Support>SYNC>SYNC 3>How to set up and connect to your Wi-Fi Hotspot

How to set up and connect to your Wi-Fi Hotspot

Set up and connect to your SYNC® Connect* with Wi-Fi Hotspot-equipped** vehicle and connect up to 10 devices simultaneously as well as make or receive calls while the Hotspot is in use.

Get the most out of your Wi-Fi Hotspot

By setting up your Wi-Fi Hotspot you can take advantage of the following features:

  • Fast data speeds through a 4G LTE connection on the AT&T nationwide wireless network
  • Powerful vehicle antenna that maintains connection for up to 50 feet outside of the vehicle for up to 10 devices to utilizing the vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot at the same time
  • Ability to make or receive calls while Wi-Fi is in use

To see whether your vehicle is equipped with SYNC Connect with Wi-Fi Hotspot, be sure to log into your owner account and then go to the Wi-Fi Hotspot capability check page.

Set up your Wi-Fi Hotspot

Before you start

There are a few things you should do before starting:

1. Start your vehicle.

2. Find the “Vehicle Wi-Fi & Hotspot” menu

a. Using the vehicle SYNC display, touch “Settings” on the bottom right of the screen.

b. Scroll sideways until you locate the “Wi-Fi & Hotspot” menu

c. Select the “Wi-Fi & Hotspot” menu and then select the “Vehicle Hotspot” tab.

3. Check the default settings of the Wi-Fi Hotspot

a. In the “Wi-Fi Hotspot” screen, verify that the “Wi-Fi Hotspot” is set to “On”. The “Toggle” should be moved to the right and in the “On” position. If it is not, press the “Toggle” button to turn the Wi-Fi Hotspot “On”.

b. Touch the “Settings” tab and take note of the “Service Set Identifier” (SSID) name. This is the name of your Wi-Fi Hotspot and will be required later.

Note: Your Wi-Fi Hotspot has a default unique SSID name and password. You can change these in the Edit Wi-Fi Hotspot Settings screen and view them at any time.

c. Click the “Edit” button located near the bottom center of the screen.

d. Verify that the “Wi-Fi Visibility” setting is moved to the right and toggled “On”. Touch the toggle to move it to the “On” position if it is toggled off and moved to the left.

Your vehicle’s Wi-Fi Hotspot should now be turned on and have a network to which devices can connect. To ensure it is working properly, connect a Wi-Fi enabled device.

Connect to your vehicle’s Wi-Fi Hotspot

1. Connect to the Wi-Fi Hotspot with a device

a. Access the “Wi-Fi Menu” within the device, generally found inside your device’s “Settings” menu, though may vary by device.

b. Make sure your device’s Wi-Fi is enabled by turning it on. If it is not turned on, you will not see a list of Wi-Fi networks available.

c. Wait for the available networks to load on the device and find the name of your vehicle's Wi-Fi Hotspot (SSID). If you do not see it listed, make sure your Wi-Fi is turned “On” or try toggling your device’s Wi-Fi off and on again.

Note: As noted above, the vehicle's Wi-Fi Hotspot (SSID) name a can be found in the vehicle's SYNC Wi-Fi Hotspot Settings screen.

d. Select your Wi-Fi Hotspot and you will be prompted to enter a password to connect to the Hotspot.

e. Enter the default Wi-Fi Hotspot password provided or, if you’ve created your own password, enter that exactly as it is displayed as passwords are case sensitive.

Note: As noted above, the vehicle's Wi-Fi Hotspot password a can be found in the vehicle's SYNC Wi-Fi Hotspot “Settings” screen. The password may contain a lowercase "L" and/or capital "i". These letters look very similar. If password is rejected in your device, try switching the letters around to see if this resolves it.

f. Press “Join” or “Connect” to complete this step and connect your device to the Hotspot.

2. Verify your device is connected

a. To verify your device is connected, open an internet browser on your device (Safari or Chrome are preferred).

b. Go to “ford.com” in your internet browser.

c. If you have an active data plan for your vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot, then you will be directed to the Ford landing page. If you do not have an active wireless data plan for your Hotspot, then you will be redirected to the AT&T wireless data plan sign-up page.

d. Your device should now be connected to the Wi-Fi Hotspot.

Note: You can still connect your device to your vehicle’s Wi-Fi Hotspot without a wireless data plan for your Hotspot. However, the Wi-Fi Hotspot will not let your device connect to the internet until you’ve signed up for a wireless data plan. If you have not already, sign up for a complimentary 3 month/3GB wireless data plan trial that is provided to owners of new 2018 model year SYNC Connect with Wi-Fi Hotspot-equipped vehicles. If your trial has expired, you’ll need to sign up for data plan to connect to the internet.

*SYNC Connect is an optional feature. Includes complimentary 5-year subscription for remote features excluding Wi- Fi Hotspot, and starts with vehicle sale date. Subscription requires compatible 4G cellular network connectivity and is subject to 4G network availability. Evolving technology/cellular networks may affect future functionality. Message and data rates may apply. FordPassTM is on the App Store® and Google PlayTM. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play logo is a trademark of Google, Inc. Wi-Fi Hotspot includes complimentary wireless data trial that begins at time of AT&T activation and expires at the end of 3 months or when 3GB of data is used, whichever comes first. To activate, go to www.att.com/ford. Activation must take place within 5 years of vehicle sale date.

**SYNC Connect-equipped vehicles with Wi-Fi Hotspot: All 2018 model year SYNC Connect-equipped vehicles include Wi-Fi Hotspot capability with the exception of 2018 model year Fusion and F-150 Raptor.