With new vehicles becoming more and more connected with each passing model year, many users have experienced problems with a number of features that rely on it. That includes Phone as a Key functionality, something that Ford and several other automakers offer customers. This feature allows vehicle owners to use their smartphones as a digital key, essentially, providing them access to those vehicles without having a physical key on their person. Recently, the automaker sent out a notice acknowledging that some owners may be experiencing issues with Phone as a Key, too.
“If you currently use a device that runs on the Android 14 operating system and drive a Ford vehicle, the Phone as a Key functionality in your FordPass app may currently be impaired,” the note – which was recently posted at Reddit – reads. “Due to a recent Android 14 software update, some users are unable to access and start their Ford vehicles using the Phone as a Key feature in their FordPass app. We are working on a solution with third parties, and we will update you once the issue is resolved. In the interim, to start your vehicle, please use your key fob or Backup Passcode. We apologize for this inconvenience – and we appreciate your patience. Please do not delete or reset your Phone as a Key, as either action will lock you out.”
Several users have already reported experiencing this particular issue, though one noted a potential workaround. “What’s been working for me is to get in the car, toggle WiFi & Bluetooth off and on, then start the car. The car will still complain about a missing key, but you can still drive and everything. Needs to be done every time you start the car. For some of these problems, if you don’t know the right way to fiddle with your phone settings or the magic ‘volume down + skip forward’ steering wheel combination to reset SYNC, you’re just sunk.”
Regardless, this isn’t the first time certain Blue Oval owners/Android users have experienced problems. In fact, wireless Android Auto was giving many fits in the then-new 2021 Ford F-150 years ago. Meanwhile, FordPass ranked below the industry average in the 2024 J.D. Power U.S. OEM ICE App Report, dropping quite a bit after a pair of strong performances.
Comments
Yet more unneeded tech. If you don’t have your key, DON’T DRIVE.
New cars don’t have keys anymore, so how are YOU driving your car?
Well this should come as no surprise…at least no surprise to someone in touch with their customer base. Why push that much tech on people when a simple key might still be the best solution? The key fob in the pocket and push button start is awesome and works every time. No need to complicate things by linking it all to a phone.
BOY BRIAN. You got that Correct once AGAIN!!! I can’t even use the FORD PASS APP Without Issues ALL the TIME!!! GOOD JOB F O R D!!!
The Ford Pass App is the worst app out there. They updated what was a working app to a none working app and then removed critical functionality as well.
I am thoroughly convinced that Ford hires the reject app developers from all the other self respecting Internet design shops because they will work for cheap knowing they have literally nowhere else to go.
Have no issues here and love the new design…
Android users are always dealing with problems though, hard to blame the maker when the OS itself is all botched up together…it’s the Windows of smart phones.
Android is free, universal, and easy to install on any non-iPhone. You can buy a brand new Android smartphone for less than $200. Apple has no competition, so a new iPhone is very expensive.