- Ford has modernized its smartphone app, making it easier to access certain features.
- EV and PHEV owners can now quickly access the cabin climate settings.
- The app, which was previously called FordPass, is now simply called Ford.
Ford has redesigned and renamed the smartphone app that allows owners to remotely control certain functions on their vehicles. Previously known as FordPass, the app is now simply called Ford, and it makes it easier for owners of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to access certain functions. (The Lincoln Way app has also been redesigned and renamed to reflect the automaker’s name.)
To access the remote climate settings, owners can now tap on the “Climate” button on the main screen to access all the available settings. According to Ford, it’s now easier to set the preferred cabin temperature and operate the seat heaters and heated steering wheel.
Gallery: Redesigned Ford smartphone app
What’s more, EV and PHEV owners get an upgraded Energy tab. There’s a large charge slider front and center, and several charging stats show up on the upper part of the screen. More charging settings can be found in the lower part of the Energy tab, including preferred charge times and departure times.
If multiple vehicles are managed by the same account, each car can be nicknamed, and the name will appear in the upper left corner of the app, making it clear which vehicle is being charged and managed.
Ford also overhauled the alert system. Messaging and alerts are now prioritized, stacked and more clearly visible, so customers will see the most important notifications at the top of the stack inside the app.
The redesigned and renamed Ford app went live globally earlier this month. On Apple devices, it carries the version number 6.0.0 (but version 6.1.0 is already live, containing performance improvements and bug fixes). For Android devices, the new app was pushed to the Google Play Store on Oct. 23.
According to Ford, the new app doesn’t remove any of the features that were previously available. These include lock screen controls that allow owners to quickly lock and unlock their vehicles directly from a smartphone’s lock screen using widgets. There’s also Apple Watch support, as well as the ability to schedule software updates. And yes, Dark Mode is baked in, but only for iOS users (sorry, Android fans).
