From Model S and Model X to Model 3, Tesla has increased the importance of your smartphone in the ownership experience, but many have been requesting to go back to a key fob.

They might get their prayers answered as we learn that Tesla is working on a new key fob – potentially for the Model 3.

With the Model S and Model X, Tesla’s iPhone and Android app can already be used to unlock and start the vehicles, but the key fob is generally regarded as the main device to get in those cars since you have to open the app to unlock a vehicle.

For the Model 3, owners have to walk up to the car with their phone in their pocket to unlock the car – like a Model S and Model X with a key fob and passive entry.

They also have the option to use the keycard to open the Model 3.

But some owners have been complaining of occasional issues of using the app, which relies on their phone’s Bluetooth connection.

Now we got an alert yesterday that Tesla applied for a new device with the FCC and while they applied for the device to remain confidential for the next month, the notes show that it is a new “car key fob with BLE”:

Tesla has already introduced BLE to the Model S and Model X, which leads us to believe that this key fob is for a new car.

We asked Tesla about the new key fob being used with Model 3 and the company declined to comment.

Electrek’s Take

If you ask me, this will be a new option for the Model 3. The keycard and mobile app was a cool solution, but it’s not ideal to have to rely on your phone’s Bluetooth connection.

For most people, it doesn’t seem to be a problem, but I have heard a few issues from owners who seemed to have problems specific to their phones.

Let us know what you think in the comment section below.

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