Best Tesla game controllers and how to connect them

Teslas have a wide array of entertainment options from Netflix to Caraoke to a growing list of video games. Sky Force Reloaded was recently released and it offers great gameplay with a controller. Some video games are meant for a touch screen such as 2048, while others are meant to be played with a controller. In fact, some games like Cuphead, can only be played with a controller.

Unfortunately not all controllers will work with a Tesla, especially if you’re looking for a wireless solution. Although the good news is that you may already have a controller that works.

Wired Controllers

By far the easiest and lowest cost to entry is with a wired option. I actually recommend going this route unless you think you’ll be using your controller often. The wireless options are more complicated and costlier.

The good news is that if you have any recent game consoles, you likely already have a controller that is compatible with your Tesla. The bad news is that it’ll only work when attached via a USB cable unless you get an adapter.

Xbox One or PS4 controllers

If you have wired or wireless Xbox One or PS4 controllers, you'll be able to use them in your Tesla by simply plugging them up to the car's front USB ports. Unfortunately, Xbox 360 controllers will not work.

There are a wide variety of supported wired controllers. If you have one, I’d recommend trying it before going out and buying something else. However, if you don’t already have a controller that works, there are a few good options that won’t break the bank.

Logitech F310 Wired Controller

This is an inexpensive option and a good choice if you don't need a controller for anything else. This is the likely the least expensive controller you'll find by a reputable company that will work in your Tesla.

Keep in mind even though some of the controllers above are wireless, they must be plugged in to the front USB ports in order to work.

Wireless Controllers

Although there are currently no wireless controllers that can connect directly to your Tesla, there are a few options if you’d like to go wireless.

Logitech Gamepad F710

The Logitech F710 is a great choice because of its ease of connectivity and price. It comes with everything you need to just starting playing. It uses a nano USB receiver that is synced to the controller, so all you have to do is simply plug it in and use the controller.

8Bitdo Wireless Controller Adapter

If you’d like to use an existing controller wirelessly, then you can use this adapter by 8Bitdo that will let your controller communicate wirelessly with your Tesla.

This adapter supports a large array of controllers, including: Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X & S, PS3, PS4, PS5, Switch Joy-cons, Wii U and Switch Pro controllers.

MayFlash Wireless Controller Adapter

As an alternative, you can also use this adapter by MayFlash that will also let your controller communicate wirelessly with your Tesla.

You'll simply plug this adapter into your Tesla's USB port then sync your controller to the adapter. The adapter will translate the controller's wireless signals into wired signals your Tesla can understand.

Tip: In order to connect any controllers or adapters to your Tesla you will need to plug them up to either the front USB ports or the USB port in the glovebox if you have one. The rear USB ports only provide power output.

USB Hubs

Jeda USB Hub Console

If you don’t have enough free USB ports then you'll need USB Hub. Jeda makes a great USB hub that wil also charge your AirPods and Apple Watch.

Anker 4-port USB hub

This Anker USB hub is an inexpensive way to get more USB ports in your car. It provides four USB ports and will be great to be able to plug in additional game controllers.

Now that you have a controller that works in your Tesla, get gaming! There are quite a few great games that support controllers and the list is growing all the time. The latest game, Sky Force Reloaded is a fantastic game that allows two player co-op.

Here are a list of games that support controllers:

• Sky Force Reloaded
• Gravitar
• Tempest
• Millipede
• Missile Command
• Lunar Lander
• Super Breakout
• Centipede
• Asteroids
• Beach Buggy Racing 2
• Cuphead (controller required to play)
• Stardew Valley
• Cat Quest (controller required to play)
• Sonic the Hedgehog (controller required to play)

If you have a controller that works great for you, let us know.

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Tesla’s Referral Program Launches in Europe

Not a Tesla App

Following its recent launch in the United States and Canada, Tesla has launched their referral program in several European countries as well.

The program is available in Germany, Norway, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and possibly others. The program is almost the same as the one available today in North America, with rewards for each referral and a discount for those referred. The cap in Europe is also ten per year.

This program comes right on the heels of a 0% financing offer for the Model Y in Sweden and France. While referrals aren't currently available in Sweden, the 0% financing still is.

European Referrals

The European Referral program accounts for country and local currency, where applicable.

The referral reward program is comparable to the one available in North America. After exchange rates, there is only an approximately 10% difference between the available rewards in the US and EU.

Other Countries

We expect this program to start rolling out to other European countries over the next few days or weeks, as Tesla continues to expand its referral program.

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Tesla's Android App Lags Behind Apple's: The Missing Features

Maxim

Tesla has confirmed that they submit app updates for Android and iOS apps at the same time, but we often see the iOS app updates released first possibly due to a quicker app review process at Apple.

However, we often see features implemented on the Apple version weeks or months before they’re implemented on Android. Today, the Android app is missing several key features, and the gap is starting to become a bit glaring.

Delayed App Updates

The Android app just received update 4.36.6 last night, while the Apple update was available as of September 1st.

That might not seem like a big deal, but in order to use the updated Actually Smart Summon, you’ll need app version 4.36.6, so any Andriod users that received update 2024.27.20 with the new Summon, couldn’t use it until yesterday.

We’re sure Tesla is on it, but it’s disappointing to see that key feature updates take days or a week longer to receive on Android. Apple and Google both offer the ability to set a release date for an app update, so Tesla could coordinate releasing the apps at the same time.

Ultra Wideband Support

Unfortunately, there’s no Ultra Wide Band (UWB) support on Android yet, which is an interesting omission since it’s such a great feature. Most Android phones, flagships, and cheaper phones alike, all support UWB.

Without UWB support Android phones can’t use Tesla’s newest phone key, which is only available for devices that support UWB. The new phone key improves reliability for unlocking the vehicle and setting the correct Tesla driver profile. To support the new phone key, you need a compatible phone (iPhone 11 or newer) and a newer vehicle that supports ultra wideband.

Hands-Free Trunk

Tesla’s new hands-free trunk feature, which allows you to automatically open your trunk by simply standing behind it for a couple of seconds, also isn’t available on Android devices. Tesla’s Hands-Free Trunk requires UWB support too, and Tesla originally mentioned it was coming to Android in May 2024.

For now, those are the features we know of that don’t work on Android today, and we’re hoping that Tesla brings both UWB support, as well as simultaneous app updates to the Google Play and Apple App Store by leveraging each store’s publish date feature.

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