Manage Keys

Note: Depending on market region and vehicle configuration, remote keys may not be available for all vehicles.

You can view a list of all keys that have access to your Model 3 by pressing Controls > Lock. An icon appears next to each key to indicate whether the key is a phone key, a key card, or a remote key (if applicable). Use this list to manage keys that can lock and unlock Model 3.

Model 3 supports up to 19 keys. Once you reach this limit, you must remove a key before you can add a new one.

Note: You can use the same key for more than one Model 3. That way, you don’t have to deal with multiple keys when switching vehicles. If you customize the name of a paired key card or remote key on one Model 3 (by tapping the pencil icon), the same name will appear on all other Model 3s paired with the key card.

Note: If you lease the vehicle, contact the leasing company to add or remove keys.

Pairing a new phone key

Set up your mobile phone as a key:

• Download the Tesla mobile app to your phone.
• Log in to the Tesla mobile app using your Tesla account username and password.

Note: You must be signed in to your Tesla account to access Model 3 using your phone.

Note: Make sure that the vehicle the mobile app is to access is selected in the mobile app if multiple vehicles are linked to your Tesla account.

Check the following:

• Your phone’s general Bluetooth settings are enabled.
• Bluetooth is enabled in your phone’s Tesla mobile app settings. For example, on your phone, navigate to Settings, select the Tesla mobile app, and make sure the Bluetooth setting is enabled.
• Access to your location is enabled. Open the Tesla mobile app in your phone’s settings and select Location > Always. Allow the mobile app to run in the background for the best experience.
• Allow mobile access is enabled on the vehicle touchscreen (Controls > Safety > Allow Mobile Access).

Note: Model 3 communicates with your phone using Bluetooth. Ensure your phone has sufficient battery charge to use Bluetooth, and note that many phones disable Bluetooth when battery power is low.

• When in or near the vehicle, open the Tesla mobile app and tap Set Up Phone Key on the main screen or go to Security > Set Up Phone Key. Follow the instructions in the mobile app and on the vehicle touchscreen to set up the phone key.

Adding keys from the touchscreen

If you have a key card or remote key already paired with the vehicle, you can pair a new key using the touchscreen.

1. On the touchscreen, tap Controls > Locks > Keys > Add Key.
2. Scan the new key card or remote key on the card reader behind the cup holders at the top of the center console. When the new key card or remote key is recognized, remove it from the card reader.
3. Scan a new key card or remote key on the card reader located on the wireless phone chargers. When you hear a tone, the new key is recognized.
4. Scan a key card or remote key already paired with the vehicle to confirm pairing with a new key.
5. Once the new key is added, it is included in the list of keys. Tap the associated pencil icon to customize the key’s name.

Adding keys from the mobile app

If you do not have a working key card or remote key, you can add a new key using the Tesla mobile app.

Note: Only the vehicle owner can pair a new key using the mobile app.

Note: Pairing a key with the mobile app is supported in version 4.29.0 of the Tesla mobile app on vehicles with software version 2022.40 or later.

1. When in or near the vehicle, open the Tesla mobile app on your phone.
2. In the mobile app, tap Safety and Driver and then tap Add Key Card.
3. Scan the new key card or remote key on the card reader behind the cup holders at the top of the center console.
4. Scan the new key card or remote key on the card reader located on the wireless phone chargers.
5. When the key is paired, a confirmation message appears in the mobile app. Tap Done in the mobile app and remove the key card or remote key from the card reader.
6. Once complete, the new key will be displayed in the touchscreen’s key list. Tap the associated pencil icon to customize the key’s name.

Deleting keys

If you no longer want a key to be used to lock and unlock Model 3 (for example, if you’ve lost your phone or key card), follow these steps to delete the key.

1. On the touchscreen, tap Controls > Locks.
2. Find the key you want to delete from the list of keys, then tap the key’s associated trash icon.
3. When prompted, scan a key card or remote key already paired with the vehicle to confirm deletion. Once deleted, the key no longer appears in the list of keys.

Note: Model 3 always requires at least one paired key card or paired remote key. If there is only one key card left in the key list, you cannot delete it.

Replacing a key card

If you’ve lost a key card, you can purchase a replacement card from the Tesla Shop. When pairing, follow the steps above. Remember to, for security reasons, remove your old key cards from Controls > Locks > Keys.