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Premium connectivity and still can’t do over the air software update ?

PlentyToe2630 | 2026-02-22 17:26 | 2 views

Finding WiFi connection is difficult for me. Mobile hotspot is buggy and won’t let me download the new software update despite I am having a good signal. Shouldn’t Premium Connectivity just allow easy OTA software updates? (2020 Tesla Model Y)

Comments (22)
gheldean 2026-02-22 17:28

Should? Maybe, but it never has. Most superchargers have free Wi-Fi for the cars though, is how I usually download mine

shocontinental 2026-02-22 17:29

If you have superchargers with WiFi nearby you could try those.

Shobed 2026-02-22 17:33

Find a grocery store, coffee shop, gym, or any other place you might spend more than 20 minutes, and set up on their WiFi if you can park close to the store.

Handshake87 2026-02-22 17:33

Premium connectivity has never allowed OTA updates. A simple google search would show that

newtmewt 2026-02-22 17:37

The only updates done over cellular, regardless of premium connectivity or not, are recall ones if you don’t perform them within a certain period of time

collegedreads 2026-02-22 17:44

Updates need WiFi. Otherwise they will not download.

PlentyToe2630 2026-02-22 17:52

But why ?

physics_juanma 2026-02-22 17:56

Also for me, I go to a hotel and get their WiFi from the parking and update mine.

Handshake87 2026-02-22 18:18

Because that isn’t in what Premium Connectivity is. Read what it does. No where does it say OTA updates.

Positive_League_5534 2026-02-22 18:50

Unless it has a WiFi portal. Tesla's WiFi isn't modern enough to connect to those.

Positive_League_5534 2026-02-22 18:52

Because they pay for the amount of data they send over premium connectivity, and huge updates going to every car would cost a lot. Much less expensive (for them) to have their customer spay for that bandwidth

Blue_Kayak 2026-02-22 19:24

Mobile hotspotting must work too right? I’ve never tried but dunno why it wouldn’t?

PlentyToe2630 2026-02-22 19:37

It start downloading and then will stuck at 0B/s even though my mobile internet speed is above 300Mbps.

chankongsang 2026-02-22 20:21

Not sure how unique my situation is. I added a charger in my condo but my spot is 7 floors underground so no wifi possible. And I pretty much never use superchargers unless I’m on a road trip. Sucks. Hot spot really is spotty. I do speed tests on my phone and it’s usually 500mbs ish. But hot spotting an update trickles at zero to 5 mbs. Usually an hour and a half which feels unreasonable I have standard connectivity for life. IMO it should trickle the update every I drive out. And just install when it’s parked overnight

Blue_Kayak 2026-02-22 20:44

Really eh. That’s strange. Have you tried “maximize compatibility” in your hotspot settings (if an iPhone)?

addtokart 2026-02-22 20:47

OP is asking why Tesla doesn't provide it over Premium Connectivity.

gheldean 2026-02-22 20:58

I've done that before, hotspot while driving. It can def be effective. As for superchargers, you don't NEED to charge to connect to the wifi if it's available (but then you're just sitting there, so yeah)

Lothar1 2026-02-22 21:39

Can’t you download it at your phone at home first, and then update the car via WiFi hotspot without the need of downloading it if you don’t have coverage in the parking?

dw-c137 2026-02-22 21:51

I don't think there is a way to "side load" a Tesla update, the car has to use wifi or LAN (via USB C Hub)

dw-c137 2026-02-22 21:52

I'm sure there *is* a way, just not intended for the consumer. The shop has one I'm sure.

chankongsang 2026-02-27 10:25

Update. Switched from apple to Samsung a few days ago. It was super easy to set a rule that once my phone connects Bluetooth it automatically connects the hotspot and starts my music. Had an update that easily downloaded today. And installed while I had dinner. I used to fiddle with iPhone to connect the hotspot. It would take a minute to get a cell signal when I leave underground parking. Would have to pull over to set up a hotspot and start downloading. Was just a pain in the ass. I think iPhone can do the same thing with Shortcuts but I never got around to setting that up

StormTrpr66 2026-03-02 02:32

Does the car notify you when an update is available, then you have to connect to wifi to download it, or will it just never even notify you if you're not connected to wifi?

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