Disconnecting from Phone Keys

[violetas]

In the past twelve months, this has transpired three times. The car won't unlock even after I walked up to it with my phone key. To start the car, I need to take the Tesla card out of my wallet, unlock it, and then use it.

I am driving a 2025 M3 RWD. Here is the phone: Pixel 10.

Just now, upon returning home, I discovered the "Troubleshoot Phone Key" option within the Tesla app. Even after unlocking the car with the app, it still wouldn't start. Turn airplane mode on or off, it says. Putting the phone into airplane mode did not disable Bluetooth on my Pixel, so I had to manually toggle it on and off.

In an instant, the phone key worked, and the engine started. Is this something related to Google Pixel phones or cars? I recall having to restart the phone in order for it to be recognized during the initial setup process at the Tesla dealership when I first received the car.

[harperhendersonfb]

Opened the Tesla app on your phone? You should have checked to verify if the key was attached.
It's not exclusive to Pixel phones; I've had zero issues with all of them.
Stacks in a network could become mixed up. Simple actions like power cycling the phone or the network stack can have a profound effect.
On your phone, do you have any further Bluetooth applications?

[violetas]

I was able to unlock the car by using the Tesla app, which I had opened and linked. However, the car still couldn't start or move. The phone was "connected" according to the car's Bluetooth, but it wouldn't budge. The podcast I was listening to in the car kept playing on a SirusXM app! Got home with the Tesla card after giving up.
Of course... the phone is linked to a plethora of other Bluetooth devices, but the only one in use at the time was the automobile.
For whatever reason, the first time I tried it, switching to aircraft mode (or Bluetooth off and on) restored the phone key's functioning. In the past, I had to take the key from the phone and put it back in.

[felix_okaforp]

Unlocking my phone was enough to get my car to open on occasions when it did not respond to my walk-up command. Maybe the automobile was just being slow while talking on the phone and nothing to do with unlocking.

[kasper_youngq]

Navigate to Tesla under your phone's Settings -> Apps.

Verify that you have granted permission to the Nearby devices.

Turn on Allow background usage under App battery usage.

Verify that Phone Key Status is enabled under Notifications.

[violetas]

Everything is turned on.

[leila.baileyui]

So, I advise you to adhere strictly to this process:

[leila.baileyui]

After two years of ownership—during which I used the BT unlock feature with both iOS and Android phones—I noticed a gradual decline in performance. That is, it would be useless unless you activated the phone or opened the app. Reduced from 100% to 20% effectiveness with time.

Their attention is on me because I broke into Tesla HQ. A case has been opened in engineering.
If you're experiencing the same problem on your iPhone or Android device, they recommended trying these solutions.

Eliminate all vehicle-related phone key pairings
Uninstall the Tesla app.
Get the Tesla app again.
Your phone can be repurposed as a key

So I can compare, I have two phones that I have done this on (one is three years old) and one that I have not.
Once again, both phones are excellent. As well as in my pockets.

This may clarify why a new phone seems to solve all your problems.

We can monitor the deterioration as time goes on. Share your thoughts on the matter, and we'll watch what occurs over the next few weeks and months. I am able to report back to the main ship.

Caution: Your physical condition can still impact your performance. The previous probably won't assist you if you have one of those bodies and the issue is solved by removing and holding the phone.

[violetas]

I am grateful, as
I will hold this in my reserve as it is currently functioning. Whenever I've tried to remove the phone key from the car and then re-establish it, it has always worked. I saw that NR4P states that the effectiveness dropped to 20% over time, therefore I will attempt the Airplane/BT recycle first the next time.