Does my phone have to be in the car to use the Ford Pass thing? Texts?

[Css206]

I've had a 2025 Bronco Sport Big Bend for 2 days!
Sorry I'm such an idiot but I can't make heads or tails out of any of the stuff that's on the car screen. I'm almost 80 so that doesn't help.

The first 2 questions I have (out of many more I'm sure) are..... does the phone have to be in the car to answer it with the screen?

Also, I can't get the texts to work yet but when and if I do, are they saved in the car for anyone to read? My whole phone desktop seems to be the car homepage so it's like anyone has access to my phone.

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[Jmuns]

Yes your phone must be in the car. You can use your phone through Bluetooth which you would need to connect from the cars settings or through CarPlay or Android Auto by plugging it in, which it sounds like that’s what you are currently doing.

Messages are not saved to your car so once it’s unplugged you’re good to go. No access.

 

[Dude]

The OP has a 2025 so is Sync 4 and wireless to the phone, nothing to plug in for the phone (unless for phone charging in the car if the charge pad isn’t used). Otherwise the rest of the prior answer is correct.

 

[thomasm23]

I've had a 2025 Bronco Sport Big Bend for 2 days!
Sorry I'm such an idiot but I can't make heads or tails out of any of the stuff that's on the car screen. I'm almost 80 so that doesn't help.

The first 2 questions I have (out of many more I'm sure) are..... does the phone have to be in the car to answer it with the screen?

Also, I can't get the texts to work yet but when and if I do, are they saved in the car for anyone to read? My whole phone desktop seems to be the car homepage so it's like anyone has access to my phone.

What is the model of your phone?

 

[Glamdring70]

There are some really tech savvy members here that can probably get you sorted. But I'm just saying, if I was you, I would go back to the dealer and grab my salesperson by the collar. Getting the phone connected and showing a few basic controls should be part of the car pre-delivery. My salesguy set up the Ford Pass account and loaded the car for me. All I had to do was log in and change the password. 30-40k should get you a 15-30 minute tutorial!

 

[Css206]

My phone is a Pixel8a. The salesperson did load Ford Pass but I still dont understand how to use it. I have started a list of things I want him to show me and it gets longer by the day. Thanks for the replies so far. I dont know how to get the texts to work anyways.

 

[Me3]

I've had a 2025 Bronco Sport Big Bend for 2 days!
Sorry I'm such an idiot but I can't make heads or tails out of any of the stuff that's on the car screen. I'm almost 80 so that doesn't help.

The first 2 questions I have (out of many more I'm sure) are..... does the phone have to be in the car to answer it with the screen?

Also, I can't get the texts to work yet but when and if I do, are they saved in the car for anyone to read? My whole phone desktop seems to be the car homepage so it's like anyone has access to my phone.

I don’t know about Sync 4, but with Sync 3 there is a setting for Phone, where you can turn off texts. Yours should have something similar. I’m sure the salesman will help, but it takes a while to remember everything. You should probably sit in your new car and go through all the settings and sub settings on your screen and familiarize yourself with what you need and want. You’ll learn a lot about the system.

There will be settings on your phone as well, sorry I can’t help you with that model.

 

[Trist0n]

@Css206 I promise it’s quite simple. You can just think of the screen as an extension of your phone. Whether it’s Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, all the data being displayed on it is just like a second screen for your phone. Since you have a 2025 it’s wireless.

When your phone isn’t connected (like if you left it behind) it’s just regular Ford software. Might have Navigation but that’s about all it does. Dont think of it like an iPad stuck in the dash, think of it like a second screen

 

[Css206]

If I put FordPass on my husbands phone, will his phone work in the car? I want him to be able to remotely unlock the car if need be. Or do I just add it via the screen. ugh.

 

[Dude]

Install the FordPass App on your husbands phone and set up his FordPass account using his email address

Then on your phone, bring up your FordPass App, under Settings (scroll up to very bottom of main screen), select Vehicle Access and invite your husband as a Driver

 

[Jmuns]

You could also just login to your FordPass account on his phone without having to create a second account if you don't want.

You do not need FordPass for his phone to work in the car for everything else though such as calls/texts/navigation/music etc.

 

[Css206]

so either way our accounts are separate? I cant access his phone stuff and he cant access mine?

 

[jkernitzki]

so either way our accounts are separate? I cant access his phone stuff and he cant access mine?

Correct.

Another feature is even though both our phones will connect to CarPlay via Bluetooth simultaneously, mine will act as “primary” (my phone is set up first in order). In other words, calls & texts to my phone will route to CarPlay while my wife’s won’t unless she’s by herself in the car. Both will pass audio (music) but only one at a time.

I don’t know if Android Auto behaves the same way.

 

[Schuelady]

Yes your phone must be in the car. You can use your phone through Bluetooth which you would need to connect from the cars settings or through CarPlay or Android Auto by plugging it in, which it sounds like that’s what you are currently doing.

Messages are not saved to your car so once it’s unplugged you’re good to go. No access.

In thr 2025s, they are wireless, and SYNC 4, you won't have to plug it in, it automatically connects.

 

[Css206]

I installed Ford Pass on my husbands phone. Then invited him. His phone FordPass says unable to authorize although his now works in the car. Mine on the other hand doesn't anymore. I think I'll just wait until I can get the salesman to figure this mess out.
Thank you so much everyone.

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