What’s this about, and why should you care? Good questions!
When you first install the Tesla mobile app on an iPhone or Android device, the default display includes four ‘control’ icons on the quick-start bar as shown below (lock, climate, charge port, and frunk in this example) charging port icon is grayed out since the port is currently in use:
And you probably already figured out how to change the ‘control’ icons on the quick-start bar, if the one’s provided by default weren’t optimal. For example, in the winter (in Pennsylvania) I would substitute the frunk icon with something like ‘unlatch door’ in case my door handle is frozen. I also like having the ‘window vent’ icon as a quick-start icon during the summer months. By pressing any one of the icons on the quick-start bar for a short time the rest of the available control icons will appear. Simply touch and slide the new icon onto the quick-start bar and the right-most icon will be replaced. You can also rearrange icons on the quick-start bar the same way, by touching and dragging to a preferred location. Easy!
What’s not so easy, nor obvious, is how to add a 5th control icon to the quick-start bar. But before getting into the process, one might ask why you would want to do this. The best answer is, “because you can”. I also find it handy to have more control icons available in quick-start, so there is that. And I think you’ll agree, once you have added the 5th icon, so here goes:
To add a fifth quick control icon to the Tesla app, try these steps:
- Touch and hold any of the first four control icons until the rest of the control icons appear
- Select an additional control icon and hover it over the fourth icon on the quick-start bar
- Without releasing the icon, tap and hold the first icon and drag it over the second icon
- Release and now you (should) see 5 icons on the quick-start bar
That wasn’t so hard, was it? Gauging Gadgets put together a very short video explaining the process as well. I recommend watching this as well. He makes it look so easy…
PS – If all goes well and you were able to add the 5th icon, here’s what you display should look like now:
