This is a list of commonly asked questions related to Watchla's Bluetooth features. If you think something should be added, please reach out.
If you are able to use your phone as a Bluetooth key in your Tesla, then your Tesla is most likely compatible with Watchla’s Bluetooth connectivity features.
In general, it is believed that all Model 3 and Y vehicles are compatible and all refreshed 2021 and later Model S and X vehicles are compatible as well.
Keep in mind that your vehicle needs to support Phone Key and you need to have Allow Mobile Access enabled on your vehicle's touchscreen (Controls > Safety > Allow Mobile Access)
To set up Bluetooth, go inside and have your Keycard handy. Once inside, open the Watchla app on your Apple Watch. Then navigate to Preferences, select Manage Bluetooth, tap Start, and then I'm ready.
When prompted, place your Keycard below the cupholder as you normally would to authenticate your Keycard with your vehicle. After a few moments you should receive a confirmation that Watchla has connected to your vehicle! When you receive this confirmation, you can then start using Watchla to interact with your vehicle.
Keep in mind that:
• you need to have Bluetooth enabled for Watchla (Paired iPhone -> Settings -> Watchla -> Bluetooth)
• you need to ensure that Allow Mobile Access is enabled on the vehicle touchscreen (Controls > Safety > Allow Mobile Access).
• your Tesla needs to support Phone Key for Watchla to be able to connect to it over Bluetooth.
Over Bluetooth, Watchla can:
• send commands to your vehicle
• receive vehicle status updates
• passively lock and unlock your vehicle
• wake your vehicle
• Remotely open doors (for compatible vehicles, running compatible vehicle software versions)
The Watchla app can connect to your vehicle over Bluetooth while it is in background. Keep in mind however, that Apple Watch apps like Watchla are heavily limited by watchOS in the amount of time (per day) that they have to communicate over Bluetooth while in background. This is to preserve your Apple Watch's battery life.
Because of this, Watchla might not always be able to communicate with your vehicle over Bluetooth while it's in background.
Therefore, it's a good idea to confirm that your vehicle successfully locks when you walk away from it when the only key you have with you for your Tesla is your Apple Watch. Similarly because of this Apple Watch limitation, sometimes you might have to open the Watchla app for your Apple Watch to connect to your vehicle over Bluetooth.
To download Watchla on iOS, you'll need an iOS or padOS device that has iOS 14 or later installed.
To download Watchla on your Apple Watch, you'll need an Apple Watch Series 1 or later and will need to have watchOS 6 or later installed.
If you would like to utilize Watchla's Bluetooth features, you'll need an Apple Watch Series 2 or later with watchOS 6 or later installed.
Note: For Bluetooth connectivity, your Tesla will also need to support PhoneKey. All Model 3 and Y vehicles support PhoneKey. All refreshed Model S and X vehicles built on or after 2021 support PhoneKey.
If you would like to utilize Watchla's Bluetooth features while the app is in background, (eg: having Watchla passively unlock your door while the app is not open) you'll need to have an Apple Watch Series 6 or later with watchOS 9 or later installed.
Note: Bluetooth while in background can be limited by your Apple Watch's battery managment system, please see above for more info.