Tesla App Guide: Features, Phone Key Setup and Fixes (2026)
The Tesla app is the free official app for iPhone and Android that lets you control your Tesla from your phone. With it you can use your phone as a key, lock and unlock the car, heat or cool the cabin, check range and charging, start the car remotely, schedule service, request roadside assistance and buy upgrades. It also controls Tesla Powerwall and solar. To use it, download the app, sign in with your Tesla Account, make sure “Allow Mobile Access” is on in the car (Controls > Safety), and set up Phone Key while standing near the car with Bluetooth on.
For most Tesla owners the phone is the main key, so the Tesla app is used every single day. It can also do a lot more than unlock the doors: warm the car on a cold morning, tell you when charging is done, and even book a service visit.
This guide covers what the Tesla app can do, how to set it up and pair your phone key, and how to fix the most common problems such as the app saying your car is disconnected. Features can vary by vehicle, software version and region.
What Can You Do With the Tesla App?
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Phone Key | Unlocks the car as you walk up and lets you drive without a key card |
| Lock and unlock | Lock or unlock remotely, open the trunk or frunk |
| Climate | Pre-heat or cool the cabin, defrost the windows, heat the seats |
| Charging | See range, set the charge limit, start or stop charging, view charging history and costs |
| Find chargers | Find Superchargers and other charging stations nearby |
| Remote Start | Start the car from the app (Controls > Start) if you do not have your key |
| Location | See where the car is parked |
| Service | Schedule service, track appointments and request roadside assistance |
| Upgrades and Shop | Buy over-the-air upgrades, subscriptions, accessories and charging equipment |
| Energy | Monitor solar production and control Powerwall backup reserve |
The app also sends alerts when a door, trunk or window is left open or the car is unlocked, if you turn on Car Left Open Notifications in the car’s Locks menu. To change which controls show on the app’s main screen, see how to customize controls in the Tesla app.
How to Set Up the Tesla App and Phone Key
Install the Tesla app from the App Store or Google Play. Avoid third-party Tesla apps, which can interfere with Phone Key.
Use the same email and password you used to order the car. The car must be delivered and on your account.
On the touchscreen, go to Controls > Safety (or Safety & Security) > Allow Mobile Access and turn it on.
Phone Key works over Bluetooth, so enable it and set the app’s location permission to Always Allow.
Open the app, select your car and tap Set Up next to Phone Key. If it does not finish, the app will ask you to tap your key card on the card reader.
Pick whether Phone Key unlocks all doors or only the driver’s door, then test it by walking away and back.
Note: Tesla says 2012 to 2020 Model S and 2015 to 2020 Model X do not support Phone Key. On those cars the app still works over the internet for remote features.
Tesla App Not Working? Try These Fixes
- Car not connecting: A car that has been idle or has a low battery can go to sleep. Wake it by opening a door or the trunk, pressing the brake pedal, or locking and unlocking from the app.
- “Mobile Access Disabled”: Turn Allow Mobile Access back on in the car. This also appears when the car is in Service Mode at a service center.
- Phone Key not unlocking: Check Bluetooth is on, location is set to Always Allow, airplane and power-saving modes are off, and no third-party Tesla apps are installed. Hold the phone in your hand as you approach.
- App slow or crashing: Update the app, turn off any VPN, sign out and back in, restart the phone, then reinstall if needed. Reinstalling means you must pair Phone Key again.
- Car not showing in the app: Check the car is added to your Tesla Account (Menu > Add/Remove Products) and that Mobile Access is on.
More help: why the Tesla app says disconnected.
If your phone battery dies, Phone Key stops working. Keep your key card in your wallet. Also, leaving your phone inside the car stops the doors from locking, so take it with you.
Sharing Access and Other Useful Settings
- Add a driver or key: In the app, open Security & Drivers. Only the owner can add new keys from the app. See Tesla’s support pages for current steps.
- Selling the car: Remove your keys and transfer ownership through your Tesla Account. Our guide on transferring Tesla ownership on the app explains how.
- Home charger: Link a Wall Connector to manage home charging. See connecting a Tesla Wall Charger to the app.
- Odometer: Scroll to the bottom of the app’s main screen to see the mileage.
- Precondition the cabin and battery from the app 15 to 30 minutes before you leave on cold days.
- Set a daily charge limit in the app to protect the battery, and raise it only for road trips.
- Turn on Car Left Open Notifications for peace of mind.
- Use the app’s Wallet to keep your payment method up to date for Supercharging.
The Tesla app turns your phone into your car key and remote control: locks, climate, charging, location, service and upgrades all in one place. Sign in with your Tesla Account, enable Allow Mobile Access in the car, and set up Phone Key near the car with Bluetooth on. Keep a key card as a backup.
Tesla App FAQs
Yes. The app is free on iOS and Android. Some features depend on your vehicle, region and connectivity plan.
Sign in with your Tesla Account, make sure the car is on your account, turn on Allow Mobile Access in the car’s Safety menu, then set up Phone Key near the car with Bluetooth on.
Yes. Use Remote Start in the app under Controls > Start. It is useful if you forgot your key card.
The car may be asleep, have a weak cellular signal, or Mobile Access may be off. Wake the car by opening a door or pressing the brake, and check Allow Mobile Access.
Tesla says 2012 to 2020 Model S and 2015 to 2020 Model X do not support Phone Key.
Yes. The same app shows solar production and home usage and lets you set Powerwall modes and backup reserve.
- Free official app for iPhone and Android.
- Phone Key, locks, climate, charging, location and service.
- Enable Allow Mobile Access in the car.
- Set up Phone Key near the car with Bluetooth on.
- Keep your key card as a backup.
