How do I use Voice Assistants with Ford Digital Experience
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How Do I Use Voice Assistants With Ford Digital Experience?

A driver confidently glances out ahead while cruising on a sunny day.

Overview

Ford Digital Experience* lets you bring your preferred voice assistant with you for the ride. “Hey Google,” “Alexa,” even “Hey Siri” through Apple CarPlay® — we’ll show you how it works.

What You Can Do with Voice Assistance

Use your voice to call/text friends, listen to music, set reminders, check the weather, even change the temperature in the vehicle. Use your voice assistant to get the assistance you’re looking for and even control certain vehicle functions or compatible smart home devices.

Setting and Changing Your Default Voice Assistant

Google Assistant is the default voice assistant. You can change your default voice assistant to Amazon Alexa through your vehicle’s touchscreen. Here’s how:

  1. Open the App Drawer on the Home screen
  2. Select Settings
  3. Scroll down on the left side of the screen and select Assistant and Voice
  4. Select Digital Assistant App
  5. Select Amazon Alexa
  6. Press the Get Started button
  7. Connect your Amazon account to the vehicle
  8. Accept permissions
  9. Change default assistant and enable Wake Word

You’re now ready to use Amazon Alexa.

Siri can be used while Apple CarPlay® is enabled in-vehicle and can control features within the Apple CarPlay experience.**

How to Activate the Different Voice Assistants

Depending on the voice assistant you have selected, there are different ways each voice assistant can be activated. In order to talk to Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, that voice assistant must be selected as your preferred voice assistant.

Google Assistant can be activated in three ways:

  1. Say “Hey Google”
  2. Press the voice command button on the steering wheel (Google Assistant must be selected as preferred voice assistant)
  3. Or, from the App Drawer, select the Google Assistant icon button

Amazon Alexa can be activated in three ways:

  1. Say “Alexa”
  2. Press the voice command button on the steering wheel (Alexa must be selected as preferred voice assistant)
  3. Or, from the App Drawer, select the Alexa icon button, then the “tap-to-talk” button in the app to issue a command

Siri can be activated in two ways while Apple CarPlay® is enabled:

  1. Say “Hey, Siri” (Note: This command will be received by the phone’s microphone and could be unreliable depending on where the phone is located)
  2. Select and hold the voice command button on the steering wheel

Ensure You’re Connected

While some functionality exists even without a data connection, your best experience is when you’re connected.

We help with that by providing a year of complimentary Ford Premium Connectivity with the purchase of your 2025 Ford Explorer® SUV. You’ll also receive three-year complimentary trial of Alexa Built-in.31

You also have the ability to connect via other methods, such as Wi-Fi®.

Switching between Apple CarPlay®161 and the Ford Digital Experience

It’s easy to switch from Apple CarPlay to the Ford Digital Experience. You can use any controls in the left menu bar or bottom climate control bar.

To get back to Apple CarPlay from the Ford Digital Experience, select the icon shown on the lower section of the left menu bar. You can also access Apple CarPlay from:

  • The home screen by selecting Phone Details when Apple CarPlay is connected
  • The home screen by selecting Apple CarPlay as the audio source
  • The App Drawer by selecting the Apple CarPlay App or Phone App

 

Ford Digital Experience Voice Assistant FAQs

Can I use Apple CarPlay® and talk to Google Assistant at the same time?

Yes, just say, “Hey Google” or press the voice control button on your steering wheel to talk to Google Assistant while Apple CarPlay is active. You can also long press the voice control button on your steering wheel for Siri to activate. Talking to Google Assistant will take the user out of Apple CarPlay. Starting Siri will show Apple CarPlay on the screen if it is not currently on screen.

Siri can control functions within Apple CarPlay, such as “change the song” or “call Mom.” Google Assistant is required to change vehicle controls such as volume.

What voice assistant features are available if you never authorize your vehicle’s embedded modem?

Even without a data connection, you can use Google Assistant to control some vehicle functions, such as local media and setting your vehicle’s temperature.

The only language available to use with Google Assistant will be English if you do not authorize your modem or connect the vehicle to the internet via another method such as Wi-Fi®. In order to access other languages, you must select the other language when connected to the internet.

What voice assistant features can I use without a data plan or other connectivity?

If a vehicle does not have a data connection, you will still have some functionality with Google Assistant and Alexa.

With Google Assistant, you can control local vehicle controls, such as playing the radio and adjusting the climate controls while keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.

Alexa will still be available for use if you are within the complimentary three-year trial of Alexa Built-in. Enhanced Alexa functionality, such as flash briefings, long form news, and in-vehicle games will not be available without Ford Premium Connectivity or another connectivity source.

 

Related Topics

How Do I Pair My Phone With My Ford Vehicle?
What Is the Ford Digital Experience?
Software Update FAQs

*Some Ford Digital Experience features require a Connected Services plan. Don’t drive while distracted or while using handheld devices. Use voice-operated systems when possible. Some features may be locked out while the vehicle is in gear. Not all features are compatible with all phones.

**Compatible Apple phone with compatible active data plan and software required. Ford Digital Experience does not control third-party products while in use. Third parties are solely responsible for their respective functionality.

Google, Android, Google Play, Google Maps, and other marks are trademarks of Google LLC. Data rates may apply.
Amazon, Alexa, and all related marks are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
Apple, Apple CarPlay, iPhone, and Siri are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.