How do I use SYNC AppLink with my iPhone?

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Woman driving a Lincoln vehicle

Many of us want to be connected everywhere, all the time. SYNC® AppLink™ allows you to use your compatible iPhone® mobile apps while keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. 12,53

Here’s how to use SYNC AppLink* with your iPhone* or other iOS device. 25

*SYNC AppLink works with iOS devices, such as iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, iOS 6.0 and later. Apple® users must connect their device via USB and have compatible app running in background.

  1. Open the app on your iPhone and have the app running in the foreground.

    Note: Apple iOS devices (such as iPhone®, iPad® and iPod® touch) use multitasking to allow you to quickly switch between apps. Multitasking allows some apps to run, some to run in the background, and some to be suspended. When your iOS device is connected to SYNC, apps that are not running will not appear. See Accessing apps that are not running, below.

  2. Press the Voice button and say, “Mobile apps.”

    SYNC will respond, “Mobile apps, please say a command.”  

  3. Say the name of the App you wish to use.

    Note: You may be prompted with messaging asking you to enable mobile apps. Select Yes to enable mobile apps.

    Once you’ve accessed the app, you can use the steering wheel controls and voice commands to control it.

  4. You can also change apps by voice command.

Note to 2010-2012 owners that have updated SYNC to include AppLink

After installing a new application on your iPhone, close all apps and restart your iPhone. Once your device reboots and you’ve paired it, check to see if SYNC can find the new app. If not, try restarting your vehicle. Please notice that SYNC my take up to 70 seconds to discover a new application on iPhones and other iOS devices.

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