Best Tesla game controllers and how to connect them

By Nuno Cristovao

Teslas have a wide array of entertainment options from Netflix to Caraoke to a growing list of video games. Sky Force Reloaded was recently released and it offers great gameplay with a controller. Some video games are meant for a touch screen such as 2048, while others are meant to be played with a controller. In fact, some games like Cuphead, can only be played with a controller.

game controllers compatible with Tesla

Unfortunately not all controllers will work with a Tesla, especially if you’re looking for a wireless solution. Although the good news is that you may already have a controller that works.

Wired Controllers

By far the easiest and lowest cost to entry is with a wired option. I actually recommend going this route unless you think you’ll be using your controller often. The wireless options are more complicated and costlier.

The good news is that if you have any recent game consoles, you likely already have a controller that is compatible with your Tesla. The bad news is that it’ll only work when attached via a USB cable unless you get an adapter.

Xbox One or PS4 controllers

If you have wired or wireless Xbox One or PS4 controllers, you'll be able to use them in your Tesla by simply plugging them up to the car's front USB ports. Unfortunately, Xbox 360 controllers will not work.

There are a wide variety of supported wired controllers. If you have one, I’d recommend trying it before going out and buying something else. However, if you don’t already have a controller that works, there are a few good options that won’t break the bank.

Logitech controller compatible with Tesla

Logitech F310 Wired Controller

This is an inexpensive option and a good choice if you don't need a controller for anything else. This is the likely the least expensive controller you'll find by a reputable company that will work in your Tesla.

Keep in mind even though some of the controllers above are wireless, they must be plugged in to the front USB ports in order to work.

Wireless Controllers

Although there are currently no wireless controllers that can connect directly to your Tesla, there are a few options if you’d like to go wireless.

Logitech Gamepad F710

Logitech wireless controller compatible with Tesla

The Logitech F710 is a great choice because of its ease of connectivity and price. It comes with everything you need to just starting playing. It uses a nano USB receiver that is synced to the controller, so all you have to do is simply plug it in and use the controller.

8Bitdo Wireless Controller Adapter

Use your controller wirelessly with Tesla

If you’d like to use an existing controller wirelessly, then you can use this adapter by 8Bitdo that will let your controller communicate wirelessly with your Tesla.

This adapter supports a large array of controllers, including: Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X & S, PS3, PS4, PS5, Switch Joy-cons, Wii U and Switch Pro controllers.

MayFlash Wireless Controller Adapter

Use your controller wirelessly with Tesla

As an alternative, you can also use this adapter by MayFlash that will also let your controller communicate wirelessly with your Tesla.

You'll simply plug this adapter into your Tesla's USB port then sync your controller to the adapter. The adapter will translate the controller's wireless signals into wired signals your Tesla can understand.

Tip: In order to connect any controllers or adapters to your Tesla you will need to plug them up to either the front USB ports or the USB port in the glovebox if you have one. The rear USB ports only provide power output.

USB Hubs

Jeda USB Hub Console

Jeda USB Hub for Tesla

If you don’t have enough free USB ports then you'll need USB Hub. Jeda makes a great USB hub that wil also charge your AirPods and Apple Watch.

Anker 4-port USB hub

cheap USB hub for Tesla

This Anker USB hub is an inexpensive way to get more USB ports in your car. It provides four USB ports and will be great to be able to plug in additional game controllers.

Now that you have a controller that works in your Tesla, get gaming! There are quite a few great games that support controllers and the list is growing all the time. The latest game, Sky Force Reloaded is a fantastic game that allows two player co-op.

Here are a list of games that support controllers:

  • Sky Force Reloaded
  • Gravitar
  • Tempest
  • Millipede
  • Missile Command
  • Lunar Lander
  • Super Breakout
  • Centipede
  • Asteroids
  • Beach Buggy Racing 2
  • Cuphead (controller required to play)
  • Stardew Valley
  • Cat Quest (controller required to play)
  • Sonic the Hedgehog (controller required to play)

If you have a controller that works great for you, let us know.

Tesla Software Update 2025.8 -- The Undocumented Changes

By Not a Tesla App Staff
Not a Tesla App

With most vehicles moving on to Tesla’s 2025.14 Spring Update, we’re now taking a look at all the undocumented features that were discovered during Tesla’s 2025.8 update.

While these features tend to be smaller in nature, some of them are just as valuable as the features outlined in Tesla’s release notes in the vehicle.

This update includes changes such as improvements to maps, trip meters, and Rainbow Road. Let’s take a look at all the undocumented features in Tesla’s 2025.8 software update.

New Map Icons

Not a Tesla App

Icons on the map are being redesigned to be rounder and easier to see. They now feature a white border to make them pop out against a colorful background, which is especially better when using satellite views.

This feature started rolling out slowly but should now be available to everyone.

Trips & Odometer

Not a Tesla App

The Trips display has been improved to show more precise information, and a new metric has been added.

More Precision: The trip meters will now show values with a tenths place when they’re under a certain value. That means that the Current Drive and Since Last Charge trip meters will now show a fractional kWh and a mile. This is especially useful for Current Drive.

The Current Drive meter is automatically reset when your vehicle comes out of park so that it can track your current drive, while the Since Last Charge meter automatically resets after a charging session completes.

More Data: In addition to added precision, the Current Drive now features a new data point. kWh is now shown for the current drive, just like the other trip meters. Previously, the Current Drive showed minutes instead of kWh -- it now features both.

These changes affect the Trips widget in the Model 3, Model Y and Cybertruck. While the added precision is also added to all vehicles under Controls > Trips, the new kWh metric for the Current Drive is only displayed in the small widget.

Additional Tool Tips

Not a Tesla App

Tesla has added some additional tips to the screen that show up in certain cases. For example, if you’re playing audio over Bluetooth, Tesla will suggest that you use their built-in music apps instead of streaming through your phone.

Destination Charging

Not a Tesla App

Destination charging icons are now visible on the map when you have Points of Interest enabled. You can enable Points of Interest by tapping on the map and choosing the Points of Interest icon on the right side near the satellite imagery icon.

Some destination chargers may charge a fee, while others may be open to the public or exclusive to paying customers.

Navigation Improvements

Not a Tesla App

If you're using Tesla's navigation system with voice guidance enabled, the spoken directions will now stop immediately when you end the trip. Previously, the spoken directions would continue being played until the phrase was completed.

Improved Rainbow Road

Not a Tesla App

The rainbow road feature has been greatly improved in this update with FSD. Rainbow road, which can be enabled in the Toybox app, now changes the vehicle's path when on Autopilot from a blue path to a rainbow one.

Previously, Tesla had to overlay the blue path on top of the rainbow colors because rainbow road didn’t support all the features of the path, such as showing chevrons when slowing down rapidly.

With this update, the rainbow path now incorporates all the same features as the blue path when FSD is active.

In addition, if you start Rainbow Road by tapping the right stalk four times, audio will play. Unfortunately, the sound couldn’t be stopped until it was completed before, but with this update, you can now stop the audio by reducing the volume with the left scroll wheel.

Additional Transparency Effects

Not a Tesla App

On Intel vehicles, several modules didn't include a transparency effect. This was primarily due to Intel cars not using the blur effect since it could slow down the infotainment unit.

With this update, Tesla has enabled the transparency effect across a set of modules. Notably, this fixes the issue when using full-screen visualizations where the music player had transparency, but the navigation module on the right did not.

Transparency has also been added to other modules that are displayed over the map, such as the list of Superchargers, destinations, search results, and the ETA / End Trip module displayed at the bottom.

Note: Due to the lack of the blur effect on Intel due to performance reasons, these changes could make some text more difficult to read.

No Phone Key Graphic

Not a Tesla App

The graphic that's displayed in the vehicle when it doesn't detect a phone key has been updated. Tapping on the blue text at the bottom displays the old animation showing you where to tap a key card.

Bluetooth Player

Not a Tesla App

The Bluetooth app typically only displays the connected devices and a button to connect a new device. There was a lot of white space, since there wasn’t much other information to display.

With this update, Tesla is making it easier to jump to another source by displaying available music streaming services underneath the connected Bluetooth device.

Tapping a music service will jump to the selected service.

Service Mode Release Notes

@scotsrule08 on X

As with most Tesla updates, Tesla usually adds or improves Service Mode with additional features, making diagnosing and fixing problems easier. This update adds or improves the following items.

New HVAC Panel

A new HVAC panel is available to support HVAC system diagnosis. It adds the ability to determine the status of the HVAC actuators, HEPA filter, and blower motor.

Applies to: Cybertruck

HV Battery Panel Update - Moved State of Health (SOH) Routine

The State of Health (SOH) routine in the HV Battery panel has been moved to the Controls > Service tab, which does not require entering Service Mode or Service Mode Plus.

Applies to: 2021+ Model S, 2021+ Model X, Model 3, Model Y

Windows Panel Update - Rear Defrost Routine

The rear defrost component on the Windows panel has been updated to simplify diagnostics. The re-enable routine will now be visible all the time, but it can only be ran when a condition requiring its usage is detected.

Applies to: 2021+ Model S, 2021+ Model X, Model 3, Model Y

Seats Panel Update - Cabin Radar and Seat Sensor

The Seats panel has been updated to show whether the cabin radar and/or seat sensor is being used to detect occupants in the front seats.

Applies to: Model 3, Model Y, Cybertruck

Brakes Panel Update - Update Gateway Configurations

The gateway configurations for brake hardware type and caliper color can now be updated on the Brakes panel.

Applies to: Model 3 (2017-2023), Model Y (2020-2024), Model S (2021+), Model X (2021+)

Steering Panel Update - Update Gateway Configurations

The gateway configuration for the steering column motor type can now be updated on the Steering panel.

Applies to: Model 3, Model Y

Service Mode Update - Media Source Switches to Bluetooth

When entering Service Mode, the Media Source will now automatically switch to Bluetooth to prevent the vehicle from playing media using the customer's connected media accounts.

Applies to: Model S, Model X, Model 3, Model Y

Charging Panel Update - Charge Port ECU Reset Routine

The Charge Port Electronic Control Unit (ECU) reset routine, TEST-RESET_CP, has been added to the Charging panel, which may be required after performing Charge Port related service.

Applies to: Model 3, Model Y, Palladium S, Palladium X, Cybertruck

Noise Recording Panel Update - Moved to Tools

The Noise Recording panel has been moved from the the High Voltage panel to the Tools panel. To access the panel, tap Tools > Noise Recording.

Applies to: Cybertruck

Coolant Panel Update - Coolant Purge Status Indicator

An indicator has been added to the Coolant panel to report the status of the coolant purge and whether the coolant purge needs to rerun.

Applies to: Cybertruck

Next Update

Tesla’s next update is the 2025.14 Spring Update, which has now rolled out to more than half of the Tesla fleet. If you’re still waiting for it, rest assured that you should be updated soon. If you’ve already updated, be sure to check out the undocumented features already found in the 2025.14 update.

Tesla Denies WSJ Report Claiming Board is Replacing Elon Musk

By Karan Singh
YouTube/NYT Events

Tesla has issued a strong denial in response to a Wall Street Journal report (Paywall) which claimed that Tesla’s Board of Directors had initiated a search for a new CEO.

In a statement posted directly on Tesla’s X account, Board Chair Robyn Denholm denied the report unequivocally. As per the statement, Tesla’s board did not reach out to recruiting firms in search of a new CEO.

Board Supports Elon

The statement reaffirmed the board’s position on Tesla’s current leadership and that the board is highly confident in Elon’s ability to continue executing Tesla’s plans and future growth.

This confidence behind Elon follows his recent statements made during the Q1 2025 Earnings Call that he would be stepping back from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the coming days and significantly reducing time spent there. Instead, he would be returning to focus on Tesla’s operations and the upcoming deployment of Robotaxi.

Shortly after the denial was posted, Elon Musk also commented on the report, specifically tagging the Wall Street Journal and criticizing their handling of the report.

We’re glad to see Tesla and Elon set the matter straight, but there could have been a better way to spread this message and maybe even prevent the report from WSJ from going out.

We recently published an opinion piece on why Tesla needs its PR team back, and this specific incident is a good example. Relying solely on platforms like X for critical corporate communications - and in this case, late at night (1 AM EST), with limited reach outside the existing follower base seems like an ineffective way of communicating important company information.

We’d love to see Tesla really put some thought into managing its image, as it seems that several recent reports from major financial news organizations have apparently been wrong.

Either way, the board’s stance is clear - there is no active search underway, and Elon has the full backing and support of the board to lead Tesla toward the future.

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