I don’t see why they don’t just make the key fobs standard.......

If the fob had a panic button, we'd buy it right away.

I feel your pain!!! I've been embarrassed so many times with the car door not opening with my cell phone until i fumbled around with it for a few seconds or even minute! If I had my hands full with groceries or something else, then, forget it! I finally gave in and bought the keyfob from eBay (still, original Tesla part but used and in great condition) and it works 100% of the time, I just carry it in my pocket. There are also times when I just don't want to lug my cell phone with me in my pocket so I leave it in the car (bluetooth off, of course) and just carry the keyfob with me. So convenient!

Dude, thank you so much for this video. I have the same issue with my phone all the time. It makes me want to sell my car it is so frustrating. I am going to pull the trigger on the fob. Thanks again.

Does the key fob passively allow you to drive too without you having to place it on the center console where the card would go?

I use my iPhone as my main key and keep a key card in my wallet as a backup. On the smart phone front, I do find that I have to have the phone unlocked before the car will unlock perfectly and when it's locked in my pocket, it seems to only work 50% of the time. That said, I have no interest in the passive key fob because that would be one more thing in my pockets to carry and I'm already used to not carting around a key ring with me thanks to my Model 3. It's an interesting middle ground but I can't imagine it's comfortable walking around / sitting with a Hot Wheel in my pants pocket.

I thought I was the only one with the phone issues! I have an iPhone 11 Pro so it’s a pretty new phone. I walk up and about 20% of the time it works, but 80% of the time I either open the app and unlock from there or take out the key card and scan it. Very frustrating!! I got my key fob and love it!!

99% of the time my phone works perfect. I guess this would be a useful emergency opener though lol

Of all the model 3 key fob videos on KZfaq, yours was the best. I wanted to see how reliable is this key fob for passive entry into the model 3 and you’ve answered it. I will order one for my 2023 Model 3.

Awesome job, Alex. Well done and witty. Just ordered my key fob. Been spoiled by other key fobs and NOT having to dive into pocket each time, especially when hands are full. BTW, with the phone (Android), I've found that if i have the phone in my back pocket i need to turn a bit so the RF can connect and also, if i then pull on the handle a couple of times it will open - almost w/o fail.

The gag @1:17-1:37 would have really profited from some Merrie Melody/Looney Tunes music, even though it is pretty funny on it's own~ I am glad that you leave these scenes in the video, Alex; they were a riot of fun to watch~ Oh, and of course, your video was very educational~

My iPhone works flawlessly. Every time. :)

It's probably more related to the phone's power settings like whether it lets bluetooth fall asleep. My S9 just requires me to unlock. In any case, I'll probably get the fob, just because I gotta carry around my house key on something anyways.

Most people with iPhone that have issues just have wrong settings for the Tesla app. Make sure Location is set to Always. Bluetooth and Background app refresh are ON. Also don’t force close your Tesla app. In fact, you don’t need to force close any app on the iphone unless it’s having problems.

Thanks for the insights, and validating my experiences!

You have just expressed my frustrations perfectly!

Great Video, Tesla has cheaped out by not providing a key fob like almost every other car on the market. How simple just to carry a proximity FOB in your pocket or purse that WORKS all the time. The only thing the FOB needs is a hole or ring to attach other keys without buying a cover with a key ring on it.

Can you drive the car with this if you don’t have the card or your phone?

Like you, we have more than 1 tesla. My greatest frustration is using the phone app in this setting. You must have the correct car preselected in the app. 1st world problem I know. I loved the fob on my Model S, but not worth $150 for convenience yet.

These people don't get what a proimity fob is supposed to do. its should NOT work unless you are right next to the door or trunk of the car. The EXACT door or trunk you are standing next to otherwise its a security hole. Its also the reason that real cars have a button on the door handle so you can CHOOSE if the car should lock or unlock at that point. Just because I walk near or away from my car doesn't mean I want it locked or unlocked. Tesla loves fixing problems that don't exist. The new passive fob is OK, but its not good for making sure your car is locked when you are near it. It does however allow you to easily allow more than one person to sare the car without a stupid phone keys. I don't mind the keycard backup, but why is there no holder for it in the car? there should be a slot it goes into. But the codepad on the mustang mach-e is better agin because you need NOTHING with you as a backup.

"Does my Key Fob have Passive Entry? Key fobs with the TESLA logo printed on the flat side have the passive locking and unlocking functionality. Key fobs with the MODEL 3 logo printed on the flat side cannot passively lock and unlock your vehicle." So which do they currently sell?

I have the same issue. The Phone Key doesn't work very well with my Samsung Flip 4 and still asks me to put the key on the Center Console most of the time. This is very inconvenient and makes the Phone key mostly useless to me. I am hoping this Now $175 Dollar Key Fob is worth it and I don't have to hold it up to the Pillar.

For some reason I can’t even set up phone key for my iPhone 13 Pro to my car. It keeps saying “Could not find vehicle. Please move closer to your vehicle.” It’s so frustrating, since I am inside the car. Any idea what to do?

Thanks for the video. I’m about to order a fob. My iPhone is usually 95% reliable with getting into the car, but I’d like to have the fob for those times when I quickly need to run out to my car, then I won’t first need to go grab my phone. Also, often my wife and kids get to the care way before me while I’m locking the house, with the fob I can quickly unlock the car for them. Right now they have to wait for me to get close enough to the car before they can get in. A bit of a pain especially in rainy weather. Thanks again for the video 👊🏻 PS. I really hope the range works from my front door to my car.

Ah, thanks for this information on the Fob controller. I have an old android phone and set to a very low data plan which is fantastic for me. So that said, I do not want to go to cellular mode with my phone and increase my monthly bills. The Fob would be a good one time buy option along with the Tesla cards. Also you show the tesla app is not all that reliable for some which my older Android may fall into that category. Thanks and take care.

Can you leave the phone in the car and lock door

The keyfob could be useful when your phone runs out of battery.

Awesome video, Alex! I didn’t know that the key fob had a proximity detector. I thought that you had to physically push the button. If you open your car with the entry card, you do not have to place it on the center console if you start driving within a short time period. You can actually leave it in your wallet the entire time.

Great video. Very informative. I do want to know....you said it’s been working for you but have you ever had to take it out and manually unlock the car with the fob?

Oddly enough, automatic proximity unlocking with the phone seems to work less reliably when my car and phone are connected to one particular WiFi network, which has some weird and hard to diagnose connectivity issues. I have not experienced any issues so far when not connected to this particular network.

Nice video man...Am I the only one who thought there is a bug sticked to the right bottom corner of my screen ? LOL

What’s the range of the key fob if you manually press lock and unlock? Is it the same as passive entry?

Never had any problems with iPhone 10 and 11 plus.

Thanks for the useful video!! Do you have to put the fob on the center console to start the car?

Do you keep both phone and fob connected to your car

if you leave the key fob in the pocket, can i still open the trunk outside?

About the price... it is the most affordable Key fobs I have seen! As most key fobs seem to be around $175 like Ford's and some of them like Toyota's being around $500...

does the key fob also open the trunk and frunk by pressing on it like the Model S fob does??????

Hi Alex, I have exactly the same problem as you do. My phone is in my right side pocket. For me what works is twisting my body a bit to put the right side pocket a bit more towards the door and the front of the car. Then it usually opens. Opening the rear doors is almost always a no go for me. Unless I like really stretch over to put my right pocket against the front door.

Alex, can you unlock the charger with it? I always have to open a car door first to get the car to wake up before I can remove the charge cable. Thanks

I feel like I've been in this parking lot before.

Have you tried turning off "battery optimization" for the Tesla app in the Android settings?

Hi Alex, thank you for the video. I bought one of the few standard range model Y a week ago. I don't like the passive entry. I want to have to press a button to unlock the car. Can you do that with this remote control?. My question is, can you set it up so you have to press the key fob to open the car? (I go to a supermarket in a not so safe neighborhood and I am not confortable hoping the car gets looked while I have my back on it while returning the cart). I want to unlock when I am about to open the door and lock it the second I step out of the car.

My Android Phone (a more rare thing of an german company called Shift) Works around 80% of the time. But the last software Update (from the Phone) did make it a little bit worse somehow. Maybe the next one will fix it again.

I never have an issue with my Iphone.

So with the key fob, do you still have your phone setup as a key too?

Alex, Can this Key Fob be attached to the Keychain / ring?

Pin to drive?

How long could battery last on this keyfob? :)

Hi Alex, does long pressing the fob unlock the car and roll the windows down like most cars? And roll the windows up when locking? Is there a way to reduce the range? I wonder if it would remain unlocked if you park very close to your home...

How come your mirror did not fold when u lock the car

Its like he is showing some magic. oo look at that. its a keyfob..

Can you lock the car with this?

Imagine owning a tesla, but not owning an iPhone.

Now you need to show what happens when you and your wife walk up together. Who gets to drive?

Hey alex huge fan, is there an email I can reach you at for a video idea?

Why are you wearing a mask when you're outside and by yourself?

This is what happens you have an android

Dude just say it you have an iPhone.

check which decade your living in 🤣

buy a better phone, end of story

Get a better phone