> ## Knowledge Base Index > Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://teslemetry.crisp.help/sitemap.xml > Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further. > Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash). # Virtual Key Pairing and Installation Issues The Teslemetry virtual key is Teslemetry's public key, installed in your vehicle through the Tesla app. It is required for Fleet Telemetry (real-time streaming) and signed vehicle commands — and since nearly all vehicles support both, nearly all customers need it: **if your vehicle supports the virtual key, install it as a standard setup step**. Vehicles without virtual-key support are the exception — they still work with Teslemetry at reduced capability, using polling instead of streaming (see the FAQ below). --- ## How to Install the Virtual Key ### Step-by-Step Instructions 1. **Open the Tesla app** on your smartphone 2. **Select the specific vehicle** you want to pair (the vehicle must be displayed on screen) 3. **Open this link on your smartphone**: [https://tesla.com/_ak/teslemetry.com](https://tesla.com/_ak/teslemetry.com) 4. **Follow the instructions** in the Tesla app **Important**: If the Tesla app does not open immediately when you click the link, the process has not worked. You must have the Tesla app open with your vehicle selected before clicking the link. ### Alternative Method If another user with vehicle access needs to install the key, they can use: [https://teslemetry.com/key](https://teslemetry.com/key) --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Why does virtual key pairing keep timing out? **Answer**: Virtual key pairing timeouts typically occur when the Tesla app is not properly prepared for the process. To resolve this: 1. Ensure the Tesla app is open and displaying the specific vehicle before trying to install the virtual key 2. Use the direct link [https://tesla.com/_ak/teslemetry.com](https://tesla.com/_ak/teslemetry.com) on your smartphone 3. If the Tesla website opens instead of the app, go back to the Tesla app, confirm your vehicle is showing, then try the link again 4. For Driver permission accounts, have your physical keycard ready for the additional verification step ### Why does my virtual key show as unpaired even though the Tesla app said it was successful? **Answer**: This is a common issue caused by delays in Tesla's backend systems. The virtual key pairing status can take a little while to be reflected on the Fleet API. Here is what to do: 1. Open your [vehicle dashboard](https://teslemetry.com/console) in the Teslemetry console 2. Click **Check Again** on the Virtual Key alert to re-check the pairing status 3. If it still shows unpaired, wake your vehicle (open the Tesla app or physically unlock it) to help sync the status, then Check Again ### I get "unable to grant Third Party Access" when trying to add the virtual key **Answer**: The most common cause of this error is **using a different Tesla account** for key pairing than the one connected to Teslemetry. If you have multiple Tesla accounts (for example, one as the vehicle owner and another as a driver), the account installing the virtual key must also be logged into Teslemetry with the **Vehicle Data** scope granted. **Step 1: Check for a Tesla account mismatch** 1. Confirm which Tesla account you are logged into on the Tesla app 2. Confirm which Tesla account you used to log into Teslemetry 3. If they are different, have the account that will pair the key visit [teslemetry.com/key](https://teslemetry.com/key) and log in there before retrying 4. Ensure the account has granted Teslemetry the **Vehicle Data** permission scope **Step 2: If accounts match, try these steps** Tesla's systems can also intermittently fail during key pairing. If your accounts are correct: 1. **Try again later** - Tesla occasionally has backend issues that resolve on their own. Wait a few hours or try again tomorrow 2. **Use a different mobile device** - Some users have reported success switching to another phone or tablet 3. **Reinstall the Tesla app** - Uninstall and reinstall the official Tesla app 4. **Check for multiple Tesla apps** - If you have more than one app called "Tesla" on your phone, uninstall them except the offical Tesla app. 5. **Try a different mobile browser** - Some browsers like Samsung Internet may not properly open apps from web links; Chrome on Android is known to work reliably If the issue persists after multiple attempts over several hours, contact Teslemetry support with a screenshot of the error. ### Do I need the virtual key for older Tesla vehicles? **Answer**: No. Pre-2021 Model S and Model X vehicles with MCU 1 do not support the virtual key and are the exception to the install-it-by-default rule. These vehicles use polling instead of Fleet Telemetry and continue to work with Teslemetry at that reduced capability. ### I have Driver access, not Owner access. Can I still install the virtual key? **Answer**: Yes, but there is an additional step. Accounts with Driver permission must: 1. Be physically present in the vehicle 2. Have a physical keycard available 3. Follow the same installation link process 4. Tap the keycard when prompted by the Tesla app --- ## Troubleshooting Guide ### If Virtual Key Shows Paired in Tesla App but Unpaired in Teslemetry 1. **Check Again** - On your vehicle dashboard in the console, click **Check Again** on the Virtual Key alert to re-check pairing status 2. **Wake the vehicle** - Open the Tesla app and interact with the vehicle, then Check Again 3. **Remove and re-add the key** - Go into your vehicle's touchscreen, navigate to Settings and search for "key", find and remove the "Teslemetry.com" key, then go through the installation process again --- ## Related Documentation * [Virtual Key Documentation](https://teslemetry.com/docs/topics/virtualkey) * [Command Signing](https://teslemetry.com/docs/topics/commandsigning) * [Access Types (Owner, Driver, Guest)](https://teslemetry.com/docs/topics/access-type)