eSAFETY GUIDE

Tesla app

No minimum age according to Tesla
+ No minimum age according to Tesla

What is the Tesla app?

The Tesla app is a mobile app for people who own or use a Tesla car. It connects to the car and lets you control some parts of it from your phone. You can use the app both when you are near the car, as well as when you are far away.

With the Tesla app, you can:

  • use your phone as a car key
  • see where the car is on a map
  • check the car battery level
  • turn the heating or air conditioner on or off
  • open the front or back door
  • flash the car’s lights or sound the horn
  • turn on ‘Valet mode’ (designed for when you give your car to the Valet – it locks your front trunk and glovebox, limits speed, among other things).

Some features are only available for certain Tesla cars.

The Tesla app can also be used with some other Tesla products, such as Powerwall home batteries, solar energy systems and wall connectors used to charge electric cars. For example, people can use the app to check and manage their home’s energy use or manage charging through a wall connector.

Adding additional drivers

The owner of the Tesla can add other people as drivers to their car in the Tesla app, such as a partner or family member who also drives the car. The owner sends the person an invitation to become a driver. To accept the invitation, the person needs their own Tesla account and the Tesla app. Once they accept, the car appears in their Tesla app, and they can use their phone to access and control it. The owner can add up to five additional drivers and also has a higher level of control over the car than the additional driver.

Additional drivers have access to most Tesla app features for the car. For example, they can use their phone to see where the car is on a map, use many of its remote controls and request roadside assistance. However, only the owner can do things like add or remove other drivers, manage payment methods or access insurance information.

Adding someone as a driver gives them significant access to the car and information about it, including its location. Users should think carefully about the Tesla accounts connected to the car. This also includes the person who is listed as the owner, as it may be difficult to remove their access if they are still legally listed as an owner.

Parental controls

Tesla has parental controls that are designed to help parents and carers manage how the car can be used and driven by their teenager. These controls can be set using the Tesla app, however they can only be turned off from inside the Tesla, using the car’s touchscreen.

Parental controls can be used to do things like:

  • set a maximum speed for the car
  • limit how quickly the car can accelerate
  • turn on some safety features and stop the driver from turning them off
  • receive a notification if the car is driven during Tesla’s set curfew hours (11pm to 4am).

When you set up parental controls, you create a PIN. You need this PIN to turn parental controls off.

Although these features are designed to give parents and carers peace of mind, they could also be misused by someone trying to control and track another person. Read more on our page about coercive control.

Apps: Android app, Apple iOS app

How do people use the Tesla app?

Learn more about the benefits and risks associated with how people use remote-access services like Tesla on the following eSafety page:

Key safety links

These links are provided by Tesla:

Related eSafety links

Find other resources to help keep you safe online:

Other eSafety Guides:

About this Guide

This guide is provided by the eSafety Commissioner to help people stay safe online and better understand digital platforms.

Social media changes

From 10 December 2025, certain social media platforms are not allowed to let Australian children under 16 create or keep an account.

Find out more at eSafety’s social media age restrictions hub.

About The eSafety Guide

The eSafety Guide helps you find out how to protect your personal information and report harmful content on common social media, games, apps and sites. Entries are for information only and are not reviews, endorsements or assessments against any legislative definition by eSafety. Before choosing to use any online service or platform it’s best to:

  • do your own research to understand the risks and benefits
  • check the age rating and requirements
  • consider privacy
  • check the permissions and other settings
  • check the in-app reporting options.

If you are a parent or carer who is deciding whether a child should be allowed to use an online service or platform, you can also:

  • consider your child's readiness for the types of content and experiences they might encounter
  • help them understand what to do if they need help
  • provide ongoing support and monitoring, for example through regular check-ins with your child
  • agree to some rules about use of each service or platform.

To find out more, you can read the App checklist for parents, as well as information about parental controls in social media, games and apps and mental wellbeing resources for families.