My Lincoln Vehicle>SYNC>Getting Started with SYNC>How do I pair my phone with SYNC?

How do I pair my phone with SYNC®*?

To use any SYNC®*/Lincoln Digital Experience phone features, connect or "pair" your Bluetooth®-enabled device to the system using the instructions below.

SYNC Pairing Instructions

Important: Ensure your vehicle is parked (P) and running, and in an open location (e.g., free of overhead foliage, ceilings, etc.).

Based on your vehicle's touchscreen display, select Lincoln Digital Experience or a SYNC generation from the drop-down options below for instructions on how to connect your device to SYNC. If you need assistance determining the generation of your SYNC system, select the first drop-down option.

Note: Actual screens and instructions may vary. See your Owner’s Manual for information specific to your vehicle.

Identify Your Lincoln's SYNC Generation

There are two resources to help you identify your vehicle's SYNC generation:

Resources Instructions
The SYNC and Navigation Updates page

Either:

  • Enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and select Check for update.
  • Log in with your Lincoln credentials, choose a vehicle from your garage, and select Check for updates.

Note: Your SYNC generation will appear on the right-hand side of the page.
The SYNC Visual Reference Guide Select the link to view example images of SYNC generations that Lincoln has offered.

Lincoln Digital Experience

Connecting Your First Device

  1. Enable Bluetooth on your device.
  2. Tap Add phone on your Lincoln Digital Experience screen.
  3. Select Add device. Lincoln Digital Experience will search for nearby available devices. The screen should display your device.
  4. Choose your device on your Lincoln Digital Experience screen. A passcode will display on your Lincoln Digital Experience screen and your device. 

  5. Confirm the passcodes match and select the option to pair. 

    Note: If the passcodes do not match, repeat the pairing process from step 1 until the passcodes match. 

  6. Answer any prompts or questions that may appear.

 Once all prompts have been answered, your device will be paired with your Lincoln Digital Experience system.

Connecting Additional Devices

  1. Open the App Drawer on your Lincoln Digital Experience screen. 
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Choose Bluetooth. 
  4. Tap Add device. Lincoln Digital Experience will search for nearby available devices. The screen should display your device.
  5. Select your device on your Lincoln Digital Experience screen. A passcode will display on your Lincoln Digital Experience screen and on your device. 

  6. Confirm the passcodes match and select the option to pair. 

    Note: If the passcodes do not match, repeat the pairing process from step 1 until the passcodes match. 

  7. Answer any prompts or questions that may appear.

Once all prompts have been answered, your device will be paired with your Lincoln Digital Experience system.

What do I do if my phone is not pairing?

SYNC 4

Pairing a Phone

  1. Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone.

    Note: Refer to your phone's operating manual or the manufacturer's website, as instructions vary by manufacturer and model.

  2. Press the Settings on your vehicle's SYNC screen.
  3. Tap Add a Phone on your vehicle's SYNC screen and follow the prompts. Once all prompts have been selected, a pop-up will appear on the SYNC screen with a number. 
  4. Verify the code on the SYNC screen matches the number on your phone.

The SYNC screen will indicate that you have successfully paired your phone.

Pairing a Non-phone Bluetooth-Enabled Device (iPad®, Tablet, etc.)

  1. Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone.

    Note: Refer to your device's operating manual or the manufacturer's website, as instructions vary by manufacturer and model.

  2. Tap Settings on your vehicle's SYNC screen.
  3. Choose Connectivity.
  4. Press Bluetooth.
  5. Select Add a Bluetooth Device. A prompt on the device will alert you to search for your vehicle. 
  6. Select your vehicle on the device. A number will appear on your device and on the SYNC screen. 
  7. Confirm the number on the device matches the number on the SYNC screen.

The SYNC screen will indicate that you have successfully paired your device.

What do I do if my phone is not pairing?

SYNC 3

  1. Enable Bluetooth on your phone or other Bluetooth-enabled device (e.g., iPad®, tablet, etc.).

    Note: Refer to your device's operating manual or the manufacturer's website, as instructions vary by manufacturer and model.

  2. Press the Phone button on your vehicle's SYNC screen.
  3. Tap Add Bluetooth Device. 
  4. Select your mobile device.
  5. Scan on your phone until SYNC is found. 
  6. Select SYNC and wait for a 6-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) to display. 

  7. Confirm the PIN displayed on your mobile device matches the PIN displayed on the SYNC screen.

    Note: If the PIN is not displayed on your device, manually enter the PIN.  

  8. Respond to any prompts or questions that may appear on your mobile device or SYNC screen.

The SYNC screen will indicate that you have successfully paired your device.

What do I do if my phone is not pairing?

SYNC with MyLincoln Touch®

  1. Enable Bluetooth on your phone or other Bluetooth-enabled device (e.g., iPad®, tablet, etc.).

    Note: Refer to your mobile device's operating manual or the manufacturer's website, as instructions vary by manufacturer and model.

  2. Press Connect or Add a Phone on your vehicle's SYNC screen.
  3. Press Add Device.
  4. Select your device. A 6-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) will be displayed on the radio display.
  5. Go to Bluetooth Settings on your mobile device.
  6. Select SYNC.

  7. Confirm the PIN showing on your device matches the PIN showing on the vehicle's SYNC screen.

    Note: Your device may ask you to enter the 6-digit PIN. 

  8. Respond to any prompts or questions that may appear on your device or SYNC screen.

The SYNC screen will indicate that you have successfully paired your device.

What do I do if my phone is not pairing?

SYNC with Voice-Activated Navigation

  1. Enable Bluetooth on your phone or other Bluetooth-enabled device (e.g., iPad®, tablet, etc.).

  2. Turn your mobile device's discoverability on. This is normally a timed function, so you will want to work quickly to complete the pairing from this point.

    Note: Refer to your device's operating manual or the manufacturer's website, as instructions vary by manufacturer and model.

  3. Press the Phone button on the system. The screen may read "No phone connected."
  4. Press the Settings tab on your vehicle's SYNC screen.
  5. Press Add. A 6-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) will appear on the radio display.

  6. Go to Bluetooth Settings on your device and select SYNC. 

    Note: Some devices search automatically, but others may require you to search for SYNC.

  7. Enter the PIN shown on the SYNC screen on your device and press Enter. 
  8. Respond to any prompts or questions that may appear on your device or SYNC screen.

The SYNC screen will indicate that you have successfully paired your mobile device.

What do I do if my phone is not pairing?

SYNC Gen 1.1

  1. Enable Bluetooth on your phone or other Bluetooth-enabled device (e.g., iPad®, tablet, etc.).

  2. Turn your mobile device's discoverability on. This is normally a timed function, so you will want to work quickly to complete the pairing from this point.

    Note: Refer to your device's operating manual or the manufacturer's website, as instructions vary by manufacturer and model.

  3. Press the Phone button. SYNC will attempt to connect to a previously paired device, or if none have been previously paired, it will say "no paired phone". Select the option to Add.
  4. Search for SYNC on your device to start the pairing process when a message to begin pairing appears in the audio display.

  5. Go to Bluetooth Settings on your device and select SYNC. 

    Note: Some devices search automatically, but others may require you to search for SYNC.

  6. Select SYNC when your mobile device finds it. Depending on your software version, your device may prompt you to enter the 6-digit PIN, or it may display the PIN automatically. 
  7. Respond to any prompts or questions that may appear on your device or SYNC screen.

The SYNC screen will indicate that you have successfully paired your mobile device.

What do I do if my phone is not pairing?

SYNC Gen 1

  1. Enable Bluetooth on your phone or other Bluetooth-enabled device (e.g., iPad®, tablet, etc.).

  2. Turn your mobile device's discoverability on. This is normally a timed function, so you will want to work quickly to complete the pairing from this point.

    Note: Refer to your device's operating manual or the manufacturer's website, as instructions vary by manufacturer and model.

  3. From your vehicle's SYNC screen:
    1. Press the Phone button on the radio unit.
    2. Use the seek buttons or the directional arrows to navigate to Add Bluetooth Device and press OK. "Find SYNC" will be displayed. 
    3. Press OK. A 6-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) will be displayed on the screen for up to 3 minutes while pairing is completed. 

  4. Go to the Bluetooth Settings and select SYNC on your mobile device. 

    Note: Some devices search automatically. Others require you to search for SYNC. 

  5. Enter the PIN shown on the vehicle's SYNC screen into your mobile device and press Enter.
  6. Respond to any prompts or questions that may appear on your device or SYNC screen.

The SYNC screen will indicate that you have successfully paired your mobile device.

What do I do if my phone is not pairing?

Notes:

  • If a phone is deleted/removed from SYNC or SYNC is deleted/removed from a device, a new pairing will be required.
  • The pairing process can be different on each phone. Watching both the phone and the SYNC system for any messages is the best way to successfully connect a phone.

For information specific to your vehicle, refer to your Owner's Manual.

Additional Information

Why is my phone not connecting to SYNC?
How do I connect Apple CarPlay to SYNC?
How do I connect a device to the Wi-Fi Hotspot in my vehicle?

*Do not drive while distracted. Use voice-operated systems when possible; do not use handheld devices while driving. Some features may be locked out while the vehicle is in gear. Not all features are compatible with all phones.

**Some Lincoln Digital Experience features require a Connected Services plan.

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