Guides · Control Center and Lock Screen
Tesla controls in Control Center and on the Lock Screen
Add Tesla door controls to iPhone Control Center and the Lock Screen on iOS 18 or later. How to add them, what each control does and why the iPhone must be unlocked.
Last verified 23 September 2026 · Handlefree 0.11
Short answer
On iOS 18 or later, apps can add buttons to Control Center and the Lock Screen. Handlefree offers one control per door. Open Control Center, tap +, choose Add a Control and search for Handlefree. Each control opens Handlefree and sends exactly that door once.
Add a door to Control Center
- Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center.
- Tap + in the top-left corner, then Add a Control.
- Search for Handlefree and choose a door: driver, front passenger, rear driver-side or rear passenger-side.
- Tap the new button beside your car. Handlefree opens, sends the request once and shows the result.
Add it to the Lock Screen
- Touch and hold the Lock Screen, then tap Customize and choose Lock Screen.
- Tap one of the controls at the bottom to remove it, then tap the empty slot.
- Search for Handlefree and pick a door.
The iPhone still needs to be unlocked before the command is sent.
How it behaves
- Each control always targets the same named door; nothing can change its destination later.
- The request is sent once. If the car cannot be reached, Handlefree says so and does not retry.
- Holiday Mode blocks the controls.
- Test and confirm each door in the app before relying on its control.
Tesla’s own controls
Tesla’s app added Control Center controls for iOS 18 in late 2024, according to Drive Tesla. They cover vehicle functions such as locking and the charge port. Handlefree’s controls add separate buttons for each door.
Questions
Why does the control open the app?
Handlefree sends vehicle commands only from the main app, so it can authenticate you and show the result. The control is a fast way to start that one command.
Do I need iOS 18?
Yes. Control Center and Lock Screen controls from apps require iOS 18 or later. On iOS 17, use Shortcuts or the Action Button.
Sources
Tesla features change with software updates; check the linked source for your car. Handlefree is independent and not affiliated with Tesla, Inc. Use vehicle controls only beside your parked car with the area clear.