SYNC 4 – Custom APIM Startup / Splash Screen Animation – Possible to Add Custom Asset?

Ford Non SYNC 3 Support
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Hi everyone,

I’m working on a project involving a 2025 Ford F-150 with SYNC 4, and I’m hoping someone here with deeper knowledge of the SYNC 4 APIM software/resources can point me in the right direction.

I’m trying to go beyond changing between the factory-installed splash screens. The ultimate goal is to display a completely custom startup graphic/animation for a serialized custom vehicle program we are developing.

Vehicle/APIM information:

  • Vehicle: 2025 Ford F-150

  • APIM: SU5T-14G670-HKF

  • Strategy: PU5T-14G676-HE

  • Calibration: PU5T-14G677-CBA

  • SYNC Software: 25211_PRODUCT / Revision 1966

Using FORScan, I can successfully change the APIM Splash Screen selection in 7D0-03-01. For example, selecting the Raptor option successfully gives me the factory Raptor startup animation. So I understand that the As-Built configuration is essentially selecting from factory assets already stored within the APIM/software.

What I am trying to determine is where those actual splash-screen/boot-animation assets are stored and whether a custom asset can legitimately be added or substituted.

I’ve been researching the SYNC 4 resource packages, including the 14H212 package family (Theme/Control Gallery/Theme Configuration/etc.), but I have not yet determined which package actually contains the factory startup animations.

A few specific questions:

  1. Does anyone know which SYNC 4 package/resource contains the factory boot/splash animations selected by 7D0-03-01?

  2. Are they contained within one of the 14H212 HMI/theme packages, or somewhere else in the APIM software?

  3. Does anyone know the actual asset format/container used for these animations?

  4. Has anyone successfully extracted or inspected the factory F-150/Raptor startup animation assets?

  5. Most importantly, has anyone successfully replaced a factory splash asset or added a custom one on SYNC 4?

  6. If modification is possible, does Ford package signing/integrity verification prevent a modified resource package from being accepted by the APIM?

  7. Is there a supported engineering/development method for loading a custom HMI/startup asset that differs from normal production FDRS programming?

I have access to FORScan, a J2534 interface, Ford dealership/FDRS resources, and a test vehicle, so I’m willing to do some digging and testing. I’m also trying to obtain the actual SYNC 4 APIM software/resource package inventory from the vehicle so I can identify the relevant package.

I’m not looking to bypass Ford security or signature verification. I’m trying to determine whether there is a legitimate/custom-development path for doing this and, at minimum, understand how the factory splash-screen resource system works.

The eventual goal is a custom startup screen/animation for our serialized Super Duty builds, similar to how an OEM/specialty vehicle manufacturer would have its own startup branding.

Any insight into the SYNC 4 resource structure, relevant package numbers, or where I should be looking would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!