Main points
- iOS Shortcuts and Tesla integration allow Siri-controlled smart car commands.
- Users can easily set shortcuts to Tesla commands in the Shortcuts app.
- Siri is sensitive to the exact wording of command names, but can help automate tasks.
The Shortcuts app is probably one of the most underutilized features on iOS. Since its launch in 2018, Shortcuts has added a ton of integrations that I’d venture to say the average iPhone user hasn’t taken full advantage of yet. You can use shortcuts to automate, simplify, and control any number of things.
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There are many possible and frankly very cool uses for the software, one of which is the ability to control many features on Tesla vehicles through a series of voice commands, making it even easier to use an already smart product. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to combine iOS shortcuts with your Tesla to create the ultimate Siri-controlled smart car.
The basics of iOS shortcut keys
Turn your iPhone into an automation powerhouse
In short, Shortcuts app allows you to perform certain simple tasks like sending daily greetings that are usually performed in various apps or perform a series of steps through these same apps and automate these tasks . The triggers that start these automations range from fairly simple to more complex. Users can trigger automations or actions via widgets visible on the iPhone homepage for quick access, or activate via Siri voice control. On the more sophisticated side, users can set up more detailed “if,then” statements to start a process after another action, such as after pressing snooze on the alarm clock.
Setting these up isn’t as complicated as it sounds, especially since the Tesla app is adding integration with the iOS Shortcuts app in the summer of 2023. You just need to follow a few simple steps to start using Siri to control some basic commands on your Tesla.
How to enable Tesla integration in iOS shortcuts
Enable Siri support and create shortcuts
- Open A shortcut app.You should immediately see a page called application shortcutbelow which you will see the corresponding icons and names of all the iOS Shortcuts-compatible apps installed on your phone.
- Click Tesla app. This will take you to a page of all supported shortcuts on your device.
- Click information “I“ icon.You’ll be prompted to display two sliders: one titled spotlight and another Xili.
- choose Xili Enable voice control in shortcuts.
- From the list of available shortcuts, click+” icon to create a new shortcut or three points icon to edit existing ones. If you have multiple vehicles associated with your Tesla account, you can specify which vehicle it should apply to here. More advanced users can delve into the “if,then” conditions in the shortcut settings for more custom control.
The Shortcuts app is installed by default on all devices running iOS 13 or higher. If for some reason you can’t find it, you may have deleted it at some point or hidden it. If it’s the former, just re-download the software from the Apple App Store.
Use your Tesla shortcuts
Explore the potential of iOS Shortcuts integration with Tesla
If you’ve granted the appropriate permissions and followed each of the above steps, you should have a fully functional Siri-controlled Tesla shortcut. A good example of a useful shortcut might be opening your trunk when your hands are full and you are approaching your car.
Once these shortcuts are set up, Siri on Apple Watch can also activate them. So whether you’re wearing the watch or just holding your phone, you can simply say: “Siri, open Tesla trunk,” and your trunk will open without having to fumble around with your phone to navigate to the Tesla app.
Users can customize the name of the shortcut and thus modify the phrase Siri needs to start the process. However, in my testing, I found that Siri is very sensitive to the shortcuts you name, and not very good at connecting the context of a phrase (even if said exactly right) to the action you program.
For example, it works smoothly with the phrases “open Tesla trunk” and “open trunk” when I name the shortcuts accordingly, but I can’t get something like “open Bob’s trunk” to work, Even though I named the shortcut accurately. So it may take some trial and error to get the natural-sounding phrases you like for shortcut names and commands. It should be noted that at the time of writing this guide, many people online are reporting issues with the “Close Trunk” command not working properly, although the “Open” command works just fine.
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Tesla added support for shortcuts in iOS, resulting in too many neat shortcuts and automations to list or enumerate in one article. Tesla owners on iOS are encouraged to explore online forums and use the Shortcuts app to discover tasks or automations they may find useful. Shortcuts can also be added to the home screen as widgets, or set as processes that occur after specific input is made on the iPhone.
A great example is using the shortcut to turn on the climate control after you turn off your morning wake-up alarm to ensure your Tesla is at the right temperature for your commute when you’re ready. This is just one of many examples you can find online. Teslas are incredibly smart vehicles, and with iOS Shortcuts support, they become even smarter.