New vs Old FordPass App - Lightning Mike

Is the new FordPass app better than the old one?
What has changed with the new Ford app?
Have you ever wondered how to improve the range or even if you can improve the range of your EV?
Can you take a road trip in a F150 Ford Lightning?
Is Bronco Sport better than the Ford Lightning?
Where did I buy my Lightning? Phil Long Ford
In this video we are celebrating my Ford lightning hitting the 36k miles.
The 2023 Ford F150 Lightning Lariat trim is such an awesome truck. You can even take a road trip with confidence. If you leave it in sport mode, the regenerative braking will help extend the range.

[@ejt3708]

Thanks for doing this video Mike. Ford app developers may soothe themselves by saying some of us are just resistant to change, but the new app is really objectively worse. Come on. Some of the menus are so Beta, there is no option to back out, so you have to close the app.

[@F150LightningMike]

Good point @ejt3708. That being said I have hope that it will improve soon with this many people complaining about it.

[@rcfreeman]

Updated app fantastic. The Bluetooth controls are a huge improvement. They actually work whereas the old OTA controls hardly did. What we need is a trip planner function with chargers in the Google Maps. And I REALLY REALLY want the ability to control charge rate like Tesla does.

[@F150LightningMike]

That is a great idea. Charging rate adjustment would be awesome.

[@wdbldr67]

Plug in. I saw it but didn't adjust as I was near 100%. But i saw the ability to adjust amperage. At least an adjustment level from 0 to 80 amps. I only have my wall charger maxed.for.now at 40 amps. 60 possible.

[@F150LightningMike]

I’ll look for that next time I plug in thanks. Also, I just recorded a video using my new adapter at a Tesla Supercharger, which went really interesting. Anyways I didn’t notice it then, but I wasn’t looking.

[@rcfreeman]

@F150LightningMike I ordered my adapter 1st chance Feb 29. Still waiting..man I really look forward to it.

[@twodogsdennis9332]

@@rcfreeman I ordered mine two weeks ago just before driving off the lot with my '23 Pro and now see an October '24 delivery.

[@nj8115]

Everybody and their dog knows that if something ain’t broke, don’t fix it. There was nothing wrong with the old app. Now we got a new one and there’s no oil life monitor, nothing letting me know how much gas is left, no tire pressure monitor. Everything i used is gone.

[@F150LightningMike]

Not sure about the “oil life monitor” since I have electric, but I found the “tire pressure monitor” under the “service” tab and clicking on “vehicle health”

[@NeoNoggie]

Appreciate your videos man. I am picking up a 2023 XLT on Monday and have learned a lot!

[@F150LightningMike]

Awesome! Congrats! Thank you for watching!

[@JG-er5us]

Hey Mike, I also got the new app and I actually think is better. On my phone works faster. And I also like that I can now set up the charging target by tapping the bar to how much percentage I want to charge the battery. It's a lot easier.

[@johnnyv9024]

Also... Dark mode

[@F150LightningMike]

That’s good to know about tapping the bar to change percentage. I’m glad it’s working good for you, it’s just been slow for me and it literally just updated today for me so I kinda rushed this video out before I had a chance to figure it all out. So I appreciate your thoughts on it.

[@davidwatson8609]

So mike I have the 2023 lariat with extended battery . 5600 miles . I had a glitch with software after the update on Tesla charging. My range cut in half . Took to Ford dealer and they said there was a recall on the battery . A small fix and They told me a software update only they can do . Ok got truck back, found the heater didn't heat up as strong but still worked ok . Before if i charged to 100 % range would be 320-324. Now it's 363 and it's real I checked several times Driving 45 to 55 doing a 100 miles or so each time . Using 1 pedal driving running AC showing a 2.8 - 2.9 KW use . Have you or anyone else experience this.

[@F150LightningMike]

In my experience driving under 55 will get you an average of 2.7 and above depending on whether or not it’s in town with lots of stop lights. So it looks like they fixed whatever was wrong with it.

[@enhancehomeimprovementstoo1802]

New subscriber thanks for the app info

[@F150LightningMike]

Thank you for watching and subscribing. Let me know if you have any questions, and I might create a video about it.

[@elbowsout6301]

Thanks for the video, the app seems pretty quick on my Pixel 7. I like the dark mode and taping a button instead of press and hold.

[@F150LightningMike]

I’m glad to hear that it works better for you on a Pixel.

[@irishwhiskey65]

Phone as a key is in the settings tab. but I haven't found a trip planner yet.

[@F150LightningMike]

Yep I found it. Thank you.

[@twodogsdennis9332]

I've had my '23 Pro for two weeks and already miss the trip planner, although it was starting to be hit or miss. I'm planning to pull a 16' box trailer to MS from SE CO in three weeks and now having trouble finding stations that can get me from Lamar into the Oklahoma panhandle. What's everyone using for maps/stations? It's hard to believe that Plugshare is the favorite as the website is super wonky.

[@F150LightningMike]

Yeah PlugShare is my go to for double checking things, but I will start out with Apple Maps, Electrify America, and Tesla since I now have my adapter. I like PlugShare though because you can sort by only showing fast chargers. Also users will say if something is down.

[@LJLion]

The trip planner is gone too on the new app, I couldn't find it. I like dark mode. Departure and comfort feature is a lot usable now with remote start. No more press and hold. Charging speed is not hidden in the back menu anymore, I like that.

[@F150LightningMike]

Agreed, LJ, I do like that you can adjust the climate and the charge speed easily. As far as the trip planning I think they did some market research and found that most people weren’t using it. I did a few times just to test it out, but then stuck with Apple Maps especially once they started showing the charge percentage.

[@jennifercarr6451]

Where do you activate dark mode? I looked everywhere and can’t figure it out.

[@LJLion]

@@jennifercarr6451 if you have an android phone, go to display settings and toggle "dark theme" to on. All your apps will switch over to dark mode natively. That's my default setting on my Motorola G play, it's easy on my eyes especially when I'm using my phone in the dark room.

[@LJLion]

@@jennifercarr6451 on android phone, display settings, turn dark theme mode on to run natively any app in dark mode.

[@F150LightningMike]

Yeah I have an iPhone so it’s a little different.

[@johnnyv9024]

Ive been using the new one since it was offered as a beta, at least it has dark mode. Ford could definitely use more work with all its software, we're stuck with choosing our preferred bad app 😢

[@F150LightningMike]

Yeah I guess so. I have hope they will update it again soon.

[@BenCapili]

Where do set dark mode? I don’t see it in the app.

[@johnnyv9024]

@@BenCapili It is picking up the dark mode setting from my phone. Android -> settings-> dark theme: on

[@F150LightningMike]

Good to know.

[@raymondklawson382]

Where is zone lighting at now ?

[@F150LightningMike]

Don’t see it anywhere either, sorry!

[@paulavenoso899]

Hi Mike. New subscriber. I’ve watched more than a few of your videos. This one made me have to comment. I’ve been complaining about Fords app for a while. I’m 15k miles into my ‘23 XLT SR. I had a fender bender and my truck was in the shop for a month. I had a new Toyota Highlander rental. Their app would tell you if a window, door or moonroof was open. It would tell you if the vehicle was locked or unlocked. Fords app makes you lock an already locked vehicle if you can’t remember if you locked it. Stupid simple things Ford could have given us. BTW. We just got my wife a Tesla Model Y. Needless to say that app kicks Fords apps ass. I’m barely impressed with this update. Barely. It’s an iota better. Somewhat. Just meh. Will they EVER be able to compete in the EV space?

[@F150LightningMike]

Thanks for watching Paul. Yeah I have not been impressed with Ford’s apps yet either the old one or the new one. I also have the Toyota app because my wife has a Sienna and really like that app. They also just updated theirs and it is even better. I haven’t played with the Tesla app much except when renting it, so I can’t say yes or no on that one right now. All of that to say thank you for your comment. You make some good points, and you are preaching to the choir here.

[@paulavenoso899]

@@F150LightningMike I should add that I love the truck. I really REALLY wish I was able to get a Lariat ER. But I added Clazzio custom leather seat covers and paint matched mirror caps and door handle caps. So it’s a poor man’s Lariat. Lol. I don’t need the added range but it would be nice to see a higher number when at 90 percent. Especially in the winter.

[@F150LightningMike]

Way to go. I think you should be able to call yours a Lariat now. You got my vote :-)

[@timnevitt2993]

right now its kind of glitchy

[@F150LightningMike]

Agreed. I have hope it will get better though.

[@F150LightningMike]

Agreed. I have hope it will get better though.

[@backdoormanintheend]

Charging should be the primary objective of this app. It's much better now, but still glitchy.

[@F150LightningMike]

Agreed! Thank you for watching. Hopefully it gets less glitchy soon.

[@ChristianBehnke]

The new app spends a lot of time with the spinner... I've had to close the app and come back to see if things saved (eg. adjusting the target charge level). Also, how does the vehicle not use the proximity sensors or cameras to figure out if the tailgate has enough room to open?! 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@F150LightningMike]

Christian … lol … this is the best comment. Your thoughts about the tailgate really made me laugh. While you are correct. They should have proximity sensors that would not allow it to open. I’m gonna have to take the blame on that one more so than the truck because I should’ve not actually pushed the button :-) As far as the other things and functionality, I think I’ll probably do another video in a few weeks or so about it. Maybe after I get it figured out more maybe by that time it won’t be locking up on us so much.

[@Orangeflava]

How do i add phone as a key on the new app? Just got the lightning and new app but i dont see where to add a phone

[@F150LightningMike]

Phone as a key is under “settings” button on the vehicle tab. It depends on what trim level/package that you have whether or not phone is a key is available.

[@Orangeflava]

@@F150LightningMike Thank you Lightning Mike! ⚡️ Apparently the 2023 XLT we got did not come with the phone as a key package! That sucks. I loved using the phone as a key on our 2021 Mach E. But we do have a workaround. We keep the physical key at all times locked in the glove compartmet and hide the glove compartment key. Then we can lock the vehicle with the number pad on the driver door by depressing the bottom two numbers method and then reopen the vehicle with the door code. No need to have a key on my person and no need for the application! Works great. Do you know if you can add phone as a key after market? Is phone as a key software based or is there a physical component to make that work? Seems software based to me but I am not sure. Let me know, thanks again!

[@F150LightningMike]

Sorry, I think you are correct it is software based, but my understanding is that it is not able to be added.

[@paulrybarczyk5013]

Apparently, the old app is embedded within the new app. While poking around just now, I noticed a “previous version” button. Tap that and it restarts with the old version.

[@F150LightningMike]

I can’t find that anywhere. Do you happen to know how to get back to it?

[@paulrybarczyk5013]

@@F150LightningMike it’s at the bottom of the “vehicle“ tab. You need to scroll down to see it. After flipping back, the “home“ tab has the option to go forward again.

[@marksjunction69]

This is a terrible update. Owner cannot enter in your own service record and they took away the manual reference.

[@F150LightningMike]

I don’t see the “previous version” anywhere, but I’ll keep looking. Maybe you had the beta version?

[@paulrybarczyk5013]

@@F150LightningMike Screen says I have v4.37.0 FordPass. Nothing special. The “previous version“ button is just below Location and Settings, but not visible unless you slide the screen up.

[@MikeKlimek-jj6qt]

Unable to change charging times, any hints?

[@F150LightningMike]

It’s under the “energy” tab. It works to adjust it for me.

[@MikeKlimek-jj6qt]

@@F150LightningMike did that. It just dose the blue light back and forth and does not change. This app stinks so bad.

[@F150LightningMike]

I agree that it stinks. Maybe restarting the app or the phone. You can also try a “soft” reset if you have an iPhone sometimes that helps to clear cache. I’ve had to reinstall my app in the beginning, but that sucks because I had to reset up phone as a key.

[@MikeKlimek-jj6qt]

Can change it in the truck. Talked to ford pass and they tried, second person did not seem to care that app still would not change it. Not to hard to make a good app.

[@F150LightningMike]

Good point. I’ve heard of a few people actually downloading the app on an older iPhone, and it happens to download the older version of the app. :-)

[@brentftaylor]

The first app wasn't very good and I think Ford may be trying to go it on their own

[@F150LightningMike]

Makes sense.

[@BenCapili]

The beta was terrible. Slow, buggy, not showing vehicle health, can locate truck . This final release is only slightly better as it can now find my truck. Otherwise, it’s just as buggy and slow as the beta.

[@F150LightningMike]

Good to know. Yeah it has definitely been slow and buggy for me too.

[@ofelialerma1918]

It’s the only thing a don’t like the map 🗺️

[@F150LightningMike]

Yeah I didn’t like the old map either, but I didn’t use it much so maybe I won’t miss it.

[@Lastcall115]

New app sucks. Can’t input self service records and upload receipts and now you have to give permission to use google maps for location.

[@F150LightningMike]

Yeah I’ve heard things like that from several people.

[@seeker10280]

I don’t know why they always mess with what works, this app is junk, whoever had this idea should be fired, there was nothing wrong with the old app that minor tweaking would not have fixed. Also, I’m having a difficult time with hands free apple CarPlay, since the update it’s no longer wireless. Tried everything recommended and nothing works, I’ll have to waste an afternoon and drive to the dealer. 🤨

[@F150LightningMike]

Strangely enough my phone started wirelessly connecting to my 2nd phone that doesn’t have the app so I guess I’m having those issues too. :-)

[@quantummechanic59]

New update is useless. Lost most features that worked.

[@F150LightningMike]

Yeah I hope they add some back for sure.