Back in October 2021, we purchased a 2019 F-350 from a local dealer, for towing a fifth wheel; since we're going to be doing a LOT of traveling with it, I'd like the navigation system to be as up-to-date as possible (despite also having an RV-smart GPS as well as smart phone nav apps). Back then, I attempted to update the maps data via USB drive; I was able to download the required data and put it on a USB drive, but whenever I tried to install it, the system kept complaining that I'd ejected the USB drive before it was done, when in fact I had done no such thing—the drive was still inserted into the USB port. Multiple recurrences of this, and I finally gave up.

I just got back around to trying to do this again. I verified the Sync system itself is update to date; I also looked to see if there were perhaps more updates to be had from Ford, but when I enter my VIN for it to check for updates, I get this message: "If you have placed a previous order for a current Map Update via download, the USB you are attempting to order now contains the same Map version you previously purchased." Well, I'm NOT trying to "order" anything, I'm just trying to see what's available. And now, it's not offering any downloads; I can ONLY for a USB drive for $40. Can I assume from this that there are no further updates to be had beyond what I've already downloaded?

So I found the USB drive that I tried to use last October; I figure it's at least more up-to-date than what's installed, so I'd just go ahead and try that again. But since it's only offering to let me PURCHASE a new USB drive, it won't give me any directions on how to do the install with the data on the USB drive I already have. I tried simply inserting the drive into the USB port, and the first time I did that, after a minute or so, it again complained that I had removed the drive, which I did not. Subsequent removals/insertions of the drive didn't complain, but it didn't seem to be doing anything, either. It DID say "Updating System Software" in the top banner, but I'm not sure what it was doing, since the "system software" is allegedly already up-to-date. The FAQ states "If using the USB process to complete your update, you will need to upload a file that was added to your USB drive during the install process to let Ford know the update has been successfully applied to your vehicle."; well there is no file that was added to the USB drive during the [alleged] install process, so I'm pretty confident that it didn't actually do anything.

Does anyone have the instructions on what I'm supposed to do with the USB drive that I have with the updated map data on it to actually install said map data into the system?