Tesla is taking another significant step in enhancing the connectivity of its cars by potentially developing a native Apple Watch app. This move is expected to improve the connectivity and control options available to Tesla owners, making it easier to control their vehicles from their wrists.
As the wearable market continuously grows and becomes more integrated into our daily lives, Tesla’s entry into this field with a fully native watch app shows the company’s commitment to creating an integrated ecosystem for its users. In March of this year, CEO Elon Musk himself hinted at the development of the Apple Watch app when replying to a user.
Tesla’s Apple Watch App
Tesla’s development of an Apple Watch app was confirmed through code found in the Tesla iPhone app (version 4.38.0). The code includes references to a “watch app pairing state” and commands related to remote key signing, indicating that the Apple Watch app is currently in development.
The current Tesla app can be used on the Apple watch through third-party apps like Tessie, which provides some functionalities for Tesla owners on the Apple watch, but these rely on Tesla’s API and are not official solutions. The new native app will allow direct access to Tesla’s features without needing third-party applications, which often have limitations.
While Tesla has not said anything officially regarding the expected features and app’s functionality, it is expected that the native Apple Watch app will carry over many of the most used features of the Tesla mobile app like:
The upcoming Watch app is expected to function as a Digital Key. One of the most popular features of the Tesla mobile app is the ability to lock and unlock the vehicle remotely. This feature will be particularly helpful to those who don’t have an iPhone in their hand or if the iPhone battery is dead. Having functionalities like this on your wrist is very convenient.
Tesla’s mobile app could remotely set an ideal temperature to warm or cool the car by the time the owner is on board the car. A native watch app might enable users to change climate settings, start heating or cooling, and possibly use some features of a car such as seat warmers without reaching for the phone.
Version 4.38.0 is here and boy do we have stuff in the works:
– Tesla Watch app finally being worked on ⌚️
– Reverse ASS being worked on (Down to the details of where it parked, and updates while looking for parking)
– iOS SDK updated to use iOS 18 frameworkMuch more….
— Tesla App Updates (iOS) (@Tesla_App_iOS) October 21, 2024
Another watch app functionality can be a case when the owners have to keep track of the battery levels because running out of charge on a trip is a very real possibility. The new app could give simple battery monitoring and charging status check information which would help users in real time while they are away from their PC.
One of the most important watch app functionalities is Tesla’s Summon feature, which will enable users to drive the car forward and backward to navigate it through narrow car parking lot spaces from a remote location. It is likely that the application would allow users to order their car at the touch of a wrist in addition to showing them the car’s location on the map at any moment.
The Tesla watch app may also provide notifications to the owners. The app could alert the owner of such important concerns as when charging is done, the doors or windows of the vehicle are open, or even when the system has alerts or notifications of maintenance or security concerns.
Release Timeline
While there is currently no official release timeline yet, speculation suggests that the app could be included in Tesla’s annual holiday software update, which typically introduces new features and enhancements around December 15.
