How to never miss a OTA software update! [Instructions]

[bgalakazam]

Scheduling never worked for me. Due to where I live, I street park, so no wifi signal. Because I am outside USA, and have no AT&T service, modem doesn't work. I can't activate Fordpass app or the vehicle.

That leaves me only one option, connect to Airbnb wifi when we travel. Each time I have done this, I connected to the wifi and scheduled an update for the next day. It never updated. I have a couple 2 week long trips coming, hopefully I can get some updates in. Every other car I had it was a simple firmware file loaded onto a USB. I am not about to pay for shop software license, a $500+ cable and do this on a brand new vehicle. Ford needs to figure out a way to do roaming or something else for vehicles shipped outside the US through official channels.

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[GrandpaD]

It appears we won't have to worry about Android Automotive in our vehicles. Ford has delayed implementing it until until 2023 models.

"Another important bit of information Ford confirmed is that existing Ford vehicles will not be able to upgrade to Android Automotive. That includes this first batch of F-150 Lightning models, which will ship with Ford’s Sync 4 platform."

https://9to5google.com/2022/04/26/ford-android-automotive-delay-2023/

 

[JDinNFLA]

Never miss a software update!

1. Set a recurring schedule: For more complex software updates, your vehicle cannot be driven during the installation (typically up to 1 hour). We recommend setting a recurring schedule for a time when your vehicle is not needed (like overnight).
2. Confirm you have Automatic Updates ON: Most software updates happen in the background while you are driving as long as you have automatic updates toggled ON. This setting is ON by default but we ask that you check your settings screen to confirm.

Both actions can be completed from the settings screen in your vehicle. Click here for step by step instructions.


MORE INFO ADDED BY @flip at Bronco6G.com

Depending on the update the vehicle requires, there are two installation processes:

Driveable Updates

• Some updates can complete seamlessly in the background. They replace a part of software without impacting the rest of the system
• SYNC 4 Technology is fully functional while the update is downloading
• If the Automatic Updates are On, a message will appear in the in-vehicle touchscreen informing the driver of the update and if Wi-Fi is required
• If Automatic Updates are Off, a message will appear on the in-vehicle touchscreen asking the driver to confirm the update and if Wi‑Fi is required
• The update will automatically complete in the background. If consent or a Wi‑Fi connection is required, an icon will appear in the touchscreen's upper status bar
• When the vehicle is restarted, an "Update Successful" icon will appear on the in-vehicle touchscreen. The customer can tap the notification icon to read details about the update or view details on the FordPass App or owner.ford.com
• If the update fails or if Ford decides to revert to a previous software version, the system will go back to its previous version. Customers will be notified if the update fails, expires or is canceled in-vehicle

Non-driveable Updates

• The majority of Ford Power-Up software updates will be considered non-driveable updates (parked with the ignition off). This means that the update will erase the system or module and replace it with the latest version of the software
• The vehicle will not be driveable during this time and the update may take up to 45 minutes to complete. Any updates that may require the vehicle to be parked can be scheduled to take place when customers find it most convenient
• When a recurring schedule is set, customers will receive an in-vehicle reminder notification at first key cycle within 24 hours of the update. The vehicle will display another notification two minutes before the update begins
• Scheduling is required to ensure that the updates occur at a convenient time when the customer chooses and when the vehicle is not in use
  • If the vehicle is in use, the system will not update and will automatically postpone to the next scheduled time. Customers will receive a notification that the update was unsuccessful
  • If the vehicle is not in use, a “Preparing Updates” message will appear in the in-vehicle touchscreen and a two-minute countdown will begin. Customers will be prompted to exit the vehicle and lock it, as it will be disarmed during the updates
  • Preconditions may be required for certain updates. If the preconditions are not met, the customer will be notified and the update will not complete
• When the vehicle is restarted, an "Update Successful" icon will appear in the in-vehicle touchscreen. The customer can tap the notification icon to read details about the updates
• Customers can also check the status of an update in their FordPass App or on owner.ford.com

Manual Update System Details
Non-driveable Updates
NOTE: If Automatic Updates are Off, updates are not installed automatically and require the customer to review and approve each update. The vehicle may require important Ford Power-Up software updates, therefore, this method is not recommended.

• When a new update is available, the customer will see an icon on the in-vehicle touchscreen status bar. To review the update, tap the icon for details to proceed
• Once the update is reviewed, a notification will appear on the in-vehicle touchscreen with information about how long the installation will take. After that, an "Update Ready Install" icon is accessible on the status bar
• The driver can tap "Update" on the in-vehicle touchscreen to begin installation
• If the vehicle is not in use, a “Preparing Updates” message will appear in the in-vehicle touchscreen and a two-minute countdown will begin. Customers will be prompted to exit the vehicle and lock it, as it will be disarmed during non-driveable updates
• Preconditions may be required for certain updates. If the preconditions are not met, the customer will be notified and the update will not complete
• If the updates were completed successfully, an "Update Successful" icon will appear on the in-vehicle touchscreen when the vehicle is restarted. The customer can click the notification icon to read details about the update

Hey Ford. Nice try but your OTA updates are a mess. Can you imagine if Apple used the same set up. Announce updates available and you just wait and wait and wait for Ford to include you in a set of vins. and don’t give me the “ do you know how many vins we have to roll out?” Apple allows Anyone with a device to click on the update when ever it’s ready. Why can’t you?

 

[Sapphire]

Have any 2021 job 2 trucks received any OTA updates? @ekaddo which year and job is your truck?

 

[jofo]

I got 6, with the 7th in the oven. But this one follows wherever/whenever I move. (That's "Let It Go" at full tilt)

Love that pic. That could easily pass for Pa’s little peanut. When she hops in the truck the first order of business is to open the sky as she calls it, referring to the sunroof.

 

[ekaddo]

Have any 2021 job 2 trucks received any OTA updates? @ekaddo which year and job is your truck?

I purchased my '21 Lariat PB off dealer lot in February of 2021.

 

[Snakebitten]

Love that pic. That could easily pass for Pa’s little peanut. When she hops in the truck the first order of business is to open the sky as she calls it, referring to the sunroof.

You don't know how much guilt you just relieved me of.
In some of those cup-full moments that she can so unwittingly supply me, I sometimes feel like I shouldn't have so much. You just revealed that it's OK, I'm not the only one. Lol

On topic: I'm a 2022 and have not received an OTA, but the only update available, according to FDRS, is the TRM module that is supposedly the TSB file.
I'm intentionally NOT applying it manually just to see if Ford is eventually going to push it OTA, as some have shared they have.

I don't think connecting to WiFi has anything to do with it though. Afterall, once you shut down, is the ethernet interface even awake? I assumed only the Telematic module was "awake" enough to be actively capable of polling the cloud server?

Perhaps I'm wrong though. Maybe the Telematic module has the authority to wake up other modules if/when it polls the cloud and gets a response "update available"?

 

[ekaddo]

I don't think connecting to WiFi has anything to do with it though. Afterall, once you shut down, is the ethernet interface even awake? I assumed only the Telematic module was "awake" enough to be actively capable of polling the cloud server?

Perhaps I'm wrong though. Maybe the Telematic module has the authority to wake up other modules if/when it polls the cloud and gets a response "update available"?

Not sure, the way I read this, as long as wifi is avail, will update either way:
" Your vehicle does not need to be running for the update to take place." "https://help.ford.com/update-sync/wifi/

• Your vehicle doesn’t have to be running for the update to start and/or complete.
• You must use an external Wi-Fi connection for this update. You cannot use your phone or vehicle's hotspot.
• A strong Wi-Fi signal is recommended for best performance.

 

[Oxford_Powerboost]

I have a 21 Powerboost and it connects to home Wi-Fi in my driveway. I’ve been getting updates that I notice in the app. But for the first time this week I received a prompt before getting out of the car for the trailer recall update. Warned that I need to secure vehicle then began countdown after I locked the car:

Huh, never seen this before. Good to know it’s not all pixie dust!

 

[Aron]

It appears we won't have to worry about Android Automotive in our vehicles. Ford has delayed implementing it until until 2023 models.

"Another important bit of information Ford confirmed is that existing Ford vehicles will not be able to upgrade to Android Automotive. That includes this first batch of F-150 Lightning models, which will ship with Ford’s Sync 4 platform."

https://9to5google.com/2022/04/26/ford-android-automotive-delay-2023/

That's the best news that I've heard on this thread! Thanks for passing it on! (Not a fan of Google getting their claws into my systems.)

 

[Snakebitten]

Not sure, the way I read this, as long as wifi is avail, will update either way:
" Your vehicle does not need to be running for the update to take place." "https://help.ford.com/update-sync/wifi/

• Your vehicle doesn’t have to be running for the update to start and/or complete.
• You must use an external Wi-Fi connection for this update. You cannot use your phone or vehicle's hotspot.
• A strong Wi-Fi signal is recommended for best performance.

So far no one person has confirmed that an update has been delivered via a WiFi connection. I'm only repeating what those crazy gurus have reported in the OTA threads. And yes, it contradicts the Ford recommendations.

Theory is that at some point WiFi will be an update transport.

Edit: specifically I am speaking about the truck being connected to WiFi while it is not in use. For example, at home parked in the driveway or garage and not running.

Obviously if the truck is on, accessory mode or engine running, a WiFi connection is active and could very well be a transport path for data retrieval.
I didn't mean to be so confusing.

 

[Kanuck]

Is it possible that the WIFI "WAKES UP" at the set day and time and polls the mother ship for update, none seen, shuts down? Or if there is a update, wakes up the "CREW" and installs the files.

 

[TNKIRK]

Job 1............Bluecruise active........Brake controller OTA update

 

[Snakebitten]

Is it possible that the WIFI "WAKES UP" at the set day and time and polls the mother ship for update, none seen, shuts down? Or if there is a update, wakes up the "CREW" and installs the files.

Good question.
I would think that is technologically possible. Of course it is.
I'm just not sure our trucks are currently configured with the code to support it. Yet.

The only reason I say that is from reading a couple of posts that sounded pretty convincing, to me anyways, that WiFi isn't in play (again, yet) in the way that FordPass and similar consumer descriptions imply.

It's possible that the same documents written for the Mach-E and the F150 are the problem. Ford sometimes is talking to both audiences and the platforms aren't anywhere near identical. It'd help with some of the confusion if Ford clarified with more specific differentiation on some of these subjects.

I'm not really that bothered personally because I think it's remarkable how far and how fast Ford has come in areas that are brand new and completely outside their historical prowess. Drive a 2016 F150. Top of the trim level. Then drive an XL Powerboost.

Ignore the textiles, but rather compare the technology under the skin.
That's an insane leap in 5 years. We sometimes are hard to impress. Lol

 

[Shyrax]

Have any 2021 job 2 trucks received any OTA updates? @ekaddo which year and job is your truck?

I’m a job 2 2021 truck and received the BlueCruise OTA map update.

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