SFD Public Beta!

[ruztok]

We are not at the point where we feel comfortable selling subscriptions yet. But we are giving out short-term subscriptions for free to people who are willing to test it and provide feedback.

-Uwe-

Thank you for the clarification. I would be very happy to participate in your beta-testing program. I run an automotive workshop (GTi Performance in Poland), so I can provide feedback based on daily diagnostics and tuning work on various VAG models. Please let me know what the next steps are to activate the short-term subscription and what kind of technical data/feedback you expect from me.

 

[Uwe]

Please let me know what the next steps are to activate the short-term subscription

See the very first post of this thread and follow the instructions there. Read them carefully. You can now place an order in our sture using the serial number that the Beta version of VCDS shows on the About screen with your HEX-NET. You must place this order within one week.

and what kind of technical data/feedback you expect from me.

We would like to see (in one of more separate threads in this section of the forum) Auto-Scan from cars that have SFD, as well as SFD logs (that you will find in your Debug folder).

We often extend customer's free, short-term subscriptions if they post good data, but this is not guaranteed.

-Uwe-

 

[Bretterson]

If we've already posted an AutoScan and CSVs, do you want us to add new ones for future sessions or only if we encounter issues?

 

[Eric]

I would say if you encounter issues, or do it on a different car.

 

[Uwe]

or do it on a different car.

Most "enthusiast" users like @Bretterson don't have more than one car with SFD, nor would I expect him to want to use up any of his three VINs for testing on other people's cars, although if he's got friends or neighbors with SFD cars, something could probably be arranged to address that point.

-Uwe-

 

[RTS]

I have been using the beta for the past couple of weeks and no issues to report other than entering my password wrong on a couple of occasions as I have too many to remember.
I'm really pleased a native unlock has finally been added as its easier and faster to use than logging into ODIS. Would be great if the "session" could be extended from 30 minutes to 60 / 1 hour.

 

[Eric]

Would you mind posting your Debug\SFDLog.csv on here or a separate thread in this forum? You're welcome to anonymize the serial number and/or last digits of the VINs if you like.

 

[Bearclaws8]

Would you mind posting your Debug\SFDLog.csv on here or a separate thread in this forum? You're welcome to anonymize the serial number and/or last digits of the VINs if you like.

Will the SFDLog track when a controller relocks or does it only show the unlock side? I haven't stayed in a session long enough to see but did notice that all the VCDS outputs state a 30 min, or less, unlock period. I'd be willing to leave my car hooked up if there's a way to track the unlock/relock duration.

 

[kdagher]

i am the sole owner of the HEX-NET, it's a HN1-008450. verified & Registered under my name and bought from Ross-tech website.. any reason why it's not available for my interface ?

 

[stefdds]

There is most likely some information missing in your registration for SFD or perhaps your location (?), I'm sure Admin. will come along and correct the error as your Hex-Net should be approved. Did you receive the approval (link) email as part of the SFD registration process?

 

[kdagher]

i think i missed my June 1st window.. my interface was bought before June 2023.. i sent an email requesting exception. i hope it gets approved..

 

[stefdds]

If you agree to post your Auto-Scan and the SFD logs , Debug\SFDLog.csv, after you access some of your modules and gateway filter deactivation, I'm confident Admin. would help you out.

Are you willing to post those logs?

 

[stefdds]

We are not at the point where we feel comfortable selling subscriptions yet. But we are giving out short-term subscriptions for free to people who are willing to test it and provide feedback.

-Uwe-

 

[Eric]

Will the SFDLog track when a controller relocks or does it only show the unlock side? I haven't stayed in a session long enough to see but did notice that all the VCDS outputs state a 30 min, or less, unlock period. I'd be willing to leave my car hooked up if there's a way to track the unlock/relock duration.

You're conflating Ross-Tech SFD session and control module SFD unlock time.
The Ross-Tech SFD session that authenticates you and your interface is valid for 30 minutes.
The control module SFD unlock time, we have no control over, but is almost always 90 minutes (typically with ignition ON but not always). You can SFD-relock individual modules in the SFD Online screen, or you can SFD-relock the whole car from Applications. Those relocks will be shown in the SFDLog. The current SFD-state of the module is displayed in the Open Controller dialog (top-right) and you can check the remaining module unlock time in the SFD Online dialog.
Most of this is explained here: https://www.ross-tech.com/vcds/tour/sfd-online.php but I understand it's a lot of information to digest

 

[Bearclaws8]

Most of this is explained here: https://www.ross-tech.com/vcds/tour/sfd-online.php but I understand it's a lot of information to digest

Thanks for the clarification! I swear I read the whole thing. Sometimes the brain juices don't work quite right. I definitely hadn't appreciated the difference between a VCDS session time and the modules own time.

 

[kdagher]

If you agree to post your Auto-Scan and the SFD logs , Debug\SFDLog.csv, after you access some of your modules and gateway filter deactivation, I'm confident Admin. would help you out.

Are you willing to post those logs?

of course i will post, thats what we are here for.. i do not like to withhold information. anything that can help the community i will do it. i can post also logs from my SQ5 B10 along with my Q4. i hope they will agree to grant access..

 

[kdagher]

do i upload the Debug\SFDLog.csv on the other thread where we post the auto scan or do i need to send it to an email? how often do i send the file? I will try to unlock multiple modules and relock them if it helps..

 

[Eric]

Post it in your own thread with the autoscan. It's better to post it once you've completed all your SFD work.

 

[Piotr Grochowalski]

Hello everyone in the thread. I am currently working on repairing an Audi Q6 and I would like to sign up to use the Beta version with the possibility of unlocking SFD. I’m curious to see what can be done in this case. Cheers

 

[Piotr Grochowalski]

UPDATE: Free SFD Beta Sign-Ups end at the end of May. See HERE.

We've been running a private Beta for distributors and a few privately invited forum members for several weeks now, and we think it's time to widen the scope. So we're now making on-line SFD functionality available in Beta form to all Verified Users here.

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Prerequiste:

• You must be a Verified User in this forum. If you're not, then please Get Verified first!

Instructions:
https://www.ross-tech.com/vcds/tour/sfd-online.php

• Please take the time to read them carefully and refer back to them as needed. We will not be amused if you ask questions that are already answered on that page.
• All support for on-line SFD functionality while in Beta will be right here, in this section of the forum. Do not call, e-mail, or PM us with questions.
• These instructions have been updated a bit today (2026-05-03). Additional text for firmware updates in Step 2) and included "connect your interface to a car" in step A).

Software (Beta 26.5.2):
https://www.ross-tech.com/vcds/download/beta/26-5.php

• Please check for updates frequently!
• As of 2025-05-08 users of interface serial numbers starting with H10-, H11-, H12-, HN1-, and HN2- do not need to switch to the Beta channel for firmware updates. SFD-compatible firmware is now on the Release channel, so just update your firmware normally. However, we do need to see that your interface firmware is up-to-date before your SFD Service order can be accepted.
• Users of interface serial numbers starting with H17- and H18- still require an additional update for SFD compatibility. As of 2026-05-18, this update is now available on the Beta channel. A switch to Alpha by Ross-Tech is no longer required. Please connect your interface to a car when doing this update to ensure sufficient power.

Feedback:

• Obviously the purpose of this Beta is to get feedback, so please provide as much as possible.
• Please post questions about the SFD process here in this thread.
• Please start a new thread for every car you test on, and include scans, maps, and screen-shots as appropriate.

-Uwe-

Good morning. Do I qualify? Cheers