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I was driving on a section of highway 1 in Northern California one time and came across a guy in a Tesla who was totally locked out. He'd gotten out of the car without his key or fob or whatever and it had automatically locked at some point, he said. The spot had really spotty cell service and while he could make a call (barely) the car couldn't get enough of a signal to be unlocked remotely. I guess anyone could lock themselves out of any car, but it really seemed like the car had outsmarted him.
Tesla’s phone key uses Bluetooth not the internet to unlock the car. Phone key will work even in the middle of nowhere. Unless he had an older Model S as that doesn’t have phone key, it uses a regular fob like any other car.
 
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Aww man, I'm planning on ordering the updated Model S which probably guarantees that the update after that will support CarKey.
 
Pretty sure they did a while ago. We have two here in Colorado…and haven’t seen that. From what I’ve read, they made some changes to the door handles in 2019 or so and its no longer an issue.
Happens on my friend’s 2020 Model S.
 
Just curious, why would you want the current CarKey implementation? Right now you can just walk up to the car with your phone in your pocket or bag and just get in and drive. Why would you want to have to take out your phone, tap the door, then get in the car and tap your phone on the console to drive away. That seems like a step backwards in tech.
Personally, the idea that if I lose my phone I can't drive, buy anything or get in my house is a great reason to keep some things separate.
Currently I keep my key in my pocket, door opens when I touch the handle, push button start, touch door handle to lock. And the big feature - I can just hand the key to someone (like my girlfriend) and they get to experience the same amazing tech! Although she loves it more when I hand her my credit card.
 
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It doesn't work all the time.

1. One time I parked on the street for a quick coffee run. I ran back to my car and my doors wouldn't unlock.
3. However, I had my Apple Watch still. I could have unlocked with CarKey.

The first case happens to me all the time. I dont know if it's iOS killing the Tesla app after a lengthy enough period of the car being asleep, or some other factor, but indeed sometimes the phone simply doesn't unlock the car without opening the app and letting it explicitly reconnect. Irritating, especially with hands full of grocery bags.

The third case has a workaround - there are Apple Watch apps that will take an auth token (easily obtainable) and both control the car and act as a key. I have not tried one, and they do recommend you have your card key just in case, but having it set up would help the stolen wallet & phone scenario.

I'd certainly rather have a fully-supported technology like CarKey that worked all the time. It'd be great if a U1-compatible hardware upgrade could be done at a service center for existing vehicles.
 
These stock photos of computer setups drive me nuts. Who in their right mind would place a nearly-full cup of black coffee right next to your keyboard? We all know that's a recipe for disaster just waiting to happen.... It's just begging to be knocked over. And look how close that cup is to that $1500 iPhone! Yeah, good luck cleaning up that gooey icky liquid spill.

The pen, however, will still work. Well, not as a stylus on your iPhone, obviously....
 
Personally, the idea that if I lose my phone I can't drive, buy anything or get in my house is a great reason to keep some things separate.
Currently I keep my key in my pocket, door opens when I touch the handle, push button start, touch door handle to lock. And the big feature - I can just hand the key to someone (like my girlfriend) and they get to experience the same amazing tech! Although she loves it more when I hand her my credit card.

uwb phone as a key doesn't prevent the use of a traditional key / smartfob. It's good to have backups. Just like with your current smartfob (if the car mfg did not cheaped out) has a backup in case it's battery is depleted (there is a physical key tugged inside, which you can get out).
 
Personally, the idea that if I lose my phone I can't drive, buy anything or get in my house is a great reason to keep some things separate.
Currently I keep my key in my pocket, door opens when I touch the handle, push button start, touch door handle to lock. And the big feature - I can just hand the key to someone (like my girlfriend) and they get to experience the same amazing tech! Although she loves it more when I hand her my credit card.
Well at least with Tesla’s you have a backup key card that is an NFC card the size and shape of a credit card. I always have that in my wallet just in case.
 
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with car jackings at an all time high including here in Chicago , GREAT IDEA

just an easier high TECH way to steal a car. A Tesla even. Highly desirable.

Carjacking typically implies. Taking the car from the owner by force or threat. The owner knows what is going on and can't stop it. They can take your keys as easily as your phone.

You're thinking more along the lines of car theft. Where thieves bypass whatever systems are in place to keep a car from being stolen. Car thieves unlike carjackers try to keep a low profile. They are trying to get into a car and take it without the owner, or anyone really, noticing. Until they achieve whatever their goal was. Like usage in another crime or selling.
 
Well at least with Tesla’s you have a backup key card that is an NFC card the size and shape of a credit card. I always have that in my wallet just in case.

Same here! I'm new to the Tesla world with a Model Y and glad this key card is around. I've learned the hard way with smart door locks for my house that having a backup is crucial for any form of unlocking that need my phone.

So far phone unlock has always worked for me, but glad to have that card in case it bites the dust.
 
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The first case happens to me all the time. I dont know if it's iOS killing the Tesla app after a lengthy enough period of the car being asleep, or some other factor, but indeed sometimes the phone simply doesn't unlock the car without opening the app and letting it explicitly reconnect. Irritating, especially with hands full of grocery bags.

The third case has a workaround - there are Apple Watch apps that will take an auth token (easily obtainable) and both control the car and act as a key. I have not tried one, and they do recommend you have your card key just in case, but having it set up would help the stolen wallet & phone scenario.

I'd certainly rather have a fully-supported technology like CarKey that worked all the time. It'd be great if a U1-compatible hardware upgrade could be done at a service center for existing vehicles.


yeah i have the shortcut setup. but at the time it was a wifi apple watch only so i couldn’t initiate the shortcut.
 
Well at least with Tesla’s you have a backup key card that is an NFC card the size and shape of a credit card. I always have that in my wallet just in case.
I think that's a better idea all together. I'd replace a keyfob with a card, but I'd like to know I've got the key and it always works.
Its folks that are only carrying their iPhone to do 100% of their life that will be screwed when it doesn't work for shopping, calling or driving because they left their wallet and keys at home
 
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