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I have an android unit in a non-Ford vehicle and what I do is hotspot my iPhone's wifi and then connect the radio to that network. I haven't figured out how to enable bluetooth at the same time because as soon as the radio connects to the phone, the wifi drops. So for now what I'm doing is turn off the bluetooth on my phone and use it's wifi connection alone. And I'm of the same opinion, it's a touch screen computer. I mounted the GPS reciever up on top of the dash along with the 4G antenna and the bluetooth microphone. They are small enough to not intrude and I wanted as good of a reception that I could get.
This is what I bought if anyone is curious. https://a.co/d/bXhEO89
Yes that is what I am doing as well, had to sign up for a monthly hotspot plan on my phone. Haven't figured out how to get it to automatically connect every time I get in the truck yet but still working out the bugs. When I set up the head unit with the hotspot on ,the head unit picked 20 apps from my phone to transfer to the head unit which had all of the information the apps had on my phone so I'm pretty sure it's possible to get the forscan app from my phone just haven't figured it out yet.
I have an android unit in a non-Ford vehicle and what I do is hotspot my iPhone's wifi and then connect the radio to that network. I haven't figured out how to enable bluetooth at the same time because as soon as the radio connects to the phone, the wifi drops. So for now what I'm doing is turn off the bluetooth on my phone and use it's wifi connection alone. And I'm of the same opinion, it's a touch screen computer. I mounted the GPS reciever up on top of the dash along with the 4G antenna and the bluetooth microphone. They are small enough to not intrude and I wanted as good of a reception that I could get.
This is what I bought if anyone is curious. https://a.co/d/bXhEO89
Isn't the 4g antenna pointless unless you add the head unit to your mobile phone plan?
Just wanted to thank all of you guys for all of your help and advice on getting this head unit installed. I greatly appreciate it! Also want to thank @Tpayne621 for the teyes head unit recommendation, this unit is far better than I imagined it would be. This thing is basically a computer for your truck, it's unbelievable all the stuff that you can do on it, very happy with it. One thing I am having trouble with is downloading forscan, I'm pretty sure there is a way to import it off of my phone as I have done other apps this way but can't seem to figure out how to do it. Also try downloading it's straight from forscans website in both the Google Play edition and the independent edition and Google Chrome tells me that I'm not allowed to download it as it may harm my device. Was really hoping to import it from my phone that way I don't have to go through and pick all of the parameters again but not sure if that's possible. If any of you know a way to do this that would be great. Thanks again!
Good to hear you got it up and running and are happy with the features. I could not agree with you more about being like a computer or tablet in your truck. I like the interface so much, that we don't even use the navigation systems in our other vehicles, we use our phones with live Google Maps. So much easier and accurate all in a platform you are already familiar with.
As for FORScan Lite, I don't believe it is available any longer via Google Play and you have to get it from the FORScan website. Although, the sanctions on Russia have caused a bit of a headache in purchasing it, but there are work arounds in the link below.
You "might" be able to go to your "installed" apps via Google Play and install it that way, but it will be a legacy version and not the most up to date. Once FORScan Lite is installed, you should be able to save the PID's to a file on your phone and move them to your new head unit. Should being the key word...
Isn't the 4g antenna pointless unless you add the head unit to your mobile phone plan?
That is correct. Unless you plan to pay for a cellular plan, there is no need for the 4G antenna.
To piggyback on what Dan (Kwikkordead) was saying about moving his data and apps to the Android head unit, this is dependent on the head unit operating system. Most modern smartphones have this feature, but it is there due to the manufacturer like Samsung, Sony or Apple. There are apps that will perform this task as well, but in my experience it is more conducive to just manually install the apps you want and leave behind the ones you don't. Sometimes when duplicating or transferring data and applications from one device to another you can screw up the device by no fault of your own.
Computers and devices will completely ruin your day and have zero remorse about it.
Yes that is what I am doing as well, had to sign up for a monthly hotspot plan on my phone. Haven't figured out how to get it to automatically connect every time I get in the truck yet but still working out the bugs. When I set up the head unit with the hotspot on ,the head unit picked 20 apps from my phone to transfer to the head unit which had all of the information the apps had on my phone so I'm pretty sure it's possible to get the forscan app from my phone just haven't figured it out yet.
I'm a T-mobile customer and they offer an option to add a line for a reasonable price along with a SIM card that you can use on the Android unit with a service charge of anywhere between $5.00 and $30.00 per month depending on the features that you want to purchase. Install the sim card in the dongle and plug it into the back of the stereo.
Originally Posted by jstihl
Isn't the 4g antenna pointless unless you add the head unit to your mobile phone plan?
Pretty much, but I wanted it installed now so I wouldn't have to open it all back up later on if I decided that I wanted to purchase a SIM card for the vehicle. And I'm not sure, but if the car gets stolen, I don't know if they could ping the location or not if it's plugged in, but I'm positive that they could NOT if it wasn't installed.
Just wanted to thank all of you guys for all of your help and advice on getting this head unit installed. I greatly appreciate it! Also want to thank @Tpayne621 for the teyes head unit recommendation, this unit is far better than I imagined it would be. This thing is basically a computer for your truck, it's unbelievable all the stuff that you can do on it, very happy with it. One thing I am having trouble with is downloading forscan, I'm pretty sure there is a way to import it off of my phone as I have done other apps this way but can't seem to figure out how to do it. Also try downloading it's straight from forscans website in both the Google Play edition and the independent edition and Google Chrome tells me that I'm not allowed to download it as it may harm my device. Was really hoping to import it from my phone that way I don't have to go through and pick all of the parameters again but not sure if that's possible. If any of you know a way to do this that would be great. Thanks again!
I'm a little foggy on it, but I think you need to enable developer mode and select the option to allow the installation of third party apps outside the play store.
Good to hear you got it up and running and are happy with the features. I could not agree with you more about being like a computer or tablet in your truck. I like the interface so much, that we don't even use the navigation systems in our other vehicles, we use our phones with live Google Maps. So much easier and accurate all in a platform you are already familiar with.
As for FORScan Lite, I don't believe it is available any longer via Google Play and you have to get it from the FORScan website. Although, the sanctions on Russia have caused a bit of a headache in purchasing it, but there are work arounds in the link below.
You "might" be able to go to your "installed" apps via Google Play and install it that way, but it will be a legacy version and not the most up to date. Once FORScan Lite is installed, you should be able to save the PID's to a file on your phone and move them to your new head unit. Should being the key word...
The instructions on how to save the PID list start with "To save your list, tap the 3 vertical dots" further down in the post by BWST.
Regarding the connection, I believe you went with a USB to OBDII solution, so your configuration settings will be a bit different anyway.
I hope this helps sir and enjoy the ability to drive around in the 21st century!
Tons of great info in here sous, thank you. I am currently trying to purchase a license from ayam kutit on Facebook so we'll have to see how that goes. It's crazy how hard it is to get forscan these days. Used to be free and easy lol. You guys never cease to amaze me with all the information you guys have
Good to hear you got it up and running and are happy with the features. I could not agree with you more about being like a computer or tablet in your truck. I like the interface so much, that we don't even use the navigation systems in our other vehicles, we use our phones with live Google Maps. So much easier and accurate all in a platform you are already familiar with.
As for FORScan Lite, I don't believe it is available any longer via Google Play and you have to get it from the FORScan website. Although, the sanctions on Russia have caused a bit of a headache in purchasing it, but there are work arounds in the link below.
You "might" be able to go to your "installed" apps via Google Play and install it that way, but it will be a legacy version and not the most up to date. Once FORScan Lite is installed, you should be able to save the PID's to a file on your phone and move them to your new head unit. Should being the key word...
The instructions on how to save the PID list start with "To save your list, tap the 3 vertical dots" further down in the post by BWST.
Regarding the connection, I believe you went with a USB to OBDII solution, so your configuration settings will be a bit different anyway.
I hope this helps sir and enjoy the ability to drive around in the 21st century!
Sous, I bought my license from kutit and have it installed on my head unit. It's now saying that my obd adapter is not found, I have always used the Bluetooth dongle so I wasn't sure if there's something different I have to do with OBD link EX? I have it plugged into the USB port on the back of the head unit
On edit: I have checked all of the connections from obd port to the head unit and everything checks out. I followed the directions that came with the OBD link EX and I have a green light on it which means that it is ready to use but for the life of me I cannot get the head unit to connect to the adapter, just keeps saying adapt or not found 🤷
Sous, I bought my license from kutit and have it installed on my head unit. It's now saying that my obd adapter is not found, I have always used the Bluetooth dongle so I wasn't sure if there's something different I have to do with OBD link EX? I have it plugged into the USB port on the back of the head unit
On edit: I have checked all of the connections from obd port to the head unit and everything checks out. I followed the directions that came with the OBD link EX and I have a green light on it which means that it is ready to use but for the life of me I cannot get the head unit to connect to the adapter, just keeps saying adapt or not found 🤷
I do not recall exactly what or where I changed some settings inside the FORScan Lite configuration and connection area, but I recall changing data speed and connection type (USB).
I believe I mentioned the changes in my Android thread, but am not 100% sure. If you go over there and scroll to page 1,045 (kidding), to where I was configuring and customizing FORScan Lite you might see what I changed. If you don't find it and cannot get the OBDII Link going, I'll either go to the truck and check the settings or find them in the thread.
Let us know how you get on.
One last thing... Make sure the USB port you plugged the OBDII scan tool into is capable of receiving data. Some USB ports on head units like this have "charge only" and "data or charge". Kind of like a USB port on a wall charger or a USB port on a computer.
I do not recall exactly what or where I changed some settings inside the FORScan Lite configuration and connection area, but I recall changing data speed and connection type (USB).
I believe I mentioned the changes in my Android thread, but am not 100% sure. If you go over there and scroll to page 1,045 (kidding), to where I was configuring and customizing FORScan Lite you might see what I changed. If you don't find it and cannot get the OBDII Link going, I'll either go to the truck and check the settings or find them in the thread.
Let us know how you get on.
One last thing... Make sure the USB port you plugged the OBDII scan tool into is capable of receiving data. Some USB ports on head units like this have "charge only" and "data or charge". Kind of like a USB port on a wall charger or a USB port on a computer.
I do not recall exactly what or where I changed some settings inside the FORScan Lite configuration and connection area, but I recall changing data speed and connection type (USB).
I believe I mentioned the changes in my Android thread, but am not 100% sure. If you go over there and scroll to page 1,045 (kidding), to where I was configuring and customizing FORScan Lite you might see what I changed. If you don't find it and cannot get the OBDII Link going, I'll either go to the truck and check the settings or find them in the thread.
Let us know how you get on.
One last thing... Make sure the USB port you plugged the OBDII scan tool into is capable of receiving data. Some USB ports on head units like this have "charge only" and "data or charge". Kind of like a USB port on a wall charger or a USB port on a computer.
In the settings I changed it to USB universal and now I'm able to connect, thanks again! I'm getting there slowly but surely LOL now just have to see if I can save all my pids from my phone and transfer over to the head unit 👍
I been out of town since last Wednesday camping. But not sure what kind of phone you have but I had a android phone as well and it has some settings in it called "modes and routines" you can set up to do pretty much anything. I have mine setup where whenever it connects to the teyes unit via Bluetooth. It turns wifi OFF on my phone and mobile Hotspot ON. Wifi has to be turned off on my phone for the Hotspot to broadcast. So I just fire the truck up and it automatically connects to phones Bluetooth then that will cause it switch on Hotspot and connect to it without doing anything.
I been out of town since last Wednesday camping. But not sure what kind of phone you have but I had a android phone as well and it has some settings in it called "modes and routines" you can set up to do pretty much anything. I have mine setup where whenever it connects to the teyes unit via Bluetooth. It turns wifi OFF on my phone and mobile Hotspot ON. Wifi has to be turned off on my phone for the Hotspot to broadcast. So I just fire the truck up and it automatically connects to phones Bluetooth then that will cause it switch on Hotspot and connect to it without doing anything.
Awesome, thank you for this! It has been driving me nuts having to manually connect to the hotspot every time I get in the truck. Finally got my pids loaded so should be good to go here shortly. Have you been able to get something like the Alexa app to work on your unit without manually going in and selecting the app every time? Thanks again really appreciate the recommendation, absolutely love this unit!
Awesome, thank you for this! It has been driving me nuts having to manually connect to the hotspot every time I get in the truck. Finally got my pids loaded so should be good to go here shortly. Have you been able to get something like the Alexa app to work on your unit without manually going in and selecting the app every time? Thanks again really appreciate the recommendation, absolutely love this unit!
I haven't messed with Alexa or anything like that. For everyday driving I mainly just use 2 apps. Google maps and Spotify for tunes. My truck has radio control buttons I nthe steering wheel and I can get either of those open and control them straight from the steering wheel. So never felt the need to mess with it. But I'm sure the is such a thing on there for sure. Google assistant or something like.
