TL;DR — Quick Summary for Busy Readers

1. Auto Hotspot ON: Use iPhone Shortcuts to automatically enable Personal Hotspot when Bluetooth connects to Tesla
2. Auto Hotspot OFF: Automatically disable Personal Hotspot when Bluetooth disconnects from Tesla
3. Save $9.99/month: Skip Tesla Premium Connectivity subscription for basic streaming needs

This guide lets you enjoy music streaming in your Tesla without paying for Premium Connectivity — all through the power of iPhone automation.

Automating your Tesla experience with iPhone Shortcuts

Introduction: I Just Want Music When I Get In

I don’t pay for Tesla Premium Connectivity — I use my iPhone hotspot for music streaming instead. The problem was having to manually turn on the hotspot every time.

With iPhone Shortcuts, the hotspot turns on automatically when I get in the car. Now music just starts playing the moment I sit down.

What Exactly Can You Automate with iPhone Shortcuts?

Automation 1: Auto-Enable Hotspot When Connecting to Tesla

This is the main attraction. When your iPhone detects a Bluetooth connection to your Tesla, it automatically turns on Personal Hotspot. Your Tesla connects to your phone’s internet, and boom — you’ve got streaming without Premium Connectivity.

What you’ll need:

• iPhone with iOS 14 or later
• Tesla paired via Bluetooth (already done if you use Phone Key)
• 2 minutes of your time

Automation 2: Auto-Disable Hotspot When Leaving Tesla

This one’s about saving data and battery. When Bluetooth disconnects from your Tesla, your hotspot automatically turns off. This prevents your hotspot from staying on after you leave the car and draining your battery.

Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up Auto Hotspot

Step 1: Open Shortcuts App and Go to Automation

First things first — find the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. If you’ve never used it, it’s that colorful icon with overlapping squares that you’ve probably ignored for years. (No judgment here, I did too.)

Shortcuts app icon

Tap on “Automation” at the bottom of the screen.

Step 2: Create New Automation

If this is your first automation, you’ll see a screen saying “No Automations” with a big blue button saying “New Automation”. Tap it.

Creating a new personal automation

If you already have automations, tap the "+" button in the top right corner.

Step 3: Select Bluetooth as Your Trigger

Scroll down the list of triggers and find “Bluetooth”. This is what tells your iPhone to do something when it connects to a specific Bluetooth device.

Selecting Bluetooth as the automation trigger

Step 4: Choose Your Tesla and Connection Type

Now you’ll see the device selection screen. Tap “Choose” next to “Device” and select your Tesla from the list.

Important settings:

• Select “When Connected”
• Choose “Run Immediately” — this prevents a confirmation popup every time

Configuring Bluetooth connection settings

Step 5: Add the Hotspot Action

Now tap “New Blank Automation” or “Add Action”. Search for “Personal Hotspot” or “Hotspot” in the search bar.

Creating a new blank automation

Searching for the Personal Hotspot action

Setting the Personal Hotspot action to ‘On’

Select “Set Personal Hotspot” and make sure it’s set to “On”.

Step 6: Save and Done!

Tap “Done” in the top right corner. That’s it!

Now every time you get in your Tesla and your phone connects via Bluetooth, your Personal Hotspot will automatically turn on.

Step 7: Configure Tesla Wi-Fi Settings (Important!)

Finally, you need to enable “Remain Connected in Drive” on your Tesla. Without this setting, Wi-Fi connection may disconnect when you start driving.

How to set it up:

1. On your Tesla touchscreen, go to Controls > Wi-Fi
2. Tap the settings icon (ⓘ) next to your connected hotspot
3. Enable “Remain Connected in Drive”

With this setting on, your Wi-Fi stays connected while driving, so streaming won’t be interrupted!

How to Set Up Auto-Hotspot-Off When Leaving Your Tesla?

The process is almost identical, with a few key differences:

1. Create a new Bluetooth automation
2. Select your Tesla as the device
3. Choose “When Disconnected” instead of “When Connected”
4. Search for “Set Personal Hotspot” and set it to “Off”
5. Save and you’re done

Conclusion

It’s so much more convenient than manually turning on your hotspot every time. Set it up once, and your connection happens automatically when you get in the car.