Tesla appears to be preparing a new referral program, this time for its Robotaxi service, potentially giving riders credits or other rewards for getting friends to sign up.
The feature was uncovered in a decompile of Robotaxi app version 26.8.0 by Tesla_App_iOS, which found new references that point to a “Refer and Earn” system being built directly into the Robotaxi app.
Exactly how the program will work isn’t clear yet, but the code suggests Tesla could reward riders with some form of credit when they refer new users.
Whether those rewards will translate directly into free or discounted Robotaxi rides remains to be seen. The code doesn’t reveal their value, what they can be redeemed for, or what a rider would need to do to earn them.
Tesla has plenty of experience using referrals to promote its products. The company has famously offered referral incentives for its vehicles and energy products over the years, with rewards ranging from Supercharging credits to merchandise and discounts, and even a brand new Roadster.
Applying a similar strategy to Robotaxi could be particularly effective because the barrier to entry is much lower. Instead of convincing someone to buy a $50,000 vehicle, riders would simply need to get a friend to download the app and potentially take their first ride.
More Robotaxi App Features Coming
The referral system wasn’t the only new addition discovered in version 26.8.0. Tesla is also working on a more sophisticated lost and found system. The code includes a dedicated Robotaxi recovery request along with QR code functionality that could be used to verify a passenger when retrieving a lost item.
As with any app decompile, these features aren’t guaranteed to launch, and Tesla could change or remove them before they reach customers.
Version 26.8.0 of the Robotaxi app has been de-compiled and this is an exciting one 😎 (https://t.co/9wRgnOwk2C)
— Tesla App Updates (iOS) (@Tesla_App_iOS) September 3, 2026
– LOTS of new image assets
– “Hey Grok” in-cabin concierge
– UWB auto-doors + live ingress overlay & obstruction lockouts
– En-route cabin remote (lights, music…
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