Tesla's YouTube App Is Now Limited to 360p Resolution, but There’s a Workaround

Tesla is reducing video streaming quality on YouTube

Not a Tesla App

Steaming YouTube and potentially other streaming services on Teslas is now limited to 360p resolution. The quality of other streaming services appears to be affected as well.

A recent video shared on Reddit showed an owner attempting to adjust the streaming quality in Tesla’s YouTube app but to no avail. The owner was connected to a WiFi network, but the vehicle still did not allow the quality setting to be changed.

Tesla’s Streaming Apps

To bring an unparalleled entertainment experience to its vehicles, Tesla uses video streaming “apps” that are actually just websites loaded in a chromeless browser. This allows Tesla to easily add streaming services without having to build out native apps. Since the apps aren’t native to Tesla’s operating system, the UI or features available can be changed whenever the site is updated. Initially, this appears to be what is causing the issue with YouTube's lower resolution.

Lower Resolution

Google updated the YouTube user interface for the size and resolution Teslas use, which caused some changes. The new UI that appears in Tesla's YouTube app is now the same one that is used on mobile devices, which defaults to 360p resolution.

With this UI change, the resolution button is no longer in the same spot. Although mobile users can still change the resolution through the Settings icon at the top right corner of the video, the dropdowns in the settings menu do not work in a Tesla.

Was This Accidental?

Tesla’s built-in browser, which is Chromium-based, has had issues in the past, so the inability to adjust the resolution through the use of the dropdown offered in the YouTube app appears to be a bug in the Chromium browser Tesla is using.

So initially it looks like YouTube just changed the UI and the default resolution, but a bug in the browser Tesla uses is preventing users from increasing the resolution. However, the issue is that other streaming apps like Netflix and Disney+ in a Tesla appear to be using much lower resolutions as well.

Since multiple apps now appear to stream at a lower resolution, Tesla may have been involved in changing the streaming quality behind these apps. However, there is no official confirmation from Tesla.

Since these apps are just websites, these changes are not due to a specific update and they affect everyone who has access to these streaming services.

Reducing Costs

Tesla uses AT&T to provide its built-in LTE service in the US. They pay based on the amount of data used, and charge customers a flat $9.99/mo. fee for Premium Connectivity. This may be Tesla’s attempt at lowering data usage and costs.

For a brief period in 2019, Tesla showed the bandwidth a vehicle had used in the vehicle's Software menu. However, that information was short-lived in disappeared in the following update.

Tesla used to display the bandwidth a vehicle had used on the screen

Not a Tesla App

Furthermore, the refreshed Model X and Model S cars feature an 8-inch screen in the rear, allowing for passengers to stream Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube, among others, while driving. Owners of these models may use significantly more data since their car doesn't need to be in park to stream video. Bumping the streaming quality down to 360p could save a lot of data, and the quality won’t be as noticeable on an 8-inch screen, as opposed to the Model Y and Model 3’s 15-inch screen.

WiFi

Tesla tries to limit cell data usage, but they’re usually pretty lenient and allow owners to use WiFi for practically whatever they want, even if they’re not subscribed to Premium Connectivity. They also allow owners to download lossless songs from TIDAL over WiFi.

However, being connected to a WiFi network does not resolve the current low-resolution limitation on streaming services.

Workaround to Low Resolution

There are a couple workarounds to use a higher resolution. The first was posted by Reddit user u/taska9. “So far, I have found that if you use the YouTube embed link with the vq parameter, I can get 1080p,” u/taska9 writes.

The user adds: “Say the link is https://youtu.be/nzYrogkhmXI Then you enter this link to the browser, youtube.com/embed/nzYrogkhmXI?vq=hd1080. It works.”

This workaround forces the vehicle to use the desktop version of the site, allowing you to adjust the video’s quality. According to other users in the Reddit thread, using Tesla’s browser and going to the provider’s site also allows for HD access.

The second workaround was brought up by our forum user, SteveM3P. The workaround has you load the YouTube app as you normally would and go to the video Settings icon. You then tap the resolution dropdown twice. Nothing will appear on the screen, but you will then be able to use your steering wheel's left scroll wheel to change the resolution. You'll need to press 'left' on the scroll wheel to go through each resolution option.

Video of the Issue

Tesla FSD in Europe: June Update

Not a Tesla App

The road to bringing FSD to Europe has been a long and complex one and filled with regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles. Elon Musk, as well as other members of Tesla’s AI team, have previously voiced their grievances with the regulatory approval process on X.

However, it appears that there is finally some progress in getting things moving with recent changes to upcoming autonomy regulations, but the process still seems slow.

Waiting on the Dutch

Elon commented on X recently, stating that Tesla is waiting for approval from Dutch authorities and then the EU to start rolling out FSD in Europe. Tesla is focusing on acquiring approvals from the Dutch transportation authority, which will provide them with the platform they need to gain broader acceptance in Europe. Outside of the Netherlands, Tesla is also conducting testing in Norway, which provides a couple of avenues for them to obtain national-level approval.

The frustration has been ongoing, with multiple committee meetings bringing up autonomy regulation but always pulling back at the last second before approving anything. The last meeting on Regulation 157, which governs Automated Lane Keeping Systems, concluded with authorities from the UK and Spain requesting additional time to analyze the data before reaching a conclusion.

Tesla, as well as Elon, have motioned several times for owners to reach out to their elected representatives to move the process forward, as it seems that Tesla’s own efforts are being stymied. 

This can seem odd, especially since Tesla has previously demoed FSD working exceptionally smoothly on European roads - and just did it again in Rome when they shared the video below on X.

FSD Supervised testing in Rome, Italy

Pending regulatory approval pic.twitter.com/TXh3uQIfrx

— Tesla Europe & Middle East (@teslaeurope) June 12, 2025

DCAS Phase 3

While the approval process has been slow, Kees Roelandschap pointed out that there may be a different regulatory step that could allow FSD to gain a foothold in Europe.

According to Kees, the European Commission is now taking a new approach to approving ADAS systems under the new DCAS Phase 3 regulations. The Commission is now seeking data from systems currently operational in the United States that can perform System-Initiated Maneuvers and don’t require hands-on intervention for every request.

This is key because those are two of the core functionalities that make FSD so usable, and it also means that there may not be a need to wait years for proper regulations to be written from scratch. Now, the Commission will be looking at real-world data based on existing, deployed technology, which could speed up the process immensely.

What This Means

This new, data-driven regulatory approach could be the path for Tesla to reach its previous target of September for European FSD. While the cogs of bureaucracy are ever slow, sometimes all it takes is a little data to have them turn a bit faster in this case.

Alongside specific countries granting approval for limited field testing with employees, there is some light at the end of the tunnel for FSD in Europe, and hopes are that a release will occur by the end of 2025. With Europe now looking to North America for how FSD is performing, Tesla’s Robotaxi results could also play a role.

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Tesla Launches 'TeslaVision' Contest With Big Prizes — See Last Year’s Winner [VIDEO]

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Tesla’s marketing has always been relatively unconventional, relying on word-of-mouth rather than traditional advertising. The passion of the owner’s community is always massive, but it is especially high now with the launch of the Robotaxi network just around the corner.

Tesla is now tapping into that spring of fan creativity and announced the TeslaVision video contest, with some seriously impressive prizes up for grabs.

Announcing the TeslaVision fan video showcase

Tesla owners & supporters have always been able to see our products & mission for what they truly are.

Your word of mouth has made Tesla what it is today.

The OGs will remember that in 2017, we held our first video contest. 8 years… pic.twitter.com/6pPpkqmqOH

— Tesla (@Tesla) June 10, 2025

The Contest

The core of the contest is simple. Create a video that shows how your Tesla gives you more in life. Tesla is looking for submissions that highlight themes of freedom, safety, fun, and convenience.

Prizes

The prizes definitely make this contest worth entering if you’re good with a camera and have some basic video editing abilities.

For North America, the prizes include a brand new Model Y AWD Long Range, alongside an all-expenses-paid trip to Austin for a tour of Giga Texas. The grand prize winner will also be able to custom order their Model Y, allowing them to select their preferred wheels and color.

The two runners-up won’t get a Model Y, but they’ll also enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to Giga Texas for a tour of the factory.

The travel and tour include lodging in Austin for 2 nights, as well as economy-class round-trip tickets from anywhere in North America. Tesla will also provide a vehicle for use during the trip.

Hopefully, these winners will also have the opportunity to experience the Robotaxi network while they’re in Austin, as it’s expected to be opened to the public later this month.

Project Loveday

For long-time followers of Tesla, this contest may feel familiar. The contest is a direct throwback to the 2017 Project Loveday contest, which was inspired by a letter to Tesla from a 10-year-old aspiring marketer. That contest was won by MKBHD, with his submission below:

How to Enter

If you’re ready to start filming, here are the key pieces of information you’ll need to know:

• Video must be 90 seconds or less

• Video must be uploaded to YouTube with a public URL

• Make a post on X and Instagram tagging “@Tesla” and include the words “TeslaVision contest” in the post.

• Provide links to both social media posts in your submission to Tesla’s form

• Provide your personal details in the form

• You have until July 17th, 2025, or until Tesla receives 10,000 entries, whichever comes first.

You can find the official submission form and all region-specific details on Tesla's website.

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