Ford Sync3: Pandora will not launch automatically

[JerryR]

Ford sync 3 version 3.3 build 19052 will not launch Pandora from my Android phone, the Pandora app version I have on my phone is version 2112.1  What happens is the Pandora app is showing on my Sync screen and then when you choose it it just says "buffering", but never launches.  However, if I start the Pandora app on my phone first before starting my truck everything works fine.  I see a lot of other Pandora users that are also Ford owners have this problem according to internet searches I have done on this topic.  Has anyone come up with a fix yet? My wife has a 2019 Mustang and on that car Pandora is launched automatically from Sync.

PS I have chatted with Ford support about this and they are pretty useless, they tell you to do a system reset, which does nothing for the problem.

Moderator Edit: Changing title for clarity & format

[TannerPandora]

Hi @JerryR! Welcome to community!

Sorry to hear this is happening in your Ford. I'd like to report your issue to our engineering team. Can you send over a bit more info about your devices?

• Ford model:
• Phone Model:
• Android version (Settings > About Phone):
• Build number (Settings > About Phone):
• Android Security Patch Level, if noted on your device (Settings > About Phone):
• Pandora version:
  • Open Pandora, go to Profile, then select Settings. Scroll to the bottom of the screen for the version number.

Can you confirm that you have the Launch from car setting enabled on your Android phone?

• Open Pandora.
• Tap the Profile tab
• Tap the Settings gear in the upper right corner.
• Select Advanced.
• Under Bluetooth for devices make sure there is a check next to Launch from car.

Thanks for the help!

[JerryR]

Here you go: 

2017 Ford Expedition

Galaxy S10, Model SM-G973U, Android version 12

Build no. SP1A.210812.016.G973USQU6HULD

Android security patch January 1, 2022

Pandora version 2112.1 (Android tuner 21121009)

Yes Launch from car is ON and under my notifications it also says "Pandora is ready to be launched automatically"

Regards,

Jerry

[TannerPandora]

Sorry for the delay, @JerryR! Thank you for the information, it's very helpful. I've passed this along to our engineering team for further investigation. 

[Woowoodaddy]

I am having the same problem. The Pandora app does not even show up as a source

sm-g991u

android 12

SP1A.210812.016.g991usqu5cvdb

[AlyssaPandora]

Hey there, @Woowoodaddy. 👋

Thanks for reporting your experience, and sorry for any inconvenience. 

I've created a support case for you with our User Support team. Someone will reach out to you via email to offer further assistance with this issue. Please keep an eye out for their message soon. 📬

We appreciate your patience during this process. 🎧

[JerryR]

So I got this same response many months ago and nothing ever came of it.  I do not think anyone can figure this one out and since you can get Pandora to work nobody really cares.

[Woowoodaddy]

I wish you the response yesterday. I was told to clear my cash and clear data. Will try again later to see if this actually works. I just don't know if it's a Pandora problem or a Ford problem

[rscalzo40]

Neither seem to care. I have the same issues for months.

[rscalzo40]

Tried it and it doesn't correct the issue.

[JerryR]

I believe it is a Ford sync issue because the Pandora app does not work the same way every time on my Ford Sync.  I always start the Pandora app first before getting into my Expedition and turning on the ignition.   About 50% of the time after turning the audio on at the dashboard sync control I get the correct Pandora icon as an audio source and then when choosing Pandora it displays properly, i.e. my presets, song and artist and a pic of the album cover.  The other half the time, instead of the Pandora app icon, I get an icon that shows my phone Galaxy S10 as the source.  Then when choosing that source it does not show my presets, and just shows big button type icons for rewind, pause and forward.  With this scenario it may or may not show the song name and the artist or the album cover.  So I believe the Ford Sync software is unstable, but has some default work arounds that still allow you to listen to your music on your phone.  In the second scenario Ford Sync just thinks your playing music on your phone and does not know that the source is Pandora.  The tunes are just transmitted through bluetooth and Sync only sees the source as Galaxy S10, if that makes sense. The bottom line is even though it does not work as intended, i.e., Pandora launching from Sync, I can still listen to the Pandora music 100% of the time.  Since you CAN get it to work nobody at Pandora or Ford are going to spend anytime troubleshooting the fine details.

[rscalzo40]

Mone works the same way. Although I don't start it prior to starting the car I tried after starting and I get nothing.

As you found I can start it and use the phone as a source. But that's a pain. IHeartRadio works almost all the time. 

RD Scalzo

Epping, NH

[Woowoodaddy]

That's just it. If I heart works every time why can't Pandora?

[Woowoodaddy]

Yeah, Ford hasn't been very helpful either

[xxentre]

I am having the same issue when trying to open Pandora using the SYNC3 over Bluetooth.  The radio says buffering and Pandora does not open.  I have already done this "

• Under Bluetooth for devices make sure there is a check next to Launch from car."

This had no success.  The only way for Pandora to work with no issues on the SYNC3 was to plug the phone into the USB port on the vehicle.  This should work with Bluetooth.  If this issue was fixed I would gladly pay a subscription fee.
I have tried using a Samsung a53 and a Motorola Ace 5G, I have received the same results with both phones.

[JerryR]

Obviously no one at Ford or Pandora gives a rip as this issue has been on here for a long time.

[xxentre]

I need to test Spotify it it works I might subscribe to them and forget Pandora.  I need something easy for my with.  Sirus XM Radio is too expensive.

[Chemical_fx]

You may already have this sorted but this is for other people I guess. On your phone go to Settings/Battery/Pandora and make sure Allow Background Activity and Auto Launch are both enabled.   

[JerryR]

I already tried that and it did not work.  I have sorted the problem as I traded my 2017 Expedition in for a 2023 Expedition as few weeks ago, so not a problem for me any longer.  Thanks for the idea, might help others.

[Chemical_fx]

No prob, yea I got the 2023 Escape 😅 My friend went with the Bronco, I just didnt care for the style. Im not a fan of Sync though at all. Too buggy and minimal.