Tesla finally puts an end to forgetting iPhones in the car

The big 2025 Holiday Update is out, and Tesla has included many a stocking stuffer that its fans were clamoring for in the past few years.

Besides some perennial holiday favorites like new vehicle visualizations and Christmas decorations in Santa Mode, such as winter animations and a Christmas-y lock chime, there is another chime that users have been waiting on.

The so-called Phone Left Behind Chime does exactly what it says on the tin, as it makes the Tesla issue an audible signal if there is an iPhone or Android that someone forgot to pick up on their way out of the car.

The feature is switched on from the Controls > Locks > Phone Left Behind Chime menu. At the beginning, Teslas only supported the iPhone's Ultra Wideband connectivity for the Phone Key unlocking feature.

Earlier in the year, it rolled out UWB support for Android phones like the newer Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra that is 30% off on Amazon or Google Pixel handsets as well.

Besides using UWB to tell if a phone is left in the car, the Tesla will also probe the wireless charging pad to check if someone forgot their phone there. Needless to say, this tracking option is UWB-agnostic, so those with older iPhone or Android devices will also benefit from the new Phone Left Behind Chime option.

The Tesla will only chime regarding a forgotten phone for a few seconds after the doors close when the last occupant has left the vehicle, too.