Remote for Tesla app for Apple Watch, iPhone & iPad official support and feature request thread (for

regoapps

In 2015, I created an iOS app for Tesla so that Apple Watch users could control their Teslas from their watch. Since then, a large percentage of Tesla owners have started using my Remote app for their iPhones as well since it connects faster, exposes more car stats, keeps a location history, shows charging information from your last session, and has less restrictions when using Summon/HomeLink (no need to be near the car and no need to hold down the button). There's also Siri Shortcuts support so that you can do things like open your trunk by talking to Siri, combine commands in the Shortcuts app, and even summon your car by talking to your watch (see video:

I'm starting this new forum thread to answer all questions, bug reports, UI suggestions, and feature requests for the app. The app currently works for the Model S, 3 & X.

Download link: http://itunes.apple.com/app/id991623777?mt=8&at=11l4Ui

EmperorTytus

It would be really cool if you could access the front and rear cameras from the app. Not sure if Tesla allows this or not. If they don't, hey Tesla, open up access to the front and rear cameras. Love to check in and see what's going on with them from time to time. I have a single station level 2 charger near me that gets used a lot. Be nice to park the car in visual range of the charger and be able to check the app to see when it's free, for example.

steven_93345766

Tesla does not allow access to the camera's and will not do this in the near future. They need dedicated access for autopilot, don't have any memory foreseen to store much data (in the event of a crash they store about 8 frames and that's it). Plus the fact that the camera's appear to be full color capable but are firmware adjusted to view in grey-grey-grey-red. Would be weird dashcam footage to look at.

"Be nice to park the car in visual range of the charger and be able to check the app to see when it's free, for example." => As Elon would say: you won't care. because the car can see it, together with live info from the supercharger and will park and charge itself without you g-having to worry about that. :-)

BeamMe

How about Android and Android Wear?

Blastum_455303

@BeamMe did you read the post?

Blastum_455303

My questions:
1. What data do you gather from the app back to your servers, and what do you do with it?
2. Is the password stored on the device, and if so what security measures do you take with it?
3. How are session identifiers (to communicate with Tesla) stored and protected?

Beyond a quick test of the app, I haven't had it/used it since it came out due to not knowing the answers to the above, so I appreciate that you put up this thread.

BigD0g

@redacted +1 !!

mdmgso_98047839

@regoapp

Love your app. Thanks

BeamMe

Sorry, saw this early in the AM. Wasn't quite awake yet.

Chavo60_98093893

Using the cameras from the app would be awesome. If not possible what about a security feature that uses the sensors to detect activity around the car. Motion would alert the owner via the app.

regoapps

@redacted 1. No data is gathered back from the app to my servers. If you don't believe me, you can monitor the network traffic from the app and see that the app only communicates directly with Tesla's servers. Many security experts have done so already, and found nothing. I have no use for user data, nor do I want to open for liability for having such data.

2. The password is stored in your device's Apple keychain for the sake of refreshing the 90-day expiring access token, and being able to use the keyless start with just TouchID. It is stored nowhere else. I take security and privacy very seriously. Even the username, tokens, and internal car IDs are encrypted and stored in the Apple Keychain and not stored in plaintext anywhere. When you log out of the app, all that information is wiped from your keychain. If you change your password, the current login session would be invalidated and then the app wouldn't be able to login using the stored password. So if you lose your device, you can remotely log someone off the app. If someone has your device but not the passcode, then they can't access your device's Apple keychain.

3. The access token is stored in the same secured fashion as your username and password and car IDs. I treat the access token like it were a username and password, because the access token gives anyone the power to unlock and locate that Tesla.

BigD0g

Thanks regoapps! Great architecture!

SolarS

@regoapp, great app and much better than Tesla's for the longest time, although they are catching up.

It would be nice to apply software updates to the car remotely, but I suspect that is simply impossible from Tesla's end right now.

Loved your book. You are a true American success story.

regoapps

@SolarS Thanks very much for your kind words. Applying the software updates remotely is impossible right now unless Tesla opens up that ability.

MarylandS85

I use Remote S on my Apple Watch when I go running outdoors. In past cars, I'd take a valet key rather than the battery-operated keyfob in case of rain, but Tesla has no mechanical key. I also don't take my phone. Now I leave my key at home, make sure I park somewhere with good cell reception (very important to check this before you park!), leave my phone in the car, and lock and unlock the car using only Apple Watch.

Also, this app gives you a lot more information about and control of your car than Tesla's app. I still like Tesla's app for its simplicity and visual effects, so I use both apps in different situations.

Blastum_455303

@regoapps thanks. Now I'm willing to use it.

regoapps

@majcina I used the app in similar fashion when I accidentally locked myself out of the car with my phone and keys inside. I found out the hard way that even if the keyfob is inside the car, the car does not unlock automatically. Luckily I still had my Apple Watch with me and was able to unlock it remotely.

@redacted Thanks. There's two more security measures that I forgot to mention:

1. If you delete your app without first signing off, the username/password will still be in your Apple Keychain because the app never got a chance to erase it. However, if anyone tries to install the app again and use it, it will automatically delete that information from the Apple Keychain when the app first starts up. Of course, if you wipe your phone manually or remotely through iCloud, it will also erase the data in the Apple Keychain.

2. There's a "no commands" mode in the app or what I like to call "kids mode". If you login with that mode turned on, the app will be unable to issue any commands. Under this mode, the app is in a "get information only" mode where users can see the stats for your car but unable to control it without knowing your password to turn off the "no commands" mode. This is useful if you want to install the app for your family members to monitor your location without giving them the ability to screw something up like unlock your doors while you're parked on the street. And of course if you ever need to log them out remotely, you can reset the password. Or if you turn off mobile access in the car, then they will be unable to see your car stats until it is turned back on.

Dreamship

I appreciate the fact that, unlike the official Tesla app, Remote S works on my iPad. Thanks, rego!

Epoints

Love the idea! Does it send notification when charge limit is reached?

regoapps

@Epoints it doesn't, because the official Tesla app should already be sending those notifications to your devices, including your Apple Watch. However, if you go into the settings of the Remote S app, you can add an audible alarm for when charging is finished or reached a certain limit. This is useful if you have supercharger fees and need an audible alarm to warn you when the supercharger is finished or nearly finished. The Tesla notification might not be loud enough or long enough for you to notice. Or if notifications don't work for you anymore, this could work as an alternative. You can also set the alarm for when the charging power is under a certain level in case charging has slowed down significantly.

EVRider

@tim: The official Tesla app works on my iPad (though the UI is still designed for the iPhone). What isn't working for you?

Made in CA

@evrider +1

@regoapps - I love your app and use it regularly. My only request is to tweak the UI on the iPad so more info is shown at the same time. There is a ton of screen real estate available but the app crams everything into the three rectangles and overlays some it. Thanks for reaching out.

Dreamship

@EVRider - Can't download it. Just doesn't appear in the app store at all.

Dreamship

@EVRider - Never mind. I just downloaded it from the link on the Tesla support page. It works fine. Thanks for the tip, though! Without your post, I wouldn't have looked for it that way.

regoapps

@Made in CA Thanks for the feedback. I will keep that in mind when I do a UI revamp for the app.

Burrowshouse

I'm an early adopter and still keen supporter of this app. Much better information and some interesting advanced things on this, e.g. camper mode, etc.

I'd love to see Remote S have a widget, as simple UI as Tesla app, and force touch on the icon, e.g. Toggles for HVAC, lock, keyless start (with touchid confirmation ;-))