Tesla Launches Apple Watch App with 2024 Holiday Update

Tesla has taken another step toward seamless connectivity by introducing its Apple Watch app. It’s a long-awaited feature that promises greater convenience for its users. The software, which was made available to Tesla users as part of the 2024 Holiday Update, lets them access vital information and controls from the comfort of their wrist. The app can be downloaded right now, but to use it fully, your car must have software version 2024.44.25+ installed, which will be released soon.

What the Tesla Apple Watch App Brings

The Tesla Apple Watch app adds a new level of ease by enabling users to operate their cars right from their wrist. It is intended to provide you instant access to important car functions and data without requiring your smartphone.

Key Features

Vehicle Control: The software allows users to remotely lock and unlock vehicles, as well as open the front trunk. Climate controls can also be activated or deactivated to preheat or cool the vehicle before you enter.

Charge Monitoring: The app shows the vehicle’s state of charge. A simple tap switches between % view and miles/kilometers, ensuring accurate range tracking.

Advanced Features: The app enables users to operate other features via their Apple Watch, like opening and closing the trunk and charge port, flashing the headlights, and sounding the horn.

Complications Integration: If your Apple Watch supports complications, you can add Tesla-related widgets to the Watch face. These widgets display information on home energy usage, Powerwall status, and solar energy generation, allowing Tesla Energy customers to monitor their systems at a glance.

How to Install the Tesla Apple Watch App

Some customers have reported troubles with the Tesla Apple Watch app’s automated installation. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial to ensure a seamless setup.

Automatic Installation

When you update the Tesla mobile app on your iPhone, the Tesla Watch app should install instantly on your Apple Watch. However, this is not guaranteed, as several customers have reported issues with the process.

Manual Installation

If the app doesn’t install automatically, follow these steps:

Open the Watch app on your iPhone and navigate to the “Available Apps” section. If the Tesla app appears, tap “Install.”
If the Tesla app doesn’t install, go to the App Store on your Watch and download any free app. This often helps refresh the installation system. Afterward, retry installing Tesla from the iPhone’s Watch app.
If all else fails, restarting your Apple Watch can resolve installation issues.

These tips, credited to @scottbuscemi on X, provide practical solutions for a seamless setup.

System Requirements and Limitations

Not all Apple Watch users can access the Tesla app. It requires watchOS 11.0 or newer, which is compatible only with specific devices:

Apple Watch SE (2nd Generation)
Apple Watch Series 6 and newer models
Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2

Additionally, to fully use the app’s features, your Tesla vehicle must have software version 2024.44.25+ installed. Without this update, attempts to use the app will result in a message stating, “Vehicle software update required.”

Highlights of the 2024 Holiday Update

The 2024 Holiday Update includes intriguing improvements that go beyond the Tesla Apple Watch software, with a focus on safety, convenience, and entertainment. These innovations make owning a Tesla more simple and pleasant.

Dashcam & Sentry Mode Access

Tesla owners can now watch, save, and share Dashcam and Sentry Mode recordings right from their iPhones. This function is especially beneficial when sharing film with insurance companies or law enforcement, making incident management easier and more efficient.

Digital Phone Key for Apple Watch

With this update, Tesla adds native phone key functionality to the Apple Watch. This means you can leave your smartphone at home while still using your wrist to perform essential vehicle duties like unlocking doors or opening the trunk.

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

The new rear cross-traffic alert system prioritizes safety. This feature alerts drivers with audible and visual indicators when a vehicle or pedestrian is detected when reversing. It’s a useful tool for negotiating congested locations or tight parking places.

Fun and Entertainment

Tesla’s 2024 Holiday Update adds a wacky and festive touch to the driving experience, ensuring that everyone has something to enjoy. New holiday-themed light shows coordinate lights and sounds across many Tesla vehicles, resulting in a stunning spectacle fit for the season. Cybertruck owners may activate Santa Mode, which transforms their in-car screen into a festive scene with a Cybertruck sleigh for extra Christmas cheer.

Tesla has added Arcade Games to the rear seat screens of Model S and X vehicles, including the popular family game Boomerang Fu, to make lengthy rides more fun. These elements provide a dimension of pleasure and enjoyment, emphasizing Tesla’s creative approach to combining technology with creativity.

Tesla’s integration with the Apple Watch highlights its commitment to user feedback and new solutions. Owners have been requesting this functionality for years, and its release is a huge milestone. The app simplifies car management, allowing users to handle their Tesla vehicles without having to reach for their phones. The 2024 Holiday Update, with its focus on safety and user experience, underscores Tesla’s commitment to staying ahead in automotive technology.