Quick takeaways
- Major additions include Grok with Navigation Commands (Beta), Dashcam Viewer telemetry overlay, Dog Mode Live Activity on iOS, Supercharger site maps, and quality-of-life features like Save Charge Limit by Location and Phone Left On Wireless Charger.
- If you haven’t updated: this build is attractive for daily drivers who want improved navigation, remote monitoring, and more helpful charging info.
- If you already updated: read the usage tips and real-world examples below so you get immediate value from each new tool.
- Release date: December 8, 2025.
Why this update matters (short strategy)
Tesla is blurring the boundary between a car and a cloud-connected AI assistant. This release blends practical safety/utility (dashcam telemetry, charge-limit automation) with engagement features (Photobooth, Light Show, Paint Shop) — a classic “utility + retention” combo that keeps owners using the app and vehicle daily.
Feature-by-feature: what it does, why it matters, and how to use it
1) Grok with Navigation Commands (Beta) — Natural language navigation
What it is: Use Grok (Tesla’s in-car AI) to add/edit navigation stops and ask destination questions in natural language. Requires Premium Connectivity or Wi-Fi. Set Grok’s personality to Assistant to enable navigation commands.
Why it matters: Replaces manual address searching and app switching with conversational route planning — useful when multitasking (kids, city driving).
How to use (practical):
- Long-press the voice button or open App Launcher > Grok.
- Try: “Find a Supercharger near [coffee shop name] and add it as a stop” or “Plan a scenic route through [park] after dinner.”
- Tip: Use it while parked the first few times to confirm Grok’s phrasing and results.
Real-world example: On a family road trip, say “Plan a lunch stop with outdoor seating halfway to Portland,” and Grok will add a convenient restaurant and a nearby Supercharger if needed.
2) Dashcam Viewer Update — Video + telemetry overlays
What it is: Dashcam playback now overlays vehicle telemetry: speed, steering angle, and self-driving state — available on vehicle display and Tesla App (requires Premium Connectivity).
Why it matters: Faster, clearer post-incident analysis — invaluable for insurance claims, dispute resolution, and diagnosing odd Autopilot behavior.
How to use (practical):
- Enable Controls > Safety > View Camera via Mobile App to see clips on your phone.
- When reviewing an event, note the telemetry timeline to correlate road behavior with camera frames.
Real-world example: If a curb strike triggers an alert, open the clip on your phone and check steering input and speed to determine whether it was driver error or unexpected road debris.
3) Dog Mode Live Activity (iOS) — real-time pet monitoring
What it is: iPhone users get a Live Activity card with cabin temperature and climate status when Dog Mode is active. Premium Connectivity gives periodic cabin snapshots. Requires Tesla App 4.51.5+.
Why it matters: Real-time reassurance for pet owners — reduces the need to re-enter stores or hover near your car.
How to use (practical):
- Enable Dog Mode and watch your iPhone Live Activity.
- If you get snapshots, set confidence zones (e.g., acceptable temp range) and a notification threshold.
Real-world example: Parked at a crowded outdoor market: if cabin temp nears your preset limit, you’ll see it on the Live Activity and can remotely re-enable A/C.
4) Supercharger Site Maps — 3D layout + live occupancy
What it is: Select Supercharger locations have a 3D site map showing stalls and live occupancy (Available / Occupied / Down) when you arrive.
Why it matters: Saves time pulling into crowded charging plazas; reduces circling and planning friction.
How to use (practical):
- Tap “View Site Map” when navigating to a supported Supercharger.
- Use live occupancy to pick an available stall or plan a short wait if chargers are down.
Real-world example: At a busy travel stop, you can pick the pair of stalls closest to amenities (bathrooms, coffee) and avoid backtracking if some stalls show as “Down.”
5) Save Charge Limit by Location & Phone Left On Wireless Charger
What they are: Save Charge Limit by Location applies a stored target charge when you park at familiar locations; Phone Left On Wireless Charger chimes when doors close and no occupants detected.
Why they matter: Automates battery preservation habits and prevents leaving valuables behind — small features with outsized daily value.
How to use (practical):
- In Controls > Charging, set a local limit (e.g., 80% at home, 90–95% on long trips).
- Enable the wireless-charger chime in Controls > Locks.
6) Fun + engagement: Photobooth, Light Show, Paint Shop, Santa Mode
What they are: Photobooth (in-car selfies + filters), new Light Show options (custom files), Paint Shop (custom avatar tints/wraps), and expanded Santa Mode.
Why they matter: Builds owner enjoyment and social sharing — keeps users returning to the app and the vehicle experience.
Who should update now — a practical decision guide
- Update immediately if: you rely on remote monitoring (pets), want richer dashcam evidence, or frequently use Superchargers and navigation — these features are immediate practical wins.
- Consider delaying if: your car is mission-critical (daily long commutes) and you prefer waiting for the first minor bugfix patch — early rollouts can have teething issues. Check Tesla-specific forums for reports from your exact model/HW.
- Hardware note: Some features show model/trim compatibility in the release notes — verify your model supports the features you care about before updating.
Implementation checklist — What to do after updating
- Update the Tesla App to 4.51.5+ (required for Dog Mode Live Activity, Photobooth, and phone dashcam features).
- Enable Controls > Safety > View Camera via Mobile App to allow dashcam clips on your phone.
- Open App Launcher > Grok and set personality to Assistant if you want voice nav commands.
- Visit Controls > Charging to set location-based charge limits.
- Check Controls > Locks to enable Phone Left On Wireless Charger chime.
