Tesla now allows you to view the release notes before installing the new software update Tesla's 2023.26 software update includes another useful feature that wasn't mentioning in Tesla's release notes. Tesla now allows owners to view the release notes of a pending software update directly in their vehicle.
Vehicle updates can take up to 45 minutes to install, and the car can not be used during that time. This makes it more important to be able to see what's in a given update so that you can choose the best time to install it.
While major software updates bring additional features that enhance the vehicle's functionality or safety, many others just provide bug fixes.
Software Update Screen
Once you have an update available for your vehicle, you'll notice the familiar progress bar in the vehicle's Software menu under Controls. But now, to the right of the progress bar, you'll also have a link to the release notes for the upcoming version. The link will open in the new Manual app where you'll be able to view the release notes for your vehicle's current version, as well as the release notes for the pending update.
This new functionality also allows you to view the release notes while the update is downloading, which could be useful for owners who update their vehicles over a cellular hot spot.
Aligning With The App
This new feature in the vehicle brings it in line with the Tesla app, which now also allows you to view release notes for an update before installing it.
Before this functionality, most users had to install an update without knowing what changes were included. While most changes in an update are positive and enhance functionality, there are occasional regressions or situations where features are removed due to licensing or regulatory issues that could be useful to know before an update is installed.
