How to Use the Kia Connect App
Kia Connect — formerly known as UVO — is Kia's connected vehicle platform that lets you remotely control, monitor, and manage your Kia from your smartphone. Here's a complete guide from Oakes Kia in North Kansas City on what it does and how to use it.
View Kia Inventory Contact UsIf you recently purchased a new Kia at Oakes Kia in North Kansas City and haven't set up Kia Connect yet, you're leaving some of the most useful features on the table. Kia Connect — which replaced the older UVO Link app — is the connected vehicle platform that turns your smartphone into a remote control for your Kia. Remote start, climate preconditioning, door lock and unlock, vehicle health monitoring, service scheduling, and over-the-air software updates are all managed through the Kia Connect app.
This guide covers everything Northland Kia owners need to know: what Kia Connect does, which vehicles support it, how to download and set it up, and how to use each major feature.
What Is Kia Connect? (And What Happened to UVO?)
Kia Connect is the current name for Kia's connected vehicle platform in the United States. If you've heard of Kia UVO or UVO Link, those were earlier versions of the same system. Kia rebranded the platform as "Kia Connect" and significantly expanded its capabilities. The app is called Kia Connect on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store — that's what to search for when downloading.
Every new Kia purchased from Oakes Kia comes with a complimentary 3-year Kia Connect subscription starting from the retail sale or lease date. After the complimentary period, continued access to the full feature suite requires a paid subscription at the then-current rate. Feature availability varies by vehicle model, trim level, and model year.
If you bought your Kia before 2025 and are looking for UVO or Kia Access, note that Kia has transitioned older vehicles to different app experiences depending on the model year. The current Kia Connect app and its full feature set is primarily available on 2022 and newer models equipped with the necessary modem hardware. If you're unsure whether your vehicle is compatible, our team at Oakes Kia can confirm what's available for your specific Kia.
What Can You Do With Kia Connect?
Remote Start and Stop
Start or stop your Kia's engine from your smartphone — anywhere. For Northland drivers dealing with Kansas City summers and winters, this means your Kia is already at the right temperature when you get in. Remote start runs for up to 10 minutes and can be paired with climate preconditioning settings.
Remote Climate Control
Set your desired cabin temperature before you get in. On hot summer days in Olathe or cold winter mornings in Liberty, you can activate the A/C or heat remotely so the cabin is comfortable the moment you open the door. For EV and hybrid owners, preconditioning while plugged in also preserves driving range.
Remote Lock and Unlock
Lock or unlock your Kia's doors from your phone. Useful when you've parked across a large lot in Overland Park and can't remember if you locked up, or when you need to let someone into your vehicle without being physically present.
Vehicle Status Monitoring
Check your Kia's current status at any time — door and trunk lock status, hood status, engine status, fuel level, tire pressure alerts, and climate status. Get notifications when something changes so you're never caught off guard by a low tire or an unlocked door.
Find My Car / Location Tracking
Locate your parked Kia on a map directly from the app. Useful in large parking areas around Kansas City metro — shopping centers, stadiums, or anywhere you've walked far from where you parked. Also includes live tracking capability for situations where you need to monitor your vehicle's location in real time.
Driving Statistics and Trip History
Review past trips including routes, distance driven, driving time, and driving behavior data. Useful for monitoring fuel efficiency patterns and tracking driving habits over time — particularly helpful for families who share a vehicle among multiple drivers.
Vehicle Health Reports
Receive proactive alerts and reports on your Kia's maintenance status. Kia Connect monitors key vehicle systems and notifies you when service is approaching or when a diagnostic issue is detected — giving you the information you need to schedule service at Oakes Kia before a small issue becomes a larger one.
Over-the-Air Software Updates
Kia Connect enables over-the-air (OTA) software updates to your vehicle's infotainment and connected systems — similar to how your smartphone receives updates automatically. New features, performance improvements, and bug fixes can be pushed to your Kia without requiring a dealer visit.
Service Scheduling
Schedule service appointments directly from the Kia Connect app. For Northland owners who want to book their next oil change or tire rotation at Oakes Kia without picking up the phone, the app provides direct scheduling access from your smartphone.
Valet Mode
When handing your Kia to a valet or service technician, Valet Mode lets you monitor the vehicle's location, speed, drive time, and distance traveled during the time it's out of your hands. Peace of mind when someone else is behind the wheel.
EV and Hybrid Charging Controls
For EV6, EV9, Niro EV, Sportage PHEV, and Sorento PHEV owners: remotely start, stop, and schedule charging sessions. Monitor battery level and estimated range from the app. Set charging schedules to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates overnight.
Kia Connect Store
The Kia Connect Store lets you add optional features and content to your vehicle over-the-air — including display themes, entertainment and data services, Remote Smart Parking Assist 2, and other add-ons depending on your vehicle's capabilities and trim level.
How to Set Up and Use Kia Connect — Step by Step
Download the Kia Connect App
Search for "Kia Connect" on the Apple App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) and download the official app. Make sure you're downloading the Kia Connect app — not an older UVO or Kia Access version. The app is free to download. Your Kia Connect subscription comes with your vehicle purchase.
Create or Log Into Your Kia Owner Portal Account
Open the app and create a Kia Owner Portal account using your email address, or log in if you already have one. Your Kia Owner Portal account is the same login used across Kia's owner-facing digital platforms. Keep your login credentials stored somewhere accessible — you'll use them anytime you reinstall the app or log in on a new device.
Add Your Vehicle Using Your VIN
Once logged in, add your Kia to the app by entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Your VIN is located on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), on your insurance card, or on the sticker inside the driver's door jamb. The app will verify your VIN and link your vehicle to your account.
Activate Kia Connect Through Your Vehicle's Infotainment System
In your Kia, navigate to the Settings or Connected Services section of your infotainment touchscreen and follow the on-screen activation prompts. You may be asked to confirm your account credentials or enter a verification code sent to your email. This step links your physical vehicle to your Kia Connect account and activates the subscription.
Allow Required App Permissions
When prompted, allow the Kia Connect app the permissions it needs to function properly. Location access allows the Find My Car feature to work. Notifications allow the app to alert you to vehicle status changes, low fuel, tire pressure warnings, and service reminders. Storage access enables the app to download content. You can adjust these permissions in your phone's Settings app at any time.
Set Up Your Remote Features and Preferences
Once activated, configure your preferences within the app. Set your preferred remote start duration, default climate settings for remote preconditioning, notification preferences for vehicle alerts, and any EV charging schedules if applicable. Taking a few minutes to configure these settings upfront means the app works the way you want it to from day one.
Start Using Kia Connect Features
Your Kia Connect setup is complete. The app's home screen shows your vehicle status at a glance — lock status, fuel level, and any active alerts. The main menu gives you access to remote controls, location, trip history, vehicle health, the Kia Connect Store, and service scheduling. For remote commands to work, your vehicle needs to be within cellular network coverage and not in an underground parking structure or other area with limited signal.
Which Kia Vehicles Support Kia Connect?
Kia Connect is available on select 2022 and newer Kia models equipped with the necessary modem hardware. The feature set available varies by model year and trim level — not all features are available on every eligible vehicle. Models that support Kia Connect include:
- Kia Telluride — Full Kia Connect capability on equipped trims
- Kia Sorento — Including Hybrid and PHEV models
- Kia Sportage — Including Hybrid and PHEV models
- Kia EV6 — Full EV-specific Kia Connect features including charging management
- Kia EV9 — Full EV-specific Kia Connect features
- Kia K5 — On equipped trims
- Kia K4 — On equipped trims (replaces Forte)
- Kia Carnival — On equipped trims
- Kia Niro — Including Hybrid, PHEV, and EV models
- Kia Soul — On equipped trims
Feature availability also depends on your vehicle's specific trim level. Higher trims with the connected car hardware package typically support the full suite of Kia Connect features. If you're unsure what's available on your specific Kia, our team at Oakes Kia in North Kansas City can confirm compatibility for your VIN.
How Long Is Kia Connect Free?
Every new Kia purchased from Oakes Kia includes a complimentary 3-year Kia Connect subscription starting from the vehicle's retail sale or lease date. During that period all included Kia Connect features — remote start, climate control, vehicle monitoring, location services, and over-the-air updates — are available at no additional charge.
After the 3-year complimentary period expires, Kia Connect requires a paid subscription to maintain access to the full remote feature suite. Some basic features may remain accessible without a subscription depending on the vehicle. Kia's subscription pricing is available through the Kia Owner Portal or by contacting our team at Oakes Kia.
The complimentary Kia Connect subscription is also transferable to a subsequent owner during the original subscription term — which adds real value to a Kia's resale proposition for buyers who purchase within the complimentary window.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Kia Connect
- Set climate preconditioning defaults for Kansas City seasons — Configure your preferred summer cool-down temperature and winter warm-up temperature so you don't have to adjust them every time you trigger remote climate from the app
- Enable push notifications — Kia Connect can alert you to changes in your vehicle's status — an unlocked door, a low tire pressure reading, or a triggered alarm. These notifications are off by default and worth enabling in the app settings
- Check vehicle health reports regularly — The app generates periodic vehicle health reports that summarize your Kia's maintenance status and flag any diagnostic alerts. Reviewing these monthly takes under a minute and keeps you ahead of any developing service needs
- Schedule charging during off-peak hours (EV and PHEV owners) — Use Kia Connect's charging scheduler to automatically charge your EV6, EV9, or plug-in hybrid Kia during off-peak electricity hours overnight — typically lower-rate periods for most Kansas City area utility customers
- Use Find My Car in large parking areas — The Kansas City metro has no shortage of large parking lots. Activating the Find My Car feature immediately after parking gives you a precise GPS pin to navigate back to even in unfamiliar locations
- Keep the app updated — Kia regularly updates the Kia Connect app to add features and fix issues. Enable automatic app updates on your phone to ensure you're always running the latest version
Need Help Setting Up Kia Connect?
Our team at Oakes Kia in North Kansas City can walk you through the Kia Connect setup process in person, confirm which features are available on your specific vehicle, and answer any questions about your subscription. Stop by or reach out anytime.
Contact Oakes Kia View Kia InventoryKia Connect App — Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Kia UVO app?
Kia UVO and UVO Link were earlier versions of Kia's connected vehicle platform. Kia has transitioned to the Kia Connect branding and app, which includes significantly expanded features over the original UVO system. If you're searching for UVO, search for "Kia Connect" on the App Store or Google Play — that is the current app for Kia connected vehicle services in the United States.
Is Kia Connect free?
Every new Kia purchased from Oakes Kia includes a complimentary 3-year Kia Connect subscription starting from the retail sale or lease date. The app itself is free to download. After the 3-year complimentary period, continued access to the full Kia Connect feature suite requires a paid subscription at the then-current rate. Some basic features may remain available without a subscription after the complimentary period ends.
Why isn't Kia Connect working on my vehicle?
Several factors can prevent Kia Connect from working correctly. The most common issues are: the vehicle is in an area with limited cellular signal (underground parking, rural areas), the vehicle hasn't been activated through the infotainment system, the app permissions on your phone are incomplete, or your vehicle's model year or trim level doesn't include the required connected hardware. If you've verified all of these and the app still isn't working, contact Oakes Kia or call Kia Connect customer support at 1-800-333-4542.
Can I use Kia Connect on multiple vehicles?
Yes. The Kia Connect app allows you to add multiple eligible Kia vehicles to a single account. Each vehicle requires its own Kia Connect subscription, but all vehicles can be managed from the same app and the same Kia Owner Portal login.
Can multiple people use Kia Connect on the same vehicle?
Yes. Kia Connect allows the primary account holder to add secondary drivers who can access certain features through the app. The primary owner controls which features secondary users can access. This is useful for families who share a vehicle and want multiple household members to be able to use remote start, lock/unlock, and vehicle location features.
Does Kia Connect work on used Kia vehicles?
The complimentary 3-year Kia Connect subscription is transferable to subsequent owners during the original subscription term. If you purchase a used Kia from Oakes Kia that still has time remaining on its complimentary Kia Connect subscription, you can transfer that subscription to your name. After the complimentary period, the subscription requires renewal at the then-current rate. Feature availability depends on the vehicle's model year, trim, and hardware.
What is the Kia Connect Store?
The Kia Connect Store is an in-app marketplace where compatible Kia owners can purchase additional features and content to add to their vehicle over-the-air. Available items include entertainment and data services, display themes (including Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, NBA, National Geographic, and Pixar themes), Remote Smart Parking Assist 2, and other features depending on your vehicle's capabilities. Items purchased through the Kia Connect Store are delivered to your vehicle wirelessly without a dealer visit.
Where can I get help with Kia Connect in North Kansas City?
Oakes Kia in North Kansas City is your local Kia Connect resource. Our team can walk you through the setup process in person, confirm which features are available on your specific vehicle and trim, help troubleshoot connection issues, and explain how to use specific features. Stop by our North Kansas City location at 2900 Burlington Street or contact us online. You can also reach Kia Connect customer support directly at 1-800-333-4542.
Shop New Kia Vehicles with Kia Connect at Oakes Kia
Every new Kia at Oakes Kia in North Kansas City comes with the 3-year complimentary Kia Connect subscription. Whether you're buying a Telluride, Sportage, Sorento, EV6, K5, or any other connected Kia model, Kia Connect is included from day one.
Browse our current Kia inventory online, contact our team with questions about Kia Connect features on a specific model, or stop by our North Kansas City location at 2900 Burlington Street. We serve buyers from Liberty, Gladstone, Kearney, Smithville, Riverside, Parkville, and across the Kansas City Northland.
