The Tesla mobile app allows you to communicate with Model 3 remotely using your iPhone® or Android™ phone.
To use the mobile app
To set up the Tesla mobile app to communicate with your Model 3:
- Download the Tesla mobile app to your phone.
- Log in to the Tesla mobile app by entering your Tesla account credentials.
- Enable mobile access to your Model 3 by touching Controls > Safety & Security > Mobile Access.
- Turn your phone’s Bluetooth setting ON and ensure that Bluetooth is turned on within your phone’s global settings for the Tesla mobile app. For example, on your phone, navigate to Settings, choose the Tesla mobile app, and ensure the Bluetooth setting is enabled.
Your phone and vehicle must both be actively connected to cellular service to allow the mobile app to communicate with your vehicle. Tesla recommends that you always have a functional physical key readily available if parking in an area with limited or absent cellular service, such as an indoor parking garage.
If multiple vehicles are linked to the Tesla Account, you must switch to the Model 3 you want to access in the mobile app before the phone can be used as a key. Swipe left or right to change vehicles.
NOTE: In the event that you require lockout assistance from Tesla due to a non-warranty issue, such as having limited cellular connectivity and having no secondary key available, your expenses are not covered under the Roadside Assistance policy.
NOTE: Tesla does not support the use of third party applications to contact Model 3.
Overview
The Tesla mobile app’s home screen allows you to:
• See the name of your vehicle (if you set one).
• View your vehicle’s estimated range.
• See which gear the vehicle is in (driving, park, etc.).
• Enable maximum defrost to warm your vehicle in cold conditions.
• Enable keyless driving.
• Open the front trunk.
• Lock or unlock your vehicle.
• View your vehicle’s odometer, VIN, and current firmware version.
For supported video sources, send videos to Tesla Theater by sharing the link through the mobile app. Navigate to the movie, show, or video you want to play on your phone and touch the share button. Share the video with the Tesla app and it appears on the touchscreen if Model 3 is in Park.
Phone Key
Set up your phone as the key. Once authenticated, your phone’s Bluetooth signal is detected as you approach your vehicle and the doors unlock when you press a door handle. Likewise, when you exit and walk away with the phone, doors automatically lock (provided the Walk-Away Door Lock feature is turned on). You must be near your vehicle and have a key card ready to set up your phone as a phone key.
NOTE: You should always carry a key card or key fob with you in case you park Model 3 in a location with inadequate cell service.
Climate
Check the interior temperature and heat or cool the cabin before driving (even if it’s in a garage). You can also control the seat heaters and defrost the windshield.
Turn Climate On: This allows you to precondition the cabin by moving the direction of air flow from the vents, and turn the seat heaters on or off.
Defrost helps to melt snow, ice, and frost on the windshield, driver and passenger windows, mirrors.
Using the mobile app to precondition Model 3 also warms the Battery as needed.
NOTE: In some vehicles, depending on vehicle specifications and date of manufacture, using the mobile app to defrost Model 3 also thaws ice on the charge port latch. This is useful in extremely cold weather or icy conditions in which the charge port latch can freeze in place, preventing you from removing or inserting the charge cable.
Controls
The Controls tab allows you do the following:
• Vent or close the windows.
• Lock or unlock Model 3 from afar.
• Flash the lights or honk the horn to find where Model 3 is parked.
• Enable Keyless Driving.
NOTE: Keyless Driving can be used when you do not have your key or to bypass PIN to Drive in cases where you forgot your PIN or your touchscreen is unresponsive.
Open the front or rear trunk.
• Open and close your garage door if your vehicle has a programmed HomeLink connection, if available.
• Enable or disable valet mode.
• Enable/disable Sentry Mode.
• Enable/disable Speed Limit Mode and receive notifications when the vehicle’s driving speed is within approximately 3 mph (5 km/h) of your selected maximum speed.
Charging
Check charging progress, stop charging, and receive notifications when charging is started, interrupted, almost complete, or complete. You can also view nearby chargers and send the directions to your vehicle’s touchscreen.
NOTE: When Supercharging, additional notifications alert you of idle fees that may be charged when staying parking at a supercharger after charging is complete. Idle fees are waived if you move Model 3 within five minutes of when the charging is complete.
Location
Locate Model 3 with directions, or track its movement across a map.
Summon
You can park or retrieve Model 3 using Summon or Smart Summon.
Upgrades
View and purchase the latest upgrades available for your vehicle, such as full self-driving.
Schedule Service
Scheduling a service visit through the mobile app is easy. After touching Schedule Service, select the type of service needed and follow the directions in the mobile app. Provide as much detail as possible, such as:
• Photos, sound recordings, or videos.
• Date(s), time(s), and time zone when the issue occurred.
• Country of use and location.
• Approximate speed the vehicle was traveling (if applicable).
• Environmental conditions (rain, snow, cold, etc.).
• Road name and type of road (if applicable).
• Quality of lane markings (if applicable).
• Applicable vehicle settings.
• Identifiable symptoms.
Settings
In this settings tab located at the top corner of your phone’s screen (shown as a gear icon), you can:
• Switch to a different vehicle associated with your Tesla account, if you have access to more than one.
• Access the Tesla inbox.
• View Notifications and customize the notifications you receive, such as when your security alarm has been triggered, charging updates, and new software updates. You can start them from afar and check its progress.
• Enable or disable Touch ID.
• Support the Model 3 Calendar app on the touchscreen by allowing the mobile app to send your phone’s calendar data to your vehicle.
NOTE: Some of these features require installation of the latest version of the mobile app.
NOTE: The above list may not represent an exhaustive list of the functions available on the Tesla mobile app. To ensure access to new and improved features, download updated versions of the mobile app as they become available.
Granting Mobile App Access to a Second Driver
It’s easy to grant mobile app access to a second person that uses Model 3 (such as a family member or friend). Log into your Tesla account, navigate to the associated vehicle, click Manage > Car Access > Add Driver and follow the onscreen instructions. If the person you are adding does not have a Tesla account, a welcome email is sent to their registered email address. Once the account is created, they can access your Model 3 from the mobile app, viewing information and controlling the vehicle remotely.
To remove access, delete the contact information of the second person in the mobile app.
NOTE: If the Add Driver settings do not display in your Tesla account, contact Tesla.
NOTE: Granting mobile app access to a secondary person allows them to view and control everything your mobile app can control.
NOTE: Tesla does not currently allow you to add more than one additional person.