Key Not Detected / Phone as Key Comparison to iX

[SignMD]

My wife had a wedding shower today and switched purses and forgot she didn't have her key. She got in the car and hit the start button and got the key not detected message on the driver screen. She hit the start button 2 or 3 more times then the screen went black and it did not turn on again and didn't show the key not detected message. She still thought she had her key still and called me in panic saying her car was dead and wouldn't start. I tried the scenario again when shed got home and recreated the dead screen issue.

Any feedback if this is normal? Obviously, it's not a major problem as she almost always has her key. But I am taking her Mach-e in for service this week and want to have it fixed if it's really a problem.

On a side note, I picked up a BMW iX a few weeks ago for myself and the digital key functionality is phenomenal. BMW just upgraded the functionality digital key plus and the phone works exactly like you have the key fob in your possession. And you can also do many of the app functions off the Digital Key (which is in Samsung Wallet). I have been using it for 2 weeks now without a single issue. I don't have to open my phone or the BMW app for it to work. I wonder if Ford will eventually have this functionality.

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[generaltso]

Ford already has this functionality. Is PaaK setup on your wife’s phone? Has it ever worked for her?

 

[TD1273]

My wife had a wedding shower today and switched purses and forgot she didn't have her key. She got in the car and hit the start button and got the key not detected message on the driver screen. She hit the start button 2 or 3 more times then the screen went black and it did not turn on again and didn't show the key not detected message. She still thought she had her key still and called me in panic saying her car was dead and wouldn't start. I tried the scenario again when shed got home and recreated the dead screen issue.

Any feedback if this is normal? Obviously, it's not a major problem as she almost always has her key. But I am taking her Mach-e in for service this week and want to have it fixed if it's really a problem.

On a side note, I picked up a BMW iX a few weeks ago for myself and the digital key functionality is phenomenal. BMW just upgraded the functionality digital key plus and the phone works exactly like you have the key fob in your possession. And you can also do many of the app functions off the Digital Key (which is in Samsung Wallet). I have been using it for 2 weeks now without a single issue. I don't have to open my phone or the BMW app for it to work. I wonder if Ford will eventually have this functionality.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Simple answer: I never carry a key fob and have used nothing but PaaK for two years. Every now and then I get “no key detected” and have to make sure the phone is “awake” or restart the Ford Pass App. PaaK has never left me stranded since they fixed the problem that requires continuous mobile signal to work.

However, I wouldn’t call Ford’s implementation of PaaK “phenomenal”.

 

[TD1273]

It sounds like its not hook up right we've had ours since May of 2022 and I haven't carried a key fob since we purchased the car

 

[SignMD]

Ford already has this functionality. Is PaaK setup on your wife’s phone? Has it ever worked for her?

I haven't really seen her use PaaK but she said it only works when she opens the app? Does yours work like you have the key fob, so as you approach the car the car opens and when you get it, it' simply starts (the BMW iX before the Plus upgrade required you to hold the phone to the door handle and put the phone in the charging tray for it to open/start). I am sure she would love it if it worked like mine so hoping it's just not setup correctly. She does have an old phone (iPhone XR) wondering if that is part of the issue. I just got her the 14 so it will be in the week. I am on Android so that's why my iX key is in Samsung Wallet.

 

[generaltso]

I haven't really seen her use PaaK but she said it only works when she opens the app? Does yours work like you have the key fob, so as you approach the car the car opens and when you get it, it' simply starts

Yes. She doesn’t need to open the app, but it does need to be kept running in the background.

 

[SignMD]

Yes. She doesn’t need to open the app, but it does need to be kept running in the background.

Great to hear, once she gets the new phone I hope it works.

 

[Mach-Lee]

I haven't really seen her use PaaK but she said it only works when she opens the app? Does yours work like you have the key fob, so as you approach the car the car opens and when you get it, it' simply starts (the BMW iX before the Plus upgrade required you to hold the phone to the door handle and put the phone in the charging tray for it to open/start). I am sure she would love it if it worked like mine so hoping it's just not setup correctly. She does have an old phone (iPhone XR) wondering if that is part of the issue. I just got her the 14 so it will be in the week. I am on Android so that's why my iX key is in Samsung Wallet.

Yes the app has to be open in the background or it won't work. Additionally you should look in her FordPass app and see if there's a message about optimizing PAAK:

If you see that, then tap on it and follow the steps to correct any deficiencies.

Does the BMW digital key use Bluetooth or some other kind of technology?

 

[Neil4Real]

Yes the app has to be open in the background or it won't work.

Are you sure? I have used PaaK plenty of times and never have the app open in the background. If my cars asleep, sitting during the weekend and I use it without a departure time, it’ll take 2 or 3 door presses to open but I’ve never had to open the app or even unlock my phone. I’d assume if I kept it in the background, it would probably work more reliably in those circumstances but it definitely doesn’t seem to be a must do for it to function.

 

[tannerk89]

You don’t need the app running in the background for PaAK to work, however, that’s what Ford recommends doing for better performance. I have unlocked/started my MME many times without the app open.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Are you sure? I have used PaaK plenty of times and never have the app open in the background. If my cars asleep, sitting during the weekend and I use it without a departure time, it’ll take 2 or 3 door presses to open but I’ve never had to open the app or even unlock my phone. I’d assume if I kept it in the background, it would probably work more reliably in those circumstances but it definitely doesn’t seem to be a must do for it to function.

Well, okay I should clarify that. When you have location services on, FordPass does run in the background even though you can't see it's open. But if location services permissions aren't turned on all the time, then it needs to be open in the background. I recommend leaving the app open in the background either way because it helps avoid the 2-3 button presses.

 

[Neil4Real]

Well, okay I should clarify that. When you have location services on, FordPass does run in the background even though you can't see it's open. But if location services permissions aren't turned on all the time, then it needs to be open in the background. I recommend leaving the app open in the background either way because it helps avoid the 2-3 button presses.

Ah, that makes sense! Thank you.

 

[HGxxx]

I have the car for 5 months now, used PAAK exclusively, and one time i had to use the key fob (it felt so heavy ?). Sometimes esp if you restart your phone, you may have to open fordpass again and let it be open in the background, but otherwise I am happy with it.

 

[MarkP213]

Simple answer: I never carry a key fob and have used nothing but PaaK for two years. Every now and then I get “no key detected” and have to make sure the phone is “awake” or restart the Ford Pass App. PaaK has never left me stranded since they fixed the problem that requires continuous mobile signal to work.

However, I wouldn’t call Ford’s implementation of PaaK “phenomenal”.

Hoping my software gets properly re-installed soon so my PAAK works again. It’s been very reliable for me as well for the past two years. However, a recent botched dealership download has forced me to use my fob for over a week now, and I’m not liking it one bit! ?

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