Tesla App Update provides improvements to Phone Key and Waypoints

Credit: Tesla Inc.

Tesla is launching the newest version of its App with a new software update, labeled version 4.27.5. A variety of new features are set to roll out, including Phone Key improvements, Waypoints Support, and Supercharger Photos, so drivers know what to expect from their next charging visit.

Tesla’s 4.27.5 App Update will be released on December 5 and features a few new features after 4.27.3 rolled out last week, which featured the first looks at Cybertruck Support after the delivery event last week.

The three features that will be introduced through 4.27.5 are Waypoints Navigation Support, Supercharger Photos, and Phone Key Improvements.

The changes were first reported by Not a Tesla App.

Waypoints Navigation Support

Using the Trip Planner feature in the app will now support Waypoints for multi-destination routing.

Drivers will be able to add additional stops to their trip by tapping the “Edit Trip” button. Up to four stops can now be added, and the App will automatically determine the route, and charging stops needed to make it to the destination.

Waypoints were a long-requested feature, and Tesla finally added them in November 2021.

Supercharger Photos

When choosing a Supercharger, there will now be images of that stall or station, giving the driver a better idea of what to expect when they arrive. This could also help with navigation, as seeing the surrounding areas of a station could help drivers avoid driving past their stop, which could be incredibly time-saving.

The images are user-shared and crowd-sourced, which is a nice touch.

Improved Phone Key

Several Tesla App users have noticed that in iOS, the app will now ask for permission to use Apple’s Motion and Fitness Activity, which is interesting.

People were confused as to why Tesla would need this information, but luckily, Alex Guichet, who works as a developer for Tesla’s Mobile App, shed some light on the reasoning for this:

“It improves phone key accuracy by checking if your phone was recently moving for walk-up unlock to work,” Guichet said on X. “This can prevent unexpected unlocks — like if your car is parked in close proximity to where your phone is charging.”

It is a simple, but clever solution to ensure the vehicle stays locked if you’re close by, but are not planning to enter the car.

Tesla has rolled out numerous improvements to the Phone Key over the years. It was first rolled out in 2017.

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

Joey Klender: Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his time at TESLARATI, Joey has broken several big stories, including the first images of the Tesla Model S Plaid, the imminent release of the 4680 Model Y through EPA certification, and several expansions to the Lucid AMP-1 factory in Arizona, to name a few. His stories have been featured in several publications, including Yahoo! Finance, Fox News, CNET, and Seeking Alpha. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on Twitter @KlenderJoey.
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