By: Otaiba Ahsan

While tons of Tesla owners enjoy unlocking their car with their phone and driving off without ever reaching for a physical key, others like the traditional experience of having a key fob. It acts as a physical backup, and also adds an extra layer of convenience and peace of mind. Whether you’re sharing your vehicle with family, prefer a traditional feel, or simply want a reliable alternative to your phone, having a key fob can make everyday use smoother. Continue for steps on how to add a key fob to your Tesla.

Using the Key Fob

If you’ve purchased a key fob, you can complete three key actions with it:

1. Front Trunk (Frunk): Double-click the button right above the Tesla logo to unlatch the frunk.
2. Lock & Unlock: Single-click the middle button to lock all doors and trunks. Double-click the same button to unlock all doors and trunks.
3. Rear Trunk & Charge Port: Double-click the button at the back of the fob to unlatch the rear trunk. Also, you can hold this same button down for one to two seconds to open the charge port.

You must start your Tesla inside the car within two minutes of pressing the unlock button on your key fob. If you wait longer than two minutes, simply unlock the vehicle again using your key fob, or place it near the card reader located in the wireless phone charger.

NOTE: If the key fob’s battery is dead, you can still use it to drive the car by scanning the card reader in the same spot you’d put the key card.

Adding a Key Fob from the Touchscreen

So long as you already have a key card or key fob that is already paired with your car, you can pair a new key using the touchscreen. When in your vehicle, follow these steps:

1. Controls: When in your car, tap Controls > Locks > Keys > Add Key.
2. Scan: Scan your new key card or key fob on the card reader located on either wireless phone charger. When you hire a chime, that means it has been recognized.
3. Confirm: Scan a key card or key fob that has already been paired to the vehicle to confirm the new key pairing.
4. Complete: When complete, the key list includes the new key. Touch the associated pencil icon to customize the name of the key.

NOTE: You can also add keys from the mobile app. See our complete guide on how to add keys from the mobile app of your Tesla.

The Bottom Line

The steps on how to add a key fob to your Tesla are easy. When in your car, tap Controls > Locks > Keys > Add Key. Next, scan your new key card or key fob on the card reader located on either wireless phone charger, and when you hear a chime that means it’s been recognized. Lastly, scan a key card or key fob that has already been paired to the vehicle to confirm the new pairing.