Tesla spring update lands

Tesla is rolling out a spring software update that adds a new Self-Driving app, hands-free Grok voice activation, and longer Dashcam storage. (electrek.co) Tesla said the update was “rolling out shortly” on April 13, 2026, and its support page says vehicle software releases arrive over the air on a rolling basis, not all at once. Owners install them from the car’s Software menu or the Tesla app, usually over Wi-Fi. (notateslaapp.com) (tesla.com) The new Self-Driving app is aimed at Tesla vehicles with AI4, also called Hardware 4, and it bundles Full Self-Driving subscription controls, usage history, and tutorials into one screen. Tesla’s update also adds trip visualizations, expanded trip planner tools, and a sketchpad refresh, according to coverage of the release notes. (notateslaapp.com) (electrek.co) Grok is Tesla’s in-car artificial intelligence assistant, and Tesla says it is still in beta. Tesla’s support page says Grok works on Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, and Cybertruck vehicles with an Advanced Micro Devices processor, software version 2025.26 or later, and either Premium Connectivity or Wi‑Fi. (tesla.com) This update adds the “Hey Grok” wake phrase and location-based reminders, so drivers can set prompts tied to a place instead of tapping the screen. Tesla’s support page says Grok can already start navigation requests, but it still does not handle vehicle controls like climate or media. (notateslaapp.com) (tesla.com) Tesla is also pushing more visible safety cues inside the cabin. Coverage of the spring update says interior accent lighting now turns red for blind-spot warnings, extending Tesla’s recent use of parked blind-spot alerts and camera-based warnings. (teslarati.com) (notateslaapp.com) The Dashcam change stretches unsaved video retention from about one hour to as much as 24 hours, giving drivers a longer rolling buffer before clips are overwritten. Tesla had already updated Dashcam tools in 2025 by adding side-camera recording and a grid view in the viewer. (teslarati.com) (notateslaapp.com) Some of the new features are gated by hardware, region, or connectivity. Tesla says Grok availability can change, and the company’s software support page says releases vary by vehicle configuration and market region, so owners should not expect every item to appear on the same day. (tesla.com 1) (tesla.com 2) The broader pattern is the same one Tesla has used for years: ship new functions after delivery instead of waiting for a model-year change. This spring release leans heavily on software that changes how owners pay for driving features, use voice tools, and review what the car saw on the road. (tesla.com) (electrek.co)