Exploring the Tesla App | What You Should Know
The Tesla App allows you to remotely control your vehicle, operate certain features from a distance, and make everyday ownership much more convenient.
In this article, we’ll explore what you can do inside the app and highlight a few features you may not have known were there.
If you’re more of a visual learner, check out the video below:
Actions
The first thing you see when you open the Tesla App is a 3D visualization of your vehicle. Just underneath it, there are four default actions that you can trigger with a single tap.
If you want to replace one of them, press and hold one of the default icons to open the menu with all available options. Then drag the action you want over the one you want to replace, and that’s it.
You can also add a fifth action by following the same process. The only difference is that you need to drag the selected action to the edge of the phone screen, which can be a bit tricky if you’re using a phone case.
Climate
Under the default actions, you’ll find the Climate section, where you can adjust temperature settings, seat heating and ventilation, and steering wheel heating.
Tesla also includes features such as Defrost, Bioweapon Defense Mode, Camp Mode, and Pet Mode, which automatically adjust and maintain climate settings based on the situation.
Defrost turns the climate system to maximum output to help melt snow and ice from your vehicle.
Bioweapon Defense Mode helps protect the cabin from airborne pollutants and bacteria by pressurizing the interior and using HEPA filtration.
Camp Mode turns your vehicle into a comfortable, temperature-controlled space. It keeps climate control running, powers interior USB and 12V outlets, and keeps entertainment systems active.
Pet Mode keeps the cabin at a safe and comfortable temperature for pets while parked, allowing you to briefly leave them inside the car.
At the bottom of the page, you’ll find Cabin Overheat Protection, which prevents the interior from exceeding a selected temperature threshold for up to 12 hours by activating the fans and A/C.
Schedule
If you have an established daily routine, you can create weekly schedules to automatically prepare your Tesla for charging or precondition the cabin to a certain temperature, ensuring your car is ready when you get in.
Location
If you want to find your vehicle, tap Location from the main page and a map view will appear, showing your Tesla’s location relative to yours.
If you’re looking for a Supercharger, drag up the menu from the bottom of the page to see available stations in your area. Select the one that is most convenient for you, and the route will appear on the map. Then tap Send to Car to forward it directly to your Tesla screen.
Another way to share a destination is through your phone’s Maps app. Enter your destination, tap the Share button, and select Tesla from the options. After a few seconds, the route will appear on your Tesla’s main screen.
Sentry
You can access live camera feeds from your Tesla and monitor what’s happening around your car in real time.
First, make sure Sentry Mode is enabled either from the vehicle’s main screen or from the Security section inside the Tesla App. Once enabled, a Live Cameras section will appear on the app’s main page. Open it to view live feeds from the exterior cameras.
You can also interact with people tampering with or standing too close to your Tesla. You can honk, flash the headlights, and even speak through the external speaker.
Charging
When you plug in your Tesla, the main page will show the current battery percentage and charging speed. You’ll also see a slider that lets you set a charge limit, after which the vehicle will stop charging.
For additional data, go to the Charging section and select Charge Stats. There, you can view the total kWh charged over the past month or year, total charging costs, estimated gas savings, and how your charging sessions are distributed between Home, Work, Superchargers, and other locations.
If you want to optimize your charging habits, go to Charging Tips, where Tesla provides recommendations on how to save money, charge more sustainably, and improve your daily charging routine.
Smart Summon
If your Tesla has Full Self-Driving, you can use the Actually Smart Summon feature to remotely call your vehicle to your location in a parking lot for easier entry. You also have manual controls that allow you to move the car forward or backward, making parking adjustments more convenient. The range of this feature is approximately 65 meters between your Tesla and your phone.
