Firmware and forced updates over SIM

Problem description

Tesla can push a forced update over the SIM card. This is a problem for owners who stay on old firmware (because of FSD boosts, key hacks, etc.). There are already documented cases of forced installation of version 14.6 over SIM.

Solution

1. Pull the SIM card to prevent forced updates.
2. Switching to e-SIM helps in some cases (community experience): on US cars the eSIM doesn't register on EU networks — the car stays offline and updates simply never arrive. Public sources describe eSIM the other way around, as a way to receive updates, so treat this as community experience only, not a confirmed method.
3. Without a certificate Tesla can't update the car forcibly — a plus for cars without certs.
4. On recent firmware, battery preheating when navigating to a charger works automatically.
5. Before updating — read reviews in the chat, some versions break functionality.

Community experience TESLA Belarus

From the TESLA owner's group BELARUS chat — analysis of 400 000 messages.

Who reported the issue: Adrian, Ilya, Оля, Viktor

Who found the fix: SΞDΞK, firago, Николай

Discussion in Telegram: #70355, #156626, #355473

Links

• Tesla Software Updates — Official: https://www.tesla.com/support/software-updates
• Why Is Tesla Forcing Software Updates? (InsideEVs): https://insideevs.com/news/400812/why-tesla-forcing-updates-safety-issue/