Tesla has launched an app for the HarmonyOS operating system, utilizing Huawei’s vast smartphone ecosystem and user base.
The app is listed on AppGallery, Huawei’s proprietary app distribution platform, under beta testing. It means the app is still not available to the public, but users can opt in to test the latest features. The latest Tesla app beta version is 4.52.1 (3761), and the test campaign opened through January 30, 2026.
Tesla app features
It has introduced several new capabilities for Huawei devices, including real-time charging progress viewing and the ability to start and stop charging.
You can adjust climate control and precondition your Tesla before driving. This feature helps to maintain the in-vehicle temperature in summer and winter for a ready-to-use experience.
Tesla app turns a Huawei device into a car key to lock and unlock the vehicle from a distance. What’s important is that Tesla’s car key feature utilizes Huawei’s NearLink short-range wireless connection technology for the HarmonyOS 6 platform, reducing the lock/unlock latency below 5ms.
Other car makers in China are also supporting the NearLink car connection API, which lets the phone key feature be unleashed even with a battery as low as 5%.
On the other hand, Chinese car makers have already released HarmonyOS wallet key cards (with NFC), supporting contactless car controls, turning the phone into a secure key card or proximity device using Bluetooth or Ultra WideBand. According to NotaTeslaapp, Tesla is working on this HarmonyOS wallet key cards, and it may be released with future versions
Other features of the app include a trip planner and direction updates. Passengers can quickly control media, and its vehicle identification feature lets users locate their Tesla by flashing headlights or honking the horn.
Additionally, the app supports panoramic sunroof opening and closing features and a software update installation from anywhere, anywhere.
Native HarmonyOS support
In the past, Huawei used Android libraries in the HarmonyOS, supporting a wide variety of Android apps. However, new upgrades have changed this strategy, removing Android libraries and transitioning to a native HarmonyOS app ecosystem.
Major Chinese internet giants, including Tencent, have already transitioned their mobile apps to native HarmonyOS, and the trend continues with top 1000 Chinese apps now available on AppGallery. Meanwhile, the total number of native HMOS apps may have increased to 100k in 2025.
Adding Tesla to the tally shows the growing importance of HarmonyOS and eases the cross-platform connection with user-friendly features. The electric vehicle (EV) maker will release the full app version once the beta test is concluded.
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