Tesla Update 2024.2.3 Is Improving Phone Keys By Adding Ultra-Wideband Support (2024)

In Tesla update 2024.2.3, Tesla is rolling out support for ultra-wideband, a wireless protocol that will drastically improve how Tesla phone keys work.

Ultra-wideband (UWB) requires hardware support on the user's phone and the vehicle, so only some of the most recent models will be supported.

What is Ultra-Wide

Ultra-wideband is similar to Bluetooth in that it uses short-range radio waves to enable devices to communicate, although it’s a separate protocol all together. It uses less energy than Bluetooth while providing high-precision location tracking beyond what can be achieved with Bluetooth. The technology is often used to accurately locate devices and determine the precise distance between multiple UWB devices.

Improved Phone Keys

Tesla phone keys are fantastic and give you a way to lock and unlock your vehicle without having to carry a key. They also let you share temporary or permanent keys with others without ever having to hand something over physically. It's one of the ways Tesla can now offer self-serve demo drives without any staff on hand.

While phone keys are great and work reliably most of the time, occasionally the car doesn't recognize that the phone is nearby, requiring you to take out your phone and unlock it or even open the Tesla app before it recognizes that the phone is nearby.

The addition of support for ultra-wideband should solve these issues almost completely by precisely knowing where the phone is in relation to the vehicle. UWB support is also expected to improve other features that rely on knowing your phone’s location, such as selecting the correct driver profile depending on which phone key is closest to the driver’s side.

Enabling UWB Phone Key

The new phone key won’t work out of the box. To use the improved UWB phone key, you’ll need to set it up in the Tesla app. The app will prompt you to “Upgrade Your Phone Key,” and you’ll then need to grant the app access to UWB, which the iPhones call Nearby Interactions. You can remove or check on whether the app has access at any time by navigating to iPhone Settings > Privacy & Security > Nearby Interactions.

Release Notes

Tesla states that its new feature "Ultra-Wideband Phone Key" will improve your phone key due to greater accuracy and better responsibleness.

The release notes read:

"Ultrawide band (UWB) technology is now available for Phone Key. So your vehicle and Phone Key can communicate with greater accuracy to more responsively lock, unlock, and open Automatic Doors.”

“In the Tesla app, choose Phone Key > Upgrade and follow the instructions. After setup, keep your iPhone Settings for Nearby Interactions on for Tesla. Requires iPhone 11+ and Tesla app 4.29.5+."

Cars Supported

Since ultra-wideband requires specific hardware, it can’t be added in a software update unless the hardware is already in the vehicle. Only some of the latest Tesla vehicles appear to support the new wireless protocol.

We have confirmed that the new Model 3 is supported, as well as the 2023 Model X. All refreshed Model S and Model X vehicles include the new UWB frequencies in the certificate of conformity and are likely to receive this feature, but it doesn’t appear to be going out to all new S/X models yet. The Cybertruck is expected to be supported as well.

The first-gen Model 3 and current Model Y unfortunately do not have UWB support.

Phones Support

In addition to the vehicle having support for UWB, the phone must also support it. All models since the iPhone 11 have included support for ultra-wideband. This spans across all models and sizes.

While some Android phones also include UWB hardware, Tesla is launching support for the iPhone first, but we can expect supported Android phones running Android 13 or later to be added at some point in the future as well.

On the Android side, the Pixel 6 and above have support for UWB on the Pro models, while the Galaxy S series phones support the protocol since the S21, but only on the Plus and Ultra models. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 and above also include support as well as other flagship Android phones.

Tesla App Support

Tesla started adding support for ultra-wideband back in July 2023 when Tesla updated their app to v4.23.5 and included references to ultra-wideband. Tesla says that you’ll require the latest Tesla app, v4.29.5 or higher to use the new feature.

Ultra wide-band will bring greater accuracy and reliability to Tesla's phone keys. The phone key is already great and the only thing holding it back is its ability to work reliably 100% of the time, but it looks like that is about to be fixed if you own a new Tesla model.

Cybertruck reservation holders may want to help sell some Teslas. The company has added new items to its U.S. referral program redemption catalog, including the opportunity to move up the queue on the long waiting list for Cybertrucks. Although the ability to move up your Cybertruck delivery sold out quickly, it may make a comeback as Tesla fulfills these orders.

Accelerated Cybertruck Delivery

Tesla’s new referral award offered a fast track to Cybertruck ownership. For 30,000 credits, customers could accelerate their delivery to receive a Foundation Series AWD or Cyberbeast Cybertruck within 45 days of redemption. This is huge considering Tesla has stated that there are more than one million reservations and only 250,000 Cybertrucks will be produced a year.

Cybertruck Sweepstakes Makes a Comeback

The referral program sees the return of the Foundation Series Cybertruck Sweepstakes, a highlight for many Tesla fans. Participants can enter the sweepstakes with 1,000 credits per ticket, with the winner to be selected in April.

Factory Tours Return to Referral Awards

The company has reintroduced tours of its Giga Texas and Fremont factories into the referral program award section. For 10,000 credits, Tesla owners and their referrals can now gain exclusive access to see where the magic happens.

Improved Credits for Demo Drives

Tesla is now rewarding those who refer a Demo Drive with an increased reward of 1,000 credits, a significant jump from the previous 100 credits.

A Year of Innovation and Engagement

Reflecting on the past year since the referral program's reintroduction in the U.S. and Canada, Tesla has successfully created a unique and engaging platform for its customers. With its credit-based system, the program has incentivized referrals across Tesla's model range, fostering a community of loyal customers and EV advocates. Adding loyalty credits further rewards repeat customers, strengthening the bond between the brand and its users.

In the sprawling expanse of Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin, a local observer, Tobias Lindh, captured what might be a glimpse into the automaker's future. Flying his drone over the site, Lindh spotted something unusual. The mystery car, which appears smaller than any current Tesla and with notable modifications at the rear and more narrow windows, has sparked discussions about Tesla's next innovation. Could it be the next-gen, $25,000, Model 2?

A Spectrum of Reactions

The responses on social media ranged from analytical to amusing, reflecting the diverse and passionate Tesla fan base. Some debated whether perspective might be playing tricks on viewers, and it’s nothing more than a torn-down Model Y. But others argue it looks considerably smaller than a Model Y, aligning with some expectations for a next-gen vehicle. The vehicle's design nuances, such as the curvature of the front and top glass and a distinct windshield rake, caught the eye of others.

Just saw this in my latest video from #GigaBerlin at 19:35

Does anyone know what this is?

Looks smaller than the Model Ys behind and it seems to have some modifications at the back.https://t.co/aCDX5DxFBj pic.twitter.com/066ccKTwCh

— Tobias Lindh (@tobilindh) February 15, 2024

Others believe it could be a teardown of a competitor car, musing if it could be a Ford Mustang Mach-E, a suggestion that added a layer of intrigue to the speculation. That might explain why it is in a muddy back lot. Then another theory is the possibility of it being a refreshed Model Y, pointing to minor updates rather than a completely new offering. Humor also found its way into the discussions by labeling the vehicle the "Batmobile," while some suggest it could be Bigfoot.

Community Vigilance

This flurry of speculation comes amidst heightened anticipation for Tesla's next-gen vehicle, internally referred to as "Redwood." Elon Musk's recent comments about a revolutionary manufacturing system set to redefine automotive production have only fanned the flames of curiosity. With a production timeline towards late 2025, Tesla enthusiasts are piecing together every clue and comment in anticipation of the company's next big reveal.

The range of reactions to the sighting at Giga Berlin showcases the Tesla community's enduring enthusiasm for the company and sets the sights on a new target. Over the last several years the community has followed Cybertruck sighting as well as the new Model 3. Now, all the focus moves to the next-generation platform. Whether the vehicle is a harbinger of the next-gen model, a refreshed version of an existing car, or merely a red herring, it underscores the community's vigilant watch over Tesla's every move.