Managing Keys

Note

Depending on market region and vehicle configuration, key fobs may not be available on all vehicles.

To display a list of all keys that can access your Model 3, touch Controls > Locks. An icon displays next to each key to indicate whether the key is a phone key, key card, or key fob. Use this list to manage keys that have access to your Model 3.

Model 3 supports up to 19 keys at a time. Four of those keys can be key fobs. When you reach this limit, you must delete a key before adding a new one.

You can pair a key card or key fob to multiple Tesla vehicles. This prevents you from having to deal with multiple keys when you switch vehicles. Key cards and key fobs can be paired and used with many vehicles at a time. Pairing with a vehicle enables you to access the vehicle and enable driving.

Note

When you pair a key fob with a vehicle, you can use the key fob for passive entry and can also remotely unlock doors and open front and rear trunks. If you paired a key fob with multiple Tesla vehicles, you can only use passive entry and remote unlock and open with one vehicle at a time. Choose the vehicle you want to passively enter or remotely unlock or open by touching the flat side of the key fob against the card reader on the driver's side door pillar.

Note

If you customize the name of a paired key card or key fob on one Model 3 (by touching the pencil icon), any other Model 3 to which the key card or key fob is authenticated also displays the changed name.

Note

If you are leasing your vehicle, contact your leasing company to add or remove keys.

Pairing a New Phone Key

To set up your smartphone as a key:

Download the Tesla mobile app to your phone.
Log into the Tesla mobile app using your Tesla account username and password.
Note
You must remain logged in to your Tesla account to use your phone to access Model 3.
Note
If multiple vehicles are linked to your Tesla account, you must ensure that the vehicle you want the mobile app to access is currently selected on the mobile app.
Ensure:
- Your phone's general Bluetooth settings are enabled.
- Bluetooth is enabled within your phone's settings for the Tesla mobile app. For example, on your phone, navigate to Settings, choose the Tesla mobile app, and ensure the Bluetooth setting is turned on.
- Access to your location is enabled. Open the Tesla mobile app in your phone's settings and select Location > Always. For the best experience, keep the mobile app running in the background.
- Allow Mobile Access is enabled on the vehicle touchscreen (Controls > Safety > Allow Mobile Access).
Note
Model 3 communicates with your phone using Bluetooth. Keep in mind that your phone must have enough battery power to run Bluetooth and that many phones disable Bluetooth when the battery is low.
While inside or near the vehicle, open the Tesla mobile app and touch Set Up Phone Key on the main screen, or navigate to Security > Set Up Phone Key. Follow the prompts on the mobile app and vehicle touchscreen to set up your phone key.

Note

Keep in mind that the phone key defaults as the “primary” key and the vehicle uses Bluetooth to detect your phone’s proximity to the vehicle. The vehicle cannot detect whether the phone is inside or outside of Model 3. If you leave your paired phone inside the vehicle with Bluetooth enabled, it is essentially the same as leaving your keys in your vehicle with the doors unlocked – even if you press the lock icon on the mobile app. Therefore, your vehicle may not be secure if you lock a paired phone key inside because Model 3 will unlock the door when the exterior door handle is pulled since the phone key is already detected.

If you want to lock the doors while inside Model 3 so that they cannot be opened from the outside, close the doors and use the lock icon on the touchscreen. This temporarily overrides any phone lock settings, such as Walk-Away Door Lock. Otherwise, because your phone is enabled as a key, the doors will unlock when the exterior door handles are pulled even if you press the lock icon on your mobile app. If you open the door from the inside, that will once again allow the doors to be opened from the outside so long as the phone key is detected.

Adding Keys from the Touchscreen

If you have a key card or key fob that is already paired with your vehicle, you can pair a new key using the touchscreen.

Note

When adding a key fob, ensure it is at room temperature. Pairing a key fob that is very cold can be unsuccessful.

On the touchscreen, touch Controls > Locks > Keys > Add Key.
For vehicles manufactured prior to approximately January 2024, scan your new key card or key fob on the card reader located behind the cup holders on the top of the center console. For vehicles manufactured as of approximately January 2024, scan your new key card or key fob on the card reader located on either wireless phone charger.
Scan a key card or key fob that has already been paired to the vehicle to confirm new key pairing.
When complete, the key list includes the new key. Touch the associated pencil icon to customize the name of the key.

Adding Keys from the Mobile App

In the event that you don't have a working key card or key fob, you can add a new key using the Tesla mobile app.

Note

When adding a key fob, ensure it is at room temperature. Pairing a key fob that is very cold can be unsuccessful.

Note

Only the owner of the vehicle is able to pair a new key using the mobile app.

Note

Pairing a key with the mobile app is supported with version 4.29.0 of the Tesla mobile app on vehicles with software versions 2022.40 or higher.

While inside or near the vehicle, open the Tesla mobile app on your smartphone.
In the mobile app, touch Security & Drivers, then touch Add Key Card.
For vehicles manufactured prior to approximately January 2024, scan your new key card or key fob on the card reader located behind the cup holders on the top of the center console. For vehicles manufactured as of approximately January 2024, scan your new key card or key fob on the card reader located on either wireless phone charger.
When the key is paired successfully, the mobile app shows a confirmation message. Touch Done in the mobile app and remove the key card or key fob from the card reader.
When complete, the key list on the touchscreen includes the new key. Touch the associated pencil icon to customize the name of the key.

Removing Keys

When you no longer want a key to access Model 3 (for example, you lost your phone or key card, etc.), follow these steps to remove it.

On the touchscreen, touch Controls > Locks.
In the key list, find the key that you would like to delete and touch its associated trash icon.
When prompted, scan an authenticated key on the card reader to confirm the deletion. When complete, the key list no longer includes the deleted key.

Note

Model 3 requires at least one authenticated key card or key fob at all times. If only one key card remains on the key list, you cannot delete it.

Replacing Key cards

If you lose a key card, you can purchase replacement ones on the Tesla Shop. When ready to pair, simply follow the steps above. Remember to remove your old key cards from Controls > Locks > Keys for security purposes.