Tesla Could Be Planning to Support Apple Car Keys

[Sandstorm]

Good direction. Apple Car Keys will be a significant factor when the time comes to choose a replacement my BMW EV (with another EV). That said, no matter what Tesla offers, I will not spend my money on any product or service associated with Musk.

 

[I7guy]

Phone’s battery.

That’s excessive if your phone loses 10% charge overnight and it’s the Tesla app.

 

[I7guy]

I didn’t claim to know anything about this. I asked a question.

If the Apple key is more secure, and means you avoid entering a pin every time you want to start the car, I’d say that’s a worthy addition. I don’t understand why people think they are losing something here.

Maybe i didn’t explain in enough detail. Apple car key sounds like it gets you in the car. Unlocks the door. How it might work exactly TBD.

Pin to drive is an optional setting that forces a 4 digit pin to be entered before the car can be shifted in drive. Can’t be circumvented by normal means.

 

[knappeduivel]

Best antivirus ever: Don’t use computers.

Some viruses have evolved to infect and spread through humans

 

[Reason077]

This will be a nice addition if Apple CarKey comes as well for backup. Curious, for vehicles with CarKey and UWB, can the phone be a passive key, or is it still for tapping to unlock?

The Apple Car Key feature works very similarly to the Tesla app key. If supported by the vehicle, it unlocks on approach, no need to tap.

Advantages over the Tesla app key include:

- Key still works if phone battery is depleted, thanks to the iPhone's reserve power feature
- No need for the Tesla app to be running to use key (might reduce power consumption slightly?)
- Keys can be shared (and revoked) with iPhone users that don't have the Tesla app installed

 

[takeos]

Makes sense. A friend got locked out of his car after a Tesla iOS app update, with Car Keys this should not happen.

 

[woolypants]

That said, no matter what Tesla offers, I will not spend my money on any product or service associated with Musk.

I'm a Tesla owner. They're probably amongst the best cars ever made, and certainly the best EVs in terms of software/hardware combination.

But I will never buy another Tesla if it benefits Musk in any way. I don't think Musk can ever be clear of the company. Even if they sack him (which is unlikely given the board is basically his cult), he'll still own a massive shareholding.

So, that means I'll never buy another Tesla. I'm already eyeing up Kia, which by most measures is the next best.

 

[I7guy]

More people have already died in faulty teslas than died because of the pinto’s faulty gas tank.

Ridiculous statement and comparison. The pinto was an example of horrible engineering. Please provide a citation for this ridiculous statement.

 

[azentropy]

Yeah, I’ve got ‘18 M3 and sometimes the door unlocking doesn’t happen quickly. I have to actually wake the phone up for the car to connect. Not sure if it’s like that on all models and years but seems to happen at the worst times. Raining or hands full lol

I've found that most of the time when mine doesn't work it is because of the location of my phone. In the summer when I have generally have my iPhone in my front pocket it almost always works first try. In the winter when I have my iPhone in my back pocket it works 66% of the time. I often have to do a "butt turn" to get it to work.

 

[I7guy]

I'm a Tesla owner. They're probably amongst the best cars ever made, and certainly the best EVs in terms of software/hardware combination.

I agree.

But I will never buy another Tesla if it benefits Musk in any way. I don't think Musk can ever be clear of the company. Even if they sack him (which is unlikely given the board is basically his cult), he'll still own a massive shareholding.

So, that means I'll never buy another Tesla. I'm already eyeing up Kia, which by most measures is the next best.

When I’m ready I will look at the market and decide. My OH has a hybrid and want to get her a model Y. Won’t buy a German ev, Kia or Hyundai ev, anything on the ultium platform, Volvo ev. So I’ll see what that leaves. YMMV. Tesla will really have to screw it up though and if it benefits the ceo, that’s quite okay.

 

[diamond.g]

I agree.

When I’m ready I will look at the market and decide. My OH has a hybrid and want to get her a model Y. Won’t buy a German ev, Kia or Hyundai ev, anything on the ultium platform, Volvo ev. So I’ll see what that leaves. YMMV. Tesla will really have to screw it up though and if it benefits the ceo, that’s quite okay.

How do you feel about the competitor vehicles not have FSD v14 equivalent yet (or any time soon from what I see)?

 

[I7guy]

How do you feel about the competitor vehicles not have FSD v14 equivalent yet (or any time soon from what I see)?

I really like auto steer or equivalent. I dont really need FSD. I wouldn’t use it anyway where I drive — drivers are way to aggressive.

 

[Student of Life]

I really like auto steer or equivalent. I dont really need FSD. I wouldn’t use it anyway where I drive — drivers are way to aggressive.

I have been using FSD in Miami for the holidays with no problems and we are known for our aggressive driving. Kendall, Aventura, Miami Beach etc.

FSD 14 is a game changer on level 4 hardware, it’s as close to an iPhone moment as one can get in the auto industry. Car’s without it are the equivalent of a Nokia phone or a blackberry in the word of
iPhones/androids. The parking garage in Aventura was something I thought would be too advanced because people drive erratically and sometimes try to exit the wrong way, it took it like champ and went down the roundabout spiral with no issues dealing holiday traffic. It’s been stress free driving far safer than an uber driver.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I have been using FSD in Miami for the holidays with no problems and we are known for our aggressive driving. Kendall, Aventura, Miami Beach etc.

FSD 14 is a game changer on level 4 hardware, it’s as close to an iPhone moment as one can get in the auto industry. Car’s without it are the equivalent of a Nokia phone or a blackberry in the word of
iPhones/androids. The parking garage in Aventura was something I thought would be too advanced because people drive erratically and sometimes try to exit the wrong way, it took it like champ and went down the roundabout spiral with no issues dealing holiday traffic. It’s been stress free driving far safer than an uber driver.

As a FSD user with a 2024 Model 3 - I agree with this. Even in some of the strangest roads here in Northern CA, the car performs perfectly. I have had FSD drive un-assisted for almost 4 hours. It is even better now with the ability to switch its profile and choose parking automatically. It is really good.

What I like about it is that... it watches every camera - while my eyes are glued to the front windshield. It's an extra layer of security while we drive - and it reacts instantly there's an issue - faster than I can.

 

[victorvictoria]

Tesla generates about 100 Billions in revenue a year. Maybe study the company financial first.

Latest Quarterly Results (Q3 2025)
Released on October 22, 2025, the report highlighted strong revenue growth but a significant decline in profitability.

• Revenue: $28.1 billion (a 12% increase year-over-year), which beat analyst expectations.
• Adjusted Earnings Per Share (EPS): $0.50, which missed analyst estimates of $0.54.
• Net Income: $1.4 billion, a 37% decrease from Q3 2024.
• Vehicle Deliveries: A record of nearly 500,000 units.
• Energy Business: A bright spot, with revenue from energy generation and storage products (such as Megapacks) jumping 44% to $3.4 billion.
  
  That's a long way from $100 Billion. And read that "net income" metric.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Still not buying one, Elon <3

100% your freedom and choice to do this. And I don't expect everyone to think the way I do.

I did some thinking on this and am curious as to your (and other's) thoughts:

Tesla was/is a company whose goal was/is to get us off of petroleum right? It does a lot of good with its megapacks / power wall batteries - that would otherwise be gasoline/diesel vehicles (for the most part). And no one comes close to Telsa's charging network. Not to mention it's other projects (solar, etc).

Tesla employs some 125,000+ Americans. Of those 125,000 Americans - 22,000+ of those are employed in California. Say you could "destroy" Tesla tomorrow - you're going to hurt far more Americans (and have a larger impact on the environment/economy) before Elon himself will ever feel an itch.

Elon owns what, 13% of Tesla?

It says a lot to me when a company that was praised for being so good for the earth is now something that must be destroyed because 1 man votes a certain way. For me the cost is too high (125,000 Americans, the environment, etc). Elon will stay rich and continue to make his trillions with or without Tesla. According to an LLM - he'd still be a $300+ billionaire if Tesla disappeared tomorrow.

I have talked to Lucid, Kia, and other EV owners (some of them former Tesla owners). Grass isn't always as green as one would think on the other side and it often involves a lot of $. For reference:

 

[justanotherdave]

Well statistically EV fires are much less likely to happen than ICE fires. Also lookup the mach e recall of unable to exit the vehicle if the power fails. Stuff happens and manufacturers fix things. Ask ford about the ignition issues on the explorer.

Wataboutism. What Tesla has done with their interior door handles (esp the rear ones) is nothing short of criminal.

This is not a case of “stuff happens”. This is an intentional design decision. It’s not a flaw that was discovered later in a component or piece of software.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Wataboutism. What Tesla has done with their interior door handles (esp the rear ones) is nothing short of criminal.

This is not a case of “stuff happens”. This is an intentional design decision. It’s not a flaw that was discovered later in a component or piece of software.

I have been in several car accidents - that totaled cars (each time - once mine). When cars hit each other at high velocity - having door handles doesn't prevent the weight of the car behind you from squishing your car and making it so you can't open your doors. And despite me being a fairly strong man - after you get hit that hard by a vehicle, you're in no condition to break a window - which is a lot harder than it looks. I had to be carried out by 3 people after my second accident - after they (and I) tore my door open (Honda Civic) - pulling the handle did nothing.

One of the reasons why I'm looking forward to computer tech driving us. People are horrible drivers. Lots of people die every year from car accidents. I have driven many hundreds of thousands of miles in my lifetime and have had many close calls.

You see https://www.tesla.com/fsd/safety - and having used FSD I don't question this for a second. It is far safer than a human. And if people actually cared about life, they'd be pushing to get it in every moving death trap we call vehicles. I could care less if it was Tesla's FSD or XYZ FSD.

 

[justanotherdave]

I'm a Tesla owner. They're probably amongst the best cars ever made, and certainly the best EVs in terms of software/hardware combination.

Having spent considerable time underneath a Tesla and seeing how they’re built this is false.

But don’t take my word for it. Up until the most recent models (which have finally cracked the Top Ten at position 9 for CR reliability), Teslas have historically had some of the worst reliability ratings in the entire industry.

If you get the chance ask a body shop about what it’s like repairing a Tesla in an accident. I already know what their answer will be.

 

[I7guy]

Wataboutism. What Tesla has done with their interior door handles (esp the rear ones) is nothing short of criminal.

It’s not criminal. Hypothetical. How many people have died because they couldn’t get out of a Tesla during an emergency? Same question for ICE vehicles.

This is not a case of “stuff happens”. This is an intentional design decision.

Again, what have been the actual ramifications? Everything can be improved as I cited a number of different things.

It’s not a flaw that was discovered later in a component or piece of software.

Maybe not the most optimal, but not the least optimal either. It will be improved.

 

[jimbobb24]

This is real weird. Teslas all already have an automatic phone based key. Not sure how this would even add anything still to the experience?

Oh I didn't know this had become a weird thread of people fighting over teslas. For my part I got one after I tried the self driving and I will never own another car that isn't self driving so for now it's just Teslas. Wow it's amazing.

 

[I7guy]

Having spent considerable time underneath a Tesla and seeing how they’re built this is false.

But don’t take my word for it. Up until the most recent models (which have finally cracked the Top Ten at position 9 for CR reliability), Teslas have historically had some of the worst reliability ratings in the entire industry.

If you get the chance ask a body shop about what it’s like repairing a Tesla in an accident. I already know what their answer will be.

Wait! You mean a vehicle has been improved over time to make it into the top 10.

In dispute your claim of reliability. Some evidence to show where teslas en masse failed and left drivers stranded. Not playing the game of a rattle is a reliability failure.

 

[justanotherdave]

I have been in several car accidents - that totaled cars (each time - once mine). When cars hit each other at high velocity - having door handles doesn't prevent the weight of the car behind you from squishing your car and making it so you can't open your doors. And despite me being a fairly strong man - after you get hit that hard by a vehicle, you're in no condition to break a window - which is a lot harder than it looks. I had to be carried out by 3 people after my second accident - after they (and I) tore my door open (Honda Civic) - pulling the handle did nothing.

One of the reasons why I'm looking forward to computer tech driving us. People are horrible drivers. Lots of people die every year from car accidents. I have driven many hundreds of thousands of miles in my lifetime and have had many close calls.

You see https://www.tesla.com/fsd/safety - and having used FSD I don't question this for a second. It is far safer than a human. And if people actually cared about life, they'd be pushing to get it in every moving death trap we call vehicles. I could care less if it was Tesla's FSD or XYZ FSD.

Yes certain accidents can render vehicle doors unable to be opened due to deformities in sheet metal. That doesn’t excuse Tesla (or anyone else) from making unsafe door handles for the countless accidents/situations where the doors STILL work.

I’m a big proponent of autonomous vehicles and the fact they’ll make roads safer by reducing accidents caused by human error. I wouldn’t trust the numbers by Tesla/Musk given his propensity to misquote stats to suit his position.

 

[I7guy]

Yes certain accidents can render vehicle doors unable to be opened due to deformities in sheet metal. That doesn’t excuse Tesla (or anyone else) from making unsafe door handles for the countless accidents/situations where the doors STILL work.

I’m a big proponent of autonomous vehicles and the fact they’ll make roads safer by reducing accidents caused by human error. I wouldn’t trust the numbers by Tesla/Musk given his propensity to misquote stats to suit his position.

There’s a difference between not optimal and unsafe. Unsafe in the Mach e recall where you can’t get out if your car except to break the windows if the 12v battery fails.

 

[justanotherdave]

Wait! You mean a vehicle has been improved over time to make it into the top 10.

In dispute your claim of reliability. Some evidence to show where teslas en masse failed and left drivers stranded. Not playing the game of Antares is a reliability failure.

No. A vehicle that has been crap its entire life has only finally become good enough in the latest models to obtain middle-of-the-pack reliability.

What does being stranded have to do with reliability? Why do you want to constrain your definition of reliability to a specific event instead of discussing overall reliability (where Tesla sucks)?