This article covers everything you need to know about the Tesla location permission update and how it impacts your customers. It explains why reauthentication is needed, how we’re handling it, and what steps your customers need to take.
Why do my customers need to reauthenticate their Tesla vehicles?
Tesla is introducing more granular data controls, requiring vehicle owners to explicitly grant permission for location sharing. This means some customers will need to reauthenticate their Tesla vehicles to maintain access to their location data.
When will Tesla enforce this new location data scope?
Tesla has indicated that changes will take effect sometime in March, but they have not provided an exact date. They are expected to send a notice before discontinuing support for old location data.
Will cars enrolled later this year also need to reauthenticate?
No, Cars enrolled in 2025 and beyond have already provided the necessary permissions for the new location scope. Cars enrolled later will not be affected.
How will I know which Teslas need reauthentication?
We will mark vehicles with outdated location permissions with the "Reconnection Required" error and send them a reconnection request email on your behalf. Affected vehicles will be flagged with a "Reconnection Required" error with a pending status.
What will the message look like?
It will be a standard “Reconnection Request” message, like the one you usually send through the Utility app, under Devices and then Connected EV. It is branded with your color and logo and sent from your email address with Virtual Peaker.
At what time it will be sent?
The message will be sent during business hours. Messages will not be sent on Friday afternoons or after 5 pm local time.
How do customers reauthenticate their Tesla vehicles?
Customers will receive a reconnection request email branded with your color and logo, including instructions on how to reauthenticate. The email will contain a link that redirects them to the smartcar connection page, where they will need to log into their Tesla account and approve location-sharing permissions again.
What happens if a customer does not reauthenticate?
If a customer does not reauthenticate, their Tesla’s location data will no longer be available. From the moment Tesla discontinues support for the old location, the car will be offline, and we will not be able to participate in events. Tesla will begin sending notifications in March. We nor Smartcar have not received that notification yet.
Will customers need to reauthenticate again in the future?
At this time, Tesla has not indicated whether this will be a one-time requirement or an ongoing process. We will continue to monitor updates and notify you of any further changes.
How will I know if the reconnection process is complete?
Once a customer successfully reauthenticates their vehicle, location data will update automatically in the system. The error in a pending status will disappear from the house detail page and from the device list page.
Will the affected vehicles be offline during the reauthentication process?
No, the affected vehicles will not be offline during the reauthentication process and will continue showing the data.
Will customers be able to participate in events during the reauthentication process?
Yes, Tesla customers will still be able to participate in events during the reauthentication process.
I have several Tesla EVs with the ‘reconnection required’ error, will they also receive a request to reconnect?
Yes, we will target all Tesla customers with the ‘reconnection required' error; however, unlike those who need to grant permission for the new location data scope, they will continue being offline until they reconnect their cars.