Inexplicably phone as a key reset leaving me stranded miles away from home

[ctenidae]

Same thing just happened to me. Car was fidgety at home and didn't want to read PAAK, but after several times using the backup start it worked. Drove, stopped, had similar issues starting again. Unfortunately, I've been numbed to PAAK being glitchy so didn't think much beyond getting annoyed about it.

Made another stop to drop off a kid, had to backup passcode it again. Made another stop, and it all fell apart.

Phone connected via BT, but BT remote controls didn't work. I could start climate and lock/unlock. Door code worked to unlock door, too. But, no key detected and it wouldn't give the option to use the backup.

My wife had to bring a fob, I'll try to reset PAAK and all.

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[Kamuelaflyer]

Same thing just happened to me. Car was fidgety at home and didn't want to read PAAK, but after several times using the backup start it worked. Drove, stopped, had similar issues starting again. Unfortunately, I've been numbed to PAAK being glitchy so didn't think much beyond getting annoyed about it.

Made another stop to drop off a kid, had to backup passcode it again. Made another stop, and it all fell apart.

Phone connected via BT, but BT remote controls didn't work. I could start climate and lock/unlock. Door code worked to unlock door, too. But, no key detected and it wouldn't give the option to use the backup.

My wife had to bring a fob, I'll try to reset PAAK and all.

If you haven’t done so already go back one page and read post 53 and 54 that explained what the OP of this thread did to resolve the issue and the caution about kea inc a key hidden in the car (beyond the obvious).

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

If you haven’t done so already go back one page and read post 53 and 54 that explained what the OP of this thread did to resolve the issue and the caution about kea inc a key hidden in the car (beyond the obvious).

If Android Samsung it is likely this:

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/dec-24-android-update-bluetooth-connection-problems.41060

 

[ctenidae]

If Android Samsung it is likely this:

It is, and yeah, it probably is. So much better than concerns about wonky hardware...

 

[sparkout]

No, the door code worked fine; it was the keypad on the touch screen that would not display so I had no way of typing in my passcode. The next day at home I deleted the phone from the car and the app off the phone and re-installed it all then everything worked fine. lesson learned: keep a fob handy and don't leave home without it

Crap, got a android phone update today and same thing happened again. Cant start the car with phone. Everything else is fine.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Hi folks. We are aware of issues that customers with certain Android devices are having with using Phone-As-A-Key (PaaK) function to start their vehicle, after a recent mobile operating system software update. While we work to resolve the issue with our technology partners, we recommend customers utilize their key fobs, Securicode keypad or PaaK to lock or unlock their doors, frunk or trunk. To start the vehicle, the key fob or Backup Passcode will be required. If you don’t have a Backup Passcode, learn how to set up here. If you already have a Backup Passcode enabled, please do not delete the PaaK Device Keys in the FordPass app, or conduct a reset of PaaK as either will revoke your vehicle access. We appreciate you working through this with us.

 

[SolarAB]

Ford announcement rec'd today:

"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.

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."

 

[ShaggySS]

I'm glad I stumbled across this, I thought my PAAK usage was perfect. I am adding my master door code to my password manager.

 

[sparkout]

Well, I'll be darn, all this time of starting over and over and over, deleting the phone from the MME, and reinstalling the app over and over. Finally, FINALLY! We may have a reason for it. I have an Android 14

 

[MoonRiver]

No, the door code worked fine; it was the keypad on the touch screen that would not display so I had no way of
typing in my passcode. The next day at home I deleted the phone from the car and the app off the phone and re-installed it all then everything worked fine. lesson learned: keep a fob handy and don't leave home without it

I recently had an episode. The other day I was being too lazy to get my phone or fob to move my mme only found my door code worked but no keyboard shown on the monitor. I ended up bringing my phone and key over to start from scratch to put in my old password to start the car. I suspect it was those upgrades wiped out my pack up password. It has been working since. So it’s a good idea to test your password periodically to ensure your plan B can still save you.
BTW it’s my iPhone.

 

[sparkout]

I feel your pain. I once had the same thing happen: no keyboard, and I didn't have the fob. I posted the whole story earlier.

 

[TMartz]

I have android 15 so all seems to work fine. Not sure at what date '15'dropped though...

 

[Art]

Sorry to hear, that is a terrible experience.
I'm an outlier, but I was never remotely interested in PAAK and immediately dismissed it as an option. Carrying the fob is no big deal, been doing that for years, and unless PAAK was 100.000% foolproof, it just wasn't worth the risk and inconvenience of it not working.

It became clear very quickly that it isn't 100.000% foolproof.

Saw your post and although my PAAK is still working...I did notice two days ago that when I went to unlock the driver's door using the keypad it refused to let me in. I was using the number combination that I had setup to use with all my vehicles. But no-go.

I'm wondering now if my custom door codes got erased as well as the backup start code. I guess I'll go find out this morning.

Thanks for the post and sorry you had to deal with this.

At the very least, somebody at Ford should be able to explain the genesis of the reset message you received. That sort of thing just shouldn't happen out of the blue without explanation.

I have done a master reset on Sync a few times and that message is the result. But why it would just happen to you like that is very strange.

There are hundreds of complaints on this media about phone problems that are easily fixed.
1. Phone as a key.. Use it as a key, but carry the fob. The updates to the phone are not coordinated with the MME, so expect a failure at some point.
2. Charging Pad....There have been complaints about overheating and fixes to the pad. Just use the USB port that always works.

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