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1.2.3) While the H/U displays the “waiting” screen shown below, operate the smartphone screens
and select “Subaru BT” from the discoverable device list.

*If the device name is changed on setting screen (Settings > General > Change Device Bluetooth
Name), please select the proper device name.
1.2.4) Confirm the same PIN code is shown on the smartphone then select “Confirm”.

1.2.5) Select “Pair” on the smartphone screen.
1.3) Transfer phonebook Procedure:
1.3.1) On the “Change Device” screen, identify the most recently paired device (iPhone is shown
here).

1.3.2) Select the desired smartphone device.
1.3.3) Turn “Phonebook Download” on.

1.3.4) Operate the smartphone screen buttons to allow phonebook transferring.
1.3.5) Check Bluetooth setting of “Subaru BT” on the smartphone. Confirm “Sync Contacts”
and “Show Notifications” are both set to ON.
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iOS setting display

NOTE: Depending on the model (e.g. iOS or
Android), these settings may need to be changed.
Refer to the specific smartphone’s User Manual
for more detailed information / instructions.

Android setting display

1.3.6) Restart the H/U:
Press and hold the Power button for 10
seconds or, turn the ignition OFF, open and
close the driver’s door then restart the engine.

1.3.7) Confirm both the Phonebook and Messages buttons on the display are highlighted
(activated) as shown below.

1.4 Connect to Network:
The following procedure outlines how to connect to a smartphone hot spot as a secure Wi-Fi network.
If the H/U is already connected to a secure Wi-Fi network, proceed to Step 1.5.
1.4.1) Prepare a Wi-Fi router device:
NOTE: Depending on the model (e.g. iOS or Android), these settings may need to be changed.
Refer to the specific smartphone’s User Manual for more detailed information / instructions.
iOS setting display

Android setting display

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1.4.2) Select “Settings” from the H/U Home screen.
1.4.3) Make sure “Wi-Fi” is displayed on the General menu.
1.4.4) Select the desired Wi-Fi device from the “Wi-Fi Settings” list.

1.4.5) Confirm a secure WiFi connection has been established. The H/U display will show a
Wi-Fi icon on top bar.

1.5) Check for Available Update:
1.5.1) Press the Home button on the H/U and select “Settings” from the Home screen.
1.5.2) Select “Check for Updates” from the General menu.

NOTE: This button is grayed-out during H/U initialization. It usually takes about 1 minute for it to
become active. If “Check for Updates” remains grayed out, try re-booting the H/U by pushing and
holding the volume knob for 10 seconds or, turning OFF the ignition, opening the driver’s door, and
waiting for 2 minutes.
1.5.3) If the screen displays a “Software Update Ready to Download” pop-up, select “Download
Now” to update the H/U software. (Picture below is for illustration only and does not show the
latest software version.)

Proceed to Step 1.6.
1.5.4) If the H/U screen shows the “Connect to Wi-Fi” pop-up, try re-connecting to the network
again as outlined in Step 1.4 above.
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1.5.5) If the H/U screen shows “Your device’s software is up to date.” and confirmed as outlined
in Step 1: “Check current software version”, no further action is required. The head unit
software is current.

IMPORTANT: If the H/U software cannot be updated using FOTA, update the H/U following
the USB flash drive procedure outlined in TSB 15-236-18R. In such a case, a VIN/ H/U Serial
Number mismatch may exist. If this occurs, the H/U must be removed and the serial number
recorded as shown below. In these cases, the COMPLETE 28-digit serial number is required
to be entered in the Miscellaneous Detail field during claim submission (no spaces or special
characters). Also, capture a photo of the serial number label for reference in case any question
arises about the serial number submitted. Examples of the serial number label are shown below.
VERY IMPORTANT: Always record
all 4 “segments” of the 28-digit H/U
Serial Number. Take and retain a photo
of this small label in case it is needed in
the future for confirmation.

H/U Serial Number Identification

START

1

2

4

3

EXAMPLE

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1.5.6) If the H/U display shows “Software download failed. Do you want to retry?”, there is
possibility the H/U is not receiving the clock information correctly.

1.5.7) Move the vehicle to a location where the Navi can receive GPS signal or connect to a
smartphone via Bluetooth. Ensure that transferring of phonebook data has been approved on the
phone. (To review clock setting procedures, refer to Step 1 above.)
1.6) Software Update:
NOTE: Initially, it may appear that no action is occurring.

THIS IS NORMAL. Wait at least 2 minutes for progress percentage to appear in the upper right of
the H/U screen before attempting to restart the process.

1.6.1) Wait until the download progress reaches 100%. During the software download, the H/U
is fully functional. NOTE: It is normal for the progress to hang at some points for 1-2 minutes.
This does not indicate a concern. BE PATIENT.

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NOTE: When downloading via Wi-Fi, it may take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes for the update
to complete depending on the provider transfer rate signal strength.
1.6.2) The image below shows the pop-up window which will appear once the download
completes and the update is ready to install.

1.6.3) Select “Install Now” to start the update installation.
NOTE: If “Cancel” is selected, it will be necessary to download the update file again before
installation can be attempted.
1.6.4) Stay with the vehicle until the install has completed.

NOTE: It will take approximately 10 minutes to complete the update installation.
1.6.5) The H/U will automatically shut down and restart after the installation completes.

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NOTES:
• The next step of update will be different depending on the software version installed prior to
FOTA.
•

Depending upon the installation required, the H/U may repeatedly shut down and restart up
to 3 times. The screen shown below does not indicate an unsuccessful or failed installation.

1.6.6) Wait until all the H/U restarts complete and the Home screen is displayed again.
NOTE: The volume will go to default level suddenly even if the volume was previously turned
down during or prior to the update. This is normal operation.

NOTE: Station presets will display as “Initializing” until the data is fully loaded for SXM stations.
In case of FM and AM presets, the text will change from “Initializing” to “Hold”. To reset each
preset, tune to the desired station then press and hold the corresponding preset button until the “beep”
is heard to signal the reset was successful.
1.6.7) If the Home screen does not appear automatically, press the Home button to display the
Home screen.
1.6.8) Perform Step 1 again to check the currently installed software version and confirm a
successful update / installation.
1.6.9) Using the notes or photos collected at the start of this process in Step 2, reset all the
customer’s preset stations and volume settings.
1.6.10) Go to the Home screen.
1.6.11) Turn the engine off and open the driver’s door to turn the H/U off and complete the
procedure.
If the software version does not match the one shown in Step 1.6.8, attempt the update process a
second time. If after a second attempt the update still has not completed successfully, update the head
unit software with USB flash drive following the steps outlined in TSB 15-236-18R.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: If the H/U software cannot be updated using FOTA, update the H/U
following the USB flash drive procedure outlined in TSB 15-236-18R. In such a case, a VIN / H/U
serial number mismatch may exist. The H/U must be removed, and the serial number recorded. In
these cases, the serial number is required to be entered in the Miscellaneous Detail field during claim
submission. In addition, capture a photo of the serial number tag for reference in case there is any
question about the serial number submitted. See the H/U serial number sample photos presented on
page 11 as reference.

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2: FOTA Procedure Using Head Unit Connected to Secure Wi-Fi (Home Network or Hotspot
Device):
NOTE: The H/U clock must be set correctly in order to check for available FOTA updates.
2.1) If necessary, set the clock via GPS signal (Navi -equipped models only) or by smartphone
following steps from 1.1 or 1.2 above: “Navi/Radio internal clock settings”.
2.2) Connect to the network.
2.3) Select “Settings” from H/U Home screen.
2.4) Make sure the “Wi-Fi” is displayed on the Settings > General screen.
2.5) Select the desired Wi-Fi device from the “Wi-Fi Settings” list.

2.6) Select “Connect” and input the password of the Wi-Fi device to be used. When a
connection is established, the screen will display a Wi-Fi icon on top bar.

2.7) Perform Check for Available Update: (same as 1.5 above).

2.8) Perform Software Update: (same as 1.6 above).
2.9) Re-check Software version (same as Step 1 above) after update installation is complete.
2.10) Using the notes or photos collected at the start of this process in Step 2, reset the
customer’s preset stations and volume settings.
2.11) Go to Home screen.
2.12) Turn the engine off and open the driver’s door to turn the H/U off and complete the
procedure.
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WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION:
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period or covered by an active Subaru
Added Security Gold plan, this repair may be submitted using the following claim information:
Labor Description

Labor
Operation #

Labor
Time

S/WARE VERSION CHECK, LATEST VERSION ALREADY INSTALLED, UPDATE
SUCCESSFUL BY FOTA

A031-271

0.3

S/WARE VERSION CHECK, LATEST VERSION ALREADY INSTALLED, UPDATE
DONE BY MOTA* OR USB, R&R H/U, RECORD SERIAL #

A031-272

0.7

S/WARE VERSION CHECK, S/WARE UPDATE REQUIRED,
UPDATE SUCCESSFUL BY FOTA

A031-278

0.4

S/WARE VERSION CHECK, S/WARE UPDATE REQUIRED, FOTA UPDATE FAILS,
UPDATE VIA USB, R&R H/U, RECORD SERIAL #

A031-288

1.3

Fail
Code

ZTA-48

*MOTA: Map Over The Air Update will update the the Map data ONLY. When performing the Map
Download procedure (updates are downloaded to a USB drive then installed into the H/U), BOTH
the Map data AND H/U software versions are “bundled” together and updated.
NOTE: If customers report a whited out or missing state after performing a MOTA update, this is
indicative of file corruption during the download process. In such a case, the data and map image
may be restored by downloading and installing the full map data via USB.
REMINDER: The COMPLETE 28-digit serial number is required to be entered in the
Miscellaneous Detail field during claim submission (no spaces or special characters).

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
•

SOA strongly discourages the printing and/or local storage of service information as
previously released information and electronic publications may be updated at any time.

•

Always check for any open recalls or campaigns anytime a vehicle is in for servicing.

•

Always refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.

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Appendix A
Harman 3.1 Software / Map Update Chronology
Release Date:

NEW H/U Version ID #:

Map Update Software ID #

7/1/2018

Rel4.18.11.50
Rel4.18.20.50
Rel_U1.18.20.60

Rel_U0.18.30.20**

12/5/2018

Rel_U1.18.38.50

n/a

3/18/2019

Rel_UA.19.01.70

Rel_UD.19.17.70**
(Version 5.5)

8/16/2019

Rel_UE.19.22.70

Rel_UE.19.25.70**

12/30/2019

Rel_UA.19.36.70

Rel_UA.19.42.70**
Rel_UF.20.28.70**

12/21/2020

Rel_UA.20.38.70

Rel_UA.20.41.70**
Rel_UH.21.13.70**
Rel_UA.21.41.70**
Rel_UA.22.05.45**

7/27/2021

Rel_UH.20.52.70

Rel_UA.21.41.70**
Rel_UA.22.05.45**

8/12/2022

Rel_UG.22.13.70

Rel_UG.22.39.70**

9/7/2023

Rel_UK.22.49.70

Rel_UL.23.13.70**

3/12/2024

REL_UK.23.16.70

REL_UK.23.42.70**

** NOTE: These Map Update Software I.D. numbers contain the same functional
updates as the corresponding New H/U Version I.D. numbers.

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Appendix B
Links to Customer self-install instructions for FOTA Customer Instructions will be added to the
Subarunet Service Operations & Technical > Forms/Downloads page when they become available.
Once the links are available and to enhance customer satisfaction, consider providing customers with a
copy of the appropriate instructions for their audio or audio/ navigation head unit along with access to
your store’s secure customer WiFi network. Doing so will enable customers to try performing the FOTA
update on their own while at your retailer.
REMINDER: Retailers performing these updates are to follow the Service Procedures outlined in
this bulletin ONLY. Always follow the applicable service procedures as outlined in this and other
Service Bulletins. The additional steps and requirements supplied in Service Bulletins support a Subaru
Technician’s proper diagnosis and repair of any customer concern.

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