Most Tesla problems come down to the virtual key, the location permission or Tesla's own scheduling. Work through these checks.
1. Check the virtual key
Without the virtual key, the app can read your battery level but cannot start or stop charging.
I wasn't asked to set up a virtual key
Set it up yourself with this link on your phone: tesla.com/_ak/tesla.gridio.energy
Virtual key setup failed
- Make sure you have the latest Tesla app installed.
- Stand next to your car, with the car awake.
- Have your Tesla key card with you.
- In the Tesla app, approve the virtual key request.
- Return to the app and finish setup.
2. Check the location permission
Since May 2025, Tesla asks for location access separately. Without it, the app sees your car as away and does not smart charge.
In the Tesla app, go to Profile, then Security & Privacy, then Third Party Apps, then Gridio. Choose Select All and confirm. Gridio is the company that runs smart charging for the app.
3. The car charges after it should have stopped
For the first minutes after you plug in, the car may charge while the app reads the battery level and makes a plan. After that, if charging continues:
- Check that Tesla's own Scheduled Charging and Off-Peak Charging are off.
- Check your maximum price in the app.
- Check that the virtual key is approved.
4. The data in the app is old
Your Tesla sleeps after about 15 minutes and sends nothing while it is asleep. Old data for a parked car is normal. See The Data in the App Is Hours Old.
Still not working?
Contact the support team of your app. If your app comes from your energy supplier, that is your energy supplier's customer service. Tell them your Tesla model, when it happened, and what the app showed. A screenshot of the app helps.