4. For the truck install, I started by doing a Master reset on the system. Waited for it to come back up and checked to make sure no phone was attached and that all features were working. I then turned the truck off (engine off), exited the vehicle and left it alone for about 15 mins.
5. 15 mins later I came back to the truck, opened it, inserted the Cyan Labs generated USB fob in the USB receptacle under the center dash, and then started the truck. Closed the doors and waited.
6. A minute or so after the truck started, I saw "Update in progress" (or a similar message) and it appeared the update was running. I kept the engine running and stayed in the truck the entire time while the update loaded. I saw the Sync screen cycle between the horse (mustang) image and the mustang (car image) as the progress bar below move from 1% to the right in increments.
7. I didn't time the update, but my guess is it took about 30-35 minutes. At the end I got a message that the update was complete and to remove the USB fob. Which I did.
8. I turned the truck off, exited it, and locked it. Waited about 10 mins and then re-entered, started truck and the new Sync 3.4 loaded. Everything seemed to work except for a message at the beginning that said "USB hubs not supported". But the message auto disappears a minute or so after starting so I didn't troubleshoot that. No issue for me.
9. I checked Sync and all appears to be working. The new interface is amazing! And Voice Commands via the steering wheel button now work! Voice commands never worked before, and now it does. My Nav maps updated from 2014 to 2021. Huge improvement in Nav Maps.
Overall I am very happy with the update.
Sync 3.0 20204 start:
https://i.ibb.co/MnB0HS6/SYNC30.jpg
Start of Cyan Lab Update from 3.0 to 3.4:
https://i.ibb.co/ZzyGs31/CYANLABUPDATE.jpg
Finish. Sync 3.4 installed:
https://i.ibb.co/yhh7QL2/SYNC34-FINISH.jpg
Photo showing software update screen and new update Nav Maps (Feb 2021)
https://i.ibb.co/XXDwbTG/UPDATEDSYNCMAPS.jpg
5 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 66
Likes: 18
From: Winston Salem, NC
5 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 388
Likes: 102
From: Calgary, AB
Oh look, another Cyan Labs advertisement...........If you like it so much, then start your own thread and post away. This thread is about learning the backend of the Sync system and how the file structure works and how to manipulate it. This is not a thread about an automated software package that does everything for you. Yes, it requires some work, some thinking and using of your brain cells, and you just might learn something about your Sync system.
5 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 388
Likes: 102
From: Calgary, AB
Back when I had Sirius, it would show the album art most of the time and the presets had the logos on them, instead of the channel number. This screenshot happens to not be showing the album art, but you can see where it would. This is the only screenshot I still have. I have since removed Sirius as a source and use Apple Music via CarPlay now.
5 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 388
Likes: 102
From: Calgary, AB
Back when I had Sirius, it would show the album art most of the time and the presets had the logos on them, instead of the channel number. This screenshot happens to not be showing the album art, but you can see where it would. This is the only screenshot I still have. I have since removed Sirius as a source and use Apple Music via CarPlay now.
