Tesla has rolled out a new update to its mobile app, introducing a series of quality-of-life improvements that make it easier to locate your vehicle, access dashcam footage, and enjoy the latest features from the 2025 Holiday Update.
The updates are included in version 4.51.5 of the app, which was released on the iOS App Store over the weekend, and one of the more notable updates is a new real-time vehicle locator built directly into the app’s home screen. When you rotate your phone, the interface shifts into a directional view that shows precisely where your Tesla is—complete with an arrow that points you toward the car as you move.
It also displays the exact distance in meters or feet, depending on your settings.
The Tesla iOS app was updated to version 4.51.5, and it contained a very useful new feature. The car’s location arrow now points in the direction of the car and it shows your distance from the car! This updates in real time! Here is a quick recording of me walking to my car! pic.twitter.com/UUFE5SgQBj
— Ryan Hoffman (@tekmaven) December 7, 2025
Another welcome refinement is a change to the Dashcam Viewer. Previously tucked away under the Security menu, the dashcam feature now gets its own tab right on the main page. Fewer taps mean quicker access to clips.
The Dashcam Viewer itself also benefits from the improvements bundled in the upcoming 2025 Holiday software update. Once your vehicle receives the Holiday Update, 2025.44.25 or higher, playing back clips will now display additional telemetry overlays in the app, including vehicle speed, steering wheel angle, and information on whether Autopilot or Full Self-Driving (Supervised) was engaged at the time of recording.
You will also be able to view saved selfies taken in Tesla Photobooth. The feature turns the car’s interior cameras into a mini photo studio—complete with filters and stickers for quick sharing.
Dog owners benefit too—Dog Mode Live Activity on iPhone provides periodic cabin snapshots and real-time temperature updates right from the lock screen, offering peace of mind without opening the app.
For those who enjoy tailoring their Tesla’s appearance, the app now supports Custom Wraps and Tint visualizations that you can add on your vehicle’s main display.
