Unlocking through the app requires server and phone cell signal. Phone (Blutooth) unlocking and key card unlocking do NOT require connectivity. That would be dumb, phone cell signal doesn't work everywhere.<p>Source: I have a Model 3, and frequently park in locations with 0 cell coverage.
I've been driving my car several times during the outage today with no problems. 99+% of unlocks don't require connectivity, unless you're always unlocking the car for someone else who doesn't have a key...?<p>In general: always carry the key with you; it's a slim card that goes in your wallet. Or use your phone's Bluetooth. I've only used the remote unlock once and that was to let a family member in where I couldn't go with them. I've also only had to use the card once, and that was when my phone's BT was having trouble.<p>If anyone is really stranded because of this (and is able to post on a forum about it), that must be some really bad luck: no fob, no Bluetooth despite a working phone, and no key.
Ooof, this thread is going to quickly become a source of midunderstanding and falsehoods.<p>I implore everyone to read this comment: <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29283262" rel="nofollow">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29283262</a>
I always assumed unlocking your Tesla with the phone would use Bluetooth, NFC, even ad-hoc but I never expected it to be dependent on a round-trip to a internet-connected server. That seems like a really crap design and ripe for security issues, especially since it seems the Tesla customer support team has the ability to unlock cars remotely too.
So the car requires a remote connection to work?<p>It took me long as heck to find a quality non-smart TV because I didn't want the lack of control, programmed obsolescence and shitty-ness of smart TV software.<p>I wonder if I won't be able to have a proper quality car really owned and controlled by me in the future.<p>EDIT: Ok, so it seems it supports a Keyfob. Then all is good.