How to add more 'Quick Control' shortcut icons to the Tesla app

May 17, 2022

By Rene Pepin

You can add a fifth Quick Control icon to the Tesla app

Tesla completely redesigned their app with version 4.0 last year. Since then Tesla has been quickly iterating on its features with updates and new features coming every few weeks.

With version 4.3 of the Tesla app, Tesla added the ability to customize the Quick Control buttons on the main screen.

You can add up to four buttons, but with this little trick, you can also add a fifth icon.

Add a Fifth Icon to the Tesla App

To add a fifth icon start by long-pressing the row of icons to bring up an editing screen to sort or replace those icons with the ones you use most frequently.

Now here is where the fun starts because it will take a little manual dexterity to add the additional icon but when you do it correctly your sense of accomplishment will out weight your initial frustration.

Here is the trick:

With your right thumb, pick up one of the available icons and drag it over the fourth icon (in the screen above it is the Front Trunk icon), but do not release it.

While keeping your right thumb held down, use your thumb on your left hand to press on the 1st icon (in the screen above it is the HVAC icon), and drag it to the second icon (the Defrost icon). The icon you have brought up will move offscreen to the right into the invisible fifth spot.

Release both fingers simultaneously and VIOLA a fifth icon will magically appear.

Have fun mixing and matching your icons as your needs change. You can update the icon bar as often as needed.

Video

Tesla used to allow users to continue to add an unlimited amount of icons, but it wasn't a great experience so the total number of icons is now limited to five.

Additional Tips

There are several other useful bits of information about the Tesla app that could make it more useful.

For example, you can tap the battery icon at the top of the screen to access charging information. This brings up the same information as tapping on the Charge Quick Control icon.

If you prefer tapping the battery icon, you can remove the Charge icon from the Quick Controls area, allowing you to free up a spot, essentially giving you an extra Quick Control slot.

Wake Up Your Vehicle Quicker

When using the app most commands are executed through the vehicle's internet connection, which requires your vehicle to be awake.

Waiting for your vehicle to wake up could sometimes take up to a minute, but there is a way to speed it up if you're within Bluetooth distance (around 30 feet).

Some commands are sent via Bluetooth, which allows them to be completed even if the vehicle is asleep. This includes locking and unlocking the doors.

When completing one of these commands, your Tesla starts to turn on almost immediately.

If you're waiting for your vehicle to turn on, you can send a command to lock/unlock your vehicle and your vehicle should wake up quicker than just waiting.

Widget

If you've added a fifth icon to your Quick Controls and use the Tesla app widget, then the widget will now display all five icons as well.

No Need to Wait

With the introduction of the Tesla app version 4.0 last year, Tesla quietly rolled out a feature that changes the way you use the app.

Previously, you needed to open the Tesla app, wait for your vehicle to wake up, and then you could send a command to the car, such as using turning on the climate system or using HomeLink.

However, now you can simply open the app, tap your desired function (it'll show a spinning circle) and you can quit the app.

Instead of the command going directly to your car, it will now be sent to Tesla. Tesla's servers will be the ones who wait for your vehicle to wake up, and when it does, Tesla will execute the command.

If for some reason Tesla isn't able to wake up your vehicle due to a poor connection or another error, then you'll receive a notification saying the command failed.

This makes turning on the HVAC system a much more enjoyable experience.

Tesla FSD Vehicles To Receive Latest Features With Update 2025.2.8

March 2, 2025

By Karan Singh

Not a Tesla App

Tesla has now merged the latest FSD versions with the newest Tesla production features. This has several impacts on users with and without FSD, including giving FSD vehicles some of the latest Tesla features. The new software update is 2025.2.8 and it’s rolling out now in several countries.

FSD Vehicles Get Latest Features

For the first time, Tesla’s FSD is based on the 2025 branch, bringing the latest features to vehicles with FSD.

The highlight features of update 2025.2 include Hands-Free Trunk and Frunk Support for Android, the Rear Cross-Traffic Chime and it finally activates the in-vehicle radar in Model Y vehicles. In North America, vehicles also gain access to Third-Party Charger Preconditioning, while the Cybertruck gets Trailer Profiles support and some much-needed improvements to its wiper.

As for FSD, this update still includes FSD 12.6.4 for HW3 vehicles and V13.2.8 for HW4 cars, so there aren’t any updates there except for potential bug fixes.

New Base FSD Version?

While the latest FSD version is now available on update 2025.2, it’s not immediately clear whether this replaces FSD V12.5.4.2 as the new base FSD version that Tesla will include in all future updates.

Tesla has the ability to include different FSD releases with the same software update, so we’ll have to wait and see if this version continues to roll out to non-FSD vehicles.

Subscribe and Get the Latest FSD

Since Tesla doesn’t allow vehicles to roll back software update versions, users who were already on one of Tesla’s 2025.2 updates would be stuck with receiving FSD 12.5.4.2. However, anyone who subscribes to FSD will now be eligible to receive the latest FSD version.

FSD versions often lag behind in non-FSD Tesla features, so it’s always exciting to see an update go out that catches everyone up. Furthermore, if Tesla makes FSD V12.6 and V13.2 the new base versions that are included in all Tesla updates, that will be a huge win for everyone as these latest versions perform much better for most users.

Tesla’s next major update may be their Spring Update, which last year included a ton of new features, so there is a lot to look forward to!

Tesla Awaits Regulatory Green Light for FSD in Europe

March 1, 2025

By Karan Singh

Not a Tesla App

Tesla recently launched FSD in China, making it the first region outside North America to receive the feature via a software update. This marks a major milestone for Tesla, which has been working diligently to gain regulatory approval outside of North America.

Both China and Europe were key targets on Tesla’s Autonomy Roadmap, with the company aiming to roll out FSD in these regions by Q1 2025—pending regulatory approval.

Regulatory Issues

Elon Musk recently confirmed on X that FSD is ready for Europe—Tesla is just waiting on regulatory approval. However, securing approval could be challenging, as the process is overseen by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), which sets regulations for the entire EU.

While the UNECE has fast-tracked some advancements—such as adaptive and matrix high-beams (soon available in the U.S.), its approach to autonomy has been far more cautious. The commission has consistently slowed the deployment of self-driving technology and even reduced the capabilities of Autopilot.

Adding to the challenge, the UNECE body responsible for vehicle autonomy meets infrequently, sometimes with months between sessions. The next meeting is scheduled for March 4, but autonomy is not yet on the agenda, meaning approval could still be a long way off.

We are waiting for regulatory approval - Musk

Regulation 157

UNECE Regulation 157 governs “Automated Lane Keeping Systems” (ALKS), similar to Autopilot or lane-keeping cruise control in other vehicles. This regulation imposes strict limits, including speed restrictions and requiring driver confirmation for every autonomous decision.

While approving a lane change with a tap on the screen or steering wheel might seem minor, imagine having to do so for every FSD action—speed adjustments, turns, stops, starts, and more.

Additionally, Regulation 157 only permits autonomy in areas where pedestrian traffic is physically separated from vehicles. This means that many highways without clear barriers would be off-limits for autonomous driving.

Hope on the Horizon

There’s still hope—if the UNECE amends Regulation 157, over 50 nations, including the EU and Japan, could open the door for FSD.

A step in the right direction came with the 2024 adoption of UN Regulation 171, which expanded the framework for driver-assist systems that don’t fully take over control—such as FSD (Supervised).

While regulatory changes take time, the momentum is building. As technology advances rapidly, it’s only a matter of time before the rules catch up.