The Tesla app is an essential building block in the overall Tesla experience, which you won't find to this extent with any other manufacturer. Everything about your vehicle can be conveniently controlled from your smartphone, and even any other Tesla products such as a Powerwall or a solar roof can be integrated.
The app is the best, but by no means the only accessory for your Tesla. So let's take a look at the Tesla app features!
Connecting the Tesla app to your car
The first step is to connect your Tesla to the app. To do this, you must install the Tesla app and then log in with the Tesla account that you used to order the vehicle or that is linked to the vehicle.
Then activate access in the vehicle under Vehicle -> Security -> Enable mobile access . Please note that Bluetooth and internet connection must be activated on your smartphone and in the vehicle.
Tesla Mobile app: basic functions
In the start menu of the app, you will see a detailed image of your vehicle. It also shows, for example, if windows are open, whether the car is parked or driving and, if applicable, how fast it is going. You can also find the current charge level of the battery - you can switch between percent and kilometers by tapping - as well as the name of your car, which you can choose as you wish.
Set up the Tesla app: Shortcuts
There are four shortcuts (abbreviations) below the vehicle visualization. These are used to lock or unlock the vehicle, activate the air conditioning, call up charging data and settings via the Tesla app or open the frunk.
Tesla app: Menu items
After the shortcuts, there are numerous menu items for other functions. Under "Vehicle", you can open the windows, lock the vehicle, activate the headlight flasher and horn, open the charging port and the trunk and much more - all remotely, of course.
Climate
The "Climate" section contains settings for the seat and steering wheel heating, the dog mode and the air conditioning. You can also de-ice your Tesla or activate the overheating protection here.
Standort
Under "Location" you can always see the live location of your Tesla as well as Supercharger stations in the vicinity. By tapping on the station, you can also send its address to your Tesla's navigation system.
Herbeirufen
You can use "Call me" to have your Tesla park and drive to you if you have purchased the "Advanced Autopilot" package.
Zeitplan
Here you can set a time at which you want to start driving. By then, your Tesla will have reached the desired room temperature and be fully charged (if plugged in). If possible, charging will take place when the electricity is cheap.
Security: Tesla camera via app
Under "Security", you can add your smartphone as a key, switch on Valet mode or guard mode and set authorizations and maximum speeds for other drivers. You can also add or remove drivers here via the Tesla app.
When guard mode is activated, you have camera access via the Tesla app, so you can see live images from the vehicle's surroundings.
Tesla Supercharger app: The charging data
Under "Charging data" you can see when and where you have charged in the last 31 days, how much it has cost you and how much you have saved compared to a combustion engine.
Upgrades
You can use the "Upgrades" option to purchase additional functions for your vehicle, e.g. autopilot upgrades or faster acceleration.
Service
In the event of damage, you can make a service appointment with Tesla via the "Service" item in the app. The program guides you intuitively through the process. Data such as the mileage or the chassis number can be found below the "Service" point.
More functions: Add Tesla app car
If you are in the fortunate position of owning several Teslas, you can of course manage them all in the app. Vehicles purchased directly from Tesla automatically appear in the app; swipe left or right on the home screen to switch between cars.
In the case of a private purchase, you must prove that you are the owner. You can do this via the profile icon at the top right -> Add/remove products -> Add -> Vehicle.
Tesla route planner app
Is the Tesla Navigation App suitable? Of course it is. If you have an address on your smartphone (e.g. in Google Maps), simply tap on "Share" in the relevant app and select the Tesla symbol. You will then have the destination in the car's navigation system.
Tesla App Apple Watch
With the paid app "Watch App for Tesla", available in the Apple App Store, some functions of the Tesla app can also be operated from the Apple Watch.
Tesla app invoices
With the Tesla app, you can make payments related to your Tesla - for example for upgrades or subscriptions such as the "Premium Connectivity", with which you can stream music and movies, or lease payments. To do this, enter a payment method under Profile -> Account -> Wallet . For automatic billing of Supercharger costs, go to Account -> Charging -> Manage payment.
Tesla app update
If an over-the-air update is available for your Tesla, the Tesla app will notify you with a message on the home screen. Click on the notification to start the update. Updates for the app itself are managed via the relevant app store on your smartphone - as with any other app.
Open Tesla app door
Unfortunately, the doors of your Tesla cannot yet be opened via the app. However, in the car's infotainment system under Vehicle -> Locks -> "Vehicle left open" notifications you can set whether you want to receive a notification via the app if you have left doors or windows open.
Problems with the Tesla app
Unfortunately, not everything in the app always works. Here are the most common problems:
Tesla app does not connect, Tesla app does not update
If the app no longer wants to connect or no longer updates data, resetting the vehicle can help. We have explained how to do this here . Alternatively, it helps to reinstall the app, log in again and set up the cell phone key again.
Tesla app no connection to the vehicle
If there are further connection problems, it may also help to restart the smartphone or switch the Bluetooth and internet connection off and on again. If you have problems, also make sure that you have not activated a VPN or ad blocker on your smartphone.
Tesla app charging data has disappeared
If you do not see any charging data in the app, make sure that both the app and the vehicle are up to date with the latest software and that Software -> Road Section Data Share is active in the vehicle. In addition, charging data can only be viewed by the primary vehicle owner - if that's not you, you won't see anything. Also bear in mind that it can take 24 hours for charging processes to appear in the app.
What are your experiences with the Tesla app? Share it with us in the comments!
