Told that Uconnect no longer updates OTA (pre-2024)

[TMD78]

As someone who has burned way too many hours stressing over uconnect 8.4 the last few years I recommend a deep breath, accepting it for all that is good bad and ugly, and focusing your energy elsewhere. Lots of dead ends and uconnect “support” that doesn’t have a clue.

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[swampflyer]

Sounds like 40.12 is OTA only, dealer will install up to 40.1 (major version) then the minor (40.12 ) would be ota. Tech told me today that OTA will still push the minor revision at some point.

I guess there is no USB for the 40.12 version. (I would just do this myself if I could get it).

The 40.12 looks like it mainly fixes Hotspot WiFi issues, not sure what else it really fixes.

Thanks for the info. Would be nice if uconnect would chime and and clarify the update.

 

[jludave]

The 40.12 looks like it mainly fixes Hotspot WiFi issues, not sure what else it really fixes.

It has to be a minor update since the major revision number hasn't changed. It is a .1 to .12 update. If you don't have it, I would not worry about it.

 

[viper88]

Just upgraded my 7” to an 8.4” radio. Learned a lot from the experience. You have to pay $15 to transfer your SXM subscription to your new radio. Map updates are also not free. Right now the 2023 map update is $99. And now you can’t update the radio software yourself.

Does anyone know if the dealer charges to update the radio software?

How do you get most current map update? How do you even check which version you have?

 

[B&ZRubi]

$99 for maps that are at least a year old. Most of us just use the significantly better maps on Android Auto or CarPlay.

I agree but when you are out of cell service an up to date GPS is nice to have.

 

[B&ZRubi]

How do you get most current map update? How do you even check which version you have?

I went on the uconnect website and there is a process to get the radio information. You then enter a very long alphanumeric number into the website and it will tell you what version you have and what update is available. The 2024 map update will come out in October.

 

[jludave]

How do you get most current map update?

You have to purchase it from the Uconnect web site.

How do you even check which version you have?

The map version should show somewhere in the GPS settings. I stopped using the built in nav a while ago, so I don't recall off the top of my head.

Honestly, it is not worth paying for an update. Use CarPlay or Android Auto.

 

[B&ZRubi]

Where did anything or anyone say that? You can 100% update the firmware yourself. I've done it several times.

Well maybe for your Jeep and radio combo, but not my 2020 Jeep and radio. 2018-2023 no longer is updated via usb. Must be done by the dealer. If you know something different please share.

 

[jludave]

but not my 2020 Jeep and radio. 2018-2023 no longer is updated via usb. Must be done by the dealer.

Please share how you've come to this conclusion? There's been nothing posted anywhere that I can recall stating USB updates are no longer allowed.

I have a 2020 with an 8.4" radio upgraded from the 7".

 

[viper88]

You have to purchase it from the Uconnect web site.



The map version should show somewhere in the GPS settings. I stopped using the built in nav a while ago, so I don't recall off the top of my head.

Honestly, it is not worth paying for an update. Use CarPlay or Android Auto.

I have a 2022 Rubicon with the 8.4" UConnect and the maps are out of date. I just did a 4K mile road trip. I ran into several situations where the built-in mapping was WAY off when there was new highway construction.

I was using both the built in nav and Waze. Waze is excellent. I did have a few moments where cell coverage was spotty on and off but the maps were accurate for the most part. The built-in GPS lost reception once or twice during stormy and cloudy conditions.

I plan on another 3K-4K trip soon. It would be nice to have updated maps for the built-in as a back up.

 

[NWJeepr]

According to the UConnect website:

https://www.driveuconnect.com/support/software-update.html

 

[B&ZRubi]

According to the UConnect website:

https://www.driveuconnect.com/support/software-update.html

Thank you for posting this.

 

[jludave]

According to the UConnect website:

https://www.driveuconnect.com/support/software-update.html

That's been up there for some time. It just means Uconnect no longer provides the USB update files, but they can usually be found elsewhere. If you have the firmware files you need, they can still be placed on a USB stick and the update performed that way. How do you think a dealership does it? They get the files through their system and perform the update via USB.

The latest firmware avaiable for USB update can be found here:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/new-update-for-8-4-uconnect-radio.107222/post-2369771

 

[NWJeepr]

That's been up there for some time. It just means Uconnect no longer provides the USB update files, but they can usually be found elsewhere. If you have the firmware files you need, they can still be placed on a USB stick and the update performed that way. How do you think a dealership does it? They get the files through their system and perform the update via USB.

The latest firmware avaiable for USB update can be found here:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/new-update-for-8-4-uconnect-radio.107222/post-2369771

I'm not sure I'd be willing to attempt an update with a "bootleg" file posted on a forum. That's the tradeoff, right, if you can't get it from Stellantis, then you have to go through other channels and who knows.

I'm also not a proponent of trying to update "just because". For me to need to update it needs to fix a security vulnerability/issue or a very specific problem. If it was security related, I'm guessing there would be a campaign to fix affected vehicles and dealers would do it for free or it would be pushed as an OTA update.

 

[OrneryBear]

As a Software Engineer I can guarantee you that no, stand alone software and electronics doesn't just work. You'd either have to put up with the bugs or buy another one. As a result it can take years longer to produce something in an attempt to not have bugs.

I do not miss the days of DOS or early windows where updating/installing any drivers/updates could brick your computer or another program and it could take weeks to figure out what the hell it did. Or software that just sucked and you either lived with the bugs or didn't use it. I like modern day update fixes.

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