Tesla is adding a dedicated watchOS app to its suite of features, allowing Apple Watch users to control their Tesla vehicles directly from their wrists. The app, set to launch this month as part of the Tesla Holiday update, will transform Apple Watches into digital keys for Tesla vehicles.
With the new Tesla watchOS app, users will be able to lock and unlock their cars, open the frunk (front trunk), check battery charge status, and activate climate control, all from their Apple Watch. This added convenience eliminates the need to rely on an iPhone or physical key fob, particularly useful in situations where the iPhone might be left behind in the car.
The app features a sleek black background with a prominent image of the user’s Tesla vehicle. It includes buttons for locking/unlocking the car, opening the frunk, and activating climate control, as well as a display showing the remaining mileage or distance. The app also indicates the car’s status, such as whether it is parked or charging.
The Tesla watchOS app will be automatically installed on Apple Watches for users who update the companion app on their iPhones. The exact rollout date for the update remains unconfirmed.
In addition to the watchOS app, Tesla’s Holiday update will bring a range of new features to its mobile app, including:
- Dashcam and Sentry Mode Clip Viewing: Users can now view, save, and edit Dashcam and Sentry Mode clips directly on their phones.
- Enhanced Auto-Shift: The auto-shift feature, previously available on Model X and S, is now coming to Model 3 vehicles, intelligently predicting and executing shifts between drive and reverse.
- Preferred Charge Level Setting: Users can set a preferred battery charge level for arrival at their destination.
- Cybertruck Santa Mode: A fun holiday-themed feature that transforms the 3D Cybertruck on the screen into a cyber sleigh.
- Cybertruck Customization: Users can apply different wraps and custom plates to the 3D Cybertruck within the app.
- Improved Cybertruck Camera Feed: The camera feed on the Cybertruck display is now larger and supports pinch-to-zoom functionality.
These updates enhance the Tesla ownership experience, offering greater convenience, control, and customization options for users.