Workaround for PAAK issues on Android

dtbaker61

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As some of you may be aware, I am one of the (un)lucky people to get a relatively early delivery of my MME, and have a relatively 'old' Samsung Galaxy J7 running Android 9, which has made PAAK problematic to say the least. It took weeks and multiple attempts clearing and re-installing *everything* to get to the point I could even complete the PAAK setup for the first time to be able to set up my BackupStartCode.... to use when PAAK failed.

I have been using PAAK with *partial* success since mid-march... and left my key fob at home for a spare once I had the console BackupStartCode set and working. The partially working percentage went from maybe 50% in March-April to 0% over the last week or two, so I started experimenting with various sequences of turning Bluetooth and/or FordPass app on and off, using FordPass app 'start' button, etc.

I am happy to say that I think I have a workaround for those of you having 'inconsistent' success with PAAK, and have not had your Dealership execute updates SSM 49730 and SSM 49874 which are supposed to help *some* issues with PAAK. Here's what is working best for me:

1. force stop FordPass app on your phone
- touch-hold FordPass app icon
- touch 'app info'
- touch 'force stop'
- extra bonus benefit is that stopping the FP App stops the battery consumption of phone.

2. start FordPass app by touching app icon as you approach MME.... give it 10-30 seconds...
- you will likely see FordPass boot up, and 'connect'
- your driver door lock will light, puddle lights come on, etc
- little 'key' icon will show up in title bar at top of phone, and BINGO......!

set your phone in tray under console screen, and start MME, which will 'probably' see you phone as key if you followed the steps, start and drive within 30 seconds of start.

I still have problems with PAAK 'disconnecting' while driving or if I temporarily Park and jump out of the car to get something and back in.... which is a real PIA since I have to go thru one of the other methods to re-start and get the car out of Park. I am hoping to minimize this by taking a tip and NOT optimizing the battery use of FordPass, which may help it stay connected....

checked Settings-Apps-FordPass-Battery, and made sure
'allow background activity = on
Optimize battery usage = not optimized

GOOD LUCK,
and I will post a followup on the effectivity of the SSM updates that are available for my early build MME after the Dealer does the updates.
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timbop

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As some of you may be aware, I am one of the (un)lucky people to get a relatively early delivery of my MME, and have a relatively 'old' Samsung Galaxy J7 running Android 9, which has made PAAK problematic to say the least. It took weeks and multiple attempts clearing and re-installing *everything* to get to the point I could even complete the PAAK setup for the first time to be able to set up my BackupStartCode.... to use when PAAK failed.

I have been using PAAK with *partial* success since mid-march... and left my key fob at home for a spare once I had the console BackupStartCode set and working. The partially working percentage went from maybe 50% in March-April to 0% over the last week or two, so I started experimenting with various sequences of turning Bluetooth and/or FordPass app on and off, using FordPass app 'start' button, etc.

I am happy to say that I think I have a workaround for those of you having 'inconsistent' success with PAAK, and have not had your Dealership execute updates SSM 49730 and SSM 49874 which are supposed to help *some* issues with PAAK. Here's what is working best for me:

1. force stop FordPass app on your phone
- touch-hold FordPass app icon
- touch 'app info'
- touch 'force stop'

2. start FordPass app by touching app icon as you approach MME.... give it 10-30 seconds...
- you will likely see FordPass boot up, and 'connect'
- your driver door lock will light, puddle lights come on, etc
- little 'key' icon will show up in title bar at top of phone, and BINGO......!

set your phone in tray under console screen, and start MME, which will 'probably' see you phone as key if you followed the steps

ENJOY PAAK
...perhaps not as automatic as intended, but seems to work with older problematic Androids at least
I'm just going to keep the fob in my pocket. It's much easier and far more reliable
 
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dtbaker61

dtbaker61

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Didn't work for me, still the same "Phone trying to connect..." message.
Your bluetooth should show two pairings, one for regular phone functions and one ending in last 4 numbers of VIN for PAAK... where you able to ever get paak set up and backup start code?

Your problem sounds different than mine, I was getting 'No Key Found' even when my phone was sitting on the shelf below the console. The workaround of stopping FordPass, and re-starting it as I approach the car seems to force it to re-start both BT connections. The second one with the VIN numbers at the end is what PAAK uses.
 
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mr_raider

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Why not have the update done at Ford? I'm getting mine done Monday. That's what the warranty is there for.
 


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dtbaker61

dtbaker61

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Why not have the update done at Ford? I'm getting mine done Monday. That's what the warranty is there for.
Presuming you mean my local Dealership....

I probably will have Dealership do the SSM updates if physical parts are required now that I know updates are available that *may* fix my PAAK issues, but I'd much rather see them rolled out via OTA if it is just software so I don't have to spend hours at the Dealership or drive around a loaner for a day.

It continues to disappoint me that there is no proactive notification of owners with VIN that could benefit from specific SSM; the only way we know they are available is to note a problem to Dealer, have them run OASIS, and determine which SSM are available that might apply to specific vehicles.
 

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Hah! I have an Android S7 w/ Android 8!
What has worked for me is to stay logged out while at home.
Login while at home, not near car. Wait 2 minutes...
Approach car, everything lights up, including pony on ground.
Open car w/ PaaK not door override.
Sit in car, foot on brake then start car.
Sign flashes for power button to start.

If I vary this even a tiny bit, I get the enter back up code option....
 
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dtbaker61

dtbaker61

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Hah! I have an Android S7 w/ Android 8!
What has worked for me is to stay logged out while at home.
Login while at home, not near car. Wait 2 minutes...
Approach car, everything lights up, including pony on ground.
Open car w/ PaaK not door override.
Sit in car, foot on brake then start car.
Sign flashes for power button to start.

If I vary this even a tiny bit, I get the enter back up code option....
looks like pretty much the same workaround.... but what do you mean exactly by 'logged out'. Do you force stop FordPass? How?
 

theo1000

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looks like pretty much the same workaround.... but what do you mean exactly by 'logged out'. Do you force stop FordPass? How?
If you go to the account screen at the bottom there is a log out button. Once I log out the app stops draining battery.
 

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Your bluetooth should show two pairings, one for regular phone functions and one ending in last 4 numbers of VIN for PAAK... where you able to ever get paak set up and backup start code?

Your problem sounds different than mine, I was getting 'No Key Found' even when my phone was sitting on the shelf below the console. The workaround of stopping FordPass, and re-starting it as I approach the car seems to force it to re-start both BT connections. The second one with the VIN numbers at the end is what PAAK uses.
Yes and yes. There are two pairings indeed in BT. And Paak did work when it was first installed. But some time later it stopped working and now it never works only shows the message I mentioned. Perhaps I will do removal and installation over again, but I doubt that will last long. On the other hand both BT functions and Android Auto work well every time I get in the car.
 
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dtbaker61

dtbaker61

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Yes and yes. There are two pairings indeed in BT. And Paak did work when it was first installed. But some time later it stopped working and now it never works only shows the message I mentioned. Perhaps I will do removal and installation over again, but I doubt that will last long. On the other hand both BT functions and Android Auto work well every time I get in the car.
hhhhmmmm, sorry to hear you have different problems w PAAK. maybe one o fthe SSM updates or (hopefully) a future OTA will take care of PAAK for all of us.... Stopping and re-starting FordPass is about the best I've come up with yet, but it still craps out if I exit the car, put in Park momentarily, and get back in. ;(
 
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dtbaker61

dtbaker61

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There is an update? I haven't heard anything from Ford or dealership.
you won't hear from Ford or Dealership.... You can call Dealership, ask them to pull an OASIS report on your VIN, and tell you if available updates are applicable to your VIN.
SSM 49730
SSM 49874
 
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dtbaker61

dtbaker61

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If you go to the account screen at the bottom there is a log out button. Once I log out the app stops draining battery.
interesting, I have not tried 'logging out', I have been doing 'force stop' of the app itself
 

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Presuming you mean my local Dealership....

I probably will have Dealership do the SSM updates if physical parts are required now that I know updates are available that *may* fix my PAAK issues, but I'd much rather see them rolled out via OTA if it is just software so I don't have to spend hours at the Dealership or drive around a loaner for a day.

It continues to disappoint me that there is no proactive notification of owners with VIN that could benefit from specific SSM; the only way we know they are available is to note a problem to Dealer, have them run OASIS, and determine which SSM are available that might apply to specific vehicles.
You are assuming that it can be done via OTA.

It's possible some firmware upgrades require a physical connection and Ford did not make all systems accessible to the OTA upgrade platform.
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