FreedomPop SIM card, which do I get?

[Syzman]

Hello, I have tried to research this myself but am getting conflicting results. I have a 2015 Q5 3.0T with Nav/bluetooth/back-up cam. It does show bluetooth (connected) and 2G (greyed out). I'd like to get a SIM card to be able to use Google Maps. If I'm not mistaken I need a FreedomPop SIM for t-mobile since going to Tel/Settings/DataConnection/StartAutomaticConfiguration it shows APN - "m2m.t-mobile.com" but under Software Version it shows: HN+_US_AU3G_P0814
I'm confused, do I have 2G or 3G????

Which SIM card do I get? Any links would be much appreciated.
Thanks!

[Mythdoc]

Your car receives 2G and 3G. And yes, a FreedomPop sim works on the GSM protocol which will work with your vehicle.

[ILVTRANCE]

yup just got one its a 4g card and works fine on my 3g system 2014 SQ5 just about to finish up the trial an downgrade to the free version. I think you need to have a $20 hold though to switch to the free99 one

ordered directly from freedompop so it came pre activated.

[Syzman]

Your car receives 2G and 3G. And yes, a FreedomPop sim works on the GSM protocol which will work with your vehicle.

yup just got one its a 4g card and works fine on my 3g system 2014 SQ5 just about to finish up the trial an downgrade to the free version. I think you need to have a $20 hold though to switch to the free99 one

ordered directly from freedompop so it came pre activated.

Thanks for your help! Ordering one now =)

[PNW Avant]

I went through this and ultimately ditched the “free” version. But primarily because I was going to incur a $3.49 per month fee by the city of San Francisco. Instead I ordered a prepaid 1 year card that provides 1GB per month for $45 on amazon (ie less than $4 per month).

I had $27 into the “free” experiment anyways... (1 cent card, 9.99 shipping, $10 top up to downgrade, 2x 3.49 monthly charges). The prepaid card eliminated the song and dance of the “free” service for a nominal fee, in my opinion. I got them to refund the $10 top up but had to ask several times. I have been exceeding the 200mb cap each month, which would have caused even more fees.

Any freedom pop 4g lte card (with voice/data or just data) works with the 3g+ mmi (except some 2013’s and earlier with incompatible modems).


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[Boriaudi]

Hi all,

Does anybody know if this is an option for the MY18 SQ5? Read somewhere it doesn’t use SIM cards for the current AT&T setup.


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[DiscoDan]

Hi all,

Does anybody know if this is an option for the MY18 SQ5? Read somewhere it doesn’t use SIM cards for the current AT&T setup.


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AT&T's network is GSM; therefore, a SIM is required. The B9 does use a SIM card, it's just not accessible and replaceable as on the B8's.

[Boriaudi]

Thanks for the info. Does than mean I only have ATT as an option? The car does have an empty SIM slot in the glove box.


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[DiscoDan]

Thanks for the info. Does than mean I only have ATT as an option? The car does have an empty SIM slot in the glove box.


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The only option you have in the B9 is to sign up with Audi Connect

[rev_jim_jones]

My 2013 3g mmi + did not work with freedompop sim, unless i did something wrong. I had to use a t mobile sim.

[Carbines]

I went through this and ultimately ditched the “free” version. But primarily because I was going to incur a $3.49 per month fee by the city of San Francisco. Instead I ordered a prepaid 1 year card that provides 1GB per month for $45 on amazon (ie less than $4 per month).

Any chance you can share a link to that SIM? I'm looking to do exactly what you did, but admittedly, i'm not up to sped on all of the nuances of GSM SIMs nowadays.

Also was there any type of activation process that you had to do to get it to work in the car?

Any APN settings we need to change in the car?

I appreciate the help if you have the time!!!

[zachf88]

Is it worth it for $14 (3-in-1 SIM kit and shipping)?

[PNW Avant]

Any chance you can share a link to that SIM? I'm looking to do exactly what you did, but admittedly, i'm not up to sped on all of the nuances of GSM SIMs nowadays.

Also was there any type of activation process that you had to do to get it to work in the car?

Any APN settings we need to change in the car?

I appreciate the help if you have the time!!!

Looks like amazon is sold out, but target also sells it.

You need to update the APN settings to what freedompop says to use in the box.

Then you also need to activate audi connect to get the audi connect features. This just involves creating a free account, adding your VIN, and retrieving the audi connect pin from their site. No additional or on-going fees. There is a thread in the B8 A4 forum that walks through the process. I'll find the link.

Is it worth it for $14 (3-in-1 SIM kit and shipping)?

I don't think its worth $14 for the free SIM - gets you 200MB a month, and you have to pay $10 to "downgrade" to the free service. THEN you have to watch your usage to make sure you don't exceed to the 200MB per month. It started to feel like a song-and-dance to prevent them charging my card every month so i canceled and went with the prepaid.

If you are going to pay 20-something, I'd go all the way to the $45 full year SIM.

The features you get are: 1) google maps overlay to your nav and 2) Audi Connect features (the primary useful feature of which I think is the "send to car" for address input via the audi app. Much better than the MMI typing interface).

I guess you used to get google street view for your destination but that doesn't work anymore. And the googlemaps overlay is supposed to be dead in 2020, too.

[mowse]

Looks like amazon is sold out, but target also sells it.

You need to update the APN settings to what freedompop says to use in the box.

Then you also need to activate audi connect to get the audi connect features. This just involves creating a free account, adding your VIN, and retrieving the audi connect pin from their site. No additional or on-going fees. There is a thread in the B8 A4 forum that walks through the process. I'll find the link.



I don't think its worth $14 for the free SIM - gets you 200MB a month, and you have to pay $10 to "downgrade" to the free service. THEN you have to watch your usage to make sure you don't exceed to the 200MB per month. It started to feel like a song-and-dance to prevent them charging my card every month so i canceled and went with the prepaid.

If you are going to pay 20-something, I'd go all the way to the $45 full year SIM.

The features you get are: 1) google maps overlay to your nav and 2) Audi Connect features (the primary useful feature of which I think is the "send to car" for address input via the audi app. Much better than the MMI typing interface).

I guess you used to get google street view for your destination but that doesn't work anymore. And the googlemaps overlay is supposed to be dead in 2020, too.

I've been looking into getting one for my 16 SQ5. I found prepaid ones for $40 at Best Buy. When you mention creating a free account, you mean with FreedomPop, or Audi Connect?

[PNW Avant]

The free account (to get your Audi connect pin) is www.audiusa.com/myaudi#/

The only thing you need to do at freedom pop is activate the sim.

Freedompop also has a “free” service which provides 200mb per month for no cost. But there are some hidden fees and such. I don’t recommend it, after trying that route for 2 months.

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[Carbines]

Looks like amazon is sold out, but target also sells it.

You need to update the APN settings to what freedompop says to use in the box.

Then you also need to activate audi connect to get the audi connect features. This just involves creating a free account, adding your VIN, and retrieving the audi connect pin from their site. No additional or on-going fees. There is a thread in the B8 A4 forum that walks through the process. I'll find the link.

Thanks much for the information! By the time I saw your reply, Amazon had restocked, and I’ve got that SIM coming tomorrow. I’ll follow the directions for the APN settings.

I’m hoping that my AudiConnect is still valid - I activated the free 6 month trial after buying the car.

Again, many thanks for helping us all out in this thread!

//carbines

[TheSchwa]

The only option you have in the B9 is to sign up with Audi Connect

For now... Several features go away Dec 31, 2020. They're blaming a Google update and hardware incompatibility, but I have a feeling it's a licensing thing.

[PNW Avant]

Thanks much for the information! By the time I saw your reply, Amazon had restocked, and I’ve got that SIM coming tomorrow. I’ll follow the directions for the APN settings.

I’m hoping that my AudiConnect is still valid - I activated the free 6 month trial after buying the car.

Again, many thanks for helping us all out in this thread!

//carbines

Remember Audi connect is FREE once you have the freedompop sim (on Mmi 3g+). The Audi connect pin is retrieved in myaudiusa with a free account and your VIN


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[choppstixxx]

Def. agree that if you can can monitor your usage, the 200MB "Free" plan is not bad at all.
When I initially bought my SIM I did the $.01 promo for the "3 in 1" LTE card, but didn't realize that to downgrade my plan to the free one you have to add "Top Up" credits. Also to take some features off you gotta add others, so you end up getting charged immediately for stuff you don't even use.

My initial break down was:
$.01 - Initial Setup Fee
$6.99 - Safety Mode F-Up
$3.99 - Data Rollover F-Up
$20 - Top Up to Downgrade

All in all, the $9.99 total of screw ups on my part could have probably been avoided. But it was just a $10 mistake, since Jan. when I signed up I have not been overcharged etc. However I only enable my SIM when I need it, which hasn't been at all because I haven't been traveling.

[PNW Avant]

I believe the $6.99 "safety fee" is a monthly recurring fee. This is something that has changed over the last year or so. Have you checked that?

[PNW Avant]

My 2013 3g mmi + did not work with freedompop sim, unless i did something wrong. I had to use a t mobile sim.

Only certain 2013's worked. They changed the modems in the 2013 MY to enable att. There's a replacement modem you can get, I believe.

[choppstixxx]

I believe the $6.99 "safety fee" is a monthly recurring fee. This is something that has changed over the last year or so. Have you checked that?

Since I was initially charged the one time I have not been charged again and it's been about 2+ months since.

[PNW Avant]

I would check your account. They might be eating through your $20 downgrade credit.

Its advertised as a monthly fee. Some users used to report the ability to enable saftey mode, disable top-ups, and then re-disable safety mode and the disabled top ups would stay disabled. But others struggled recently.

"FreedomPop offers a new service called Safety Mode for $6.99 per month"

[mowse]

Just so I know I got this right. Buy this:

https://www.amazon.com/FreedomPop-Le...ireless&sr=1-1

Then go onto my AudiConnect account and retrieve the pin. Input the pin, etc. into my MMI and then should be good to go for a year? At 1GB a month?

[choppstixxx]

I would check your account. They might be eating through your $20 downgrade credit.

Its advertised as a monthly fee. Some users used to report the ability to enable saftey mode, disable top-ups, and then re-disable safety mode and the disabled top ups would stay disabled. But others struggled recently.

"FreedomPop offers a new service called Safety Mode for $6.99 per month"

I checked my "Services" section where the Safety Mode is added/disabled and have nothing selected, literally says "No Services Found". My top up credits were un-touched, albeit they expired but none of it was used for anything.

[PNW Avant]

I checked my "Services" section where the Safety Mode is added/disabled and have nothing selected, literally says "No Services Found". My top up credits were un-touched, albeit they expired but none of it was used for anything.

Interesting. For your credits, they expire after a period of time but there is a button to “restore” the credits somewhere. I can google it later and find the link.


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[PNW Avant]

Just so I know I got this right. Buy this:

https://www.amazon.com/FreedomPop-Le...ireless&sr=1-1

Then go onto my AudiConnect account and retrieve the pin. Input the pin, etc. into my MMI and then should be good to go for a year? At 1GB a month?

That’s right, and it looks like the discount is even sweeter now at $35!


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[DrGER]

Just so I know I got this right. Buy this:

https://www.amazon.com/FreedomPop-Le...ireless&sr=1-1

Then go onto my AudiConnect account and retrieve the pin. Input the pin, etc. into my MMI and then should be good to go for a year? At 1GB a month?

Note that data connectivity (3G) and Audi connect are completely separate services in MY2014-16 MMIs that use a SIM to provision mobile data on the AT&T network (that is, you don't need AC for 3G, but you need 3G for AC).
Once you have your FP SIM configured and it connects to the network, the Google Earth map overlay and Google point-of-interest searches should work (more-or-less) immediately, no AC PIN needed for these.

The AC PIN gets called when you try to retrieve on-line destinations (or telephone contacts) from your myAudi account the first time -- once this works, you shouldn't need to enter the PIN again for a while (the PIN appears to be added to the current BT phone profile, so if your paired phone isn't connected when you try to access your myAudi destinations, the MMI will ask for the AC PIN again).

We have the free FP SIM in our MY2014 A4 MMI and keep the Google Earth overlay on, and rarely see more than 200MB of data per month, unless we make several out-of-town trips of over a couple hours in different directions (the overlay caches, so our 12 hr trip out east & back only fetches data on the outbound drive).

If you don't have your Google Map ID setup to use the Send to Car feature of Google Maps (from a browser), note that the instructions on the myAudi site are incorrect and will cause Send to Car to fail. While I haven't seen this from an official source, the ID should be only alphanumeric characters -- no special characters like '@'.

If you do opt for the "free" FP plan, add your name to our AZ FP friends thread over here: https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...twork-Check-In

@PNW Avant: What is your experience with the annual plan that offers 1GB data each month so far?

[PNW Avant]

The 200MB just wasnt enough for me. I was making short trips in the bay area and the data usage was going up fast. I expect SF bay area has more map data than OH?

Annual plan is great. FP doesnt have any of my financial information so no risk of auto top ups or extra charges. I have been averaging 300-400MB the first two months. For me it made sense because there was no way the "free" plan would be "free" with a SF address, because I would be hit with a $3.49 fee (imposed by city). No such fee for a "prepaid" plan like the annual card.

[PNW Avant]

If don't have your Google Map ID setup to use the Send to Car feature of Google Maps (from browser), note that the instructions on the myAudi site are incorrect and will cause Send to Car to fail. While I haven't seen this from an official source, the ID should be only alphanumeric characters -- no special characters like '@'.

Also, i did set up the Google "send to car" (from google browser) functionality and confirmed it worked. However, the My Audi app got re-released (or updated?) and the send-address-to-car from that app is much more seamless. And can be done from a phone now (not desktop browser).

[RoofRails]

I just pulled the trigger on the 12 month pre paid plan from Amazon. At 34.99 for 1gb a month it seems like a great deal.

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[Carbines]

I just pulled the trigger on the 12 month pre paid plan from Amazon. At 34.99 for 1gb a month it seems like a great deal.

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Please let us know how things go.

I rec’d my FP SIM yesterday, and used the URL to activate the SIM. The website tried to up-sell me first, which I declined. Then, I was presented with several plan options, none of which were even close to the one clearly described on the Amazon listing (1GB/month data), and on the front of the FP SIM package.

I bit the bullet and called FP activation support, and after 25 mins on hold, I was told that the SIM I purchased from Amazon was a mistake, and that I should return the SIM to Amazon. I asked what was wrong. I was sort of blown off; the guy just kept saying that the SIM (and the plan?) was wrong. Very unsatisfying answer to say the least. I never got a complete story about how the SIM can be ‘wrong’ or ‘a mistake’. If it’s a bait and switch kinda thing, maybe he just blew me off because I called him on it. I have no idea.

Support guy also told me to go to either BestBuy or Target to get another FP SIM. Since I have both of those stores relatively close to one another, I followed his advice. Ha! No FP products sold at either of those stores. Anyway.

I hope things go well for you, and I’m definitely willing to give it another try if you can get yours to work. I’d love to have a reasonably priced 1GB/month plan.

[choppstixxx]

That's pretty shady that they somehow don't offer what you bought. IDK for me I don't need to utilize enough where it would even justify buying a yearly plan even at $35-$50. It's something that for now I just enjoy it being free with no real strings attached.

[PNW Avant]

Please let us know how things go.

I rec’d my FP SIM yesterday, and used the URL to activate the SIM. The website tried to up-sell me first, which I declined. Then, I was presented with several plan options, none of which were even close to the one clearly described on the Amazon listing (1GB/month data), and on the front of the FP SIM package.

I bit the bullet and called FP activation support, and after 25 mins on hold, I was told that the SIM I purchased from Amazon was a mistake, and that I should return the SIM to Amazon. I asked what was wrong. I was sort of blown off; the guy just kept saying that the SIM (and the plan?) was wrong. Very unsatisfying answer to say the least. I never got a complete story about how the SIM can be ‘wrong’ or ‘a mistake’. If it’s a bait and switch kinda thing, maybe he just blew me off because I called him on it. I have no idea.

Support guy also told me to go to either BestBuy or Target to get another FP SIM. Since I have both of those stores relatively close to one another, I followed his advice. Ha! No FP products sold at either of those stores. Anyway.

I hope things go well for you, and I’m definitely willing to give it another try if you can get yours to work. I’d love to have a reasonably priced 1GB/month plan.

Interesting. Did you buy it directly from amazon, or from another reseller on their site?

As of a few months ago you could buy FP SIMs at Target and BestBuy. I almost bought mine from target before I got mine from amazon for $5 cheaper. Maybe not the case anymore...?


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[PNW Avant]

same annual prepaid card for $34.99

https://www.target.com/p/freedompop-...a/-/A-53511519

[mowse]

I just pulled the trigger on the 12 month pre paid plan from Amazon. At 34.99 for 1gb a month it seems like a great deal.

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I bought mine yesterday as well, lol.

Please let us know how things go.

I rec’d my FP SIM yesterday, and used the URL to activate the SIM. The website tried to up-sell me first, which I declined. Then, I was presented with several plan options, none of which were even close to the one clearly described on the Amazon listing (1GB/month data), and on the front of the FP SIM package.

I bit the bullet and called FP activation support, and after 25 mins on hold, I was told that the SIM I purchased from Amazon was a mistake, and that I should return the SIM to Amazon. I asked what was wrong. I was sort of blown off; the guy just kept saying that the SIM (and the plan?) was wrong. Very unsatisfying answer to say the least. I never got a complete story about how the SIM can be ‘wrong’ or ‘a mistake’. If it’s a bait and switch kinda thing, maybe he just blew me off because I called him on it. I have no idea.

Support guy also told me to go to either BestBuy or Target to get another FP SIM. Since I have both of those stores relatively close to one another, I followed his advice. Ha! No FP products sold at either of those stores. Anyway.

I hope things go well for you, and I’m definitely willing to give it another try if you can get yours to work. I’d love to have a reasonably priced 1GB/month plan.

Interesting info. I will keep this in mind when I get mine next week. Hopefully it's just a fluke and everything works out ok.

[DrGER]

The 200MB just wasnt enough for me. I was making short trips in the bay area and the data usage was going up fast. I expect SF bay area has more map data than OH?

Annual plan is great. FP doesnt have any of my financial information so no risk of auto top ups or extra charges. I have been averaging 300-400MB the first two months. For me it made sense because there was no way the "free" plan would be "free" with a SF address, because I would be hit with a $3.49 fee (imposed by city). No such fee for a "prepaid" plan like the annual card.

I'm curious about the data use you cite. My understanding is that the Google Earth overlay caches images for the immediate region and zoom level (or whatever the setting is called). We have our map set to automatic zoom level, so on highways we see less detail than when driving in our neighborhood. Even a 5+ hour drive across OH/PA/NY doesn't use much more than 100MB or so (and is cached for the return trip). The only other big consumer of 3G data in our MMI is the WiFi hotspot when devices connect to it. Is your WiFi hotspot enabled?

Still, it's good to know that someone has figured out how to make this FP annual plan work in our MMIs (so far, we tolerate their occasional $0.01 "account maintenance fee" charges to our CC to keep the "free" service active).

[PNW Avant]

I take a photo every month to track usage. This is from feb 28. I don’t know if we are on “auto zoom” or not but I will check. We drive the car on average once or twice a week but February did include some driving around the city and a 3 hour trip down south and back (slightly different return route). Hot spot is not enabled as my iPhone hotspot is better anyways.

[Carbines]

Interesting. Did you buy it directly from amazon, or from another reseller on their site?

As of a few months ago you could buy FP SIMs at Target and BestBuy. I almost bought mine from target before I got mine from amazon for $5 cheaper. Maybe not the case anymore...?


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Bought it direct from Amazon.

My cynical nature makes me think it’s a bait-and-switch kinda thing. But believe me, I want 1 GB/month for 12 months for $35 to be true :-)

I’m hoping to read about success stories from someone here, because I want to try again!

[PNW Avant]

Bought it direct from Amazon.

My cynical nature makes me think it’s a bait-and-switch kinda thing. But believe me, I want 1 GB/month for 12 months for $35 to be true :-)

I’m hoping to read about success stories from someone here, because I want to try again!

I don’t know, I highly doubt it. Mine worked fine from amazon at the $45 price. Are you sure it wasn’t possible for you to decline all plans and stick with your prepaid service? FP is all about the up-sell and sometimes their user interface makes it misleading what your true options are. I don’t recall what workflow I used to get mine activated - if there were hiccups I would have remembered though.


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