Tesla adds new features in app update 4.3

Tesla has updated their iOS app to version 4.3. Tesla has been on a roll with its app updates lately, recently introducing Sentry Mode Live Access, adjust scheduled charging, widgets and more.

This update continues Tesla's recent trend and introduces various new features.

You can now customize the Quick Action buttons

New Notifications

You can now choose to turn on notifications when Cabin Overheat Protection is activated. You can also choose to turn on or off notifications when your car is done preconditioning.

Tesla App 4.3 gives you more control over notificationss

Customizable Quick Actions

You'll now be able to customize the quick action buttons that show up underneath the car.

The app still limits you to four buttons, but it allows you to swap out any of the existing buttons for just about any function the app can control. You can set a quick action button for the trunk, defrost, Sentry Mode and many more.

If you'd like to make room for an additional quick action button, you can remove the Charge button and replace it with a button of your chosing. You can then access the charging section by tapping the battery icon instead.

Adjust Cabin Overheat Protection

Another new feature is the ability to adjust your Cabin Overheat Protection. Cabin Overheat Protection allows your car to try to keep the interior temperature under 105° F by either using the HVAC fan or air conditioner.

The three options are to turn off Cabin Overheat Protection, try to cool using only the fan, or cool using the air conditioner.

You can now customize the Quick Action buttons

Using the air conditioner option will do the best job in keeping the cabin cooler, but could result in significant battery usage on hot summer days.

Many users are unable to access the ability to adjust the Cabin Overheat Protection setting. It looks like this feature may require your car to have update 2021.40.5 or later in order to function.

It looks like the Cabin Overheat Protection options will appear in the Climate section of the app. They should appear within the slide up drawer, next to the Defrost and Bioweapon Defense Mode buttons.

Widget Improvements

The app widgets have also been improved and now feature the same quick action buttons that you define within the app.

Pressing on a quick action button within the widget will open the app and execute the function automatically. Some functions have confirmations, such as defrost. Once the app is opened, you'll need to confirm that you want to turn on the defrost function.

Tesla releases version 4.3 of its iOS app

Sentry Mode Live Access

Sentry Mode Live Access enables you to view live video feeds from the car's cameras directly on your phone. The feature has been available in previous iOS app updates, but Tesla is calling out it's functionality in this update as well.

Sentry Mode Live Access doesn't appear to contain any new features with this update.

Ability to Unlock Supercharger Floor Locks

In China Tesla uses floor locks on Supercharger parking spots to prevent other vehicles from parking in those spots. Up until today, it required a Tesla owner to scan a QR code on the lock in order to lower the lock and allow you to charge. With this app update, Tesla is now allowing you to unlock the Supercharger spot within the app.

Superchargers in China have floor locks

It's a great update for individuals living in China, but these floor locks are unlikely to be expanded to other regions as Tesla starts allowing non-Teslas to charge at Supercharger locations.

Tesla Taiwan testing out new supercharger ground locks solution to fix ICE issues. A camera identifies the Tesla via plate number as the car backs up and unlocks accordingly. @elonmusk @tesla pic.twitter.com/tFU1twMBdg

— Tesla Owners Taiwan (@TeslaOwnersTwn) February 14, 2019

If you're an iPhone user, you can update your Tesla app to 4.3 by visiting the App Store.

The app is not on the official Play Store for Android yet, but it should be released soon.

It will finally include Sentry Mode Live Access and the updates to quick actions and more described above.

You'll be able to download the updated Tesla app from the Google Play Store when it becomes available soon.

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Tesla Cuts Newly Formed Content and Ads Team, Musk says Ads Were “Too Generic”

Tesla eliminated a newly formed marketing team of about 40 employees as part of its global layoffs, Bloomberg reported on Monday morning. On X, Elon Musk said the ads created by the team were “far too generic” adding that they would apply to “any car”.

Exactly. The ads were far too generic – could’ve been any car.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 22, 2024

The team was led by Alexander Ingram who joined Tesla in August 2019 as Communication lead for Automotive. After a few different roles connected with content and social media, Ingram was promoted last December to Senior Manager of Global Growth Content. In the new role, he was leading a global team of creatives focused on Tesla's first ads, as well as social media.

Ingram put out some excellent behind-the-scenes videos on Tesla’s technological advancements such as the one below explaining Tesla’s single casting.

Tesla’s Advertisement Strategy

At Tesla’s 2023 annual meeting of shareholders, Elon Musk said that the company would “try a little advertising and see how it goes”. Since then, Tesla ads have been seen in Google search results and on YouTube.

In Tesla’s proxy statement filed last week, it is seen that the automaker has spent around $200,000 on X-advertising through February 2024.

“As part of a multi-platform advertising campaign, Tesla also directly or indirectly purchased advertising on X, which totaled approximately $0.2 million through February 2024”

Bloomberg’s source added that Tesla still has a smaller marketing team in Europe.

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Tesla Is Ending Its Current Referral Program; New Version Will Arrive in “A Few Months”

Tesla's Referral Program

Not a Tesla App

Tesla shared on X that it’s ending its current referral program globally by the end of April. It’ll be replaced by a new one, but that is still “a few months away”, according to CEO Elon Musk.

When Musk was asked if the current credits would be lost, Musk responded by saying “No, just that new credits would not be earned until we launch a future referral program.” That means there’ll be a gap of a couple of months when owners will not be able to earn referral credits.

Tesla was always famous for relying on its community to promote its vehicles rather than spending millions (or even billions) in ad campaigns.

Through Tesla’s referral program — which started back in 2015— customers have been earning referral credits by having friends use their referral link when ordering a Tesla product or taking their first demo drive. At the time, it started with a direct $1,000 prize for the referrer but later evolved to a more complex system with different tiers and points.

Prizes have changed a lot over the years

In its latest version, scheduled to end by the end of the month, Tesla models (S, X, and Y), along with Powerwall, solar panels, and solar roofs, are available for purchase using a referral link. In this version, owners can redeem credits from merchandise to software upgrades for their vehicles. They can even redeem credits for several months free of Premium Connectivity or FSD.

Our current referral program benefits will end after April 30 in all markets

— Tesla North America (@tesla_na) April 20, 2024

The Evolution of the Referral Program

Tesla’s first referral program was released in July 2015 where customers who referred new buyers would receive $1,000 for every new Tesla Model S delivered. For those who were able to accrue 5 or 10 referrals for the US automaker, Tesla raised the bar and offered invitations to the opening of its Giga Factories or even a fully loaded Model X.

Over the first 2 years, Tesla significantly increased the value of the prizes and even offered free or discounted Roadsters with enough referrals. However, in 2019, Elon Musk decided to stop amid cost concerns.

The referral program was re-launched in late 2019 offering new buyers free supercharging for a period of time, FSD access, premium connectivity, or $500 off a new vehicle.

What’s Next

Given the considerable gap of “a few months” between the current program and the next one, it is expected that Tesla will bring a new structure with updated awards focused on minimizing Tesla’s cost while increasing the brand’s awareness.

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