All the New Features for the Tesla App in Apple iOS 18

Not a Tesla App

Apple has released its latest software update for iPhone, iPad, and MacOS, along with other systems. While the update includes many new features, such as RCS text message support, a customizable Control Center and many other features, we’ll focus on the ones that apply to Tesla and the Tesla app.

Control Center

With iOS and iPadOS 18, Apple overhauled Control Center. Visually, it remains very similar to its previous incarnation, except that you can now customize it in several ways. First, you can resize each button. Most icons can be customized so that they take up a single square, two spots or four. While Tesla doesn’t support any native actions for Control Center yet, you can create your own shortcut using Apple’s Shortcuts app and add it to Control Center (see below). The action can preheat/precool the cabin, start charging, unlock the vehicle or many others. To set a custom action, simply swipe down to Control Center, tap the plus (+) icon on the top-left corner, and choose Add a Control at the bottom.

Not a Tesla App

Customize Tesla App Icon

iOS 18 also adds support for dark icons and customizable tint options. That means that you now have a degree of control over what the Tesla app icon looks like. To use dark icons while Dark Mode is active on the phone, tap and hold on any app icon and choose Edit Home Screen. When the icons start jiggling, tap the Edit button on the top left and choose Customize.

At the bottom of the screen, you’ll now be able to choose between various methods of customizing your app icons. You can pick from two app icon sizes, choose light/dark app icons and choose a color for tinting all icons.

The Tesla dark icon is a red T on a black background, while the light icon remains the same white T on a red background. The Tinted option allows you to tint all of your app icons in your preferred shade.

Lock Screen Buttons

Not a Tesla App

The iPhone has had two lock screen icons for several years, which include shortcuts to the flashlight and camera apps. However, with this update, you can now swap out those icons for other apps or custom actions. Since the Tesla app doesn’t support any actions yet, you’ll need to create a shortcut first, then you can apply it here or to the Control Center. Creating a shortcut for cabin preconditioning is one of the most useful options, as it gives you one-touch access to cooling your vehicle.

To set up custom lock screen buttons you’ll want to lock your phone first. then tap on your wallpaper in any blank area. Choose customize and then choose the lock screen. You’ll then see several options to add widgets or remove the icons from your lock screen. Start by removing one of the icons at the bottom, then tap the + button to add a new one. This could be the Tesla app, or a specific shortcut. If you want to use a shortcut, you’ll want to choose Shortcut Control Title. Once the menu comes up, you simply pick the shortcut you created.

Locking Tesla to Face ID

With iOS 18, Apple also introduced the ability to lock or hide certain apps. You can lock an app so that it requires Face ID before someone is able to access it. To set it up, just tap and hold on the app icon you’d like to lock and then choose the “Require Face ID” option. Like most things on iOS, if Face ID fails, you can still open the app with your phone’s passcode. If you prefer to hide an app, the process is similar. You’ll want to choose Require Face ID, and then the phone will prompt you whether you want to just require Face ID or if you’d like to hide the app.

If you choose to hide the app, the app icon will be removed from your home screen, and the app will only show up in the Hidden folder in the App Library. To access the App Library, swipe left after you get to the last home screen. To bring up a list of your hidden apps, tap the Hidden folder at the bottom and authenticate with Face ID.

Keep in mind that locking or hiding your app comes with several disadvantages. If you lock your app, then all Tesla notifications won’t be readable without first authenticating with Face ID.

Creating an Apple Shortcut & Using Siri

Not a Tesla App

You can create your own custom action with Apple Shortcuts. They can be extremely simple, like unlocking your vehicle, and require only a couple of minutes to set up.

To create a shortcut that could be utilized in Control Center, on the Lock Screen or as the Action button, open the Apple Shortcuts app.

Once you’re there, tap on the plus (+) sign at the top right corner of the app. On the bottom half of the screen, scroll up until you find the Tesla app and tap it. You’ll then see a list of all supported Tesla functions.

You can tap on any action such as Start under ‘Precondition Vehicle’ or Unlock vehicle. After choosing your preferred option, you’ll need to choose the vehicle it applies to, even if you have a single vehicle on your account. Simply tap the Choose Vehicle text and pick your car.

If you’d like to name the action, you can tap on the name with the down arrow at the top center of the screen and choose rename. After renaming your action, you can simply tap done and exit the app.

You can now run the action by simply saying its name when you bring up Siri, such as “Hey Siri, start car.” You can also take this shortcut and add it to Control Center or the lock screen for quick access.

Action Button

Not a Tesla App

With the new iPhone 16 model, Apple has replaced the mute/vibrate toggle with the Action button for all phone models. The Action button can be used for any action you’d like, but assigning it to a shortcut allows you to perform certain Tesla functions like the ones we mentioned earlier that could be added to Control Center or the lock screen.

Cooling down the cabin can now be a single button push away, and you can even push it without removing your phone from your pocket.

Until Tesla adds native support for actions that could be added to different parts of iOS 18, creating a simple shortcut is your best bet to take advantage of the latest iOS 18 features.

Follow

Follow

Follow

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.

Follow

Follow

Follow

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

Not a Tesla App

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.

Follow

Follow

Follow