Ford "Sync" doesn't see my GNex on USB

tspangle88 · December 16th, 2011, 03:32 PM

I have a 2011 F-150 with Sync, and I have used it both for Bluetooth and direct USB with my Droid X and Droid RAZR, as well as several iDevices. But with the Galaxy Nexus, Sync doesn't recognize that anything is plugged into the USB port. It works fine over Bluetooth, I've made phone calls with it and streamed iHeartradio just fine. But I like to be able to plug in and get to the music on the phone, because that way I can use the voice commands. It's also nice to charge my phone while driving.

I have a feeling this goes back to the whole "GNex can't mount as a USB drive" thing that came out a few weeks back. Is anyone aware of a fix or workaround?

CpressureC · December 16th, 2011, 03:49 PM

It doesn't work in my 2011 Silverado either.

Nightfall · December 16th, 2011, 03:51 PM

I never used my droid on the USB port. I have a cheap Ipod Touch for that and that works flawlessly.

tspangle88 · December 16th, 2011, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightfall

I never used my droid on the USB port. I have a cheap Ipod Touch for that and that works flawlessly.

Yeah, I have a thumb drive that I've used in the past, too, but I was hoping to have once less device to fiddle with. Just seems odd that every other smart phone and iPod I've plugged in works, but the GNex doesn't.

burntsushi · December 16th, 2011, 04:37 PM

This can't be done because the SGN cannot be mounted as a USB mass storage device. It uses the MTP protocol instead. Maybe use an auxiliary input?

Crayon · December 16th, 2011, 04:40 PM

If you've got sync you've got bluetooth don't you?

suXor · December 16th, 2011, 07:06 PM

There is a setting to disable MTP mode, give that a try.

tspangle88 · December 17th, 2011, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crayon

If you've got sync you've got bluetooth don't you?

Yes, but I can't use voice controls to select tracks with Bluetooth.

Yellow Snowman · December 17th, 2011, 10:51 AM

my sync didnt work with my tbolt, only bluetooth. i assumed it was a sync issue

ckelly33 · December 17th, 2011, 11:05 PM

wow...anybody have any idea WHY this is? I have a new truck on its way with Sync. It's gonna suck if I can't take advantage of the darn thing! I may have to do as Nighfall says and just connect my iPod Nano.

Are there any downsides to doing this with Sync? WIll it fully function if I am using the iPod via USB and my GNex via Bluetooth?

ckelly33 · December 18th, 2011, 09:53 PM

If you use an iPod w sync rather than your phone then use the phone for calls over Bluetooth, do you lose any of the functionality on the sync?

Btw, there is another thread indicating that Bluetooth pairing has issues w sync too.

tspangle88 · December 19th, 2011, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckelly33

Are there any downsides to doing this with Sync? WIll it fully function if I am using the iPod via USB and my GNex via Bluetooth?

Yes, it will. My wife's 2008 Taurus has Sync, as well, and my ancient 20gig iPod is plugged into the USB port while her Droid Charge is connected via Bluetooth. Sync sees them as separate devices and it works fine.

As for why this is, I remember seeing an article a few weeks back before the GNex came out that referred to not being able to mount it as a USB drive like with other Android phones. I've noticed that when I plug my Gnex into my computer, it shows up as "Galaxy Nexus", but there's no drive letter assigned to it like with all my previous Android phones.

Anyhow, I've tried it with both MTP and CTP, and it doesn't work either way. Sometimes it sees it, but then Sync just says "Indexing" forever, it will never play the music that's on the phone.

Hopefully someone comes out with a workaround for this. I love this phone, but between this and the signal strength issue, I dunno....