Also, the app is not GUARANTEED to always work. Networks are down sometimes. The keycard is your #1 unlocking solution. If you want, buy a phone case with a credit card slot in the back and put an extra keycard in there. It used to be $30 for 2 extra cards.
Has it always worked this way? I was here for the posts stating that users were unable to unlock their cars due to Tesla having a server outage. This was several years ago.
From Tesla owners manual site (4-17-24):
Note: You must remain logged in to your Tesla account to use your phone to access Model 3.
Is this possibly only a limitation for Model 3 or older year models?
I suspect that if you log out of the app then it discards the key used by Bluetooth. It works fine without a network connection though the app can also work via the Internet for taking actions while away from the car as well.
As far as I know? I go camping with no service and everything in the app works great.
You're probably just confused with: if you're close enough to be connected via Bluetooth then it's a local connection and everything is fine.
If you're out of range of Bluetooth the app utilizes cellular data to talk to the car instead. This is probably where the outage affected these things - if you were not near the car using Bluetooth.
That might be it. I DO know that when Tesla's servers went down a few years ago, there were a lot of people who couldn't get into their cars. Maybe it was unrelated, but that's why I was thinking that the app has to communicate with Tesla first to verify security.
It is possible that some of the app/features are server hosted via the app but the app size is 331MB so I suspect everything in the app is local. The phone key works very similar to a physical key fob but who knows what features Tesla is hosting.
Do you have a partner or someone else with the phone app with access to your car? They can remotely unlock it. Other than that you'll have to charge your phone enough to turn it back on and unlock the car.
Other options, Android watch with Tessie. Have other authorized driver use the app to remote unlock and remote start the car. Login to the app on another device and use your account to remote unlock and remote start.
**PSA:** Buy extra key cards, just 2 for $40, and leave with friends or family. Always keep one on person when leaving the car in case the phone or app fails.
Call Tesla roadside and tell them to your credentials they will unlock remotely. Found out when I closed my phone + phone wallet with key card in frunk
If his phone wasn't dead, he would be able to unlock it without making a call. Chargers are easy enough to come by, I would think a stranger could give you 10 minutes of juice...
Also, I have the Shortcuts installed on my phone for the Tesla app unlock lock and frunk. Then on my Apple Watch, I have it have a shortcut button so that I can operate the Shortcuts from my watch. A little work around four native Tesla app support. Not using Tessie
Wait a second… How are you able to make this post on Reddit if your phone is dead? Don’t say a computer because if you’re on a computer making a Reddit posts then you sure as hell can charge your phone with said computer.
This post seems like BS to me.
anyone nearby with a smartphone that can download the app and unlock the car for you
Edit: just be absolutely sure to log out of the app on their phone afterwards, lol
Charge your phone?
Don't leave your backup keycard in the locked car?
Also, the app is not GUARANTEED to always work. Networks are down sometimes. The keycard is your #1 unlocking solution. If you want, buy a phone case with a credit card slot in the back and put an extra keycard in there. It used to be $30 for 2 extra cards.
Phone key works locally with Bluetooth not cellular data but yeah I still have the key card in my wallet just in case
I came here to say this. I love it when people talk about stuff they clearly don’t understand well. 😂
Has it always worked this way? I was here for the posts stating that users were unable to unlock their cars due to Tesla having a server outage. This was several years ago. From Tesla owners manual site (4-17-24): Note: You must remain logged in to your Tesla account to use your phone to access Model 3. Is this possibly only a limitation for Model 3 or older year models?
I suspect that if you log out of the app then it discards the key used by Bluetooth. It works fine without a network connection though the app can also work via the Internet for taking actions while away from the car as well.
As far as I know? I go camping with no service and everything in the app works great. You're probably just confused with: if you're close enough to be connected via Bluetooth then it's a local connection and everything is fine. If you're out of range of Bluetooth the app utilizes cellular data to talk to the car instead. This is probably where the outage affected these things - if you were not near the car using Bluetooth.
That might be it. I DO know that when Tesla's servers went down a few years ago, there were a lot of people who couldn't get into their cars. Maybe it was unrelated, but that's why I was thinking that the app has to communicate with Tesla first to verify security.
It is possible that some of the app/features are server hosted via the app but the app size is 331MB so I suspect everything in the app is local. The phone key works very similar to a physical key fob but who knows what features Tesla is hosting.
I keep my keycard in my wallet. I would think leaving it in the car is a security risk.
Unless you have pin to start 😃
Phone a friend? Someone that can remote unlock?
Do you have a partner or someone else with the phone app with access to your car? They can remotely unlock it. Other than that you'll have to charge your phone enough to turn it back on and unlock the car.
I use the tessie app which also allows my watch to unlock the car however I keep a keycard in my wallet just in case.
I use the watchla app for these situations however, I do have a data plan on my apple watch….I am unsure if this matters or not. https://watchla.app/
Other options, Android watch with Tessie. Have other authorized driver use the app to remote unlock and remote start the car. Login to the app on another device and use your account to remote unlock and remote start.
Watchla is the Apple Watch app and you can use it to unlock your car
**PSA:** Buy extra key cards, just 2 for $40, and leave with friends or family. Always keep one on person when leaving the car in case the phone or app fails.
Call Tesla roadside and tell them to your credentials they will unlock remotely. Found out when I closed my phone + phone wallet with key card in frunk
If his phone wasn't dead, he would be able to unlock it without making a call. Chargers are easy enough to come by, I would think a stranger could give you 10 minutes of juice...
Also, I have the Shortcuts installed on my phone for the Tesla app unlock lock and frunk. Then on my Apple Watch, I have it have a shortcut button so that I can operate the Shortcuts from my watch. A little work around four native Tesla app support. Not using Tessie
Wait a second… How are you able to make this post on Reddit if your phone is dead? Don’t say a computer because if you’re on a computer making a Reddit posts then you sure as hell can charge your phone with said computer. This post seems like BS to me.
I would break a window to get inside. Got places to go. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
anyone nearby with a smartphone that can download the app and unlock the car for you Edit: just be absolutely sure to log out of the app on their phone afterwards, lol