Guides · Frunk and trunk
Tesla frunk and trunk: open, close and fix them when they won’t
Every way to open and close a Tesla frunk and trunk, by model: closing the frunk without dents, the trunk height, hands-free trunk, a frunk with no 12 V power, interior releases and a trunk that opens by itself.
Last verified 10 November 2026 · Handlefree 1.0
Short answer
In Park, open the frunk or trunk from the touchscreen, the Tesla app or a double-click on the key fob; the trunk also opens with the switch under its exterior handle when a key is near. On Model 3 and Model Y the frunk only unlatches, and you close it by hand: both hands on the marked areas, press firmly, then lift the front edge to check. With no 12 V power, the frunk opens only with an external supply on the terminals behind the front tow-eye cover. A failed latch needs service; no app can fix it.
Free or Pro: Open Frunk, Open Trunk and Close Trunk are part of Handlefree Pro (€19.99 once, 7-day free trial). The driver door stays free.
Every way to open the frunk
The car must be in Park. On Model 3 and Model Y the frunk only unlatches; you then lift the hood yourself.
| Model | Ways to open the frunk |
|---|---|
| Model 3, Model Y (all years) | Touchscreen Open button, Tesla app, double-click the frunk button on the key fob. No hands-free frunk. |
| Model S, Model X (2021+) | Hands-free with the phone key in a front pocket, Controls › Frunk, key fob, Tesla app. Model X can also open it when you touch an Ultra Wideband phone to the Tesla logo below the frunk. |
| Cybertruck | Powered frunk: hands-free (if equipped), the touchscreen, the Tesla app or the centre button under the hood closure. |
Hands-free frunk on Model S and X: turn it on under Controls › Locks › Hands-Free Frunk and Trunk, stand still with the phone key in a front pocket, wait for the chime. Step away to cancel. It needs an iPhone 11 or newer with Nearby Interactions allowed; keys paired before need Phone Key › Upgrade in the Tesla app. Tesla documents no voice command for the frunk or trunk.
Closing the frunk without denting it
On Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X the hood is not heavy enough to latch under its own weight, and Tesla warns that pressing on the front edge or the centre can damage it.
- Lower the hood until the striker touches the latches.
- Put both hands on the front of the hood in the areas the manual marks green, then press down firmly until it latches.
- Carefully try to lift the front edge to make sure it’s fully closed.
- Don’t close it with one hand, slam or drop it, or hold keys while pressing; it can dent or scratch.
- If the frunk is open when you shift out of Park, the car asks you to confirm, and if you drive on, speed is limited.
- Never leave your phone key in the frunk; Tesla says it may open by itself.
- Cybertruck: the frunk is powered. Close it with the centre button under the hood closure, the touchscreen or the app. Tesla says not to close it by hand.
The frunk won’t open
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| Nothing happens from the touchscreen, app or fob, and the car is dead | The 12 V (low-voltage) system has no power. Use the terminals behind the front tow-eye cover (next section). |
| The car is locked and has power | Unlock first. The tow-eye terminals don’t open a locked frunk on a car that has power. |
| It pops up about an inch but won’t lift | Owners describe the second safety latch not releasing. Try the release once more; if it stays stuck, book service. This is an owner report, not Tesla guidance. |
| “Front trunk open / Proceed with caution” (UI_a004) while driving | One of the two hood latches can’t be confirmed closed. Stop safely, shift to Park and check both latches. It should clear in Park; if it keeps coming back, schedule service. |
| Ice | Tesla gives no frunk-specific de-icing steps. Use Defrost Car in the app and don’t force the hood. |
Opening the frunk with no 12 V power
- Find the front tow-eye cover. On Model 3, Model Y and Model S, press the top-right edge until it pivots in; on Model X, release the snaps with a small flat screwdriver.
- Pull out the red and black wires.
- Connect the external supply (for example a portable jump starter): red (+) to red, then black (−) to black. Switch it on: the hood latches release straight away.
- Disconnect black first. Don’t leave the supply connected for more than 30 seconds.
These terminals only release the hood. They don’t charge the 12 V battery or open the doors or rear trunk; jump-start the car through the frunk afterwards as your manual describes. Tesla gives no voltage figure for these terminals. Cybertruck is different: the access terminal is under the front-left wheel well behind the headlight, it takes 9–16.5 V or 30–50 V, you switch the supply off before removing a cable, and you then lift the heavy powered frunk by hand.
Someone or something inside: interior releases
| Model | Inside the frunk | Inside the rear trunk |
|---|---|---|
| Model 3 (all years) | Glowing release button | Glowing mechanical release: press and hold it in the direction of the arrow, then push the trunk open. Works with no power. |
| Model Y (all years) | Not documented in the manuals we read | Not documented |
| Model S, Model X (2021+) | Glowing release button | Not documented |
| Cybertruck | Release button; it also closes an open powered frunk | Tailgate emergency release: flip the cover up and pull the strap |
People should never climb into the frunk or trunk, and children must never play inside: Tesla warns of heat exhaustion and death. Loose items can press the frunk button and open the hood.
Every way to open the rear trunk
In Park: the touchscreen Open button, the Tesla app, a double-click on the key fob, or the switch under the trunk’s exterior handle once the car is unlocked or detects a key. With the fob on you, pressing the exterior handle opens it too.
Hands-free trunk
On Model 3 (2024+), Model Y (2025+) and Model S/X (2021+): turn on Controls › Locks › Hands-Free Trunk, walk up with the phone key in a front pocket and stand still behind the car until it chimes. Step away to cancel. It needs an Ultra Wideband phone (iPhone 11 or newer, not iPhone SE) with Nearby Interactions allowed and, on Model Y 2025+, Tesla app 4.41.5 or later. The only option is Exclude Home; Tesla documents no sensitivity setting. Model 3 before 2024 and Model Y before 2025 don’t have it.
Closing the trunk and setting its height
Close a powered trunk with the touchscreen Close button, a double-click on the fob or the button on the underside of the trunk lid. While it moves, a single click on the fob stops it and a double-click reverses it; in an emergency, grab it to stop it.
- Two chimes and it stops: it sensed an obstruction. Remove it and close again. Tesla adds that it can’t detect every object, so watch it close.
- Three chimes and it won’t move (Model S): it lost its calibration. Pull it down by hand to close it, which restores calibration.
- Model 3: check it latched by lifting the bottom edge; it shouldn’t move.
Setting how high it opens
- Open the trunk and pause it at the height you want with the touchscreen, or move it there by hand.
- Hold the button on the underside of the trunk lid until it chimes, or follow the prompt on the touchscreen. You can save it as the default or for one location, such as your garage.
- To undo it: Controls › Service › Remove Saved Locations.
Fully open, the Model Y liftgate reaches about 2.3–2.4 m (Tesla’s manual gives both figures), Model 3 about 2 m, Model S about 2.3 m and Model X about 2.5 m. It may not open fully on a slope or in the cold.
The trunk won’t open, won’t close or opens by itself
- Won’t open from outside: the car must be unlocked or detect a key for the exterior switch to work. Try the touchscreen or the app.
- No power: Tesla documents no way to open the rear trunk from outside without 12 V. Restore power through the frunk terminals and jump-start the car. On Model 3, the interior release opens it from inside.
- Won’t close: look for an obstruction (two chimes), heavy accessories on the lid, and on Model S a lost calibration (three chimes).
- Opens by itself: Tesla names three causes: a phone key left in the trunk, hands-free trunk triggering when you stand behind the car (turn it off or use Exclude Home), and aftermarket accessories that add weight to the lid. Owners also report an accidental tap on the trunk quick control in the Tesla app.
- The car says the trunk is open: Tesla documents no rear-trunk alert. Close it firmly, check the latch, and book service if the warning stays.
From your iPhone with Handlefree
Handlefree Pro adds Open Frunk, Open Trunk and Close Trunk to the app, Siri, Shortcuts, the Action Button and Control Center, over Bluetooth beside your car. Say “Open my frunk with Handlefree”, “Open my trunk with Handlefree” or “Close my trunk with Handlefree”.
- Before opening, your Tesla must report the frunk or trunk closed; before closing, it must report the trunk fully open. Otherwise nothing is sent.
- Open Frunk releases the latch. Close the frunk by hand as described above.
- Each press sends one command, never a retry. Keep the area clear: Handlefree doesn’t check the gear position.
- It can’t open anything without 12 V power or fix a stuck latch.
Tesla’s own options: the Tesla app opens both, the Tesla Apple Watch app opens the frunk and opens and closes the trunk, and Tesla’s Shortcuts include Open Frunk and Open/Close Rear Trunk (reported by MacRumors). See Tesla Siri Shortcuts.
Questions
Can I close a Tesla frunk from the app?
Not on Model 3, Model Y, Model S or Model X: the frunk only unlatches, and you close it by hand with both hands on the marked areas. Only the Cybertruck’s powered frunk closes from the app or touchscreen.
Does Model Y have a hands-free frunk?
No. Tesla documents a hands-free frunk only for Model S and Model X (2021+) and the Cybertruck. Model Y 2025+ and Model 3 2024+ have a hands-free trunk.
How do I change how high my Tesla trunk opens?
Pause it at the height you want or move it by hand, then hold the button under the trunk lid until it chimes. Reset it under Controls › Service › Remove Saved Locations.
Why does my Tesla trunk open by itself?
Tesla names a phone key left inside, hands-free trunk triggering when you stand behind the car, and heavy accessories on the lid. Turn hands-free trunk off or use Exclude Home.
How do I open the frunk with a dead 12 V battery?
Connect an external supply such as a jump starter to the red and black wires behind the front tow-eye cover, red first, for no more than 30 seconds. The hood latches release. It doesn’t charge the battery.
Is there a release inside the trunk?
Tesla documents a glowing interior trunk release for Model 3. We found none for Model Y, Model S or Model X in their manuals.
Sources
- Tesla Model Y (2025+) owner’s manual, software 2026.38.3 (archived 30 Oct 2026)
- Tesla Model Y (2020–2024) owner’s manual (archived 17 Sep 2026)
- Tesla Model 3 (2024+) owner’s manual, Europe (archived 23 Aug 2026)
- Tesla Model 3 (2017–2023) owner’s manual (archived 16 Aug 2025)
- Tesla Model S (2021+) owner’s manual (archived 7 Apr 2025)
- Tesla Model X (2021+) owner’s manual (archived 10 Nov 2026)
- Tesla Cybertruck owner’s manual (archived 16 Oct 2026)
- MacRumors: Tesla app adds Shortcuts actions (21 Aug 2023)
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.
