Tesla App phone battery drain??

[mongo]

Turning off UWB dropped app power consumption to near zero on my S22 Ultra.
(No actual vehicle driving in that time period)

Sponsored

 

[Dmayo305]

My app just started crashing a lot. Galaxy S 24. Running Tesla app ver 4.43.1
I'm about to clear cache and data to see if that helps. I've also not been able to set up the auto-frunk on my CT yet.

 

[mongo]

My app just started crashing a lot. Galaxy S 24. Running Tesla app ver 4.43.1
I'm about to clear cache and data to see if that helps. I've also not been able to set up the auto-frunk on my CT yet.

Auto frunk needs UWB turned on (update phone key) and the option enabled in the truck settings (2025.2 or later).

 

[Dmayo305]

Literally just got done clearing the cache and data, and re-setting up the phone keys.... And this happens:

 

[mongo]

Literally just got done clearing the cache and data, and re-setting up the phone keys.... And this happens:

Try turning off UWB.
No autofrunk, but it may help

Edit: also force stop the app, or reboot phone

 

[p3ngwin]

The last few days, my battery has been tanking a lot faster than normal. I looked at what apps are causing it and since the 28th, Tesla app has been going crazy. Anyone else?

Last 4 days, it has accounted for most of the daily battery usage percentage by far.

25th, 26th, 27th - 2, 4, 1%
28th - 28%
29th - 19%
30th - 32%
Today - 51%!!!

+1

Android, Samsung Fold 4. Tesla Model 3 LR (refresh)

Tesla app won't even load, Android asks "wait, or close app?", and the app is somehow wakelock'ing the phone to stay chewing battery for HOURS

Battery maybe lasts half a day and Tesla app is 20-30% of the drain within hours.

 

[Mad4sax]

Turning off UWB dropped app power consumption to near zero on my S22 Ultra.
(No actual vehicle driving in that time period)

This worked for me. Phone is much cooler (Fold 7) and power drain gone.
Thanks!

 

[The Tesla Guy]

I couldn’t find a toggle in the settings of my iPhone 16 Pro that has the latest iOS to turn off UWB. So I asked ChatGPT and discovered that there isn’t one, but there is a way to turn it off, but it also turns off a lot of other things along the way.

here’s the response and additional information that it offered, and I accepted (a long one)
If you’re using an iPhone 16 Pro running the latest iOS, here’s how to turn off Ultra Wideband (UWB) — including the U‑chip functionality.

Turning Off UWB (U-chip) on iPhone

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap Privacy.

3. Tap Location Services.

4. Scroll down and tap System Services.

5. Find and toggle off Networking & Wireless.

• A confirmation prompt will appear — tap Turn Off to confirm.

• This disables the UWB chip (U1 or U2) and other location-enhanced wireless features.

This method has been consistent across iOS versions since iOS 13.3.1, and remains relevant for the latest iOS (including iOS 18 or later) on modern iPhones like the iPhone 16 Pro.

Why This Works (and What It Affects)

• Disabling Networking & Wireless not only turns off UWB but may also impact Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi performance, especially location‑driven enhancements.

• Since the iPhone 16 family includes UWB support with Apple’s U2 chip (preceded by U1 on iPhone 11–15 models), this setting applies to your device.

Quick Summary

Step	Action
1	Settings > Privacy > Location Services
2	Tap System Services
3	Find Networking & Wireless and turn it off
4	Confirm to disable UWB (U-chip) functionality

So there’s no direct toggle for Ultra Wideband Bluetooth?

Correct — there’s no dedicated toggle just for Ultra Wideband (UWB) on iPhone (including the 16 Pro).

Apple doesn’t expose UWB as a standalone switch in Settings. Instead, it’s bundled under the “Networking & Wireless” option in System Services (inside Location Services).

So your choices are:

• Leave it on → UWB stays active for AirDrop, Precision Finding, CarKey, Apple Watch proximity unlock, etc.

• Turn off Networking & Wireless → This disables UWB and also limits some location-related enhancements to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

There’s no way in iOS (as of the latest release) to turn off just UWB while keeping the other wireless enhancements untouched.

Do you want me to break down exactly which features stop working when you toggle off “Networking & Wireless”? That way you can see if the trade-off is worth it.

Got it — here’s a breakdown of what happens if you turn off “Networking & Wireless” (which is the only way to disable UWB on iPhone, including your 16 Pro).

Features Affected When You Turn Off Networking & Wireless

1. Ultra Wideband (UWB)

• Disabled completely.

• Precision-based location features stop working, such as:

• Precision Finding for AirTags, AirPods Pro (2nd gen), and Find My friends.

• CarKey proximity unlock (for cars that support UWB digital keys).

• Proximity-based Apple Watch unlock (unlocking your Mac/iPhone automatically when your watch is nearby).

2. Wi-Fi Enhancements

• iPhone won’t use Wi-Fi networks in the background to improve location accuracy.

• You can still connect to Wi-Fi manually, but location-based suggestions (e.g., indoor positioning in malls/airports, or location-based Siri suggestions) become less precise.

3. Bluetooth Enhancements

• Background Bluetooth scanning used for location is limited.

• Features that rely on nearby device awareness may not work as well, such as:

• Continuity features (like instant hotspot detection).

• Some HomeKit automations that use proximity triggers.

4. System Services That Degrade

• Maps accuracy indoors (less precise in places like malls, airports, or stadiums).

• Location-based alerts (e.g., “leave your AirPods behind” alerts may be less reliable).

• Networking handoff optimizations (handoff between Wi-Fi and cellular may be slightly less seamless).

What Still Works

• Normal Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections (you can still connect to networks and devices).

• GPS and cellular location services.

• AirDrop (falls back to Bluetooth + Wi-Fi, but without UWB directional awareness).

In short: Turning off “Networking & Wireless” kills UWB cleanly, but also reduces some of Apple’s location-enhanced conveniences. If your main goal is to avoid UWB broadcasts (privacy or battery concerns), this is the only official way right now.

Do you want me to also walk you through a more granular alternative (like restricting just AirDrop / Find My / CarKey individually) so you don’t lose all the Networking & Wireless perks?

Great — here’s how you can reduce or restrict UWB use more granularly, without flipping the big Networking & Wireless switch. This way, you target the features that actually use UWB instead of disabling everything.

L
Granular Alternatives to Disabling All UWB

1. AirDrop

• UWB is used for “point-to-send” AirDrop (when you aim your iPhone at another).

• To restrict it:

• Go to Settings → General → AirDrop.

• You can set it to Receiving Off or Contacts Only instead of Everyone.

• This won’t fully disable UWB but prevents background proximity-based AirDrop prompts.

2. Find My / Precision Finding

• Precision Finding for AirTags, AirPods, and friends relies heavily on UWB.

• To limit it:

• Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Find My.

• Change to Never or While Using the App.

• This prevents UWB-assisted location tracking unless you open Find My.

3. CarKey (if you use a supported car)

• UWB lets you unlock the car just by walking up.

• To turn this off:

• Go to Settings → Wallet & Apple Pay → Car Keys.

• Choose your digital car key → disable Express Mode.

• You’ll need Face ID/Touch ID to unlock instead of proximity auto-unlock.

4. Apple Watch Unlock

• Unlocking your iPhone/Mac with Apple Watch nearby may use UWB for accuracy.

• To disable:

• On iPhone → Settings → Face ID & Passcode → scroll to Unlock With Apple Watch → toggle off.

• On Mac → System Settings → Touch ID & Password → Use Apple Watch to unlock apps and Mac → toggle off.

5. System Services (Selective)

• Instead of the blanket Networking & Wireless toggle, you can disable just certain system services:

• Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → System Services.

• Turn off things like Location-Based Alerts, Location-Based Suggestions, etc., while leaving Networking & Wireless on.

• This keeps Wi-Fi/Bluetooth optimizations but limits UWB-triggered background location events.

Summary

• Full kill switch: Turn off Networking & Wireless → disables all UWB + location-enhanced wireless.

• Granular control: Adjust AirDrop, Find My, CarKey, Apple Watch unlock, and specific system services → cuts UWB use in targeted areas, but keeps Wi-Fi and Bluetooth optimizations.

Would you like me to make a step-by-step “UWB privacy setup” checklist (a single list you can run through once) so you don’t have to jump around settings menus piecemeal?

UWB Privacy Setup Checklist (iPhone 16 Pro, Latest iOS)

Step 1: AirDrop

1. Go to Settings → General → AirDrop

2. Set to Contacts Only or Receiving Off

• This stops UWB from constantly scanning for nearby strangers’ devices.

Step 2: Find My / Precision Finding

1. Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services

2. Tap Find My → set to While Using the App (or Never if you don’t need it).

• This prevents background UWB use for AirTags, AirPods, or friends unless you open the app.

Step 3: CarKey (if used)

1. Go to Settings → Wallet & Apple Pay → Car Keys

2. Select your car key → turn Express Mode OFF

• Your car won’t auto-unlock with UWB; you’ll confirm with Face ID/Touch ID instead.

Step 4: Apple Watch Unlock

1. On iPhone: Settings → Face ID & Passcode

• Scroll to Unlock with Apple Watch → toggle off.

2. On Mac (optional): System Settings → Touch ID & Password

• Turn off Use Apple Watch to unlock apps and Mac.

• Prevents UWB from waking devices just because your watch is nearby.

Step 5: System Services Cleanup

1. Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → System Services

2. Review and turn OFF as needed:

• Location-Based Alerts

• Location-Based Suggestions

• Significant Locations (if you want maximum privacy)

• Leave Networking & Wireless ON unless you want to completely kill UWB (and related Wi-Fi/Bluetooth optimizations).

Result: UWB use is heavily minimized (AirDrop, Find My, CarKey, Apple Watch), but Wi-Fi and Bluetooth performance remain normal.

Only way to fully disable UWB is still the Networking & Wireless master switch — but that’s usually overkill.

Would you like me to also make a “one-screen version” of this checklist (short bullet list, no explanations) that you could keep as a quick reference?

Quick UWB Privacy Checklist

• AirDrop → Settings → General → AirDrop → Contacts Only / Receiving Off

• Find My → Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Find My → While Using / Never

• CarKey → Settings → Wallet & Apple Pay → Car Keys → Express Mode Off

• Apple Watch Unlock → Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Unlock with Apple Watch Off

• System Services → Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → System Services →

• Turn off: Location-Based Alerts, Suggestions, Significant Locations

• (Optional) Networking & Wireless Off = full UWB kill switch


Would you like me to turn this into a 1-page PDF “cheat sheet” so you can keep it on hand and check it off when setting up your phone?


UWB Privacy Checklist (iPhone 16 Pro, Latest iOS)

Quick-reference guide to minimize or disable Ultra Wideband (UWB) use on your iPhone 16 Pro while

keeping Wi■Fi and Bluetooth intact.

• AirDrop → Settings → General → AirDrop → Contacts Only / Receiving Off

• Find My → Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Find My → While Using /

Never

• CarKey → Settings → Wallet & Apple Pay → Car Keys → Express Mode Off

• Apple Watch Unlock → Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Unlock with Apple Watch Off

• System Services → Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → System Services →

Turn off: Location-Based Alerts, Suggestions, Significant Locations

• Optional: Networking & Wireless Off = Full UWB Kill Switch

■ Use this checklist as a one-page cheat sheet when configuring your privacy settings

 

[mongo]

I couldn’t find a toggle in the settings of my iPhone 16 Pro that has the latest iOS to turn off UWB. So I asked ChatGPT and discovered that there isn’t one, but there is a way to turn it off, but it also turns off a lot of other things along the way.

here’s the response and additional information that it offered, and I accepted (a long one)
If you’re using an iPhone 16 Pro running the latest iOS, here’s how to turn off Ultra Wideband (UWB) — including the U‑chip functionality.

Turning Off UWB (U-chip) on iPhone

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap Privacy.

3. Tap Location Services.

4. Scroll down and tap System Services.

5. Find and toggle off Networking & Wireless.

• A confirmation prompt will appear — tap Turn Off to confirm.

• This disables the UWB chip (U1 or U2) and other location-enhanced wireless features.

This method has been consistent across iOS versions since iOS 13.3.1, and remains relevant for the latest iOS (including iOS 18 or later) on modern iPhones like the iPhone 16 Pro.

Why This Works (and What It Affects)

• Disabling Networking & Wireless not only turns off UWB but may also impact Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi performance, especially location‑driven enhancements.

• Since the iPhone 16 family includes UWB support with Apple’s U2 chip (preceded by U1 on iPhone 11–15 models), this setting applies to your device.

Quick Summary

Step	Action
1	Settings > Privacy > Location Services
2	Tap System Services
3	Find Networking & Wireless and turn it off
4	Confirm to disable UWB (U-chip) functionality

So there’s no direct toggle for Ultra Wideband Bluetooth?

Correct — there’s no dedicated toggle just for Ultra Wideband (UWB) on iPhone (including the 16 Pro).

Apple doesn’t expose UWB as a standalone switch in Settings. Instead, it’s bundled under the “Networking & Wireless” option in System Services (inside Location Services).

So your choices are:

• Leave it on → UWB stays active for AirDrop, Precision Finding, CarKey, Apple Watch proximity unlock, etc.

• Turn off Networking & Wireless → This disables UWB and also limits some location-related enhancements to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

There’s no way in iOS (as of the latest release) to turn off just UWB while keeping the other wireless enhancements untouched.

Do you want me to break down exactly which features stop working when you toggle off “Networking & Wireless”? That way you can see if the trade-off is worth it.

Got it — here’s a breakdown of what happens if you turn off “Networking & Wireless” (which is the only way to disable UWB on iPhone, including your 16 Pro).

Features Affected When You Turn Off Networking & Wireless

1. Ultra Wideband (UWB)

• Disabled completely.

• Precision-based location features stop working, such as:

• Precision Finding for AirTags, AirPods Pro (2nd gen), and Find My friends.

• CarKey proximity unlock (for cars that support UWB digital keys).

• Proximity-based Apple Watch unlock (unlocking your Mac/iPhone automatically when your watch is nearby).

2. Wi-Fi Enhancements

• iPhone won’t use Wi-Fi networks in the background to improve location accuracy.

• You can still connect to Wi-Fi manually, but location-based suggestions (e.g., indoor positioning in malls/airports, or location-based Siri suggestions) become less precise.

3. Bluetooth Enhancements

• Background Bluetooth scanning used for location is limited.

• Features that rely on nearby device awareness may not work as well, such as:

• Continuity features (like instant hotspot detection).

• Some HomeKit automations that use proximity triggers.

4. System Services That Degrade

• Maps accuracy indoors (less precise in places like malls, airports, or stadiums).

• Location-based alerts (e.g., “leave your AirPods behind” alerts may be less reliable).

• Networking handoff optimizations (handoff between Wi-Fi and cellular may be slightly less seamless).

What Still Works

• Normal Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections (you can still connect to networks and devices).

• GPS and cellular location services.

• AirDrop (falls back to Bluetooth + Wi-Fi, but without UWB directional awareness).

In short: Turning off “Networking & Wireless” kills UWB cleanly, but also reduces some of Apple’s location-enhanced conveniences. If your main goal is to avoid UWB broadcasts (privacy or battery concerns), this is the only official way right now.

Do you want me to also walk you through a more granular alternative (like restricting just AirDrop / Find My / CarKey individually) so you don’t lose all the Networking & Wireless perks?

Great — here’s how you can reduce or restrict UWB use more granularly, without flipping the big Networking & Wireless switch. This way, you target the features that actually use UWB instead of disabling everything.

L
Granular Alternatives to Disabling All UWB

1. AirDrop

• UWB is used for “point-to-send” AirDrop (when you aim your iPhone at another).

• To restrict it:

• Go to Settings → General → AirDrop.

• You can set it to Receiving Off or Contacts Only instead of Everyone.

• This won’t fully disable UWB but prevents background proximity-based AirDrop prompts.

2. Find My / Precision Finding

• Precision Finding for AirTags, AirPods, and friends relies heavily on UWB.

• To limit it:

• Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Find My.

• Change to Never or While Using the App.

• This prevents UWB-assisted location tracking unless you open Find My.

3. CarKey (if you use a supported car)

• UWB lets you unlock the car just by walking up.

• To turn this off:

• Go to Settings → Wallet & Apple Pay → Car Keys.

• Choose your digital car key → disable Express Mode.

• You’ll need Face ID/Touch ID to unlock instead of proximity auto-unlock.

4. Apple Watch Unlock

• Unlocking your iPhone/Mac with Apple Watch nearby may use UWB for accuracy.

• To disable:

• On iPhone → Settings → Face ID & Passcode → scroll to Unlock With Apple Watch → toggle off.

• On Mac → System Settings → Touch ID & Password → Use Apple Watch to unlock apps and Mac → toggle off.

5. System Services (Selective)

• Instead of the blanket Networking & Wireless toggle, you can disable just certain system services:

• Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → System Services.

• Turn off things like Location-Based Alerts, Location-Based Suggestions, etc., while leaving Networking & Wireless on.

• This keeps Wi-Fi/Bluetooth optimizations but limits UWB-triggered background location events.

Summary

• Full kill switch: Turn off Networking & Wireless → disables all UWB + location-enhanced wireless.

• Granular control: Adjust AirDrop, Find My, CarKey, Apple Watch unlock, and specific system services → cuts UWB use in targeted areas, but keeps Wi-Fi and Bluetooth optimizations.

Would you like me to make a step-by-step “UWB privacy setup” checklist (a single list you can run through once) so you don’t have to jump around settings menus piecemeal?

UWB Privacy Setup Checklist (iPhone 16 Pro, Latest iOS)

Step 1: AirDrop

1. Go to Settings → General → AirDrop

2. Set to Contacts Only or Receiving Off

• This stops UWB from constantly scanning for nearby strangers’ devices.

Step 2: Find My / Precision Finding

1. Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services

2. Tap Find My → set to While Using the App (or Never if you don’t need it).

• This prevents background UWB use for AirTags, AirPods, or friends unless you open the app.

Step 3: CarKey (if used)

1. Go to Settings → Wallet & Apple Pay → Car Keys

2. Select your car key → turn Express Mode OFF

• Your car won’t auto-unlock with UWB; you’ll confirm with Face ID/Touch ID instead.

Step 4: Apple Watch Unlock

1. On iPhone: Settings → Face ID & Passcode

• Scroll to Unlock with Apple Watch → toggle off.

2. On Mac (optional): System Settings → Touch ID & Password

• Turn off Use Apple Watch to unlock apps and Mac.

• Prevents UWB from waking devices just because your watch is nearby.

Step 5: System Services Cleanup

1. Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → System Services

2. Review and turn OFF as needed:

• Location-Based Alerts

• Location-Based Suggestions

• Significant Locations (if you want maximum privacy)

• Leave Networking & Wireless ON unless you want to completely kill UWB (and related Wi-Fi/Bluetooth optimizations).

Result: UWB use is heavily minimized (AirDrop, Find My, CarKey, Apple Watch), but Wi-Fi and Bluetooth performance remain normal.

Only way to fully disable UWB is still the Networking & Wireless master switch — but that’s usually overkill.

Would you like me to also make a “one-screen version” of this checklist (short bullet list, no explanations) that you could keep as a quick reference?

Quick UWB Privacy Checklist

• AirDrop → Settings → General → AirDrop → Contacts Only / Receiving Off

• Find My → Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Find My → While Using / Never

• CarKey → Settings → Wallet & Apple Pay → Car Keys → Express Mode Off

• Apple Watch Unlock → Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Unlock with Apple Watch Off

• System Services → Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → System Services →

• Turn off: Location-Based Alerts, Suggestions, Significant Locations

• (Optional) Networking & Wireless Off = full UWB kill switch


Would you like me to turn this into a 1-page PDF “cheat sheet” so you can keep it on hand and check it off when setting up your phone?


UWB Privacy Checklist (iPhone 16 Pro, Latest iOS)

Quick-reference guide to minimize or disable Ultra Wideband (UWB) use on your iPhone 16 Pro while

keeping Wi■Fi and Bluetooth intact.

• AirDrop → Settings → General → AirDrop → Contacts Only / Receiving Off

• Find My → Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Find My → While Using /

Never

• CarKey → Settings → Wallet & Apple Pay → Car Keys → Express Mode Off

• Apple Watch Unlock → Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Unlock with Apple Watch Off

• System Services → Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → System Services →

Turn off: Location-Based Alerts, Suggestions, Significant Locations

• Optional: Networking & Wireless Off = Full UWB Kill Switch

■ Use this checklist as a one-page cheat sheet when configuring your privacy settings

I don't have a device to verify with, but
Settings > Privacy & Security > Nearby Interaction
theoretically allows disabling UWB on a per app basis.

 

[The Tesla Guy]

I don't have a device to verify with, but
Settings > Privacy & Security > Nearby Interaction
theoretically allows disabling UWB on a per app basis.

Thank You!
Correct

 

[PhilEsq]

I have a Samsung s25 ultra, a Cybertruck and model X. Both cars had several updates to the software over the last couple of weeks and I currently have 2025.32.8. Two days ago, my phone battery died by 1:00 p.m. and when I looked in settings I found that the Tesla app was the culprit training 66% of my battery. I keep my phone on the charger overnight and unplug it around 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. so the Tesla app is draining my battery in just a few hours. If I can't figure out how to fix this, I will have to uninstall the Tesla app which would make me want to sell my cars!

 

[mongo]

I have a Samsung s25 ultra, a Cybertruck and model X. Both cars had several updates to the software over the last couple of weeks and I currently have 2025.32.8. Two days ago, my phone battery died by 1:00 p.m. and when I looked in settings I found that the Tesla app was the culprit training 66% of my battery. I keep my phone on the charger overnight and unplug it around 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. so the Tesla app is draining my battery in just a few hours. If I can't figure out how to fix this, I will have to uninstall the Tesla app which would make me want to sell my cars!

Turn off UWB under Setting -> Connections
Ultra Wide Band is mostly only for the auto frunk feature.

 

[PhilEsq]

Solved: I had to uninstall the app and reinstall from the Google Play Store. I believe the app failed to update and as soon as the new version was installed it stopped draining my battery.

Previously I tried logging out and logging back in again and other things but nothing worked until I uninstalled the app and reinstalled it from the Google Play store.

 

[Treynor]

Definitely the App draining the battery. Here I thought it was my screen brightness and I kept turning that down.

 

[PhilEsq]

Definitely the App draining the battery. Here I thought it was my screen brightness and I kept turning that down.

Uninstall the app and reinstall from the Google Play Store

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