Delivery day gets all the attention, but a handful of setup tasks in your first week make the rest of ownership go smoother. Here’s the short list, in the order it actually matters.
Set up the Tesla app and mobile access
Your car is basically unusable at full capability until the app is connected. Download the Tesla app, sign in, and from the touchscreen tap Controls > Safety > Mobile Access to turn it on. From there the app can lock and unlock the car, check charge status, and control climate remotely. Tesla also recommends new owners watch the Meet Your Tesla video series, which covers keys, doors, charging, and software updates in about 20 minutes total.
Set up your phone key
Once mobile access is on, set your phone as a key so you’re not relying only on a key card. In the app, select your vehicle and tap Set Up next to Phone Key — you’ll need app version 4.20 or later and Bluetooth turned on. Keep a key card in your wallet as backup for the first few weeks while you get used to it.
Claim your Premium Connectivity trial
New and transferred Tesla vehicles get a 30-day trial of Premium Connectivity, which adds live traffic visualization, satellite-view maps, streaming, and in-car internet browsing on top of the free Standard Connectivity tier. The trial clock starts the day you claim the vehicle in the app, so do that promptly if you want the full 30 days to decide whether the paid subscription is worth it for you.
Lock in charging at home
Most daily charging happens overnight at home rather than at a Supercharger. If you haven’t already arranged a dedicated circuit or a Wall Connector installation, this is the week to schedule an electrician — it typically takes longer to book an installer than it does to get the car itself. In the meantime, the Mobile Connector that may have shipped with your car can charge from a standard outlet, just slowly.
Confirm your insurance
If you didn’t finalize insurance before delivery, do it now. You can get an instant quote and buy a policy directly in the Tesla app, or bring your own provider’s policy information — either way, keep proof of insurance handy since some states require it for registration follow-up. Tesla’s insurance sign-up guide walks through the in-app process if you want to compare it against a quote from your existing carrier.
Optional this week, not urgent
A few things can wait: pairing HomeLink for your garage door is a paid accessory that requires professional installation at a service center, so it’s fine to schedule once you’re settled in. Same with most interior accessories — get the essentials (a phone mount, a set of mats) now, and take your time with the rest.
Photo by Mix and Match Studio.