The Tesla app works on Apple Watch, but only to check your car's status and climate
You can install the Tesla app on your Apple Watch and use it to see your car's battery level, lock or unlock the doors, adjust the temperature, and check where your car is parked. You cannot drive the car or make major changes from the watch — the app is read-mostly, designed to let you glance at your Tesla without pulling out your phone.
The process takes about five minutes. You need the Tesla app already installed on your iPhone, an Apple Watch paired to that iPhone, and a Tesla account you can log into. The app downloads to your watch over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, depending on your watch model.
Key Takeaways
- The Tesla app installs from the App Store on your Apple Watch, not from your iPhone — you must use the watch's own App Store app.
- Your Apple Watch must be paired to your iPhone and connected to Wi-Fi or have cellular service for the app to work.
- You can check battery level, lock the car, adjust climate, and see location from your wrist, but cannot unlock Supercharging or change major settings.
- If the app does not appear in the watch's App Store, restart both your watch and iPhone, then search again.
Install the Tesla app directly on your Apple Watch
Open the App Store on your Apple Watch — it is the blue icon with a white star. Tap the search tab at the bottom (the magnifying glass). Type "Tesla" and wait for the results to load.
Tap the Tesla app when it appears. Tap the cloud icon with a down arrow to read it. The read takes one to three minutes depending on your connection. When it finishes, the button changes to "Open" — tap that to launch the app for the first time.
Do not try to install it from your iPhone's App Store and expect it to appear on your watch. The watch has its own App Store, and Tesla must be downloaded there. If you search for Tesla on your iPhone's App Store and tap "Open on Apple Watch," it will direct you to the watch's App Store anyway.
Sign in with your Tesla account
When you open the Tesla app on your watch for the first time, it asks for your Tesla account email and password. Type your email address using the watch's keyboard — this is slow, so make sure you have the address exactly right. Tap next.
Type your password the same way. If you have two-factor authentication turned on in your Tesla account (which you should), the app will ask for a six-digit code. Check your phone or email for the code Tesla sends, then type it into the watch.
Once you are signed in, the app shows your car's status when ready. If you have more than one Tesla, swipe left and right on the watch screen to switch between them.
What you can and cannot do from your Apple Watch
From your watch, you can see your car's battery percentage, estimated range, and whether the doors are locked. You can lock or unlock the doors by tapping the lock icon. You can open the frunk (front trunk) or trunk, turn the climate control on or off, and set the temperature. You can also see your car's location on a map and honk the horn or flash the lights.
You cannot start the car, open the Supercharger port, change Autopilot settings, or access your charging history from the watch. For those tasks, you need the full Tesla app on your iPhone. The watch app is meant for quick checks and straightforward commands — the kind of thing you want to do without taking your phone out of your pocket.
Troubleshoot if the app will not install or sign in
If the Tesla app does not appear when you search the watch's App Store, restart your Apple Watch. Press and hold the side button until you see the power-off slider. Slide it to turn off the watch. Wait 10 seconds, then press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears. Try searching for Tesla again once the watch restarts.
If the app installs but will not sign you in, make sure your watch is connected to Wi-Fi. Swipe down from the top of the watch face to open Control Center. Look for the Wi-Fi icon — if it is not filled in, tap it and select your network. If your watch has cellular service, it may try to use that instead of Wi-Fi, which can be slower. Once you are signed in, the app works on either connection.
If you see an error message when you try to sign in, restart both your watch and your iPhone. Sometimes the connection between them gets stuck, and a restart clears it. Sign in again after both devices have restarted.
Keep the app updated on your watch
The Tesla app updates automatically on your Apple Watch if you have automatic updates turned on. To check, open the App Store on your watch, tap the account icon (your profile picture at the top right), scroll down, and look for "Automatic Updates." If it is off, tap it to turn it on.
If you want to update manually, open the App Store, tap your account icon, scroll down to "Available Updates," and look for Tesla. If an update is available, tap "Update" next to it. Updates usually take one to two minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cellular service on my Apple Watch to use the Tesla app?
No. Your watch needs either Wi-Fi or cellular to connect to Tesla's servers, but Wi-Fi is enough. If your watch has cellular and is connected to Wi-Fi, it will use Wi-Fi. If you are away from Wi-Fi and your watch has cellular service, it will use that instead.
Can I unlock my Tesla from my Apple Watch without my phone?
Yes, as long as your watch is connected to Wi-Fi or has cellular service. You do not need your phone nearby to use the app. Your phone just needs to be paired to the watch — it can be at home while you use the app across town.
What if I forget my Tesla password?
Go to the Tesla website on your iPhone or computer and click "Forgot Password?" at the login screen. Tesla sends a reset link to your email. Create a new password, then use that password to sign into the app on your watch.
Can I use the Tesla app on an older Apple Watch?
Tesla supports Apple Watch Series 3 and newer. If you have an older watch, the app will not appear in the App Store. Check your watch model in the Settings app under General > About to see which series you have.
Why does the app show my car's location but not let me navigate to it?
The watch app shows location only. To get turn-by-turn directions to your car, open Apple Maps or Google Maps on your watch and search for your address, or use the full Tesla app on your iPhone to send the location to your phone's navigation.