Want to share the convenience of your Tesla with a family member or friend? Adding a second phone key to your Tesla is a straightforward process that allows another person to unlock, lock, and drive your vehicle using their smartphone. It’s an essential feature for households with multiple drivers or when you need to grant temporary access. Let's dive into how you can set this up, step by step!
Step 1: Let's Get Ready! — Essential Pre-Flight Checks for Your Tesla Phone Key
Before we begin the pairing process, there are a few crucial prerequisites to ensure a smooth setup. Think of these as your pre-flight checks before launching into full phone-key freedom!
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| How To Add A Second Phone Key To Tesla |
1.1: Power Up and Connect
Ensure both your Tesla and the phone you want to add have sufficient battery life. Bluetooth can be finicky on low power.
Confirm your Tesla is online and connected to cellular service or Wi-Fi. This helps with communication during the setup.
1.2: Tesla App: Download & Login
Download the Tesla mobile app on the second phone. It’s available for both iOS and Android.
The second driver needs to log in to the Tesla app using the owner's Tesla account username and password. This is crucial, as only the owner can initially add new keys. If you want to add them as a separate driver with their own Tesla account later, we'll cover that in the FAQs.
Keep the app open and running in the background throughout the process for the best experience.
1.3: Bluetooth & Location Services: Enable & Optimize
On the phone you're adding, go into its general settings and ensure Bluetooth is enabled.
Crucially, you also need to enable Bluetooth specifically for the Tesla mobile app within your phone’s app settings. For example, on an iPhone, go to Settings > Tesla > Bluetooth, and ensure it's turned on.
For optimal performance and features like "Walk-Away Door Lock," ensure Location Services for the Tesla app are set to "Always". On your phone, navigate to Settings > Tesla > Location > Always.
1.4: Allow Mobile Access on Your Tesla Touchscreen
In your Tesla, on the vehicle touchscreen, navigate to Controls > Safety > Allow Mobile Access. Ensure this setting is enabled. This allows your car to communicate with mobile devices.
Step 2: Initiating the Pairing Process — Two Paths to Phone Key Glory
You can add a new phone key either from the Tesla app itself or directly from your Tesla's touchscreen. We'll detail both methods.
QuickTip: Revisit key lines for better recall.
2.1: Method A: Adding a Phone Key via the Tesla Mobile App (Recommended)
This is often the most straightforward method.
Be Inside or Near Your Vehicle: Sit inside your Tesla or be standing very close to it.
Open the Tesla App: On the second phone (the one you're adding), open the Tesla mobile app.
Navigate to Set Up Phone Key:
On the main screen of the Tesla app, you might see a prominent "Set Up Phone Key" button. Tap that.
Alternatively, you can navigate to Security & Drivers > Set Up Phone Key (or sometimes just Security > Set Up Phone Key or Add Key Card).
Follow the Prompts: The app will guide you. It will likely instruct you to scan an already authenticated key card or key fob on the Tesla's card reader.
Where to Scan: For Model 3 and Model Y, the card reader is typically located behind the cup holders on the top of the center console.
Listen for the Chime: When the key card or fob is recognized, you'll hear a chime.
Confirmation: The mobile app will then confirm that the pairing was successful. Tap "Done".
Check the Key List: On your Tesla's touchscreen, go to Controls > Locks. The new phone key should now appear in the key list. Its name will typically be the name set in the phone's general settings.
2.2: Method B: Adding a Phone Key via the Tesla Touchscreen
This method is useful if you prefer to initiate from the car itself.
Be Inside Your Vehicle: Sit comfortably in your Tesla.
Access Key Management: On the touchscreen, tap Controls > Locks > Keys.
Tap "Add Key": You'll see a list of existing keys. Tap the "+ Add Key" button.
Scan Your Existing Key: The screen will prompt you to scan an already authenticated key card or key fob. Place it on the card reader (behind the cup holders on the center console for Model 3/Y).
Open Tesla App on Second Phone: While the car is waiting, open the Tesla app on the second phone.
Look for Pairing Request: The Tesla app on the second phone should detect the car and prompt you to confirm a pairing request. Follow the on-screen instructions on both the phone and the car's touchscreen.
Confirm Pairing: Confirm that the device shown on the screen matches the phone you're adding.
Success! Once confirmed, the new phone key will be added to the list on your Tesla's touchscreen.
Step 3: Post-Setup & Customization — Making It Yours!
You've successfully added the second phone key! Now, let’s personalize it and ensure everything is working as expected.
3.1: Verify Functionality ✅
Walk away from your Tesla with the newly added phone key. If "Walk-Away Door Lock" is enabled, the car should lock automatically.
Approach your Tesla with the new phone. The car should automatically unlock as you pull a door handle.
Get in, press the brake pedal, and ensure you can shift into drive without needing a key card or the original phone key.
3.2: Customize the Key Name (Optional but Recommended!) ✏️
On your Tesla's touchscreen, go to Controls > Locks > Keys.
Find the newly added phone key in the list. There will be a pencil icon next to its name.
Tap the pencil icon and rename the phone key to something easily identifiable, like "John's Phone" or "Co-Driver's iPhone." This is incredibly helpful for managing multiple keys.
3.3: Managing Multiple Phone Keys
Your Tesla can support up to 19 keys at a time, including phone keys, key cards, and key fobs (with a limit of four key fobs). If you reach this limit, you'll need to delete an existing key before adding a new one.
Tip: Don’t skip — flow matters.
Step 4: Troubleshooting Common Issues — When Things Don't Go as Planned
Sometimes, technology can be a bit stubborn. Here are some common issues and how to resolve them:
4.1: "Bluetooth Not Enabled" Error
Double-check both your phone's general Bluetooth settings AND the specific Bluetooth setting for the Tesla app within your phone's app settings (as detailed in Step 1.3). This is a frequent oversight!
4.2: Phone Key Not Connecting or Unlocking ️
Restart the App: Close the Tesla app completely on the phone and reopen it.
Toggle Bluetooth: Turn Bluetooth off and then back on again on the phone.
Reboot Phone: A simple phone restart can often resolve connectivity glitches.
Update Software: Ensure both your Tesla's software and the Tesla mobile app are updated to their latest versions. Outdated software can cause compatibility issues.
"Allow Mobile Access" Check: Reconfirm that "Allow Mobile Access" is enabled on your Tesla's touchscreen (Controls > Safety).
Low Phone Battery: If the phone's battery is very low, it might disable Bluetooth functionality, preventing it from acting as a key. Charge the phone!
4.3: Location Services Issues ️
If features like "Walk-Away Door Lock" aren't working, ensure Location Services for the Tesla app are set to "Always" and not "While Using App" or "Never."
4.4: Can't Add Key Due to Account Limitations
Remember, only the vehicle owner linked to the Tesla account can add new keys. If you're trying to add a key from an invited driver's account, it won't work. They need to use the primary owner's account for the initial phone key setup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to manage driver profiles in Tesla?
QuickTip: Revisit this post tomorrow — it’ll feel new.
You can manage driver profiles on your Tesla touchscreen by going to Controls > Driver Profiles. Here you can create, select, and customize settings for different drivers.
How to add another driver to my Tesla app with their own account?
To add another driver to your Tesla app with their own Tesla account (giving them most app features except ownership-specific ones like purchasing upgrades), open the Tesla app, select your vehicle, tap Security & Drivers > Manage Drivers > Add Driver, and follow the prompts to send an invitation to their email. They will need to download the Tesla app and create their own Tesla Account to accept.
How to remove a phone key from my Tesla?
On your Tesla's touchscreen, navigate to Controls > Locks > Keys. Find the phone key you wish to remove, tap the associated trash can icon, and then scan an authenticated key card or fob to confirm the deletion.
How to ensure my phone key works reliably?
Keep your phone's Bluetooth on, allow location services for the Tesla app to "Always," ensure the Tesla app is running in the background, and keep both your phone and Tesla software updated.
How to troubleshoot if my Tesla phone key is not working?
First, check Bluetooth and location settings on your phone. Then, try closing and reopening the Tesla app, restarting your phone, or restarting the Tesla's touchscreen. Ensure "Allow Mobile Access" is enabled in your car's settings.
How to know if my phone is successfully paired as a Tesla key?
Tip: Let the key ideas stand out.
On your Tesla's touchscreen, go to Controls > Locks. Your phone's name should appear in the "Keys" list with a phone icon next to it.
How to add a key card to my Tesla?
On the touchscreen, tap Controls > Locks > Keys > Add Key. Then, scan the new key card on the card reader (behind the cup holders for Model 3/Y). You will then need to scan an already paired key card or key fob to confirm.
How to use a key card if my phone key isn't working?
Simply tap the key card on the card reader located on the driver's side door pillar to unlock the car. Once inside, place the key card on the center console's card reader (behind the cup holders for Model 3/Y) to enable driving.
How to check the number of keys paired with my Tesla?
On your Tesla's touchscreen, go to Controls > Locks. The "Keys" list will display all currently paired keys, including phone keys, key cards, and key fobs.
How to prevent accidental unlocking/locking with my phone key?
You can disable "Walk-Away Door Lock" in your Tesla's settings (Controls > Locks) if you find it locks/unlocks too frequently when you're nearby but not entering or exiting the vehicle. However, the phone key still provides passive entry when you pull the door handle.
You can find more visual guidance on adding a phone key to your Tesla by watching this video:
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