A game controller with Bluetooth waves and a USB cable plugged into a port on a dark background

Tesla Game Controllers for Arcade: Bluetooth or USB, Which Port, and What to Check

The short answer: Tesla's owner's manuals say Arcade games may need the steering wheel buttons or a Bluetooth or USB controller, and that controllers work with select games. A Bluetooth Classic controller pairs the same way as a phone, and the car connects up to two Bluetooth devices at a time. A USB controller goes in the front console ports on cars built before about November 1, 2021, and in the glovebox port on later cars, the same port Tesla recommends for the Dashcam drive. Tesla says to play only when the car is parked.

A game controller is one of the simplest accessories for a Tesla, but two questions come up again and again: will it connect, and where does it plug in? This guide answers both from Tesla's owner's manuals for the Model 3, Model Y and Model S, explains what to do about the glovebox port and the Dashcam drive, and lists what we carry. Product claims are the sellers', and the Tesla sources are linked at the end.

In this guide
  1. Three ways to play
  2. Bluetooth: pairing and the two-device limit
  3. USB: which port for your car
  4. The glovebox port and the Dashcam drive
  5. Before you buy a controller
  6. What we list

1. Three ways to play

According to Tesla's manuals, you may need the steering wheel buttons or a Bluetooth or USB controller to play Arcade games, and a controller works with select games. So check the game first: a controller only helps in the games that support one.

Three ways to play ArcadeFrom Tesla’s owner’s manuals · controllers work with select gamesSteering wheel buttonsSome games use them1Bluetooth controllerBluetooth Classic, pairs like a phone2USB controllerThe port depends on the build date3USB portPTesla: use Arcade, Theater and Toybox only when the car is parked.EV Tech Spot · illustration

Tesla is clear about when: use Arcade, Theater and Toybox only when the car is parked. The manuals add that using these features while driving is illegal and very dangerous. A charging stop, a wait in the car or a night of car camping is the time to play.

2. Bluetooth: pairing and the two-device limit

Tesla's manuals say you can pair Bluetooth Classic game controllers the same way you pair a phone, and that after pairing, the controller connects to the car automatically. Based on Tesla's steps for pairing a phone:

  1. Sit in the car with the touchscreen on.
  2. Put the controller in pairing mode, as its own instructions describe.
  3. On the touchscreen, touch Controls > Bluetooth. The car starts scanning for new devices.
  4. Wait for the controller to be listed and touch Connect.

The limit to know: Tesla says the car supports up to two Bluetooth devices at a time, such as two controllers, or one phone and one controller.

Two Bluetooth devices at a timeWhat Tesla’s manuals list as examplesBluetooth2 of 2 connectedPhoneConnectedControllerConnectedA third device: not at the same timeOne phone + one controllerBluetooth2 of 2 connectedController 1ConnectedController 2ConnectedA third device: not at the same timeTwo controllersTesla: pair a Bluetooth Classic controller like a phone. Range: up to about 30 ft (9 m).EV Tech Spot · illustration, not the real touchscreen

So if your phone is connected, there is room for one Bluetooth controller. A wired USB controller doesn't use one of the two Bluetooth places. Tesla names Bluetooth Classic, so check the controller's listing, and test it in your car before you count on it for a long trip. Tesla also gives a typical Bluetooth range of up to about 30 feet (9 m), depending on the device.

3. USB: which port for your car

For a wired controller, the port depends on when the car was built. Tesla's manuals say that on cars built before about November 1, 2021, you can connect USB-compatible game controllers to the front USB ports in the center console. On cars built after that date, you must use the glovebox USB port, because on some of those cars the console ports can only charge devices.

Which USB port for a wired controllerBy build date, from Tesla’s owner’s manuals · left-hand-drive car, top viewtouchscreengloveboxconsoledriver2017about Nov 1, 2021todayBUILT BEFORE ABOUT NOV 1, 2021Front USB ports in thecenter consoleFor USB-compatible game controllersBUILT AFTER ABOUT NOV 1, 2021The glovebox USB portOn some of these cars the console portscan only charge devices.Highland, Juniper, Model Y L: glovebox port.Tesla also recommends it for the Dashcam drive.EV Tech Spot · simplified illustration, not to scale

The Model 3 Highland, the Model Y Juniper and the Model Y L were all built after that date, so a wired controller goes in the glovebox port. Not sure about your car? If a wired controller doesn't respond in a console port, that port may be charge-only, so try the glovebox port. Our USB ports guide explains what every port in the car does.

4. The glovebox port and the Dashcam drive

Here is the catch on later cars. Tesla recommends the glovebox USB port for the Sentry Mode and Dashcam drive, because power consumption is minimized and the location is more secure, and on some cars a pre-formatted flash drive comes in that port. So a wired controller and the Dashcam drive both want the same port.

One glovebox port, three ways to share itOn cars built after about Nov 1, 2021, from Tesla’s owner’s manualsglovebox portDRIVEOKBluetooth controllerThe Dashcam drive stays in the glovebox port.Nothing to plug in. Pairs like a phone.glovebox portDRIVE!Swap the drive for a USB controllerWhile the drive is out, the Dashcam and Sentry Modecan’t save video. Put the drive back after you play.glovebox portDRIVEXA USB hub for bothTesla: don’t connect several devices through a hub.They may stop charging or stop being recognized.EV Tech Spot · illustration
  • A Bluetooth controller is the simplest answer: nothing to plug in, and the Dashcam drive stays where it is.
  • Swapping the drive for a USB controller works, but while the drive is out, the Dashcam and Sentry Mode have nowhere to save video. Put the drive back when you finish playing.
  • A USB hub is what the sellers of our glovebox hubs show, with a drive and controllers plugged in together. Tesla's manual says not to connect multiple devices using a USB hub, because devices may stop charging or stop being recognized by the media player, Sentry Mode or the Dashcam. If you choose one anyway, check that the Dashcam saves clips and the controller works, and if either stops, remove the hub first.

For the drive itself, see our Dashcam and Sentry Mode drive guide.

5. Before you buy a controller

  1. Bluetooth Classic or USB. Those are the two kinds Tesla's manuals describe.
  2. The games you play. Controllers work with select Arcade games, so check yours support one.
  3. The right port, if wired. Console ports before about November 1, 2021, the glovebox port after.
  4. The Dashcam drive. On later cars it shares the glovebox port, so Bluetooth is the easy way to keep it recording.
  5. Two Bluetooth places. A phone and a controller, or two controllers.
  6. Parked only. Tesla says to play only when the car is parked.

6. What we list

Our gaming accessories collection has a wireless controller, two glovebox USB hubs and a steering wheel desk:

Product What the seller lists Listed for
Wireless game controller A Bluetooth controller with vibration, motion control and turbo, metal joysticks, linear triggers, LED lighting and programmable macro buttons, with a built-in battery. Tesla cars, and also game consoles, PCs, phones and tablets. Check that it connects in your car before a long trip.
Glovebox USB hub, flocked Several USB-A and USB-C ports in a flocked housing that matches the glovebox lining, with a smart chip for temperature control, according to the seller. Two versions: Model Y 2021–2024, and Model 3 Highland, Model Y Juniper and Model Y L.
Glovebox USB hub with display USB-A ports and a USB-C port with a small digital display, and a dedicated port for a Dashcam drive, according to the seller. Flocked black or beige. Model 3 Highland and Model Y Juniper. The seller's photo for the beige version says Model 3 Highland only.
Folding steering wheel desk A tray that hooks onto the steering wheel, with room for a 14-inch laptop, a load of up to 5 kg and a cup slot. Use it only while parked, and take it off before you drive. Model 3, Model Y and Model Y L, 2021–2026.

For the Dashcam drive that shares the glovebox port, see our USB drives and SSDs. For tablets in the back seat, there is a headrest tablet holder.

How we pick what we list

The products in this guide are from third-party sellers on AliExpress, not made by Tesla. We look for stores with high positive feedback and read buyer reviews for fit and quality problems. Product claims on our pages are the seller's, and facts about the car come from Tesla's manuals. When you buy through the button on a product page, we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a game controller in a Tesla?

Yes, in Arcade games that support one. Tesla's manuals say you can pair a Bluetooth Classic controller like a phone, or connect a USB controller, and that controllers work with select games. Play only when the car is parked.

Which USB port does a Tesla game controller use?

On cars built before about November 1, 2021, the front USB ports in the center console. On cars built after that, the glovebox USB port, according to Tesla's manuals.

How many controllers can I connect to a Tesla?

Tesla's manuals say the car supports up to two Bluetooth devices at a time, such as two controllers, or one phone and one controller.

Why does my controller charge but not work in the console USB port?

On some cars built after about November 1, 2021, Tesla says the center console USB ports can only charge devices. Use the glovebox USB port instead.

Can I play Tesla Arcade while driving?

No. Tesla says to use Arcade, Theater and Toybox only when the car is parked, and that using them while driving is illegal and very dangerous.

How do I free up space for games?

Tesla's manuals say you can uninstall a game from Arcade: select the game and touch Uninstall. You'll need to download it again before you can play it.

Next steps

Browse our gaming accessories, read the USB ports guide, or see our interior accessories guide for more ideas for the cabin.

Sources

The Tesla facts in this guide come from these pages of Tesla's owner's manuals:

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