What It Is
The following guide and downloadable file will help you to update the Bluetooth, Voice Control and USB module in the following Ford vehicles. The release date was November 2012, and was the third publicly released firmware update. According to the Ford documentation the update is valid for the following vehicles and build dates:
- Fiesta: July 2008 – December 2011
- Focus: February 2008 – January 2012
- C-MAX: February 2008 – January 2012
- Kuga: February 2008 – January 2012
- Mondeo: September 2008 – January 2012
- S-MAX: September 2008 – January 2012
- Galaxy: September 2008 – January 2012
- Transit: from June 2009
- Ranger: from April 2009
The Ford Ka is not compatible, because it’s a rebodied Fiat Panda/500 and uses their electronics.
The following instructions and Zip file used to be freely available from Ford at the address www.ford-mobile-connectivity.com as described in the audio system user guide. The website was taken down some time in about 2014, presumably for one of two reasons. Either people were messing up their radios and requiring dealership service, or they realised that they were missing out on a source of service revenue by giving away the updates. I’ll not speculate…
I’ve succesfully carried out the update on two different cars, my Mondeo with Sony DAB headunit, and my wife’s Fiesta with the more basic (orange dot matrix display). The actual Bluetooth/USB module is the same throughout the range, with the exception of a few models.
Please note that if your car does not have a USB port you will not be able to do the update, and the only way to get it is via a visit to the dealership.
What Do You Get?
There are several improvements to be gained from updating your Bluetooth firmware. The level will depend on the age of your vehicle, as models later in the run will have been shipped with more up to date versions. The major differences are:
- Compatibility. My phone (Sony Experia Z5) wouldn’t connect reliably and take calls properly in my 2011 Mondeo. The update fixed that. The same for the Fiesta (a 2009 model) which wouldn’t connect properly to any smartphone.
- iPod Useability. The original firmware required use of a special Y-cable, which connected to both the USB port (for control and track name display) and the 3.5mm Aux in socket (for analogue audio). The new version allows use of standard Apple 30pin-USB cables, with the car stereo doing the audio decoding from the digital stream.
- USB Playback. Allows use of MP3s saved on a USB stick. I don’t know if or how well this worked earlier, I never tried until after updating.
- Bluetooth Audio Streaming. The update adds compatibility for Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) or Streaming Music in English. This can also be used for Sat Nav directions through the speakers when using Google Maps on an Android device.
How Do I Do It?
- Put the kettle on.
- Download THIS ZIP FILE, which contains the Bluetooth firmware and voice control files in seven European languages.
- Unzip the files to the root folder of a USB drive. (i.e. not in a subfolder) The USB drive should NOT contain any music files, and for best results should probably be blank just in case.
- Make yourself a nice cup of tea or coffee and pick up a newspaper or magazine. This stage will come in handy later, trust me…
- Get in the car, and switch on the radio WITHOUT TURNING THE IGNITION ON. It may say something like 1 Hour Mode on the display.
- Insert the USB drive into the USB port. Depending on your car model this may be in the glovebox (Mondeo), centre console (Fiesta) or armrest. The stereo will display a message saying that no valid files were found to play. This is normal.
- Switch on the ignition until the dashboard lights come on (but don’t start the engine). Do this by turning the key to the second position, or pressing the Ford Power button without pressing the brake/clutch for keyless models.
- You should now see the message “Update running… Please wait! So now you wait. This is where the hot coffee and magazine come in handy, as the update takes around 20 minutes to complete, and you can’t go back in the house to keep warm because you’d be leaving the car unlocked with the keys in!*
- Once the update has finished the display will say “Update successfully finished”. The message doesn’t stay on the screen for long, so keep an eye on it. Once complete the radio will come back on to whichever station was playing before the update.
- If something goes wrong and the installation fails you will get a warning on the display. Again, it doesn’t stay on for more than a few seconds, so keep a look out. Just start the process again from the beginning and it will eventually complete.
Whilst updating my Mondeo the car gave a Low Battery warning, and the radio shut off. I started the engine, and was amazed to see that the radio came back to life with the update still running. It had carried on even with the radio off (the bluetooth module is a separate box behind the glovebox area). I don’t recommend relying on this method though!
Here is a very useful summary video. I didn’t make it, so claim no credit for it. It’s also out of date, as it shows the original website up and running, but the update demonstration is very useful if you’re not confident.
Video produced by iNath, over at Ford Owners Club
Any questions, feel free to comment below. Thanks for visiting my site.
If this info has been of use to you please consider making a small contribution to help cover the costs of running this site. If you don’t want to that’s perfectly ok too! The button below will bill you one pound and reward you with my gratitude (and maybe some extra technical help).
Hi Will,
I updated my USB/Bluetooth control in my Ford Fiesta Titanium (2010) yesterday using your guide.
Is your download link the latest version?
Is there a way to find out which version I’ve got right now, for future update attempts?
Hi, thanks for your question.
The update I have is the latest that was made publicly available.
Ford used to have a download site, but it was closed a couple of years ago. They only provide downloads for the newer Sync systems now.
If you want an older stereo updating you need to go to a Ford dealer (and good luck with that!)
Hi Will,
A friend just purchased a 2010 Fiesta Zetec- the bluetooth & usb isn’t working, I’m thinking it might be a faulty BT & USB module, but are there any reports of this update fixing an issue like that?
I’ve noticed in the bluetooth section of the menu it doesn’t give an option to turn BT on and off, it just says “BT off” down the bottom right permanently.
Thanks.
I’d imagine that if the USB port isn’t working then it would not be possible to even do the update. (If it’s definitely faulty the modules can be found on ebay reasonably cheaply, and aren’t complicated to replace)
Hi, quick update in regards to updating the audio system. I’ve followed the steps as instructed but when I plug in the USB memory stick nothing seems to happen, I’m pretty sure I’ve downloaded the file correctly and USB memory seems ok. Any tips or reason why the update is not running? I’ve been reading how the USB memory stick needs to be FAT32 format, is this true or not?
Yes, FAT32 required I think. Make sure files aren’t in a folder either.
Hi, I’ve just recently purchase a Ford Fiesta Titanium 2010 and im trying to figure out wherever the audio system enables to play music via Bluetooth. I can connect my phone (Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus) via Bluetooth but cant seem to find an option to play my music through my phone. I have read plenty of forums and watched some YouTube clips but was never clear wherever it played music via Bluetooth.
I’ve come across about this software update for the audio system and I’m wondering could this software update enable playing music via Bluetooth? Could you or anyone shed some light in regards to this as I am hesitant on going through with this update in case it brings up any fault on the audio system.
This query is purely in relation to my vehicle (Ford Fiesta Titanium 2010) to avoid any confusion.
Many thanks,
Steven C
Yes, this update should fix your missing Bluetooth music, provided your car has the higher spec version of the Bluetooth device. Being a Titanium I would expect it to. If it does there will be a USB port by the handbrake.
Our previous Fiesta had a bug in that Bluetooth music didn’t appear in the menu but could be selected using voice control.
The update should improve compatibility with your phone.
Thanks for your reply, yes I do have a USB port by the handbrake so I believe i’m ok there. You say it could be selected by using voice control, did you have to say a command and if so what was it? Just so i can test it.
That’s good to know the update could fix these problems, I’m happy enough to give the update a go as the instruction you’ve provided along with the video seems straight forward.
It’s something fairly simple like “play Bluetooth”.
The update does include updates to the voice commands as well.
Ok, I’ll give it a go and come back with an update. I’m hoping this resolve it all.
Thanks for your help
Hi Will,
Great simple guide, thank you. I’ve just picked up a 2014 Titanium X Sport with the Sony DAB radio. I’ve got an iPhone 6s on iOS 12, and have no issues connecting to BT at all-everything is stable and responsive. Is it worth me doing this update? I am a man who likes things just so, but if there’s nothing to gain then I’ll leave it be!
Cheers,
Dan
No, there’s nothing to gain because this is the last publicly available update, from 2012.
Your car, being newer, will at the least have come with it, and may well have a better version already!
Thankyou Will, much appreciated!
Dan
hello I have a ford sports party of 2008 trying to update the firmware tells me on the screen error to actulizar retry, I get to that point and I can not do anything else.
please help
Hi,
Every time I attempt to update the radio get the error message I’ve tried repeating the update over and over but still the same result any advice?
Have you tried deleting unnecessary files from the USB drive? See other comments for details.
My stereo don’t has the DAB logo, can i update It?
Yes, as long as it has Bluetooth and a USB port.
Thx, i will try It now.
It has BT and USB.
Leaving my feedback, works like a charm.
Ford Focus Guia 2009 AT, Sony stereo unit without DAB.
Now i can listen over the BT, all my favorite songs.
Thanks for letting people know!
Hi, I have the ford nx system on a 2008 mondeo, Just upgraded the bt module to one hat support bt play back and usb etc, it connect fine, but can’t have usb play back or Bluetooth play back, it recognises it all but no sound from speakers?
Any ideas?
The input level is very low, I’ve found. Try increasing the Bluetooth volume level on the phone, and turn up the stereo volume too.
Hi so ive read what you said about the ford ka.. My sons just bought a ka zetech 2014 model which was advertised with bluetooth there is voice control but no instructions anywhere! Any ideas where to go for them for a ka he can connect but there are issues thanks
This site may or may not be helpful.
https://www.fiat-accessories.com/blue-and-me-update
Hi Will. Thanks ever so much for publishing this guide. I have been scratching my head for weeks ever since purchasing my 2010 Smax Titanium with Sony Hi Fi.
I haven’t downloaded the file yet but want to see what you think before I go ahead. My wife’s and my iPhone both have the same problems – they sort of work but when there is an incoming call sometimes it will ring the in car system and sometimes it won’t. And when it does there is always a delay until the system picks up that there is an incoming call. It never rings as such – it just silences the radio or Bluetooth music. So far as playing music is concerned, it’s also hit and miss. Sometimes YouTube connects and other times it continues to play without coming out of the speakers. The weird thing is that at all times iPhone will show that it is connected to the Ford system.
I wonder if you have any ideas as to what’s going on?
Many thanks again, David
Basically the old version of the Ford Bluetooth system is rubbish. There’s a pretty good chance the update should fix your problems.
Thanks very much Will. I’ll give it a go. If it doesn’t work can a more recent model simply slide in? Better that than I buy a Parrot. I reckon I’d find one on eBay for not crazy money.
Hi Will- I’m struggling with this. My car recognises the usb but repeatedly says intialising and no files on disc. I have formatted the usb to FAT32 and i can get it to do the update running but it goes off the screen within two or three seconds, highly frustrating, wondering if i possibly have a faulty USB as it will only charge my phone intermittently
It does sound like it could be the USB socket. You could test it by trying to play some mp3 files from your USB stick?
It’s also possible if so that charging your phone could have damaged it, the USB port is only designed to provide to provide 500mA of current. Modern phones can draw up to 3000mA while charging. You should get a lighter socket adaptor instead!
I tried it purely on ford’s advice to test if it worked! Ive had the whole thing apart this evening and can’t figure it out. I think I may have to try and bypass the existing USB to get the update on and try it that way.
I’m only 5ft 1 but I’m fed up of getting in the passenger footwell ??