Have IPhone messages read to you

[GreyAreaRanger]

So the other day I helped my dad get his Sierra to read/view messages from his first ever iPhone. Got me thinking perhaps the Ranger can too, so today I tried it and it works. I do not have the 8” screen and can have the vehicle read me the text message. I can view them but only if the vehicle is stopped.
You will have to go in to Bluetooth setting, select the ‘i’ icon and hit the show notifications toggle. Just in case someone was wondering or if it wasn’t well known.
Also, I hope you don’t get a link because it will read every single character in that link and Amazon has some long links.

Sponsored

 

[Dgc333]

My Ford vehicles have been reading my text messages since I got a 13 Focus ST in December 2012.

 

[Tom_C]

Yeah, it can be handy, if you want that.

For me, the text to voice isn't perfect and often I don't understand what it says, so when I get the notification I usually cancel it. If it's something I want to know immediately, I read the text myself. I don't need to be plugged in all the time so usually I just ignore it and read it later.

 

[GreyAreaRanger]

My Ford vehicles have been reading my text messages since I got a 13 Focus ST in December 2012.

I personally don’t care for the idea of my messages being read out loud with a bunch of people in hearing range. Just making folks aware that this is an option for them if they want. Before changing this setting, my truck never notified me that I got a text and most of the time I have to turn off my hearing aids to get my phone to route the call to the Ranger

Yeah, it can be handy, if you want that.

For me, the text to voice isn't perfect and often I don't understand what it says, so when I get the notification I usually cancel it. If it's something I want to know immediately, I read the text myself. I don't need to be plugged in all the time so usually I just ignore it and read it later.

I’m with you whole heartedly. Just making folks aware that they have this as an option if they like it for some reason (like my dad).

 

[Dgc333]

I personally don’t care for the idea of my messages being read out loud with a bunch of people in hearing range. Just making folks aware that this is an option for them if they want. Before changing this setting, my truck never notified me that I got a text and most of the time I have to turn off my hearing aids to get my phone to route the call to the Ranger

I’m with you whole heartedly. Just making folks aware that they have this as an option if they like it for some reason (like my dad).

I am surprised that you are just finding out about this feature. It was around 2010 that the auto manufacturers started adding this feature and have marketed it extensively. The nice thing is you can choose to have a message read or not. I don't know if you purchased your truck new or not but every new vehicle I have purchased over the past 10 years the dealership always took the time to review all the connected features and set your phone up to make calls, read texts and to use Android Auto/CarPlay.

FYI, my hearing aids act as ear buds when it comes to my phone. Any media on my phone is played through the hearing aids, this has been a great feature. When connected to Sync in the Ranger or uConnect in the wife's Jeep calls and text messages are routed through the cars speakers unless I select privacy mode.

 

[GreyAreaRanger]

I am surprised that you are just finding out about this feature. It was around 2010 that the auto manufacturers started adding this feature and have marketed it extensively. The nice thing is you can choose to have a message read or not. I don't know if you purchased your truck new or not but every new vehicle I have purchased over the past 10 years the dealership always took the time to review all the connected features and set your phone up to make calls, read texts and to use Android Auto/CarPlay.

FYI, my hearing aids act as ear buds when it comes to my phone. Any media on my phone is played through the hearing aids, this has been a great feature. When connected to Sync in the Ranger or uConnect in the wife's Jeep calls and text messages are routed through the cars speakers unless I select privacy mode.

I've only had my Ranger for about four months. I've known some cars could do it, just wasn't that interested in it as a text message can wait and if it seems important enough then I'll make a call. I know some people really like that though and apparently my dad is one of them. Shouldn't be surprised, he had Dish network pop up the caller id onto the TV when I was growing up.

As for my hearing aids, mine do the same. My last phone (Iphone 12) routed all calls through the truck like it should when it connected. My new 15 however, won't. Even if I initiate the call through the truck, it will send the call to my hearing aids unless I turn them off. Privacy mode isn't turned on.

 

[subquark]

My little 4 inch, non-touch screen can read them out if I arrow down to it and press okay.

But I didn't know about settings on my phone, Imma gonna check out my Android to see if I have this too - thanks! =)

Since you've only had your Ranger 4 months (congratulations!), wait until you discover the squid launcher - that still makes my snicker. =D

 

[Blue Streak]

My little 4 inch, non-touch screen can read them out if I arrow down to it and press okay.

But I didn't know about settings on my phone, Imma gonna check out my Android to see if I have this too - thanks! =)

Since you've only had your Ranger 4 months (congratulations!), wait until you discover the squid launcher - that still makes my snicker. =D

So that's how you get all of the crap out of your bed at the dump.

 

[Egg69]

My little 4 inch, non-touch screen can read them out if I arrow down to it and press okay.

But I didn't know about settings on my phone, Imma gonna check out my Android to see if I have this too - thanks! =)

Since you've only had your Ranger 4 months (congratulations!), wait until you discover the squid launcher - that still makes my snicker. =D

Badminton anyone? lol

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

I personally don’t care for the idea of my messages being read out loud with a bunch of people in hearing range.

On Android Auto you've got to tap the message in order to have it read aloud. If you ignore it - it will just leave the notification up on your screen that you've got a text from XX person. You can swipe it off the screen if you don't want it left on there. Is Carplay not the same function?

 

[Grandaccess]

So the other day I helped my dad get his Sierra to read/view messages from his first ever iPhone. Got me thinking perhaps the Ranger can too, so today I tried it and it works. I do not have the 8” screen and can have the vehicle read me the text message. I can view them but only if the vehicle is stopped.
You will have to go in to Bluetooth setting, select the ‘i’ icon and hit the show notifications toggle. Just in case someone was wondering or if it wasn’t well known.
Also, I hope you don’t get a link because it will read every single character in that link and Amazon has some long links.

the android lets you reply via voice too, comes in really handy
cant live without the Sync3 now

 

[GreyAreaRanger]

My little 4 inch, non-touch screen can read them out if I arrow down to it and press okay.

But I didn't know about settings on my phone, Imma gonna check out my Android to see if I have this too - thanks! =)

Since you've only had your Ranger 4 months (congratulations!), wait until you discover the squid launcher - that still makes my snicker. =D

I’ve got the 4” screen as well. This squid launcher feature was a feature on my 01 Ford and Chevy trucks. Pretty handy at night time.

 

[GreyAreaRanger]

On Android Auto you've got to tap the message in order to have it read aloud. If you ignore it - it will just leave the notification up on your screen that you've got a text from XX person. You can swipe it off the screen if you don't want it left on there. Is Carplay not the same function?

My truck has the 4” screen, so no CarPlay or android auto. I figured the Sync 3 equipped trucks would be able to do it but was surprised when mine could as well.

the android lets you reply via voice too, comes in really handy
cant live without the Sync3 now

I’ve not seen if it would reply for me as I’ve already turned the setting off on my phone. I can only view the text on the screen if the truck is at a stop though. It just so happened the one message I had it read out loud was an Amazon link sent to me. I had to listen to that for about five minutes while it said each and every character of the link.

 

[subquark]

My truck has the 4” screen, so no CarPlay or android auto. I figured the Sync 3 equipped trucks would be able to do it but was surprised when mine could as well.

I’ve not seen if it would reply for me as I’ve already turned the setting off on my phone. I can only view the text on the screen if the truck is at a stop though. It just so happened the one message I had it read out loud was an Amazon link sent to me. I had to listen to that for about five minutes while it said each and every character of the link.

I haven't tried reply but it does show as a choice. LOL, I've had the truck for a year and a half and I made my first call via the screen and not touching the phone yesterday! So I may be slow to adopt this hitech stuff! =D

Now it was by clicking the screen and not by voice, that's getting way too fancy for me! =p

Sponsored