FORScan License Suspended: What Are Your Options?

If you've tried to buy a FORScan extended license recently, you already know something's wrong. The "Buy License" page just... doesn't work. No error message, no explanation, no timeline. Just a dead end.

Here's what happened, what it means for you, and what your options are in 2025.

What Happened to FORScan Licenses?

In December 2024, FORScan quietly suspended sales of new extended licenses. The extended license (~$60) was what unlocked the tool's most useful features — writing as-built data, configuring modules, and applying the mods that made FORScan worth using in the first place.

Without it, FORScan is essentially a read-only diagnostic tool. You can pull DTCs and look at your as-built data, but you can't change anything.

The FORScan team hasn't given a clear public explanation. Forum posts from the developers reference "licensing infrastructure changes" and hint at a new system coming, but there's been no firm timeline. Some users have speculated it's related to payment processing issues, while others think it's a precursor to a subscription model.

Whatever the reason, the result is the same: if you don't already have a FORScan extended license, you can't get one right now.

What Can You Still Do With the Free Version?

The free (trial) version of FORScan still works. Here's what you can and can't do:

Still works:

• Read diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs)
• View live sensor data (PIDs)
• Read as-built data from your modules
• Basic module identification
• Service functions (some)

Requires extended license (currently unavailable):

• Write as-built data changes
• Module configuration and programming
• Advanced service procedures
• All the popular mods (double honk delete, Bambi mode, global windows, etc.)

If you were planning to do any actual coding on your Ford — disabling the double honk (726-43-01), enabling Bambi mode (726-04-01), turning on global windows (726-37-01) — you're out of luck with FORScan right now.

If You Already Have a License

Good news: existing licenses still work. If you purchased an extended license before December 2024, it's still valid and functional. FORScan hasn't revoked any existing licenses.

However, licenses are tied to specific devices. If you get a new computer, you may have trouble transferring your license. Some users have reported success contacting FORScan support for transfers, but response times have been slow.

Pro tip: If you have a working FORScan license, back up your license file. Store it somewhere safe. You don't know when (or if) they'll resume sales.

Your Alternatives in 2025

So what do you do if you want to code your Ford and can't get a FORScan license? You have a few options, each with trade-offs. If you're on a Mac, you might also want to read our FORScan alternative for Mac guide for Mac-specific solutions.

1. OvalCode — The Modern Alternative

Cost: Waitlist (launching 2025)
Platform: macOS (native), Windows coming
Difficulty: Beginner-friendly

OvalCode is purpose-built for Ford coding and designed to be what FORScan should have become. Instead of hunting through hex addresses and as-built spreadsheets, you get plain-English mod names with one-click application.

The same mods you'd do in FORScan — double honk delete, Bambi mode, global windows, auto start-stop memory, mirror tilt in reverse — are all available through a simple interface. No module tree navigation, no hex math, no guesswork.

What makes it interesting:

• Plain English interface — "Disable Double Honk" instead of "BCM 726-43-01 change byte from 01xx to 02xx"
• Automatic backups — Every change is backed up before modification, one-click restore
• Native Mac support — No Windows VM required (this alone is huge for Mac users)
• Mod packs — Bundle popular mods together and apply in seconds
• Safety-first design — Color-coded risk levels, prerequisite checks, hardware verification

It's currently in private beta, but you can download it now at ovalcode.app/download.

2. OBDeleven — The Volkswagen Tool That Kinda Works

Cost: ~$80 for the device + app credits
Platform: iOS, Android
Difficulty: Easy interface, limited Ford support

OBDeleven is popular in the VW/Audi world, and they've been expanding to other manufacturers including Ford. The app is slick and the device is well-made.

The problem? Ford support is limited. OBDeleven was designed around VAG vehicles, and their Ford module coverage is nowhere near FORScan's. You might get basic diagnostics working, but the deep as-built coding that makes FORScan useful is largely missing.

If you also own a VW, Audi, or Skoda, OBDeleven is a great tool to have. For Ford-specific coding, it's not a real FORScan replacement yet.

3. Ford Dealer Visit

Cost: $100-200+ per visit
Platform: IDS/FDRS (dealer-only)
Difficulty: Easy (someone else does it)

You can always take your truck to the dealership and ask them to make configuration changes. Ford's official tool (FDRS) can do everything FORScan can and more.

The downsides are obvious:

• Expensive — Most dealers charge $100-200 just for diagnostic time, plus labor
• Limited willingness — Many dealers won't touch "non-standard" configurations
• Liability concerns — They'll refuse anything that could theoretically affect safety
• Inconvenient — You have to make an appointment, drive there, wait, drive back
• Per-visit cost — Want to try a mod, decide you don't like it, and change it back? That's two visits.

For a single important change, the dealer might make sense. For experimenting with multiple mods? It's impractical and expensive.

4. Find Someone With a License

Cost: Varies (usually free if you know someone)
Platform: Windows
Difficulty: Depends on who you find

Ford truck forums and local truck groups often have members with active FORScan licenses who'll help out. Some will walk you through it in person, others will code your truck for you.

This is honestly how a lot of people get their mods done — they find a local FORScan user and bring a six-pack. The FORScan community has always been generous about helping newcomers.

The downside is obvious: you're dependent on someone else's availability, and if something goes wrong, you're troubleshooting together. But if you have access to a local F-150 or Bronco community, it's worth asking.

5. Wait It Out

Cost: Free (just your patience)
Platform: N/A
Difficulty: Extremely difficult for impatient people

FORScan will presumably resume license sales at some point. The tool has been around since 2012 and has a dedicated team. This doesn't feel like an end-of-life situation — more like a transition.

But "at some point" could be months. If you just bought a new F-150 and want to disable that double honk now, waiting isn't really an option.

What We'd Actually Recommend

Be honest about what you need:

If you want one or two simple mods → Find a local FORScan user or check if OvalCode is available yet. Don't overcomplicate it.

If you're a Mac user → OvalCode is genuinely the best path. Running FORScan through a Windows VM was always a bad experience, and now you can't even buy the license to make it work. Get it at ovalcode.app/download.

If you need dealer-level programming → Bite the bullet and go to the dealer. Some things (firmware updates, module reprogramming) really do need FDRS.

If you already have a FORScan license → Keep using it. It still works fine. Just back up your license file.

If you're flexible on timing → Try OvalCode at ovalcode.app/download while you wait for FORScan to sort out their licensing. Having options is always good.

The Bigger Picture

The FORScan license situation highlights a problem in the Ford coding world: too much depends on one tool.

FORScan has been essentially the only option for DIY Ford coding for over a decade. When it works, it's fantastic. When it doesn't — like right now — the entire community is stuck.

That's exactly why alternatives like OvalCode matter. Not because FORScan is bad (it's genuinely impressive software), but because having a single point of failure for an entire ecosystem is risky.

Competition makes everyone better. When FORScan resumes license sales, they'll be competing with tools that have better UX, native Mac support, and simpler interfaces. That's good for everyone — including FORScan users.

FAQ

Is my existing FORScan license still valid?
Yes. Existing licenses work normally. Only new purchases are affected.

Will FORScan come back?
Almost certainly, though no timeline has been given. The tool is too established to disappear.

Can I use FORScan free version to write changes?
No. The free version is read-only for as-built data. You need the extended license to write changes.

Is it safe to use alternative tools?
Any tool that writes to your vehicle's modules carries some risk. Look for tools with automatic backup features and community verification. OvalCode, for example, creates automatic backups before every change and color-codes mods by risk level.

What OBD adapter do I need?
For Ford coding, you need an adapter that supports MS-CAN (medium-speed CAN bus). The OBDLink EX is the gold standard. See our guide to OBD2 adapters for Ford for details.

---

Want to compare the tools in detail? Read our OvalCode vs FORScan comparison for a full feature breakdown.

Don't want to wait for FORScan licenses to come back? Get OvalCode →

---

🎉 Founder Lifetime Deal — $49 (Limited Time)

Get lifetime access to OvalCode for a one-time $49 payment — no subscription, no annual fees. Early access pricing before March 1 launch.

Claim Founder Lifetime Access →