Tesla pushed version 4.14.1 of its mobile app yesterday. The update was only expected to be bug fixes, but a deeper dive into the code revealed that the referral program is getting some welcomed attention.
The Tesla App Updates (iOS) Twitter account dug into the code and found that Tesla is giving its referral program some much-needed upgrades. According to Tesla App Updates, the upcoming referral program updates may allow users to redeem referral points/credit for merchandise, accessories, or Supercharger miles.
“Okay one string that may provide some insight,” writes Tesla App Updates (iOS) on Twitter. “‘referral_share_sheet_refer_text’: ‘Use my referral link to purchase a Tesla product and get free credits you can redeem for awards like Supercharging miles, merchandise and accessories.’”
This would be a welcomed improvement to Tesla’s referral program. Last year, Tesla removed the 1,000 free Supercharging miles referral rewards. In its current form, referrers and purchasers will receive $300 for Solar Roof and Solar Panels upon activation. When the program was offering free Supercharging miles, both the referrer and purchaser would receive 1,000 miles for free.
Tesla’s mobile app code suggests that referrers will be able to use their credits to purchase certain items, although there is no way to know what items will be eligible for purchase.
“From the strings it looks like you will be able to visit a digital shop and use your referral credits to get certain items,” writes Tesla App Updates (iOS). “We are going to examine the actual code later to see if there is a way to pull these items being offered, but no promises.”
Many Tesla owners pushed their referral codes quite heavily in social media content, YouTube videos, blog posts, and more. For those Tesla influencers that rose to the top, like Andy Slye and It’s Kim Java (formerly Like Tesla), received unprecedented miles of free Supercharging and other benefits, like free Founders Edition Roadsters.
Slye frequently discussed the inconsistencies in Tesla’s referral program, such as not being able to share his 1 million Supercharging miles with other Tesla owners, or the program being limited to receiving rewards for certain vehicle model orders.
On Dec 4, 2018 I became the world's top Tesla referrer with over 200 referrals.
Tesla ended their referral program not too long after I became the top referrer, but they brought it back in 2019 with some revised rules. https://t.co/BcB0DfXIBB
In addition to offering free Supercharging miles for each referral, Tesla had a “Secret Tier.” Once achieved with 55 referrals, the referrer would receive a free Founders Edition Roadster, which costs $250,000 and is still waiting to go into production. This was limited to two Roadsters per referrer, and Tesla is no longer offering this perk.
How Andy Slye Earned Two Roadsters
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest Tesla news, upcoming features and software updates.
Rendering of what Tesla's license plate feature could look like
Not a Tesla App
Tesla update 2024.38 has started rolling out to several regions and vehicles. Thanks to Tesla hacker Greentheonly, we have a behind-the-scenes look at some new features coming to Teslas.
License Plate Display
According to Greentheonly, it looks like Tesla may soon let you display your actual license plate in the vehicle’s visualization on the screen. In our article, The Most Request Tesla Features, several readers suggested displaying the vehicle’s license plate in the visualization instead of a blank, white plate.
It looks like Tesla will be doing just that, at least in China. Green found references that appear to conclude that you’ll be able to display your vehicle’s plate on screen. This will likely be user input, so you could have it say anything you’d like, and it doesn’t have to be your actual license plate.
For many owners, who may find it difficult to remember their license plate, this could serve a practical purpose in addition to adding to the visualization's realism.
While Green was only able to say it’ll be available in China, we expect this is due to China’s software development team working on it and that it’ll eventually be released worldwide.
While code for this feature was found in update 2024.38, we may not be turned on in China yet. We suspect this feature may be a strong candidate for Tesla’s upcoming holiday update.
FSD Hardware Version Display
As part of the 2024.38 update, Tesla has now made it easy to determine whether your vehicle includes Hardware 3 or Hardware 4. You can now simply navigate to Controls > Software and tap Additional Vehicle Information. In addition to other hardware information about your vehicle, your Autopilot hardware version will now be listed as well.
You can see whether your vehicle has HW2.5, HW3, or AI4. This in-car display is useful, but if you don’t have access to the vehicle, you can always use our guide on how to determine the hardware version of a Tesla.
New Battery Health Test & Service Mode Improvements
Green found some additional things as well. There’s a new and improved Battery Health Test. The new test will show you how your car scores compared to similar vehicles in the Tesla fleet.
In addition, maintenance records can now be permanently stored “in the car.” It doesn’t appear that this feature is activated yet, but it’s likely in active development with some parts leaking out in the 2024.38 update.
Tesla has included various Service Mode improvements and new visualizations in this update.
Mr Li on X came across some covered-up Project Juniper vehicles recently and he managed to get various shots of the vehicle.
Juniper Images
This front image reveals what looks like two rows of lights, possibly confirming the front light bar for the Model Y refresh — similar to the one on the Cybercab.
The rear side has a lot of lights on it!
Mr Li on X
The rear side shows a ton of brake lights, but it’s not clear why. While it looks like the Model Y refresh will also feature a rear light bar similar to the Cybertruck, there isn’t strong evidence of that in this photo.
Mr Li on X
There's an obvious set of lights at the bottom, so it looks like the Model Y refresh will be similar to the new Model 3 where the bottom lights can operate as brake lights when the one-piece tail lights and trunk are up.
Mr Li on X
In the last photo, we see that the overall form factor of the refreshed Model Y will remain unchanged, and Tesla is focusing the changes on the front and rear ends of the vehicle, much like the Model 3 refresh. However, in this one shot, we can also see what appears to be red light leaking out of the rear camera cover opening, possibly due to the rear light bar.
The Model Y is not only Tesla’s best-selling vehicle but also the world’s best-selling car in 2023. This year, it’s expected to be the best-selling vehicle in the United States and again in the world, so this refresh will be huge for Tesla.
@DominicBRNKMN made another fantastic set of concepts based on these new images. Given he had the most accurate Model 3 Highland concept before the official launch, we’re pretty sure his latest work be close here as well.
@DominicBRNKMN
We’re super excited to see the eventual reveal of Project Juniper, which is expected in the first half of 2025. However, expect to see a few more leaks before production kicks off at Giga Shanghai.
![Tesla Safety Numbers Continue to Improve Alongside Feature Advancements [Vehicle Safety Report]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/2021/emergency-braking.jpg/fa9cced4bf8348db88679602faa5dae5.jpg)
![Tesla Adds HEPA Filter to New Model 3, Will it Get Bioweapon Defense Mode? [Update: Tesla Edits Post]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/images/news/2023/new-model-3-hepa-filter_300w.jpg)
![Tesla is Expanding the Free FSD Trial For Some [Updated]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/2024/trial_extension_tescalendar.jpg/a788359dad50b67c79e117776014e4b5/trial_extension_tescalendar.jpg)
