Ford Focus RS Forum banner

Hacking/Updating Sync 2 to mirror phone and use decent nav

229K views 19 replies 11 participants last post by  AndyW  
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
For those of us getting MY16 builds of the RS with Sync 2 (e.g. EU, Aus) I thought I'd start a thread to collect thoughts on how to use our smartphone capabilities on the Sync 2 screen (such as Google Maps) so that we don't have to rely on Ford's navigation software (which I think will be my biggest gripe from reviews I've read).

I was hoping the RS would have HDMI or AV input so that we could use a Chromecast-like setup to wirelessly mirror our phone screens to the Sync 2 display unit, but when I re-watched that excellent 1-hr German review of the Magnetic Gray RS in which the reviewer went through every inch of the car, it looked like there'd be no such inputs (see the 27:00 mark of the following video to see what I'm referring to).


An informative hour or so on Google showed there appear to be a number of after-market hardware mods to the Sync 2 unit which enable AV inputs. The most promising unit I found however appears to be this one in which a piggyback system augments the stock Ford Sync 2 module with an Android OS and enables several additional inputs (AV, USB, etc). All stock functionality is retained, and a switch allows you to easily flick across to the Android OS. Of most interest to me, however, was that the Android OS comes with Google Maps. Not sure if this unit is compatible with the MY16 Focus/RS, and whether it enables wireless screen mirroring, but am going to email the company (Sweden Car Performance |) to find out. The installation appears to be reasonably straightforward.

If anyone else has any thoughts/ideas on our smartphones to display on Sync 2 so that we can use better nav software and other goodies, would love to hear them!
 
#3 ·
US gets Sync 3 from the outset, unfortunately Australia and Europe (and possibly other markets) get Sync 2 for early builds, switching to Sync 3 at some point (I believe August or September). My car is being built in May/June (Australia) so I'm definitely getting Sync 2.
 
#6 ·
Found a second, possibly less intrusive option (installation-wise) called Lockpick. Also a piggy-back type system, this one sits between the Sync 2 unit's connector to the rest of the car (as opposed to inside the Sync 2 unit itself). While it doesn't enable a second Android OS on the unit, it does offer WIRELESS streaming capability from your smartphone to your radio screen, so less cables! Appears to be compatible with 2015 Focus and Focus ST, so quite promising. Will check with the manufacturer whether it's explicitly compatible with our Focus RS MY16 models. The link to the unit can be found here.

I'll start a comparison table of the various options I manage to dig up, including confirmation from the manufacturers on compatibility (the manufacturer of the first option in my original post did confirm compatibility with the Focus RS MY16 model).

My ideal use-case is:
- Get in car
- My smartphone automatically connects to the Sync 2 screen and mirrors the display
- I say "OK Google" followed by "Navigate me to <address>"
- Google Maps pops up on screen, and voila, I'm off!

I won't rest until I have this figured out :)
 
#7 ·
I've been curious about ripping out MFT / Sync 2 for years in my '12 Ti... Given the Euro market doesn't get Sync 3 until later this year, and it doesn't look like much about the bezel / facade has changed for the US, I wonder if it's more feasible to get a Sync 3 unit + display and have it work..

That would probably get you a better result than hacking v2, even though replacing MFT with Sync 3 would be a hack in it itself at that point.

There's also this sketchy gem, for the *cough* low low price of $2k:

MyFord Touch Sync 2 to Sync 3 Upgrade
 
#8 ·
My question is why didnt they just roll out all the cars with S3? Is there that much of a difference in programming and software from the EU cars that they cant just put the S3 in instead of the MFT?
 
#9 ·
Sync 3 map packs and language localization wasn't quite ready for non-NA markets.
 
#10 · (Edited)
Hi all, as promised here're the results of my research so far. Will keep updating as I discover more.

OptionDescriptionVendor / LinkVendor ResponsePrice ($AUD)
Out-of-box supportAbility to either plug phone into an AV input or wirelessly mirror screen to Sync2 unitFordFord Australia confirmed there is no video input for Sync 2. Looks like this is a dead endFree
Ford Sync 3 upgrade packageFord providing an aftermarket Sync 3 hardware upgrade for Sync 2 vehiclesFordFord Australia said at this stage no plans to make a Sync 3 upgrade package availableFree
Sync 2 Android SystemAugments the Sync2 motherboard with a piggyback board that runs a full Android OS that can be activated via a switch. Runs Android 4.4.4 and comes with Google Maps, along with ability to install any apps off Android Play Store. Also includes several additional inputs (AV, USB etc) which will allow a Chromecast-like mirroring of smartphone screen via a cableCar Performance Sweden

2015 Mustang Android System | Sweden Car Performance
Compatible with Focus RS, supports all regions$770 ex shipping
Lockpick Android AirPiggybacks off the cabling that connects the Sync2 unit to the rest of the car, and provides several additional inputs including AV and wireless connectivity. Inputs can be selected via the Sync 2 interface itself. Allows both a Chromecast-like mirroring of smartphone screen via cable, as well as wireless mirroring over Miracast (Android), DLNA (Apple) and WiDi (Intel)Coastal E Tech US

https://www.coastaletech.com/mytouchair.htm
Not tested / supported on non-North American vehicles. Essentially we're on our own here.$600 ex shipping
Seicane Android Entertainment UnitCompletely replaces the Sync 2 system with an aftermarket 3rd-party system running a custom UI based on Android. Can run Google Maps, or allow a video input from your smartphone to mirror the screen. Also seems to cater for 3G/4G connectivity (presumeably you need to provision a sim with a data plan, don't know how I feel about my car having it's own internet access...)
Overall this seems to be by far and away the coolest option if you want bells and whistles, however some research on other forums shows very mixed results from people who have purchased and installed these modules (freezing up, some elements stop working etc). In such cases the quality of support is called out as lacking, to put it in polite terms.
Seicane

http://www.seicane.com/android-car-dvd-gps/android-ford-car-dvd-gps/filter/car_make_ford/focus
Have not contacted vendor, based on feedback on other forums, will probably steer clear of this option$580 ex shipping
Escome Android 5.1 Radio for FocusCompletely replaces the Sync 2 system with an aftermarket 3rd-party system running vanilla Android 5.1. Can run Google Maps, or allow a video input from your smartphone to mirror the screen. Also seems to cater for 3G/4G connectivity.
Overall very similar offering to the Seicane unit mentioned above, however the forum feedback on this seems far more consistently positive. Check out the focusfanatics thread here where several folks seem to have installed this (the Android 4.4 version) successfully and seem happy with it (some complaints around the radio signal strength/quality but seems to have been resolved with a booster antenna).
Escome

http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-HD-Ford-F...cus-3-Quad-Core-Android-5-1-1-Car-DVD-GPS-Navigation-Radio-Stereo-/222117857218
Have not contacted vendor, however this is my pick of the litter so far$550 ex shipping
 
#11 ·
Hi all, as promised here're the results of my research so far. Will keep updating as I discover more.

OptionDescriptionVendor / LinkVendor ResponsePrice ($AUD)
Out-of-box supportAbility to either plug phone into an AV input or wirelessly mirror screen to Sync2 unitFordMessaged Ford Australia on Facebook on 28/05 to see if this is possible, awaiting responseFree
Sync 2 Android SystemAugments the Sync2 motherboard with a piggyback board that runs a full Android OS that can be activated via a switch. Runs Android 4.4.4 and comes with Google Maps, along with ability to install any apps off Android Play Store. Also includes several additional inputs (AV, USB etc) which will allow a Chromecast-like mirroring of smartphone screen via a cableCar Performance Sweden

2015 Mustang Android System | Sweden Car Performance
Compatible with Focus RS, supports all regions$770 ex shipping
Lockpick Android AirPiggybacks off the cabling that connects the Sync2 unit to the rest of the car, and provides several additional inputs including AV and wireless connectivity. Inputs can be selected via the Sync 2 interface itself. Allows both a Chromecast-like mirroring of smartphone screen via cable, as well as wireless mirroring over Miracast (Android), DLNA (Apple) and WiDi (Intel)Coastal E Tech US

https://www.coastaletech.com/mytouchair.htm
Not tested / supported on non-North American vehicles. Essentially we're on our own here.$600 ex shipping
Great work man! I've been looking for a hack as well! I only found the lockpick solution, not the "Car Performance Sweden" variant, even do I am from Sweden :p I like both solutions but they are a little bit expensive I think, if it could be possible to get the OEM AV input and connect it to a chromecast that would be awesome. I'll try to fint other solutions as well, I'll post them here if I find any.
 
#16 ·
Sorry for lack of updates, haven't been on the forum in awhile (had two kids since buying the RS, with the result I have drastically less internet time and drastically less time to drive the car...)

I never ended up pulling the trigger on any of these options. I did discover a couple more options and I may go with one of these once I get some time to actually research them further and get real customer feedback:

1. https://www.phoenixautomotiveinc.co...ps-navigation-radio-player-for-ford-focus-2012-2013-2014-2015-ram-2gb-quad-core

2. https://www.seicane.com/android-201...ion-bluetooth-support-steering-wheel-control-usb-wifi-obd2-rearview-camera-sc78

If I do end up installing an aftermarket radio I'll definitely post up my results!
 
#18 · (Edited)
Hey @nishanj,
Congrats.
Those units look great.
Anyone with sync 2 want to be Guinea pig?