You can now change Tesla controls and lock your vehicle on the go, thanks to Apple Shortcuts

With an update that just came out for the Apple Tesla app, you can finally use Apple Shortcuts to automate functions for your Tesla. Though a seemingly small change – this is a much-requested feature for Apple users and should be even better with the launch of iOS17.

For quite some time, Tesla owners have been turning to third-party apps to work any form of Automation in their vehicles. Going through multiple apps to do simple functions can cut away at the efficiency of doing it in the first place. Given that a Tesla car likely fits into the everyday use of its owner, working out how to automate certain functions can help out greatly.

Making your car smarter

As spotted by not a tesla app, version 4.24.0 of the Tesla App announces that Apple users can now access new Tesla controls from Apple Shortcuts. In the app, it says:

“You can also create your own shortcuts to perform various actions, such as setting your vehicle to your desired temperature and starting the climate system. To set up your own shortcuts, open the Apple Shortcuts app.”

Climate control has functions like Dog Mode which sets a cool temperature for your canine friend, camp mode which makes sleeping in your car more comfortable, and the rather bizarre Bioweapon Defense Mode which turns on air filters and makes your vehicle air-tight. With Apple Shortcuts, you can set your Tesla to automatically start these modes under certain parameters.

As an example of this, you could set a shortcut to start warming up your car as you turn off your very last alarm. If you set one for 5 minutes before you are out of the door, your car should be at a good temperature by the time you get in it.

Here is a list of all vehicle controls available in Apple shortcuts as of right now:

Bioweapon Defense Mode
Camp Mode
Defrost
Dog Mode
Precondition Vehicle
Set Seat Heater (seat position and heat level)
Set Temperature (choose climate temperature)
Vent Windows
Set Media Volume
Emissions Test
Close All Windows
Flash Lights
Honk Horn
Lock/Unlock
Open Frunk
Open/Close Charge Port
Open/Close Door (Model X)
Open/Close Rear Trunk
Sentry Mode
Set Charge Limit
Start/Stop Charging

This is a pretty broad range of options that should make shortcuts a little easier. Using an iPhone with a Tesla is gradually getting better, with support for AirPlay on Tesla arriving in July. However, there’s still no sign of what we’re all actually waiting for, which is of course CarPlay.