OTA Software Updates
Updating Over The Air (OTA)
Upcoming functions and improvements will be available via Over The Air (OTA), the remote update service. With Over The Air update it means that you don’t need to visit a workshop and that your car will always be at its best.
The following cars have OTA
From model year 2022: - XC60 B5 / XC60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid - XC40 Recharge Pure Electric - S90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid
How to update Over The Air
1. The software update is downloaded directly to your car whilst you are driving, or when the car is in active mode, meaning the center display is activated. We recommend that you turn on automatic download of updates for the best experience.
2. Once the update is downloaded, you will receive a notification that the update is ready to install. Click Install Now to start the installation. You may choose to install right away or select a preferred time to begin installation, it will take an approximately 90 mins for the installation to complete.
3. The software update is completed once Your software is up to date message appears on the center display.
Note: You will be prompted once the software update is ready for installation. During the update installation, the car needs to be locked and cannot be used for approximately 90 minutes. If you have a Recharge Plug-in Hybrid vehicle, ensure that your charging cable is not connected to the car during the installation.
Please contact your preferred Volvo service center or our Customer Relations Centre (CRC) 1800-88-1728 should you require further assistance.
Frequently asked questions
What does OTA stand for?
Over-the-air software update.
How often will the software be updated via OTA?
Several times per year.
How long does an OTA software installation take?
Be prepared that it could take up to 1.5 hours. In some cases it might be faster.
Why are we starting providing OTA software updates instead of doing it at the workshop?
OTA is the next step in evolving the brand and the products. Launching OTA allows the product to continually improve.
Which car models can have the software update through OTA?
To see which cars are OTA compatible, please click below.
Can the customer schedule the installation from a mobile phone, ex. using the Volvo Cars app?
Unfortunately, this is not available at the moment.
Will the customer be informed of which updates and new functionality have been made after OTA?
Prior to the update, when prompted with a request for installation, depending on your software version, you should check under the "i" or "View release notes" button on the top right corner of the center-screen, then press the "Read More" tab before initiating software installation. Please note, that "Read more" tab is removed with the new "View release notes" button.
After the update, you can find information about the latest software on the support site for most of the markets. Check https://www.volvocars.com/intl/support , select your market and find "Software Updates".
What type of software will be sent via OTA software updates?
General software updates that don’t require a visit to a workshop.
Will the OTA software updates be downloaded to the car via the WiFi of the customers' phone or will the car have a unique car SIM installed?
All cars with Google Automotive Services can be supported by OTA. They will have a SIM-card installed in the car called a T-SIM.
Customer hasn't received any new software to their car but others have - what's the reason?
Each vehicle has a unique configuration. Not all vehicles are updated at the same time with the same software packages. You will only receive an OTA software message if it is applicable to your vehicle.
Can the customer use the car during installation process?
No. Once an installation procedure has been initiated, the software is being upgraded and the car will not be accessible for up to 1.5 hours. It is essential that the user carefully plan when they would like the installation to commence, during a time the car can remain undisturbed, such as during the night.
Is the customer able to open the car during the installation to retrieve something they urgently need from the car?
Note: IT IS NOT ADVISABLE
By using your physical key, it is possible to unlock the vehicle.
Note: The remote key-fob is disarmed as part of the OTA process In the event that a customer feels the need to access the car without a doubt, they can do so using the physical key, as the remote key-fob is disabled.
Note: There is a risk that accessing the car may interrupt the installation resulting in it being terminated, and in the worst case scenario, may risk that the car cannot be used.
How does the customer receive information about an upcoming/pending OTA software download?
If the customer has automatic download turned on in the settings menu, the download will take place seamlessly in the background. If the customer has automatic download turned off, a prompt will occur every time the customer enters the car, asking if software can be downloaded to the car. Once the installation prompt appears, the software is then available for installation in the car.
Download = Software downloaded from cloud to car. Installation = Software installed in the car.
Can the car owner schedule the OTA installation?
At the time of writing, yes. They can choose between 2 options: "now" or "later". If the customer chooses "later", they will continue to be prompted to install the software until they choose "now". "Now" means that the car will start to install the software when the prerequisites are met, i.e. car is locked and both 12V and high voltage battery SOC (State Of Charge) are OK.
Can the software be installed without internet connection, e.g. in an underground garage of a hotel or home parking?
In-car internet connection is only required to transfer the data-package to the car. The installation procedure does not require internet connection.
Note: Without internet connection, the customer will not receive a notification message in their phone that installation has started, when the feature is available in the Volvo Cars app. Also the car cannot automatically report back if a failure has occurred. Once the car re-establishes an internet connection, it will begin sending information. Technically, the car needs connection once it's "woken up", sending a signal to cloud saying the new installation was successful.
Can the consumer install their own SIM-card in the vehicle for data-traffic, e.g. P-SIM?
No. It is only possible to utilize Volvo's T-SIM.
Can the customer connect the car to local WiFi to transfer the software download?
No. The vehicle does not have this functionality. The transfer of data is performed over the T-SIM and is carried out when the car is in "Active mode", i.e. during driving.
Are there any battery minimum State of Charge (SOC) conditions required prior to software installation?
Yes. The car will automatically check the SOC in the 12V battery immediately before an attempt to install the software. The car will also check SOC level in the propulsion battery (78kw) is above 40% or higher before an attempt to install the software.
Will there be any kind of disclaimer in the event that a software download could overwrite some "non-Volvo software", such as a non-homologated software from a 3rd party company?
No. There will however be a control function in the back-end system highlighting if individual configuration applies to the cars in the OTA deployment. Volvo Cars Software Release Team will then decide if software shall or shall not be deployed to those cars. Unless the software part-number is the same as a Volvo part-number, if there is no conflicting data, then the software will be installed. If any non-Volvo/non-proprietary software from a 3rd party is detected, this will be overwritten.
How to know which software version is installed?
For OTA compatible cars, go to "Settings", "System" and "Software updates". Current software version will be displayed.
How to know when a software version was made available (indicate software version number with a date/week)?
Information regarding software updates are found by selecting your car at: https://www.volvocars.com/intl/support, select your market and find "Software Updates" page.
Where can the customer get information on upcoming updates: when are they scheduled and indicated of what is coming?
The content of these software upgrades is not decided until we have the final decision on the content. Therefore, it is impossible to know at an early stage what the content will be. When the software is released, you will find information on the content at: https://www.volvocars.com/intl/support, select your market and find "Software Updates" page.