Sponsored

OTA Update - HOW Does Ford Do This? - Over Cellular / Wifi ?

Junkyard Dog

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2025
Threads
54
Messages
2,561
Reaction score
2,064
Location
Georgia
Vehicle(s)
2024 Dark Horse
OTA means Over The Air.

Over what air?

Cellular?

Wi-Fi?

I am asking because I live out in the country. Cell service is a no go. Wi-fi is iffy to no go in my driveway. How is my Dark Horse going to get the update?

For example, I have learned to put the address into Waze on my cell phone while I am still standing inside the house, or it will not work for 2.5 miles in one direction or about 12 miles in another. No cell service. The wi-fi is not strong enough for me to sit in my car and then put the address into my cell phone.

Is my Dark Horse not going to be updated?
Sponsored

 

dusman59

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2023
Threads
11
Messages
865
Reaction score
869
Location
AZ
Vehicle(s)
2011 GT glass top & 2024 GT
A friend of mine had the same issue with cell service. The carrier ended up giving him something to boost signal so his WiFi and phones would work. Free of charge. He said it was a run around until he got in touch with the FCC.
 

rijndael

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2024
Threads
9
Messages
280
Reaction score
249
Location
VA
Vehicle(s)
2024 GT
It’s called a Femtocell.

It’s a mini cell antenna that uses the your internet for a backhaul to the provider.
 

Alan Applegate

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2024
Threads
37
Messages
1,014
Reaction score
967
Location
Roswell, NM
Vehicle(s)
2024 Mustang Eco-Boost Premium
Depends on whether you have the hot spot setup or not. If you do, it is just like a cellphone connection. Or, it uses your own WiFi if you program in your network logon. The latter is what I use, and I've never had an issue with updates.
 


135Hoser

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2020
Threads
10
Messages
233
Reaction score
266
Location
Canada
Vehicle(s)
2024 Dorkhorse, 2024 CR-V
Get less shitty wifi then? That's something you can reasonably fix.

Beats buying a mongoose cable and a day license for FDRS and updating your own modules.
 

Frogdog1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2025
Threads
23
Messages
1,381
Reaction score
1,607
Location
Dixie
Vehicle(s)
Chevy Suburban,Honda Civic, Toyota Pre-runner, Ford Premium GT, company vehicles
Well, @junkyarddog, selling and moving would likely solve this problem but likely not a good solution for you, no? Sorry, couldn't resist. I envy the peace and quiet you likely have in your home and hope you get a good solution on this thread. 👍
 

Sofa King

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2023
Threads
12
Messages
1,624
Reaction score
1,704
Location
In a VAN down by the river
Website
youtu.be
Vehicle(s)
2024 Ecoboost, Vapor Blue, HPP
OTA updates are via cellular, if you travel to areas with good service from time to time, you should receive updates no problem.
 

armyGT

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 29, 2017
Threads
13
Messages
219
Reaction score
382
Location
Butler, PA
Vehicle(s)
2024 Mustang GT
Question with regards to updates: How long will Ford update my 2024 Mustang?
 

roadpilot

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2024
Threads
9
Messages
3,260
Reaction score
3,697
Location
Michigan
Vehicle(s)
21 F150 Platinum, 16 ATS4, 14 LTZ
OTA updates are NOT delivered via WiFi.
 

Ande

Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
13
Reaction score
8
Location
Alabama
Vehicle(s)
2024 Mustang GT
I've yet to receive a OTA update. All I get is, no updates available. I've set up my home wifi, my phone is connected, do I don't know what else to do.
 

gtstang462002

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2024
Threads
1
Messages
228
Reaction score
228
Location
Hollywood, MD
Vehicle(s)
2024 Dark Horse
When you drive into an area with cellular coverage it will download the update. It will get installed at the scheduled time(assuming you have that set up in the car) overnight. You can connect your car to your home Wi-Fi if it is in range and it will download it that way as well in your driveway/garage.

For informational purposes: Ford uses the ATT 4G network for the cellular side of the modem.
 

Neggytive

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2024
Threads
7
Messages
742
Reaction score
872
Location
Florida
Vehicle(s)
2024 GT Prem. convert. 401A 10 speed auto
Question with regards to updates: How long will Ford update my 2024 Mustang?
until the technology goes away

A lot of cars with 3G modems lost their telematics when that service was sunsetted by AT&T , and others

There is a class action lawsuit because of it

Lots of features of older cars were rendered useless in 2022 when AT&T shut down the now obsolete 3G networks
 

gtstang462002

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2024
Threads
1
Messages
228
Reaction score
228
Location
Hollywood, MD
Vehicle(s)
2024 Dark Horse
until the technology goes away

A lot of cars with 3G modems lost their telematics when that service was sunsetted by AT&T , and others

There is a class action lawsuit because of it

Lots of features of older cars were rendered useless in 2022 when AT&T shut down the now obsolete 3G networks
I had a 2014 fusion that started with a 2G modem. They upgraded it to a 3G modem that worked for about 5 years before the sunset that you referenced. Not sure why they just didn't go the way of putting a 5G modem in these cars to start with.
 
OP
OP
Junkyard Dog

Junkyard Dog

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2025
Threads
54
Messages
2,561
Reaction score
2,064
Location
Georgia
Vehicle(s)
2024 Dark Horse
OTA updates are via cellular, if you travel to areas with good service from time to time, you should receive updates no problem.
When you drive into an area with cellular coverage it will download the update. It will get installed at the scheduled time(assuming you have that set up in the car) overnight. You can connect your car to your home Wi-Fi if it is in range and it will download it that way as well in your driveway/garage.

For informational purposes: Ford uses the ATT 4G network for the cellular side of the modem.
So when it says it will update at 1:00 a.m., that is not the time when it needs to have cell service? I just want to make sure I understand what the two of you are saying.
Sponsored

 
 








Top