Trunk does not open unless I place my phone near the front/passenger doors

[edgar_T]

Model 3, 2018.50.6,
iPhone XS,
Tesla app version 3.8.1

This has been happening for many months. Any time that I walk up to my Model 3 from the rear the trunk does not unlock. This also affects the charger, as I am unable to remove the charger unless the car detects my phone.

I have to walk to either the driver door or the passenger door and hold my phone near the doors. Only then can I walk back to the back of the car and open the trunk.

I've mentioned this before and I was told that I'm just complaining about a non-issue and I should just hold my phone by the doors to get the trunk to open.

This seems absurd. My previous Jeep had a key fob that could stay in my backpack or my pocket and I could open the rear door. This car cost me $60k and it can't even do that.

I KNOW it's not my phone because I previously had an iPhone X and it happened while I had that device too. When I upgraded to the iPhone XS I set it up as a brand new phone. I did not restore from backup. Yes I've reset my network settings on my phone. I've reinstalled the app. I've also made sure that the Tesla app is running in the background.

 

[silentcorp]

I have to have my phone in my front pocket for it to work as a key. If it's in my back pocket the car doesn't open.

 

[edgar_T]

I have to have my phone in my front pocket for it to work as a key. If it's in my back pocket the car doesn't open.

I have an Apple branded leather case on mine. If I have the case facing out it won't work. I have to face the screen out of my front pocket for it to be picked up, or take the case off. This also happened with my previous phone. Could it be that the Model 3's bluetooth radio is too weak?

 

[Hoosiery Daddy]

Try the manual latch to open the trunk.

 

[brkaus]

I keep iPhone 7 in front pocket. No issues. Cannot keep in back pocket anymore due to back pain. Ditto for wallet. I do have a battery case on it. I don't pay attention to face in or face out. I think pretty random.

No issues reported by my wife either. iPhone 6s, either in hand or in purse.

There is a bluetooth module in the rear and one on each side and I think one in the console, from what I have read around here.. Perhaps the rear one is having trouble?

 

[NYCR160]

I used the key fob and have no issues opening the trunk or waking up the car to unplug the charger cable. I also do not have a phone...

Getting the homelink to open the garage door when the car is pointing away from the house, now that is a problem.

 

[muleferg]

Dr Told me not to place a wallet in my back pockets when I was having back problems.

 

[chronopc]

Dr Told me not to place a wallet in my back pockets when I was having back problems.

It's also easier for someone to pick pocket you if your wallet is in your back pockets.

 

[SMAlset]

I have an iPhone XSM (maybe for a week now) and approached my car’s trunk yesterday to put my new cargo mat in. I was able to just push on the trunk button and open it. So not seeing the issue here using my phone as a key. On same car and app software as you @edgar_T . Slightly different phone than yours and it’s on 12.1.3 right now.

Been charging at home and no issues with depressing the charging cable handle button.

 

[Daniel in SD]

I have this problem intermittently at both the front doors and the trunk. Occasionally I'll have to take my iPhone 7 out of my pocket for it to work. My only theory is that the algorithm for using the 5 bluetooth transceivers to localize the phone relative to the car is flaky. Overall I'm happy with the phone key though.