Tesla Apps: What You Need to Know

Many Tesla features are within touchscreen menus. If you dig, you can find some in-car fun.

Connor Hoffman | 

Sep 19, 2024 | 4 min read

Tesla

Tesla's vehicles generally have interiors so minimalistic that even the windshield wipers can be operated through menus inside the central touchscreen. Within that sleek minimalism, however, lives a variety of in-car apps and features that you and your passengers can use for both work and play. Here are a few of the more entertaining and interesting Tesla apps.

Tesla

Tesla Streaming: Movies, TV Shows, and Other Videos

If you lack a Level 2 charger at home or are on a long road trip, you'll likely spend a lot of time at charging stations. To help pass the minutes, you can navigate to the Theater feature on a Tesla's touchscreen to stream Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and more.

The feature only works while the vehicle is parked, though, and it needs a strong internet connection via Wi-Fi or cellular. Fortunately, every Tesla comes with Standard Connectivity for eight years after purchase, offering basic maps, navigation, and music streaming over Bluetooth via Wi-Fi.

Offered as a trial upon delivery of certain Tesla models, a Premium Connectivity package is available for $9.99 per month and includes cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Tesla

Play Games in the Arcade

Maybe movies and TV shows aren't your thing while you pass the time charging your Tesla. In the Arcade video game service, you can use the steering wheel (or yoke) to play games such as Beach Buggy Racing (similar to Nintendo's Mario Kart). You could also try out Stardew Valley, a game that simulates real-life activities, using a compatible external controller.

Tesla

Tesla's Toybox Is Full of Quirky Fun

When a Tesla is parked, the Toybox can be opened within the infotainment screen to have some fun and play pranks on friends and passersby. For example, Boombox is a fun feature that lets you play sounds such as farts or airhorns externally through the Tesla's "horn," or what Tesla calls the Pedestrian Warning System speaker.

There are features in the Toybox that will appeal to wider interests, too, including a virtual fireplace and an interactive DJ booth.

Tesla

Make Art and Get Critiqued by Tesla

You can also draw on Tesla's center touchscreen — just not with a real marker. Once you've finished a work of art in the Toybox's sketchpad, you can send the picture to Tesla to be judged.

Tesla

Sing the Hits in Caraoke

Gone are the days of singing the wrong lyrics to your favorite songs. Navigate to the Tesla media player to switch the source to Caraoke and get lyrics for the song you want to sing.

This is one of the few Tesla apps that will work while the vehicle is in motion. In the Model Y owner's manual, for example, the company warns that Caraoke lyric displays are only intended for passengers.

Tesla

Take a Zoom Video Call From Your Tesla

If your Tesla is plugged in at a Supercharger station during business hours, you can take a Zoom video call while parked via the car's infotainment system. To set up a meeting, launch the Zoom app and either sign in or enter the meeting code. Video is captured with the vehicle's in-car camera. If you're ready to hit the road, your Zoom call goes to audio only when the car is shifted into gear.

Tesla

Keep the Climate Controls on With Dog and Camp Modes

Dog mode is a climate control function that turns on the Tesla's air conditioning or heat when pets are in the car. It is accessed through the climate control settings. Choose "Dog" near the "Keep Climate On" settings.

There's also Camp climate mode, a similar feature for humans who stay inside the Tesla for prolonged periods.

Tesla

Run Security With Sentry Mode

Sentry Mode can be used as a security camera system if your Tesla has exterior cameras and sensors. When Sentry Mode is enabled, the car's cameras and sensors remain powered and record movement near the vehicle.

The mode settings also allow the vehicle to switch on the headlights, sound the horn, and display a message on the touchscreen that the car is recording suspicious activity. The vehicle's battery has to be more than 20% full to record Sentry Mode incidents.

Connor Hoffman

Connor Hoffman is a writer and editor based in Kansas City. Prior to becoming a freelance writer, he was an editor at a national car magazine and worked in communications at a major automaker. He loves off-roading and camping in his 4Runner, golfing (poorly), and shredding on his mountain bike.