How to downgrade SYNC3 APIM back to 4.3 inch non-touch?

I have upgraded SYNC3 APIM originally used with 4.3 inch non-touch screen to 8 inch with touchscreen to use with aftermarket radio. Now I need to know how to restore the SYNC3 APIM to it’s original firmware so that I can put OEM back together when need to. I used the manual method which used two USB sticks.


SYNC Region: NA

Navigation Variant: Non Nav

Manufacturer Year: Pre MY20

Install Type: OEM

Old SYNC Version: 2.3.18095

New SYNC Version: 3.4.19200

Do you have a error message, if so what is it?

Update Method: CyanLabs Manual Method

Only thing I know that uses multiple USB sticks is hacking it or doing the SYNC and Nav update at the same time. If you want to downgrade the Sync version than you can go lower than 3.0

Are we supposed to guess what “original firmware” means for you?.
Head to SYNC 3 APIM Software (IVSU) Database - CyanLabs and pick one.
You should be able to autoinstall it if you already are on 3.4.xxxx.

Did you change the APIM and screen? or just the screen and reused the APIM with 8" version of the software?

If you reused the APIM, connecting the old 4.2" screen and reprogramming the unit with the 4.2" software should get you back to where you started, mostly. If you made any Asbuilt changes you would need to roll back on those.

I used 8" version of the software to upgrade the existing APIM. The question is how can I know what is the correct software for the 4.2" screen. Thank you.

Sync 3.4 4.2" versions:
5U5T-14G381-FB 408Mb Sync3 v3.4.20022 22.01.2020
5U5T-14G381-FD 408Mb Sync3 v3.4.20136 15.05.2020
5U5T-14G381-FG 409Mb Sync3 v3.4.20196 14.06.2020
5U5T-14G381-FH 409Mb Sync3 v3.4.20237 24.08.2020
5U5T-14G381-FK 409Mb Sync3 v3.4.20282 08.10.2020
5U5T-14G381-FM 409Mb Sync3 v3.4.20351 06.12.2020
5U5T-14G381-FR 409Mb Sync3 v3.4.21020 20.01.2021
5U5T-14G381-FS 409Mb Sync3 v3.4.21098 08.04.2021
5U5T-14G381-FT 409Mb Sync3 v3.4.21194 13.07.2021
5U5T-14G381-FU 409Mb Sync3 v3.4.21265 22.09.2021
5U5T-14G381-FV 422Mb Sync3 v3.4.22020 20.01.2022
5U5T-14G381-FX 422Mb Sync3 v3.4.22048 17.02.2022
5U5T-14G381-FZ 424Mb Sync3 v3.4.22110 20.04.2022

That’s the issue.

If by “original firmware” you mean the version the unit came with when the unit was new, that’s not a 3.4.xxxx version, but rather 3.0. So you can’t go back to a 3.0.xxxx version.

If by “original firmware” you mean a 4 inch variant of 3.4, you can choose from the list, those are all 3.4s. (not original).

If you see, all 4 inch variants are about 400mb in size. So you can browse the site I’ve pasted before.

This topic was automatically closed 3 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.

Used the files in the following link to update the SYNC3 APIM, trying to go from 8 inch touch interface back to OEM 4 inch interface. I believe the screen went dark after several minutes of ‘updating’. I restarted the car, but the screen only showed splash image for several seconds then went dark again. Is the APIM bricked? Any way to get it back working?


SYNC Region: NA

Navigation Variant: Non Nav

Manufacturer Year: Pre MY20

Install Type: OEM

Old SYNC Version: 2.3.18095

New SYNC Version: 3.4.19200

Do you have a error message, if so what is it?

Update Method: CyanLabs Manual Method

Well this is simply not true if you didn’t use our methods.

These files don’t make a lot of sense.

Autoinstall.lst is

Item1 = 5U5T-14G381-FZ_1652218673000.TAR.GZ
Open1 = SyncMyRide\5U5T-14G381-FZ_1652218673000.TAR.GZ
Options = AutoInstall

reformat.lst is

APPS=5U5T-14G381-FZ_1652218673000.TAR.GZ

I believe it’s the method you posted a few years back.

OK, i’ll clarify, this is not my method in anyway shape or form, the reformat.lst and autoinstall.lst files don’t even make sense. you use the autoinstall.lst to go to reformat mode to then run the packages in the reformat.lst file, not whatever this is trying to do, even if this didn’t result in a blank screen it would still only have the APPS package installed no other packages.

Anyway, do you know how I can get the APIM back working?

Not really, You have provided basically 0 information and used some random files from the internet. No idea where these files have come from but with a autoinstall/reformat lst setup like that it would never do anything useful. the reformat.lst is completely and only the autoinstall.lst and SyncMyRide is needed.

The file you are trying to install is a 4" 3.4.22110 APPS package.

My guess would be the firmware/calibration needs changing to match the 4" firmware

Using the original APIM that was previously connected to the 4.2" screen as OEM, you upgraded that APIM to the 8" version of the Sync App and connected the 8" screen. Now you downgraded to the 4.2" Sync App version v3.4.22110.
Did you connect the 4.2" screen?
Did you make the appropriate asbuilt changes for the theme and screen size?
And then a master reset?

Also, could you please explain why the link you provided before mentions Phoenix Automotive?. Do you work there?, bought something from them?, found random stuff on the internet and just used it?.

As we said in the previous part of this “issue”, you had to autoinstall a single app package, but yet you managed to run a completely random out-of-context REFORMAT against the unit.

There are a lot of missing links here, it would be nice for you to fill the blanks.
It seems we are not getting the full picture here, like not coming clean.

If the APIM is normal, afaik, 4.2" screen APIM with 8" screen will display on top left corner. Never did any other changes.

Although the display thing is true, the video drivers are different between the 8" and 4.2" screens. You may need to attach the 4.2" screen and power cycle the APIM.