Tesla's 2026 Spring Update, revisited: 'Hey Grok', automatic updates and one-tap FSD

Tesla's big seasonal software releases bundle many features at once. The 2026 Spring Update, which started rolling out in April, was one of the more practical ones. Months later, these are the changes owners notice most.

'Hey Grok'

Grok, the AI assistant from xAI, can now be started hands-free by saying 'Hey Grok'. Before, you had to press a button on the steering wheel. Grok answers questions, holds a conversation and can handle a growing set of car functions. In September Tesla also removed the beta label from Grok.

Automatic software updates

Owners can let the car install updates automatically, for example overnight, instead of confirming each one on the screen or in the app. That means fewer forgotten updates and a car that stays current with less effort. You can still choose to install manually if you prefer.

One-tap FSD subscription

Subscribing to FSD (Supervised) now takes a single tap, with a redesigned self-driving section in the app. It lowers the barrier to trying FSD for a month, which matters as Tesla moves more owners to subscriptions rather than one-time purchases.

Other improvements

The update also brought improved safety alerts, a better dashcam and new entertainment options. Exact availability depends on your model, hardware and region; not every feature reached every car.

Why seasonal updates matter

Over-the-air updates are one of the main reasons Tesla owners keep their cars longer: a car bought years ago keeps getting new features. They also give Tesla a way to sell subscriptions and test new services directly in the car.

What to watch

Tesla usually follows its spring release with a larger Holiday Update in December, which is where the next big batch of features is likely to arrive.