What is the reason why Tesla cannot be unlocked when the phone is nearby?
3 Answers
Tesla cannot be unlocked when the phone is nearby possibly due to other apps in the phone cutting off the wireless network, poor network signal in the location, etc. Other apps in the phone cutting off the wireless network: You can try closing all apps, turning off Bluetooth, and then restarting Bluetooth and the Tesla app. Poor network signal in the location: In some underground garages, network signals are often interrupted, and without a connection, unlocking naturally fails. There may also be signal interference in the location, such as strong magnetic fields near high-voltage power towers or transformers that affect the phone signal.
My Tesla sometimes doesn't unlock even when my phone is nearby, which is quite annoying. I think the main reason might be Bluetooth connection issues. Tesla uses the Bluetooth from the phone app to control unlocking. If the Bluetooth is unstable or the signal is weak, the car can't detect the phone. Also, make sure the location services on your phone are turned on and the app has all the necessary permissions; otherwise, the phone's location information won't be transmitted. I suggest first checking if the phone's Bluetooth is enabled and whether the app is running in the background—sometimes the system shuts down the app when it goes to sleep. Additionally, low phone battery can also affect the signal, so try charging it. If all these are done and it still doesn't work, try restarting both the phone and the car, or updating the Tesla app version, as compatibility issues can occasionally occur. In short, regularly clearing the phone's cache and keeping the app updated can help avoid this situation.
Last time I encountered my phone not responding when near a Tesla, I carefully reviewed the operation steps. The user might have accidentally changed the settings, such as the Tesla App on the phone not being authorized for the unlock function, or the Phone Key option not being selected in the vehicle settings. Another common reason is the phone's background processes being terminated, especially on iPhones where battery optimization settings might restrict the App's operation, causing signal interruptions. From experience, I know that if the vehicle is too far from the phone or there are obstacles in between, the connection can weaken—it's best to be close to the driver's side door handle. Also, check if the vehicle needs a software update, as older versions might have bugs affecting unlocking. If multiple attempts fail, try removing and re-adding the phone key in the App; re-pairing usually works. Don’t forget to ensure the phone and vehicle times are synchronized, as a time difference can also disrupt the signal.
