Phone as key, who does it best?

[Maui]

I’ve been playing with this an it seems extremely sensitive to the orientation of the phone to the car. If I have it in my left side pocket or back pocket unlocking the door seems to get rejected. If I have it in my right side or rotate my body so it’s next to the car it will work without delay. By design? Or am I guess crazy? In either case, this is how I manage this and it seems to work well.

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[T1328]

I haven’t had issues with my PaaK on my ‘24. In fact it works a bit too well. I park my Mach-E in our garage, and when I walk inside the house past the door from the garage to the house, my car gets unlocked.

Our Kia EV9 is as good as Tesla. Previous gen EV6 was not, but entirely likely. Wrt the iPhone closing the app, I have an iPhone as does my wife. Both are recent models with a lot of RAM. The app doesn’t close in the background with background app refresh turned on. My 17 Pro Max though has 12GB RAM, and my wife’s 16 Pro has 8GB RAM. iPhones with less RAM that are older, may have it closing in the background, but overall, I haven’t had that issue with apps where I’ve set background refresh on.

 

[jav_eee]

I’ve been playing with this an it seems extremely sensitive to the orientation of the phone to the car. If I have it in my left side pocket or back pocket unlocking the door seems to get rejected. If I have it in my right side or rotate my body so it’s next to the car it will work without delay. By design? Or am I guess crazy? In either case, this is how I manage this and it seems to work well.

your body blocks Bluetooth signals. Used to be very noticeable with old school Bluetooth headsets. Had to have the earpiece and phone on the same side of your body or it would get all garbled.

 

[Bad Dolphin]

I’ve had problems with my previous Tesla not recognizing my phone too so even Tesla isn’t perfect.

What you’re describing isn’t normal. I would try to delete and set up the phone key again, and make sure your phone settings are correct to allow full permissions for the Ford app to use Bluetooth and location all the time. Make sure you never fully close the Ford app and let it run in the background.

I do not leave the Ford app running in background (sucks power from phone.) My PAAK works almost always. Usually when it does not, it's because my phone put itself to sleep and touching any button (usually not even having to unlock phone) does the trick.

 

[Bad Dolphin]

I haven’t had issues with my PaaK on my ‘24. In fact it works a bit too well. I park my Mach-E in our garage, and when I walk inside the house past the door from the garage to the house, my car gets unlocked.

Our Kia EV9 is as good as Tesla. Previous gen EV6 was not, but entirely likely. Wrt the iPhone closing the app, I have an iPhone as does my wife. Both are recent models with a lot of RAM. The app doesn’t close in the background with background app refresh turned on. My 17 Pro Max though has 12GB RAM, and my wife’s 16 Pro has 8GB RAM. iPhones with less RAM that are older, may have it closing in the background, but overall, I haven’t had that issue with apps where I’ve set background refresh on.

Yep, iPhone 15's awaken our '24 GT every time we go near the garage, too! But occasionally, PAAK gets glitchy and we have to push the button. Rarely do we have to dial in code to open door, but it does happen sometimes.

Tesla was much smoother, but not perfect either.

 

[kamorela]

PaaK was really hit and miss at first for my '24 but that was also in the midst of major update fuckery that caused all kinds of problems. It is now significantly more reliable for me. However, the car does not reliably wake up before I approach. I sometimes have to push the door button to wake it up and then push it again to open the door. That small inconsistency is enough for me to suffer with the fob because that always works. I basically always have the app running in the background unless I know I won't be driving.

Although I continue to use PaaK, it's also the source of one of my biggest peeves. Like others on here, my car often doesn't recognize I'm approaching, or even that I'm on the planet. My phone is on, Ford app is connected, but when I want to get in my car - like for the first drive of the day - I have to push the button multiple times for it to wake up. Also, because my phone is usually within range when in my house, I'll get messages saying Ford is connecting or connected to my car. As such, my walkaway lock-n-chirp never occurs. Sometimes when I press the door button, it locks the car since it never locked it last night when i got home. Now it thinks I want to lock it manually, the doors lock, the mirrors fold in and I have to play the 'let me in, dammit!' game. It's very frustrating. Adding to the frustration is that, because (for whatever reason) my car doesn't sense my presence approaching, it doesn't wake up and offer me an illuminated door button. My garage is dark and finding a black button on a black panel in a dark garage is hit and miss at best. And that goes for anywhere/anytime where/when it's dark.

 

[hprose]

I’ve been playing with this an it seems extremely sensitive to the orientation of the phone to the car. If I have it in my left side pocket or back pocket unlocking the door seems to get rejected. If I have it in my right side or rotate my body so it’s next to the car it will work without delay. By design? Or am I guess crazy? In either case, this is how I manage this and it seems to work well.

I have a 25 KIA EV6 as well as a 22 Mach e. The Digital key that comes with the higher end models is flawless. I can even drive with my watch but then there is no CarPlay. I really have had few complaints re PAAK. A little slow sometimes but I believe that to be the phone’s fault.

 

[hedgehog99]

my guess is the car sends out a Bluetooth search ping that that wakes the app up.

This is another question of mine. Does installing PAAK, and have the car pinging for the phone drain the 12V battery?

 

[jav_eee]

This is another question of mine. Does installing PAAK, and have the car pinging for the phone drain the 12V battery?

I’d say not. Most people report having to push the door button several times before it opens. My guess (again) is the system wakes up after a press and looks for a Bluetooth signal. The fob uses a different system which is why it always works as expected and doesn’t need to be woken up or search for Bluetooth.

 

[Space_Pony]

I haven’t had issues with my PaaK on my ‘24. In fact it works a bit too well. I park my Mach-E in our garage, and when I walk inside the house past the door from the garage to the house, my car gets unlocked.

Our Kia EV9 is as good as Tesla. Previous gen EV6 was not, but entirely likely. Wrt the iPhone closing the app, I have an iPhone as does my wife. Both are recent models with a lot of RAM. The app doesn’t close in the background with background app refresh turned on. My 17 Pro Max though has 12GB RAM, and my wife’s 16 Pro has 8GB RAM. iPhones with less RAM that are older, may have it closing in the background, but overall, I haven’t had that issue with apps where I’ve set background refresh on.

Your MME unlocks without pressing the button on the pillar? Mine will only unlock(mirrors unfold) when I press the button.

 

[ChrisO]

I don’t use PAAK because I have had problems with it, but from my understanding the car should behave similarly to the FOB in just the fact that you walk up to the car at night the lights should come on and the puddle light should be on. This all before you press the door button.

When it fails to unlock/open the door has this part happened?

 

[ChrisO]

Your MME unlocks without pressing the button on the pillar? Mine will only unlock(mirrors unfold) when I press the button.

It doesn’t unlock/unfold the mirrors until you press the button on the door but it will turn on the lights.

 

[ChrisO]

According to CoPilot here is the sequence.

The Mach-E detects your approach using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals from your phone running the FordPass app with Phone as a Key (PAAK) enabled. The vehicle listens for authenticated BLE broadcasts and proximity strength to determine if you’re nearby.

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How PAAK Detects Your Phone

• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE): Your phone continuously emits BLE signals when PAAK is active. The Mach-E has BLE receivers that scan for these signals.
• Signal Strength & Proximity: The car estimates your distance based on the strength of the BLE signal. As you approach, the signal gets stronger, triggering unlock readiness.
• FordPass App Authentication: The FordPass app must be running in the background with PAAK enabled. It handles secure key exchange and confirms your identity.
• Multiple BLE Antennas: The Mach-E uses BLE antennas around the vehicle (typically near the doors and cabin) to triangulate your position and determine which side you’re approaching from.


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Unlocking Sequence

1. Approach Vehicle: Your phone emits BLE signals.
2. Vehicle Detects Signal: BLE receivers in the Mach-E pick up your phone’s broadcast.
3. Authentication: The FordPass app confirms your phone’s identity using encrypted credentials.
4. Unlock Triggered: If proximity and authentication match, the car unlocks automatically (if auto-unlock is enabled).


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Common Issues & Fixes

• App Not Running: If FordPass is closed or background permissions are restricted, PAAK won’t work.
• Bluetooth Disconnected: Ensure Bluetooth is on and the phone isn’t in airplane mode.
• Battery Saver Interference: Some phones disable BLE when battery saver is active.
• Signal Obstruction: Thick clothing, bags, or metal objects can weaken BLE signal.


---

Real-World Behavior

• Unlock Delay: If BLE signal is weak or obstructed, unlock may be delayed until you’re closer.
• Multiple Phones: Up to four phones can be registered. The car will respond to any active, authenticated device.
• No GPS Required: PAAK does not rely on GPS or Wi-Fi for proximity detection — only BLE.


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Backup Options

• Remote Unlock via FordPass: If BLE fails, you can manually unlock using the app’s remote controls.
• Backup Start Passcode: If your phone dies, you can enter a passcode on the center screen to start the vehicle.


Sources: Ford Owner Manual – PAAK FAQ A B C

Would you like a diagram showing BLE signal zones around the Mach-E or a checklist for optimizing PAAK reliability across different phone models?

 

[Space_Pony]

According to CoPilot here is the sequence.

The Mach-E detects your approach using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals from your phone running the FordPass app with Phone as a Key (PAAK) enabled. The vehicle listens for authenticated BLE broadcasts and proximity strength to determine if you’re nearby.

---

How PAAK Detects Your Phone

• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE): Your phone continuously emits BLE signals when PAAK is active. The Mach-E has BLE receivers that scan for these signals.
• Signal Strength & Proximity: The car estimates your distance based on the strength of the BLE signal. As you approach, the signal gets stronger, triggering unlock readiness.
• FordPass App Authentication: The FordPass app must be running in the background with PAAK enabled. It handles secure key exchange and confirms your identity.
• Multiple BLE Antennas: The Mach-E uses BLE antennas around the vehicle (typically near the doors and cabin) to triangulate your position and determine which side you’re approaching from.


---

Unlocking Sequence

1. Approach Vehicle: Your phone emits BLE signals.
2. Vehicle Detects Signal: BLE receivers in the Mach-E pick up your phone’s broadcast.
3. Authentication: The FordPass app confirms your phone’s identity using encrypted credentials.
4. Unlock Triggered: If proximity and authentication match, the car unlocks automatically (if auto-unlock is enabled).


---

Common Issues & Fixes

• App Not Running: If FordPass is closed or background permissions are restricted, PAAK won’t work.
• Bluetooth Disconnected: Ensure Bluetooth is on and the phone isn’t in airplane mode.
• Battery Saver Interference: Some phones disable BLE when battery saver is active.
• Signal Obstruction: Thick clothing, bags, or metal objects can weaken BLE signal.


---

Real-World Behavior

• Unlock Delay: If BLE signal is weak or obstructed, unlock may be delayed until you’re closer.
• Multiple Phones: Up to four phones can be registered. The car will respond to any active, authenticated device.
• No GPS Required: PAAK does not rely on GPS or Wi-Fi for proximity detection — only BLE.


---

Backup Options

• Remote Unlock via FordPass: If BLE fails, you can manually unlock using the app’s remote controls.
• Backup Start Passcode: If your phone dies, you can enter a passcode on the center screen to start the vehicle.


Sources: Ford Owner Manual – PAAK FAQ A B C

Would you like a diagram showing BLE signal zones around the Mach-E or a checklist for optimizing PAAK reliability across different phone models?

I know how PAAK works. I believe I've been using it longer than you have. That's why you had me going when you said your mme unlocked without touching it. I thought maybe the 25 models had changed.

 

[SonicBlue]

What you’re describing isn’t normal.

LOL yes it is. What the OP is describing is extremely normal. It’s been discussed here for YEARS and it’s never really gotten appreciably better. PAAK is just finicky. It “works” if you’re willing to wait a few seconds for the car to recognize it, but it’s never gonna work as well as the fob.

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