Tesla App Lead Talks Upcoming Features: Mac App, More Vehicle Controls and Immersive Powerwall View

The Tesla app just got a proper big-screen layout, and the team behind it is already working on what’s next. Alex Guichet, who led the new layout for the iPad, iPhone Duo, and Android tablets and foldables, shared some of the team’s upcoming plans on X, including an immersive Powerwall view and an eventual Mac app.

The Tesla app lead noted that the team’s ultimate vision is to make the app feel like the screen in your vehicle:

Bringing More to the Tesla App

Tesla’s in-car visualizations run on Unreal Engine, and the idea is to bring more of that to the app. That could include the 3D models behind themed modes like Santa Mode and Halloween Mode, plus more of the information your car already displays.

The latest update is already heading that way. On larger screens like the iPad, the vehicle visualization now has ambient background lighting and reflections, and the frunk and trunk buttons sit directly on the car, just like the parked visualization in your Tesla. For now, however, these touches are only available in big-screen layouts on devices like iPads or the iPhone Duo.

However, we don’t expect the improvements to be exclusive to the visualization. One area we expect to be expanded is music controls. While the app already lets users pause, skip or adjust the volume, users can’t select what source is being used or what’s being played. The Robotaxi app on the other hand has more granular controls.

We hope the way a destination is added also becomes more aligned with what’s available in the vehicle today.

Not a Tesla App

Immersive Powerwall View Coming Soon, and a Mac App For Later

Tesla Energy owners are getting the same treatment. Guichet said an “immersive” Powerwall view is coming in a few weeks. It missed the main release so the team could finish some final polish:

Tesla Mac App

When asked about a Mac app, Guichet said it’s coming “at some point.” In the meantime, Guichet noted that the Tesla app already works on a Mac through Apple’s iPhone Mirroring feature.

More Updates on the Way

While the Tesla app is already one of, if not the most refined vehicle app in the market, Guichet said the team is still brainstorming for ways to make the user experience better. Thus, the team will keep updating and polishing the app in future releases:

The big-screen layout has already rolled out for iOS and iPadOS users, but some Android users are still waiting for this major update.