Ready to unlock the full potential of your Tesla with more than one phone? It's a common scenario: you and your co-pilot both want seamless access, whether it's for navigation, music, or even using your phone as a key. Good news! Tesla vehicles are designed to accommodate multiple devices, offering a surprisingly robust and convenient experience. Let's dive into a step-by-step guide to get both your phones connected and working harmoniously with your Tesla.
Step 1: Getting Started – Are You Ready to Connect?
Before we begin, let's ensure both phones and your Tesla are prepared for pairing. Think of it like a digital handshake – everyone needs to be ready to greet each other!
 |
| How To Connect Two Phones To Tesla |
Essential Prerequisites
Your Tesla is Powered On and Awake: Make sure your Tesla's touchscreen is active and the vehicle is not in a deep sleep. A quick tap on the brake pedal or opening a door usually wakes it up.
Bluetooth Enabled on Both Phones: This is crucial! Go to your phone's settings and ensure Bluetooth is toggled On. For some phones, you might need to make it "discoverable" or enter the Bluetooth settings screen to initiate the pairing process.
Latest Tesla App Version: For phone key functionality and managing drivers, having the most up-to-date Tesla mobile app on both devices is essential. Head to your phone's app store and check for any pending updates.
Allow Mobile Access on Tesla: On your Tesla's touchscreen, navigate to
Controls>Safety>Allow Mobile Access. This setting permits your phone to communicate with the car.Location Permissions for Tesla App: For phone key functionality, ensure the Tesla app has location permissions set to "Always" or "Always Allow" in your phone's settings. This allows the car to detect your phone even when the app isn't actively open.
Step 2: Pairing the First Phone (The Primary Connection)
Let's get the first phone connected. This will typically be the phone of the primary driver, or the one that will most frequently be used as a "Phone Key."
Sub-step 2.1: Initiating Bluetooth Pairing from Your Tesla
Seating Yourself in the Tesla: Sit inside your Tesla. This ensures your phone is within close range for the best connection.
Accessing Bluetooth Settings: On your Tesla's large touchscreen, touch the car icon (usually in the bottom left or a central icon depending on your model and software version), then navigate to
Controls>Bluetooth.Starting the Search: The Tesla will automatically begin scanning for new Bluetooth devices. You'll likely see a "Start Search" or "Add New Device" option. Tap that.
Finding Your Phone: Your phone's name should appear in the list of available devices on the Tesla touchscreen. Tap on your phone's name when you see it.
Sub-step 2.2: Confirming the Pairing on Your Phone
Verify the Code: Immediately after selecting your phone on the Tesla screen, both your Tesla's touchscreen and your phone's screen should display a Bluetooth pairing code. Crucially, these numbers must match!
Confirm Pairing: If the numbers match, tap "Pair" or "Connect" on your phone.
Granting Access (Optional but Recommended): Your phone might then prompt you to allow the Tesla to access your contacts, call history, and media files. It's generally recommended to allow these permissions for full hands-free functionality, including making calls, importing contacts, and playing audio through Bluetooth.
Once successfully paired, your phone will appear under Controls > Bluetooth > Paired Devices on your Tesla's screen, with a Bluetooth symbol indicating an active connection.
Step 3: Connecting the Second Phone (Adding More Connectivity) ✌️
Tip: Focus on clarity, not speed.
Now that the first phone is connected, let's add the second one. Tesla allows multiple Bluetooth devices to be paired, and in most cases, two phones can be actively connected simultaneously for different functions (e.g., one for calls, one for media, or both as phone keys).
Sub-step 3.1: Repeating the Bluetooth Pairing Process
Ensure the Second Phone is Ready: Just like with the first phone, make sure Bluetooth is enabled and discoverable on the second phone.
Navigate to Bluetooth Settings on Tesla: On your Tesla's touchscreen, go back to
Controls>Bluetooth.Add New Device: Look for the "Add New Device" or a similar option and tap it.
Select the Second Phone: Your second phone's name should appear in the list. Tap on it.
Sub-step 3.2: Finalizing the Second Connection
Code Verification: Again, verify that the pairing code displayed on your Tesla's screen matches the one on your second phone.
Confirm on Phone: Tap "Pair" or "Connect" on your second phone.
Grant Permissions: Grant necessary permissions for contacts, calls, and media if prompted.
Now, both phones should be listed under Paired Devices.
Step 4: Managing Connected Phones & Priority Devices ️
With two phones connected, it's important to understand how Tesla prioritizes them, especially for calls and phone key functionality.
Sub-step 4.1: Setting a Priority Device
If you have multiple phones frequently used in the car, you can designate one as the Priority Device. This means your Tesla will automatically attempt to connect to this phone first whenever it's within range and Bluetooth is active.
Access Paired Devices: On your Tesla's touchscreen, go to
Controls>Bluetooth>Paired Devices.Expand Device Options: Tap on the name of the phone you wish to set as the priority. This will usually expand a dropdown menu or provide additional options.
Toggle Priority: Look for an option like "Set as Priority Device" or a similar toggle and enable it.
If no priority device is set, your Tesla will typically connect to the last phone it was connected to, provided it's within range. If that phone isn't available, it will then attempt to connect to other paired devices.
Sub-step 4.2: Switching Between Connected Phones
Tip: Don’t skim — absorb.
If both phones are in the car and actively connected, you can easily switch which phone is primarily handling calls or media playback.
Go to Paired Devices: On your Tesla's touchscreen, navigate to
Controls>Bluetooth>Paired Devices.Select Desired Phone: Simply tap on the name of the phone you want to use as the active connection. Tesla will then prioritize audio and calls from that device.
Step 5: Setting Up Phone Key Functionality (for Both Drivers)
This is a game-changer! Using your phone as a key eliminates the need for physical cards or fobs. You can set up multiple phones to act as keys for your Tesla. Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, for example, can connect up to three phones as keys, with one being the primary.
 |
Sub-step 5.1: Adding the Phone Key via Tesla App
For Each Phone:
Download and Log In: Ensure the Tesla mobile app is downloaded and you are logged in using your Tesla account credentials on each phone that will serve as a key.
Initiate Phone Key Setup: While inside or near the vehicle, open the Tesla mobile app on the phone you want to set up as a key. On the main screen, you should see an option like
Set Up Phone Keyor navigate toSecurity>Set Up Phone Key.Follow On-Screen Prompts: The app and your Tesla's touchscreen will guide you through the process. This typically involves confirming proximity and potentially touching a key card to the center console for verification.
Enable Background App Refresh (for iPhone users): For the best phone key performance, ensure the Tesla app is allowed to run in the background. This keeps the Bluetooth connection active for seamless unlocking.
Sub-step 5.2: Linking Driver Profiles to Phones
Tesla also allows you to link a specific driver profile to a phone key. This means when a linked phone is detected, your Tesla can automatically adjust seats, mirrors, climate, and other preferences to that driver's saved profile.
Ensure Desired Driver Profile is Active: On the Tesla touchscreen, select the driver profile you want to link. This is done by tapping the driver profile icon (often a silhouette of a person) at the top of the touchscreen and selecting the profile.
Go to Locks Settings: Navigate to
Controls>Locks>Keys.Link the Phone: You'll see a list of paired keys and phones. Next to your phone's entry, there will be a driver icon. Tap on this icon to link the currently active driver profile to that specific phone. The name of the driver profile should then appear under the phone's entry.
Step 6: Granting App Access to Additional Drivers (Beyond Just Bluetooth)
While Bluetooth pairing handles in-car connectivity, the Tesla app offers much more – remote climate control, Sentry Mode viewing, scheduling service, and more. You can grant access to additional drivers to your Tesla through the app, allowing them to also control certain features.
Primary Owner's Tesla App: The primary owner of the Tesla vehicle needs to open their Tesla app.
Select Vehicle: Choose the Tesla vehicle they want to share access to.
Security & Drivers: Tap
Security & Drivers.Manage Drivers: Tap
Manage Drivers.Send Invitation: Follow the prompts to send an invitation to the email address associated with the additional driver's Tesla Account. The new driver will need to download the Tesla app and create an account if they haven't already.
Accept Invitation: The invited driver will receive an invitation in their Tesla app. They need to accept it to gain access.
Note: Additional drivers will have access to most Tesla app features for the vehicle, but not the ability to add or remove other drivers, manage payment methods, or purchase upgrades. You can add up to five additional drivers per vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ❓
Tip: Don’t skip — flow matters.
How to connect my phone via Bluetooth?
You connect your phone via Bluetooth by going to Controls > Bluetooth on your Tesla's touchscreen, selecting "Add New Device," and then confirming the pairing on your phone when prompted.
How to set a priority phone in my Tesla?
To set a priority phone, navigate to Controls > Bluetooth > Paired Devices on your Tesla's touchscreen, then tap on the desired phone's name and select the option to "Set as Priority Device."
How to use my phone as a key for my Tesla?
Download and log into the Tesla app on your phone, then while inside or near your Tesla, open the app and select Set Up Phone Key or go to Security > Set Up Phone Key and follow the prompts.
How to link a driver profile to a specific phone key?
First, activate the desired driver profile on your Tesla's touchscreen, then go to Controls > Locks > Keys, and tap the driver icon next to your phone's entry to link the profile.
How to allow another person to control my Tesla from their phone app?
As the primary owner, open your Tesla app, go to Security & Drivers > Manage Drivers, and send an invitation to the other person's Tesla Account email.
Tip: Slow down when you hit important details.
How to switch between connected phones for calls or media?
Go to Controls > Bluetooth > Paired Devices on your Tesla's touchscreen, and then simply tap on the name of the phone you wish to actively use.
How to troubleshoot Bluetooth connection issues with my Tesla?
Try disabling and re-enabling Bluetooth on both your phone and Tesla, restart both devices, ensure your phone's software and the Tesla app are updated, and confirm location permissions are set to "Always Allow" for the Tesla app.
How to remove a paired phone from my Tesla?
On your Tesla's touchscreen, go to Controls > Bluetooth > Paired Devices, tap on the phone you wish to remove, and select "Forget Device."
How to check if my Tesla app has the latest version?
Open your phone's app store (App Store for iOS, Google Play Store for Android), search for the Tesla app, and check for any available updates.
How to ensure my phone key works reliably?
Keep your phone's Bluetooth enabled, ensure the Tesla app is running in the background (or allowed to do so), and verify that location permissions for the app are set to "Always."
This video provides a helpful visual guide on how to pair a phone to your Tesla using Bluetooth:
 |
This page may contain affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
💡 Breath fresh Air with this Air Purifier with washable filter.
