The Tesla app now supports Ultra Wideband (UWB) in version 2024.2.3 of the iPhone app. Seen by It is not a Tesla app, promises more reliable and secure use of phones as digital keys than Bluetooth because UWB's precise tracking lets the car know exactly where the key is, which also helps protect against replay spoofing attacks.
The article says this even comes down to knowing which user is on the driver's side of the car in case two people who have the keys to the phone get into it. It's the same type of precision tracking that allows you to accurately locate Apple AirTags even when the object they're attached to gets lost between the cushions of your couch.
The change is not yet available for Android users, but some recent Pixel and Galaxy phones include UWB chips, so they could eventually receive support.
After downloading the update, users should be prompted to “Update your phone key,” followed by a request to give the app access to Nearby Interactions, an iOS setting that opens up the iPhone's U1 chip to application. This can be found in Settings > Privacy & security > Nearby interactions.
According It is not a Tesla application, only the newer Model 3 and 2023 Model All iPhones from 11 onwards come with UWB, excluding SE models.
