Tesla is famed for its pioneering technology, including the phone key which enables you to open, lock and start your vehicle with your mobile phone. However, sometimes, the phone key may not work as expected, leaving you unable to access or drive your Tesla. In this article, we will explore some of the possible reasons and fixes for the Tesla phone key not working issue.
What is the Tesla phone key, and how does it work?
The Tesla phone key is a feature that lets you use your personal phone as a key to communicate with your Tesla Model 3 or Model Y using Bluetooth. A phone key allows for hands-free access to your car, eliminating the need to take your phone out of your pocket or bag to enter or leave your car. You can also use your phone to open the front and rear trunks and control other features of your car through the Tesla mobile app.
To use your phone as a key, you need to set it up and authenticate it with your Tesla. You can do this by following these steps:
- On your phone, download the Tesla mobile app.
- Access your Tesla account on the mobile app using your Tesla login credentials.
- Ensure that your phone’s general Bluetooth settings are enabled and that Bluetooth is enabled within your phone’s settings for the Tesla mobile app.
- Ensure that access to your location is enabled for the Tesla mobile app.
- Make sure that “Allow Mobile Access” option is activated on the vehicle’s touchscreen (Controls > Safety > Allow Mobile Access).
- On the app, touch PHONE KEY > START to search for your Tesla.
- When your Tesla is detected, the mobile app asks you to tap your key card.
- Swipe the key card on the Tesla card reader located on the door pillar or center console.
Once you have set up your phone as a key, you can use it to access and drive your Tesla. However, you should always carry your key card with you as a backup in case your phone runs out of battery, is lost, or is stolen.
What are some of the common reasons for the Tesla phone key not working?
There are various elements that can influence the functioning of a Tesla mobile phone key, including but not limited to:
Bluetooth issues
Your phone and your Tesla communicate via Bluetooth, so any problems with the Bluetooth connection can prevent the phone key from working. For example, if your Bluetooth is turned off if your phone is out of range, if there is interference from other devices, or if your Bluetooth drivers are outdated or corrupted.
Phone issues
Your phone may have some issues that prevent it from functioning as a phone key. For example, if your phone has a low battery, if your phone is in airplane mode, if your phone’s settings are not configured properly, or if your phone’s software is outdated or buggy.
Tesla issues
Your Tesla may have some issues that prevent it from recognizing your phone key. For example, if your Tesla has a low battery, if your Tesla’s software is outdated or glitchy, or if your Tesla’s Bluetooth module is faulty or damaged.
How to fix the Tesla phone key not working issue?
Depending on the cause of the problem, there are different ways to fix the Tesla phone key not working issue. Here are some of the possible solutions you can try:
Check your Bluetooth settings
Make sure that your Bluetooth is turned on both on your phone and on your Tesla. You can check and toggle the Bluetooth setting on your phone by accessing the quick settings menu or the settings app. Also, check and toggle the Bluetooth setting on your Tesla by tapping the Bluetooth icon on the top right corner of the touchscreen. And, you could give turning Bluetooth off and on again a shot on both devices to see if it refreshes the connection.
If your Tesla Bluetooth is not working, then read about all the possible reasons for this and some troubleshooting tips.
Check your phone’s battery level
Make sure that your phone has enough battery power to run Bluetooth. If your phone’s battery is low, it may disable Bluetooth or other features to conserve power. You can check and charge your phone’s battery using a charger or a power bank. You can also enable battery saver mode on your phone to extend its battery life.
Check your phone’s location settings
Make sure that your phone’s location settings are enabled for the Tesla mobile app. This is necessary for the phone key to work properly. You can check and enable the location settings on your phone by going to the settings app, choosing the Tesla mobile app, and selecting Location > Always.
Check your phone’s software updates
Be sure to double check that your phone’s software is all up to date and there aren’t any updates waiting for the Tesla mobile app. Updating your phone’s software can fix some of the bugs or compatibility issues that may affect the phone key functionality. You can check and update your phone’s software by going to the settings app, choosing General > Software update, and following the instructions. To stay current with the Tesla mobile app, visit the App Store, search for the Tesla app, and check to see if there is an Update available.
Check your Tesla’s battery level
Make sure that your Tesla has enough battery power to run Bluetooth. If your Tesla’s battery is low, it may affect its ability to communicate with your phone key. You can check and charge your Tesla’s battery by plugging it into a power source or a Supercharger. You can also enable energy-saving mode on your Tesla by tapping Controls > Safety & Security > Energy Saving > ON.
Check your Tesla’s software updates
Make sure your Tesla’s software is up to date and there aren’t any updates pending for the phone key feature. Updating your Tesla’s software can fix some of the bugs or compatibility issues that may affect the phone key functionality. You can check and update your Tesla’s software by tapping Controls > Software and following the instructions.
Remove and re-pair your phone key
If the methods listed previously have not been successful, you can try disconnecting your phone key from your Tesla and reconnecting it. This can reset the Bluetooth connection and resolve any pairing issues. To do this, follow these steps:
- On your Tesla, tap Controls > Locks, then touch the trash icon next to your phone key.
- On your phone, open the Tesla mobile app, tap PHONE KEY > START to search for your Tesla.
- When your Tesla is detected, the mobile app asks you to tap your key card.
- Swipe the key card on the Tesla card reader located on the door pillar or center console.
Contact Tesla support
If all else fails, you can contact Tesla support for further assistance. They can help you troubleshoot the problem or arrange for a service appointment if necessary. You can contact Tesla support by calling the number on your touchscreen or by visiting the Tesla website.
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How to open a Tesla car door with a phone key?
If you want to unlock your Tesla with your phone, you have to have the Tesla app downloaded and connected to your car. You also need to make sure your Bluetooth and location settings are turned on. Depending on your Tesla model, you can use your phone key to lock or unlock the door in different ways:
For Model 3 and Model Y, your phone key will enable the car doors to lock or unlock when you approach or move away from the vehicle. You can also use the mobile app to manually lock or unlock the door by touching Controls > Unlock or Controls > Lock. To open the door, you need to push the wide part of the door handle with your thumb. Then, pull the handle or the edge of the door.
For Model S and Model X, you need to turn on the NFC function on your phone and tap it against the driver’s side door pillar to lock or unlock the Tesla car door. You can also use the mobile app to manually lock or unlock the door by touching Controls > Unlock or Controls > Lock. To open the door, you need to press the center button on the key fob once or tap the key card against the card reader on the door pillar.
Conclusion
The Tesla phone key is a convenient and futuristic feature that lets you use your smartphone as a key to access your Tesla. However, sometimes, the phone key may not work as expected due to various reasons such as Bluetooth issues, phone issues, or Tesla issues. In this article, we have discussed some of the possible reasons and fixes for the Tesla phone key not working. We hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you.