Tesla's Holiday Update: Unpacking The Massive Amount of Undocumented Changes [Updated]

Updated: January 31, 2024

By Not a Tesla App Staff

You can now tap a Supercharger's amenities icons

Not a Tesla App

Tesla usually packs a bunch of smaller, undocumented changes into every update, and this year’s holiday update isn’t any different. In fact, the holiday update contains massive improvements under the hood, especially for vehicles with the Intel Atom processor. The undocumented changes in this update are just as good as the features themselves, and for some owners, they may be even more of a gift than what Tesla has outlined in the release notes.

The improvements include a seamless transition from WiFi to cellular data, eliminating dead zones, as well as hardware video decoded, which improves the Dashcam, Sentry Mode and lowers CPU usage, even while the vehicle is in use. However, there are many more. In total, we found eleven undocumented changes in this year’s holiday update.

Come with us as we go through each feature that may have gone under the radar.

Update: Since we originally published this article, there have been an additional two undocumented changes found. They’re listed below.

Explicit Audio Content

The explicit content setting now applies to Apple Podcasts in addition to the 'Streaming'

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In the Audio Settings Options section, Tesla lets you block explicit content. Until now it only applied to the music service Tesla calls ‘Streaming,’ which is Slacker. However, with update 2023.44.30, this now applies to the new Apple Podcasts app as well. Unfortunately, it still does not apply to other streaming services such as Spotify or Apple Music yet.

More Wheel & Tire Options

New wheel options

Roz_420

Under the Wheel & Tire section, you can now select from additional wheel options. Tesla has added two new Gemini wheel options. Although the metallic aero wheels are only available in China, you can now select them from the Wheel & Tire menu in other regions as well. This will update your vehicle’s visualizations on screen and in the app to show these wheels instead of the vehicle’s default wheels.

The other new option introduced is the Gemini Cap Kit wheel option, which is the same Gemini wheel, but with the covers removed and with the bolt covers, known as the cap kit added.

Switching your wheels in these menus will cause the infotainment system to restart.

Improved Transition to Cellular

Tesla has improved their transition from Wi-Fi to cellular connections

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Even if your vehicle is connected to WiFi, it will now immediately connect to cellular data once the vehicle is put into drive or reverse.

Previously, if a vehicle was connected to WiFi, it would often not have an internet connection for a period of time until the cellular connection was established.

The transition from WiFi to cellular now appears to be instant. Tesla may be activating the cellular connection as you enter the car, instead of waiting until the vehicle is put into drive.

Improved Reverse Functions

These has made two improvements to the vehicle while in reverse

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There are two improvements to reverse in this update when the vehicle is in reverse.

The vehicle's visualization will now display reverse lane markers when the vehicle is in reverse, indicating the vehicle's path.

For vehicles equipped with ultrasonic sensors, the update brings an innovative feature - the distance to objects behind the vehicle will now dynamically change based on the steering wheel's position (video). For example, if the steering wheel is centered and will go straight backward, then the distance to an object will be for the object behind the vehicle. However, if the steering wheel is turned, then the distance will be for the object that is in the vehicle's direction.

View Supercharger Amenities on Map

When viewing details about a Supercharger in the vehicle, the amenity icons are now buttons that can be tapped to view the locations on the map. Before, Tesla would show you what type of amenities were nearby, but you can now view the exact shops or stores.

Autopilot / FSD Beta Strike Reset

FSD Beta strikes have been reset in the holiday update

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With the holiday update, FSD Beta strikes have been reset for everyone. This gives everyone a clean slate when using the updated system that now applies to FSD Beta and Autopilot use.

If your vehicle has a cabin camera, you’ll lose access to Autopilot and FSD Beta after accumulating five strikes. If your vehicle doesn’t have a cabin camera, then you’re limited to three strikes.

Cabin Camera Privacy

You can now view the features the cabin camera is used for

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You can now view which Tesla features have access to the cabin camera. Simply navigate to Controls > Software > Cabin Camera.

The vehicle will display all features that are enabled and have access to the vehicle's interior camera.

Dashcam Icons

Tesla has made various improvements to the vehicle's Dashcam feature

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The dashcam now features an icon that is more informative. The dashcam icon will now display these states:

Saving / Loading: This icon features a gray badge with arrows letting you know the dashcam is saving or retrieving footage to the USB drive.

Saved Footage: After successfully saving footage to the USB drive, a green checkmark badge will now briefly appear on the dashcam icon.

Error / Not Recording: If there is an error with your dashcam, USB drive or recording is turned off, there will be a gray badge with an 'X' that signifies that the dashcam is not actively recording.

Paused: A red pause badge shows up on the dashcam's icon if the dashcam is temporarily not recording, like if the Dashcam Viewer is actively being used.

Automatic Wipers

Windshield wipers no longer need to be set to Auto while in Autopilot

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Automatic windshield wipers can now be turned off, even while Autopilot or FSD Beta is enabled.

Previously, you could change the time interval between wipes, but you could not turn off the wipers completely.

Dashcam Viewer Improvements

Tesla's Dashcam viewer is now much faster

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Thanks to hardware video decoding, the Dashcam Viewer is now faster and more responsive. When scrubbing the progress bar, video is now smoother and jumps around less.

Tesla Theater Improvements

Thanks to hardware decoding, Tesla's video services are also seeing improved performance

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Similar to the Dashcam Viewer improvements, Tesla Theater is now much faster and smoother as well. Improvements are noticed while browsing content, playing content and minimizing Tesla Theater.

Automatic Emergency Braking, Now Required

If you have Autopilot or FSD enabled in settings, then AEB is now required

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Automatic Emergency Braking, which can help stop your vehicle for perpendicular dangers, or in reverse, must now remain enabled if your vehicle is set up to use Autopilot or FSD Beta, even if they are not active.

Ability to Turn Off Automatic 911 Calling

Automatic 911 calling is an optional feature

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With this update, your vehicle will automatically call 911 if airbags are deployed and your phone is actively connected to the vehicle via Bluetooth.

The vehicle shows a countdown in such as situation, which allows you to cancel the call, however, the feature is optional and can be turned off by navigating to Controls > Safety > Automatic 911 Call.

The holiday update appears to have been a massive clean up by Tesla, where they not only improved performance but included many quality-of-life features. This is resulting in a smoother experience for owners and hopefully leaves some additional bandwidth for additional features in the future.

Tesla’s LFP Factory in North America Almost Complete — More LFP Vehicles Could Follow

July 1, 2025

By Karan Singh

Not a Tesla App

In a new video posted to X, Tesla is showing the progress of its first Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) cell manufacturing factory in North America. The facility, located in Sparks, Nevada, will be used to produce LFP battery cells for Megapacks and Powerwall.

However, the implications of this new factory extend beyond Tesla Energy. By on-shoring the production of these cost-effective batteries, Tesla is not only securing its energy supply chain but also opening the door to potentially reintroducing LFP-based vehicles in North America.

Nearing completion of our first LFP cell manufacturing factory in North America pic.twitter.com/OLNRWajz4l
— Tesla (@Tesla) June 28, 2025

Megapack First

The immediate beneficiary of the new Nevada LFP facility is Tesla’s Energy division. LFP chemistry is ideal for stationary storage products like Megapack and Powerwall. It offers a very long life cycle, is extremely thermally stable and safe, and is significantly cheaper to produce than nickel-based batteries, partly because it contains no cobalt.

Until now, Tesla has relied on suppliers like CATL in China for these cells. A dedicated, domestic supply will enable Tesla to dramatically ramp up Megapack production to meet North America’s increasing demand for grid-scale energy. On the other hand, Megafactory Shanghai continues to utilize CATL’s LFP batteries and will support the rest of the world.

Tesla first revealed that they were planning to onshore LFP production in North America at the Q1 2025 Earnings Call, which will help them avoid costs, innovate in new technology, and insulate themselves from geopolitical supply chain risks.

A Potential Return for LFP Vehicles?

Another exciting application for Tesla is what this new factory means for Tesla’s budget-oriented lineup. For years, Tesla has been constrained in its ability to offer LFP-based vehicles in North America. While LFP packs are used in other markets for specific standard-range RWD vehicles, tariffs on important Chinese cells made it difficult to import these cells for use in North America.

With a domestic supply of LFP cells produced in Nevada, this tariff-related barrier will be mostly eliminated, pending the sourcing of lithium from a North American site. This is likely to lead to the reintroduction of LFP-based vehicles to the North American market, possibly in late 2026 or 2027.

An American-made LFP pack could lead to a more affordable base Model 3 or Model Y, or potentially help Tesla cut costs on the next-generation Affordable Model even further. This helps to give customers a lower-cost entry point without sacrificing a lot of range, and with the added benefit of being able to regularly charge to 100%.

Mega Nevada

With Mega Nevada now progressing well, Tesla is in an excellent position to continue iterating on its vertical integration and scaling Megapack and Powerwall—two of Tesla’s fastest-growing businesses—further. There are tons of benefits for consumers in the future as Tesla continues down this path, with more affordable Powerwalls for the home, cheaper electricity prices thanks to grid-forming Megapacks, and cheaper LFP vehicles.

Tesla Grok App: First Look at Its Interface and Features

July 1, 2025

By Karan Singh

@greentheonly on X

The next major upgrade for Tesla’s in-car experience is pretty much already here - just hiding beneath the surface, awaiting the flick of a switch. According to new details uncovered by Tesla hacker Greentheonly, a fully functional version of the Grok conversational AI assistant is already present in recent firmware builds, just waiting for Tesla to activate it.

The feature, which is currently behind a server-side switch, could be enabled at any time by Tesla for vehicles running update 2025.20 and newer. The findings provide a better picture of what we already learned from Green’s breakdown on Grok last month.

Grok’s Requirements

@greentheonly on X

According to what Green determined from the latest software builds, the foundation for Grok was laid with update 2025.14, with more abilities and functionality added in 2025.20 to flesh it out. He also determined exactly which vehicles will be receiving Grok.

In terms of hardware, any vehicle with a Ryzen-based infotainment computer will receive Grok. This means that vehicles with the older Intel Atom processor will not be supported, at least initially. The underlying Autopilot hardware is not a factor, as Grok’s processing is not done in-vehicle.

Grok will also require premium connectivity or a Wi-Fi connection for the vehicle. At this point, we’re not sure whether Grok in your Tesla will also require you to sign up for SuperGrok, X Premium, or X Premium+, but Tesla is requiring you to sign into your Grok account. It’s just not clear whether the free version of Grok will work, or if you’ll need the premium version.

Grok User Experience

@greentheonly on X

Green also revealed the user interface for Grok for the first time. You’ll find many of the same features from the Grok app, but surprisingly, it looks like it’ll have a dark UI, even if you’re using light mode in your vehicle.

It appears that there will be a Grok app, likely for settings. However, Grok will largely operate in a modal, similar to voice commands, which are displayed near the bottom left corner of the screen.

There’s an on-screen microphone button, as well as drop-down menus for the voice and type of assistant you’d like to use.

Similar to the Grok app currently on mobile devices, you’ll be able to select from a set of voices and then define their personality. The available voices for now are the standard Ara (Upbeat Female), Rex (Calm Male), and Gork (Lazy Male).

There’s also a settings button, which, when expanded, allows you to enable or disable NSFW mode (including swearing and adult topics), as well as a Kids Mode, which will tone Grok down to be suitable for when kids are in the car.

@greentheonly on X

How Grok Will Work (Button / Wake Word)

Users will be able to activate Grok by pressing a button, likely the same one that activates voice commands today. Grok will then remain enabled for the duration of your conversation, allowing you to go back and forth, asking and answering questions. To end your conversation, you’ll press the mic button again.

While it doesn’t appear to use a wake word yet, Green says that some code refers to a wake word, so it’s possible that this could be an option Tesla plans to activate in the future.

Replacing Voice Commands

The most significant implication of Grok’s future integration is in its potential to fully replace the existing and relatively rigid voice command system. Green notes that internally, this feature is part of the car assist module, and that eventually, the plan is for Grok to take over car control functions.

Unlike the current system, which requires specific phrases, a true conversational AI like Grok can understand natural language. This will enable more intuitive requests, completely changing how drivers interact with their car.

Language Support

@Greentheonly/X

Grok will also launch with multi-language support, similar to its current abilities in the Grok app. Green says that it already appears to have support for English and Chinese and one or two other languages.

Release Date

Grok appears ready to go from a vehicle standpoint, but Green wasn’t able to actually test it out. While development appears to be nearly complete in the vehicle, Tesla and xAI may still be working on some server-side changes to better integrate with the vehicle. If they plan for Grok to replace voice commands on day one, then it’ll need to be trained and be able to execute a variety of vehicle commands.

It’s possible Tesla is actively testing Grok or adding server-side changes to replace voice commands. However, it looks like vehicle development is nearly complete and Grok could launch as soon as the next major Tesla update, which is expected to be update 2025.24.