Ready to share the future of driving with your loved ones? Sharing your Tesla's phone key isn't just about convenience; it's about extending the effortless Tesla experience to others. Imagine a world where your family or trusted friends can seamlessly unlock, drive, and even have their preferred settings automatically adjusted, all with their smartphone. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step to ensure a smooth and secure sharing process.
Step 1: Let's Get Everyone on Board! The Essentials Before You Begin
Before you dive into sharing your Tesla phone key, it's crucial to ensure everyone involved is properly set up. This lays the groundwork for a truly seamless experience.
Sub-step 1.1: Ensure App and Account Readiness
Download the Tesla Mobile App: Every person who will be using their phone as a key must have the latest version of the Tesla mobile app installed on their smartphone (available on both iOS and Android).
Create a Tesla Account: Each individual needs their own Tesla account. If they don't have one, they can easily create it within the app. They must be logged into their Tesla account to use their phone as a key.
Primary Owner's App Updated: As the primary owner, ensure your Tesla app is also updated to the latest version. This guarantees you have access to all the necessary features for managing drivers.
Sub-step 1.2: Vehicle Settings Check
Enable Mobile Access: This is a crucial setting on your Tesla's touchscreen. Navigate to
Controls>Safety>Allow Mobile Access. Make sure this is enabled. Without it, your car won't communicate with mobile devices for key functionality.Bluetooth Enabled on Phones: For the phone key to work, Bluetooth must be enabled on all the phones that will be used as keys. Also, specifically check that Bluetooth is enabled for the Tesla app within each phone's settings.
Location Services for Tesla App: For the best experience, set the Tesla mobile app's location access to
Alwaysin your phone's settings. This allows the app to communicate with your car even when running in the background.
Step 2: The Grand Invitation! Adding New Drivers to Your Tesla
Now that the groundwork is laid, it's time to invite new drivers to your Tesla! This process is straightforward and managed directly through your Tesla app.
Sub-step 2.1: Sending the Invitation
Open Your Tesla App: On your smartphone, open the Tesla mobile application.
Select Your Vehicle: If you have multiple Teslas, ensure you've selected the correct vehicle you wish to share access to.
Navigate to Security & Drivers: Tap on the "Security & Drivers" option within the app.
Manage Drivers: Select "Manage Drivers."
Add Driver: Tap on "Add Driver." You will then be prompted to send an invitation to the desired driver. You can typically do this by entering their email address associated with their Tesla account.
Sub-step 2.2: The New Driver's Acceptance
Receive the Invitation: The invited individual will receive an email or notification from Tesla.
Accept the Invitation: They must accept this invitation. This will link their Tesla account to your vehicle.
Log In to Their Tesla App: Once accepted, they need to log in to their Tesla app (if not already) and they should now see your shared Tesla vehicle in their app.
Step 3: Unlocking the Power! Setting Up the Phone Key on the New Driver's Phone
Even after accepting the invitation, the new driver still needs to set up their phone specifically as a phone key. This is a quick process done while near the vehicle.
Sub-step 3.1: Initial Phone Key Setup
Be Near the Vehicle: The new driver should be inside or very close to the Tesla.
Open the Tesla App: On their smartphone, they should open the Tesla app.
Set Up Phone Key: On the main screen of the Tesla app, they should see an option like "Set Up Phone Key." Alternatively, they might find it under
Security>Set Up Phone Key.Follow On-Screen Prompts: The app and the vehicle's touchscreen will guide them through a few simple prompts. This typically involves confirming the action on the car's screen or using an existing key card for verification.
Success Confirmation: Once complete, they will receive a confirmation that their phone is now set up as a phone key.
Step 4: Personalizing the Drive! Linking Driver Profiles to Phone Keys
One of the coolest features of sharing your Tesla is the ability for each driver to have their own personalized driver profile. This means their seat position, mirror settings, steering wheel position, climate preferences, and even autopilot settings can be saved and automatically adjusted when they enter the car with their phone key.
Sub-step 4.1: Creating a New Driver Profile (If Needed)
If the new driver doesn't already have a driver profile in your Tesla, they can create one directly from the touchscreen.
On the touchscreen, touch the driver profile icon at the top.
Touch
Driver Profile Settings>Add New Driver.Type the driver's name and touch
Create Profile.Crucially, adjust all their desired settings (seat, mirrors, steering wheel, climate, etc.) while this new profile is selected. The car will prompt them to save.
Sub-step 4.2: Linking the Phone Key to a Driver Profile
Select Desired Driver Profile: On the Tesla's touchscreen, ensure the desired driver profile (either the newly created one or an existing one) is active.
Navigate to Locks & Keys: Go to
Controls>Locks>Keys.Link the Phone: Find the newly added phone key in the list. There will be a driver icon next to it. Tap this icon to link the phone key to the currently active driver profile. The name of the driver profile should then appear under the phone key.
Repeat for All Drivers: Each driver should repeat this process with their own phone key and their respective driver profile.
Step 5: Maintaining Control and Peace of Mind! Managing Shared Access
As the primary owner, you retain full control over who has access to your Tesla. It's easy to manage and revoke access if needed.
Sub-step 5.1: Removing a Driver
Open Your Tesla App: On your smartphone, open the Tesla mobile application.
Select Your Vehicle: Choose the vehicle from which you want to remove a driver.
Navigate to Security & Drivers: Tap on "Security & Drivers."
Manage Drivers: Select "Manage Drivers."
Remove Driver: Next to the driver's name, tap "Remove" and confirm the action. This will immediately revoke their access to the vehicle through the app.
Sub-step 5.2: Understanding Access Levels
Full App Features (mostly): When you add a driver, they gain access to most Tesla app features for your vehicle, including vehicle access (locking/unlocking), service scheduling, roadside assistance, and vehicle location.
No Purchasing Upgrades: Importantly, additional drivers cannot purchase upgrades for the vehicle or manage payment methods. This ensures the primary owner maintains financial control.
Driver Profile Syncing: Remember that driver profiles are linked to the cloud. So, if a driver has their profile set up and linked to their phone key in your car, those settings will sync across any other Tesla vehicle they're granted access to under their Tesla account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 10 common questions about sharing your Tesla phone key:
How to add a new driver to my Tesla? You add a new driver via the Tesla app:
Security & Drivers>Manage Drivers>Add Driver, then send an invitation to their email.How to set up a phone key after being invited to a Tesla? Once invited and accepted, be near the Tesla, open your Tesla app, and select "Set Up Phone Key" to follow the prompts.
How to link a driver profile to a phone key in a Tesla? On the Tesla touchscreen, select the desired driver profile, then go to
Controls>Locks>Keysand tap the driver icon next to your phone key to link it.How to remove a driver's access from my Tesla? In your Tesla app, go to
Security & Drivers>Manage Drivers, and tap "Remove" next to the driver's name.How to ensure Bluetooth is enabled for Tesla phone key? Go to your phone's general Bluetooth settings and also check the settings for the Tesla app specifically to ensure Bluetooth access is granted.
How to check if "Allow Mobile Access" is enabled in my Tesla? On your Tesla's touchscreen, navigate to
Controls>Safety>Allow Mobile Accessand ensure it is checked.How to troubleshoot if my Tesla phone key isn't working? Check Bluetooth on your phone and for the Tesla app, ensure location services are set to "Always" for the app, and that "Allow Mobile Access" is on in the car. Try restarting your phone or the Tesla app.
How to create a new driver profile in a Tesla? On the touchscreen, tap the driver profile icon at the top, then
Driver Profile Settings>Add New Driver, and save your preferred settings.How to use the same phone key for multiple Tesla vehicles? While a phone key is paired to one vehicle at a time for passive entry, the Tesla app allows you to switch between vehicles associated with your account to control them remotely. To set up the phone as a key for another Tesla, you'd need to be in or near that car and go through the "Set Up Phone Key" process.
How to understand what features additional drivers have access to in the Tesla app? Additional drivers have access to most app features like vehicle control (lock/unlock), service scheduling, and location tracking, but they cannot purchase upgrades or manage payment information.
For a visual guide on sharing your Tesla with someone, check out this video:
