Manually installing SYNC 4 updates without Wi-Fi?

[MEAT_GOD]

Hi everyone. I'm in the Middle East where OTA Sync 4 updates are disabled for some reason, and I'd really like to know how to update it through any other means. I haven't found much else regarding my question since everyone else just assumes I'd be able to press a few buttons on the screen and have it done.

Is there any way to do it manually? The only person capable of updating SYNC 4 here is not the dealership, but rather somebody charging $300 for what should be a free update everywhere else. Would really appreciate some advice on this, since clearly it is possible

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[Ducati1098]

The only way to update it is with FDRS

 

[MEAT_GOD]

The only way to update it is with FDRS

Damn. Does that mean I'll need to spring for that license too?

 

[RagnarKon]

Damn. Does that mean I'll need to spring for that license too?

Yes, and the hardware for it.

Link.

Depending on how much it costs in your country it may be cheaper than just pay that guy the $300.

 

[MEAT_GOD]

Yes, and the hardware for it.

Link.

Depending on how much it costs in your country it may be cheaper than just pay that guy the $300.

Yeah, you're perfectly right. I was wondering why he charged so much, but now I'm questioning how he even makes a profit. Thanks for the help.

 

[TooL]

Hi OP.

Sorry to bring back this thread. I’m new here and have the same issue in KSA.

Dealer insists that no updates are available and won’t bother. I’m on sync 4.0.22277 on a 2023 Bronco Raptor.

Did you manage to update yours? Keen to learn more. Thanks.

 

[rugedraw]

Hi OP.

Sorry to bring back this thread. I’m new here and have the same issue in KSA.

Dealer insists that no updates are available and won’t bother. I’m on sync 4.0.22277 on a 2023 Bronco Raptor.

Did you manage to update yours? Keen to learn more. Thanks.

Unfortunately, Ford has made some recent changes where we cannot run the VIN of a vehicle in the UAE or anywhere outside the US market or it gets our FDRS accounts banned. The problem I have seen for people in your region (even with FDRS) is that FDRS will sometimes not generate the manifest file needed for APIM, GWM and/or TCU updates that need to be done with the USB. This can be worked around in the case of the GWM and TCU by pushing the updates through with CAN instead of the USB, but the APIM cannot be updated with CAN and many people hit a road block there.

Your only real hope to get it updated is to invest in the tools needed for you to use FDRS yourself. You will need to set up a VPN to trick FDRS into thinking you are in the US. Even then, chances are they will ban your account and you will have to create a new account with a different email to continue the update process and will probably have to do that several times because they will eventually ban the new account, too.

 

[TooL]

Damn. Thanks for all that info. I was arguing with my dealer on this issue but wasn’t aware it was this complex just for a software update.
Any clue as to why they’re not allowing sync updates in the region here?

 

[rugedraw]

Damn. Thanks for all that info. I was arguing with my dealer on this issue but wasn’t aware it was this complex just for a software update.
Any clue as to why they’re not allowing sync updates in the region here?

No idea. It's been that way since Sync 4 was released in 2020. Ford does a lot of things that makes no sense. They may have a reason as to why they do it that way but we don't know what the reason is.

Even if the dealer agreed to do the updates for you, they would have trouble doing it. For whatever reason, FDRS doesn't always pull the correct data from Ford's servers over there. One guy on the F150 forum with a 2021 Raptor convinced his dealer to try and update the truck. The dealer updated the GWM and FDRS pulled the wrong config for the GWM. Ended up bringing all the ADAS modules completely off the network. We were able to help him get it fixed eventually, but it was a mess.

 

[mpeugeot]

Ford was probably told that use of FDRS to reprogram vehicles outside the US violates ITAR... LOL

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