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For more information about Virtual Keys, please visit the Virtual Key page.

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Vehicle Owners adding a Virtual Key

Smartcar Connect will present Tesla vehicle owners a prompt to install the Tesla Virtual Key after granting access and prior to redirecting them back to your application.

Prompting the user to add a Virtual Key

When users open the virtual key link, depending on their device, they will be redirected to the Tesla app or prompted to scan a QR code.
On mobile devices, they will be redirected to the Tesla app and prompted to add the Virtual Key

Opening the link on a mobile device with the Tesla app installed

Virtual Key status can be checked at any time from the Tesla infotainment screen under Settings > Locks.

Check Virtual Key status from your Tesla

Smartcar will automatically determine which Tesla vehicles require a Virtual Key and prompt users to add it only for those vehicles. If a user has multiple Tesla vehicles, they will be prompted to add a Virtual Key for each vehicle that requires it. At least one vehicle must complete the pairing process before the user can continue with the Connect flow and connect their Tesla to your application.

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2020 and Earlier Model S/X with Streaming Support

For 2020 and earlier Model S and X vehicles that support streaming (via a software update), Smartcar Connect handles this differently:
  • These vehicles do not require Virtual Key installation
  • During the Connect flow, users are prompted about enabling streaming via an in-vehicle toggle
  • Users can request email instructions on how to enable the streaming setting in their vehicle’s infotainment screen
  • Once the streaming toggle is enabled in the vehicle, data will be refreshed more frequently
  • Without streaming enabled, data is refreshed every 5 minutes while the vehicle is awake