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+--- Thread: Volvo Cars app (/showthread.php?tid=1117)
Volvo Cars app - spineless - 11-28-2025
Hi
For several years now, Vida has been increasingly blocking changes to software and hardware, so I began to wonder whether Volvo would also want to use its Volvo Cars app to restrict the freedom of our cars
I wonder what data the Volvo smartphone app currently has access to. Is it possible that in the future, or perhaps even now, Volvo will be able to read changes in the car's software through its logs? I don't know exactly what information the app sends to the database, and it seems impossible that it would report any changes in the software, but am I right ?
RE: Volvo Cars app - x119 - 11-28-2025
They already do this, but don't action anything. It's not the Volvo app you need to worry about, it's the IHU / VCM... they don't need to app to pull this data - it's available to them straight from the car. If you download an app on the IHU for example, it pings the servers your current config.
Honestly, they don't care enough on this stuff to do any more.
RE: Volvo Cars app - x23piacy - 11-28-2025
Who is interested in this after warranty, i bought the car i do what i want with it.
RE: Volvo Cars app - spineless - 11-28-2025
(9 hours ago)x23piacy Wrote: Who is interested in this after warranty, i bought the car i do what i want with it.
Yeap, until the car is not blocked in VIDA. Now VIDA blocks the car after changing the software yourself. Once blocked, you will not be able to change modules that have been broken, e.g., VCM and activate them. It's easy to imagine, that if Volvo knows, thanks to Volvo Cars App, that You make changes in the car without authorisation, can block the car in vida system.
For now, it's just a theory, but I wanted to find out if it's even possible in the future.
(11 hours ago)x119 Wrote: They already do this, but don't action anything. It's not the Volvo app you need to worry about, it's the IHU / VCM... they don't need to app to pull this data - it's available to them straight from the car. If you download an app on the IHU for example, it pings the servers your current config.Thanks, that's what I was afraid of. I'm asking because one of the car mechanics told me that, theoretically, Volvo could block the car in the future in the event of unauthorized changes, just as it does now through Vida. Of course, this is just an unlikely theory and blocks the car only in Vida, but it's worth knowing.
Honestly, they don't care enough on this stuff to do any more.
RE: Volvo Cars app - jos - 11-28-2025
Well but your garage should easily unblock it. You just need to get in touch with the dealer and they will unblock.
This is what my service guy told me.
How to Unblock Your Volvo for Future VIDA Software Updates
If you’ve changed the configuration of your SPA or CMA Volvo and later connected it to the official Volvo VIDA system, VIDA will automatically detect the change. This happens because the car’s current configuration no longer matches what’s stored in Volvo’s central system. When this mismatch is detected, the system automatically blocks all future software updates, including software reloads and key management (adding or removing keys).
It doesn’t matter if you only connected to clear DTC codes or perform brake or oil service—once the vehicle is connected to any official VIDA, it gets blocked immediately.
Here’s how to resolve the issue:
- Restore the original configuration (as recorded in Volvo’s central system).
- Visit your authorized Volvo dealer and request that they unblock the car for future software updates.
- The dealership will connect your vehicle to the official Volvo VIDA and perform a full readout.
- They’ll likely export the vehicle readout as a PDF and send it to the official Volvo importer or factory along with an unblocking request.
- Once submitted, your vehicle should be unblocked within a few days. However, you probably won’t receive confirmation—you’ll need to check yourself the next time you visit the dealership or by reconnecting your car to VIDA and attempting a software download.
RE: Volvo Cars app - spineless - 11-28-2025
(7 hours ago)jos Wrote: Well but your garage should easily unblock it. You just need to get in touch with the dealer and they will unblock.
This is what my service guy told me.
How to Unblock Your Volvo for Future VIDA Software Updates
If you’ve changed the configuration of your SPA or CMA Volvo and later connected it to the official Volvo VIDA system, VIDA will automatically detect the change. This happens because the car’s current configuration no longer matches what’s stored in Volvo’s central system. When this mismatch is detected, the system automatically blocks all future software updates, including software reloads and key management (adding or removing keys).
It doesn’t matter if you only connected to clear DTC codes or perform brake or oil service—once the vehicle is connected to any official VIDA, it gets blocked immediately.
Here’s how to resolve the issue:
- Restore the original configuration (as recorded in Volvo’s central system).
- Visit your authorized Volvo dealer and request that they unblock the car for future software updates.
- The dealership will connect your vehicle to the official Volvo VIDA and perform a full readout.
- They’ll likely export the vehicle readout as a PDF and send it to the official Volvo importer or factory along with an unblocking request.
- Once submitted, your vehicle should be unblocked within a few days. However, you probably won’t receive confirmation—you’ll need to check yourself the next time you visit the dealership or by reconnecting your car to VIDA and attempting a software download.
Thanks, I've already read this manual at D5T5.com. I hope that it will be not neccessary
RE: Volvo Cars app - jos - 11-28-2025
Well is just stole that information there