Software Updates
your vehicle loses the Wi-Fi connection. When the
software update is fully downloaded and ready to
install, a yellow clock icon displays at the top of the
touchscreen.
Loading New Software
Tesla updates your vehicle's software wirelessly,
constantly providing new features. Tesla recommends
you install software updates at the earliest opportunity
on your vehicle. To ensure the fastest and most reliable
delivery of software updates, leave Wi-Fi turned on and
connected whenever possible. In most cases, your
vehicle must be connected to Wi-Fi to start an update
(see Connecting to Wi-Fi on page 148).
• Install phase: During the install phase, you cannot
drive. If plugged in, your vehicle will stop charging
until the installation is complete. To start the install
phase, touch the yellow clock icon at the top of the
touchscreen. Touch Install Now to begin the
installation immediately or touch Set For This Time to
choose a start time for the installation. If you
schedule the software update to install at a future
time, the yellow clock icon changes to a white clock
icon until the installation begins. At any time before
the update installs, you can touch this clock icon to
reschedule.
Software updates are not performed when the following
features are active:
• Keep Climate On, Dog Mode, or Camp Mode
• Sentry Mode
NOTE: Software updates will not install if Keep, Dog, or
Camp mode are enabled (see Keep Climate On, Dog,
and Camp on page 129).
NOTE: On an as-needed basis, Tesla also sends software
updates using a cellular connection.
WARNING: Do not attempt to use the vehicle while
the software is being updated. Vehicle functions,
including some safety systems, may be limited or
disabled when a software update is in progress
and you could damage the vehicle.
Software Update Preferences
Tesla determines how, when, and where to send updates
to vehicles based on various factors unique to each
release. You can choose how quickly and often you
receive software updates. To change your preference,
touch Controls > Software > Software Update
When a software update is available, a yellow clock icon
appears at the top of the Controls screen. There are
three ways you can install software updates:
Preferences and choose either of these options:
• Touch the yellow clock icon to display the scheduling
screen, which prompts you to select a time to install
the update (Set For This Time) or install it now
(Install Now). Once scheduled, the yellow clock icon
changes to a white clock icon until the update begins.
At any time before the update begins, you can touch
this clock icon to reschedule the update.
• Standard: Receive software updates using the normal
rollout timeframe for your region and vehicle
configuration. When a software release is made
available it has generally been running on other
customer vehicles for a period of time.
• Advanced: Receive the latest software updates for
your region and vehicle configuration at the earliest
opportunity they are available. Keep in mind that
although you receive updates at the earliest
opportunity, you may not be in the first group of
Tesla owners to receive the update. Choosing
Advanced does not enroll your vehicle in Tesla's early
access program.
• Touch Controls > Software to determine if an update
is available for your vehicle. If available, touch
Software Update Available to navigate to the
scheduling screen, as mentioned above.
• Start updates using the Tesla mobile app.
NOTE: Some software updates can take up to three
hours to complete. Model Y must be in Park while the
software is being updated. To ensure the fastest and
most reliable delivery of software updates, leave the Wi-
Fi turned on and connected whenever possible (see
Connecting to Wi-Fi on page 148).
NOTE: Tesla does not update software upon request for
those wanting to receive the latest features and
improvements. Selecting Advanced and consistently
connecting to Wi-Fi (see Connecting to Wi-Fi on page
148) is the best way to receive the latest software
updates.
There are two phases to a software update:
NOTE: The software update screen persists until you
install the update. You must install a software update as
soon it becomes available. Any harm resulting from
failure to install a software update is not covered by the
vehicle’s warranty. Failure or refusal to install updates
can cause some vehicle features to become inaccessible,
digital media devices to become incompatible.
• Download phase: During this phase, the new update
is sent wirelessly to the vehicle. If a software update
is available but cannot be downloaded because the
vehicle is not connected to Wi-Fi, the top of the
touchscreen displays a yellow download icon. The
next time the vehicle connects to Wi-Fi, the
download occurs automatically. When the download
is in progress, the download icon turns green.
Although you can drive while the software update is
downloaded, doing so can interrupt the download if
NOTE: Tesla may update or reinstall your vehicle's
software as part of the normal diagnostic, repair, and
maintenance process within Service.
Using the Touchscreen
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