🚗 Two Phones, One Tesla: The Ultimate Guide to Sharing Your Electric Ride!
Yo! You just snagged yourself a Tesla, and it’s the bee’s knees. Whether it’s a Model 3, a slick Model Y, or one of the big dogs, you’re cruisin’ in the future. But now you’ve got a real-world problem: can two drivers have the Tesla app? Maybe it's your main squeeze, your kid who finally got their license (watch out!), or your cool roomie. The short answer is a resounding, electric "Heck yeah!"
You don't need to pass one phone back and forth like it's a hot potato or some ancient scroll. Tesla's got your back with a super user-friendly system for sharing the digital keys. It's not just about unlocking the doors; it’s about giving your co-pilot their own experience, from their seat settings to their favorite jams. It’s a full-on digital handshake, and we’re gonna walk you through it like a boss.
This guide is gonna be a massive deep dive, so grab a coffee, sit back, and get ready to level up your sharing game. No more fighting over who gets to precondition the climate!
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| Can Two Drivers Have The Tesla App |
Step 1: Laying the Groundwork – Pre-Game Prep
Before you go sending invites willy-nilly, you gotta make sure both parties are ready to rock and roll. Think of this as making sure you both have enough juice in your phones and the car is awake for the digital meeting.
1.1 Owner’s Check List
First off, since you're the one holding the title and the primary Tesla Account, you're the VIP here. Your account is the command center!
Tip: Note one practical point from this post.
Got the App? Make sure you have the latest, greatest version of the Tesla mobile app installed. If your app is lookin’ old school, hit up the App Store or Google Play and update that thing.
Permissions Check: You need to make sure the car is cool with external access. Hop into the car’s massive touchscreen and navigate to: Controls > Safety > Allow Mobile Access. Make sure that toggle is switched ON. If it's off, it’s like the car has its own velvet rope, and nobody's getting in.
Stay Signed In: Make sure you, the original gangster owner, are logged into your Tesla app and that your phone is communicating with the car.
1.2 Second Driver’s To-Do List
Your buddy, spouse, or family member needs to step up and handle their end, too. This is crucial for a smooth hookup.
Download the App: They need to download the official Tesla mobile app on their phone (iOS or Android—doesn't matter).
Create a Tesla Account: This is the big one. They need their own Tesla Account. They'll use a separate email and password from yours. It's free and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail. This separate account is what gives them their individual access and allows for sweet, sweet personal preferences.
Bluetooth On: Tell them to switch on their phone’s Bluetooth. The car uses Bluetooth for the phone-as-a-key functionality, which is the whole point of this digital dance!
Step 2: The Digital Handshake – Sending the Invite
This is where the magic happens. You, the owner, are sending a formal invitation from the app, which is way more official (and secure) than just handing over your password (which, by the way, don't do that).
2.1 Initiating the Invitation from the Owner's App
Open up your Tesla app, and get ready to share the wealth.
Find the main screen for your vehicle in the Tesla app. Scroll down, down, down—past the charging stats and the climate controls—until you find the section that handles security and access.
Tap on 'Security & Drivers' (or similar wording, it sometimes moves around like a digital shell game).
Look for an option like 'Manage Drivers' or 'Add Driver'. Hit that sweet spot.
The app will prompt you to send an invitation. This usually generates a unique link. You’ll be asked to share this link via text, email, or whatever messaging app your co-pilot is using. Shoot 'em that link!
QuickTip: Look for repeated words — they signal importance.
2.2 The Second Driver Accepts the Terms
Now the ball is in their court. They need to hustle and accept the invitation lickety-split.
The second driver receives the link you sent. They tap on the link.
This will typically open the Tesla app on their phone. If they are signed into their newly created Tesla Account, the app will ask them to confirm accepting access to your vehicle. They click 'Accept' or 'Confirm Access'.
Boom! The car will now show up in their Tesla app, just like it does in yours. They now have most of the sweet features: locking, unlocking, preconditioning, horn honking (don't abuse it), location tracking, and service scheduling.
Note: A newly added driver has almost all the toys, but they are typically restricted from super-owner stuff like removing drivers, managing payment methods, viewing charging history, or purchasing upgrades. That’s your primary owner-privilege, pal.
Step 3: Syncing the Ride – Phone Key and Driver Profiles
This is the cherry on top. It’s not just about app control; it's about the car recognizing them as soon as they walk up. No fumbling with key cards or logins.
3.1 Setting Up the New Phone Key
The second driver needs to officially pair their specific phone to the car so it works as a seamless key.
The second driver should get into the car with their phone and a working Tesla key card (you might need to lend them yours for this one-time setup).
In the second driver's Tesla app, there should be a prompt or an option to 'Set Up Phone Key'. They tap that, hit 'Start', and follow the on-screen instructions.
The car will ask them to tap the key card on the center console reader (usually near the cup holders or the phone charger) to confirm.
Success! Their phone is now a legitimate, digital key. They can walk up to the car, open the door, and drive off without needing a key card or the app being open.
Reminder: Take a short break if the post feels long.
3.2 Creating and Linking a Driver Profile
To avoid the "Wait, where's my seat?" dance, you need to link their phone key to their own Driver Profile in the car.
On the car’s main touchscreen, touch the driver profile icon (it looks like a little person, usually at the top of the screen).
Tap 'Driver Profile Settings' > 'Add New Driver'. Type in their name (e.g., “The Real Driver” or “Master of the Chill Mode”).
Have them adjust the seat, steering wheel, and mirrors exactly how they like it. The car will save these automatically to the new profile.
Now, for the genius part: Go to Controls > Locks > Keys. You’ll see a list of linked keys, including their phone. Next to their phone (e.g., “Sarah’s iPhone”), tap the little human icon and select their new driver profile. This ties their specific phone to their specific settings. Total baller move.
1.1 The Great Profile Switcheroo: The system is designed to be smart. Whoever gets into the driver’s seat first with their phone key will generally be the one whose profile is automatically selected. The seats and mirrors will whoosh into position. If they both get in at the same time, it can sometimes be a little goofy, but one phone usually gets priority! You can even set a "priority device" in the Bluetooth settings for your profile to help the car choose.
FAQ Questions and Answers
How to remove a driver from the Tesla app?
Removing a driver is easier than ordering takeout. As the primary owner, open your Tesla app, go to Security & Drivers > Manage Drivers. Find the driver's name and tap the 'Remove' button next to their profile. Confirm, and poof! Their access is instantly revoked, and their phone is no longer a key.
Can the second driver see my charging history and Supercharging costs?
QuickTip: Pause before scrolling further.
Nope. The additional driver gets the convenience of driving, but not the deep financial/usage data. Features like viewing the Supercharging payment history, charging stats, and the ability to purchase vehicle upgrades are typically reserved only for the primary owner’s account.
What happens if both drivers approach the car at the same time?
This is the Tesla-Sharing Thunderdome! Generally, the car will try to prioritize the driver whose phone is closest to the driver's side door. However, if you both hop in simultaneously, the car might default to the profile that was last used or one that you've set as the priority Bluetooth device in your driver profile settings. It's usually a quick tap on the screen to switch if it gets it wrong.
How many drivers can I add to my Tesla?
Tesla is pretty generous! You can typically add up to five additional drivers to a single vehicle from the mobile app, for a total of six accounts with access (the primary owner plus five guests). That should cover the whole crew.
Will the secondary driver’s music and navigation favorites save to their profile?
Absolutely! That's the beauty of the individual Driver Profile. Their favorite navigation spots, radio presets, media source (like their own Spotify login), Bluetooth priority, Autopilot settings, and even climate control preferences will all be saved to their name. When they get in, their profile loads, and it's their car, their rules.
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