Tesla has initiated the rollout of its annual Holiday Software Update, designated as Version 2025.44.25.1, according to reports from multiple vehicle owners who began receiving the over-the-air update.
The software package introduces a wide array of new functionalities, ranging from enhanced navigation and safety alerts to in-car entertainment and customization options.
Key additions include the integration of the Grok AI assistant into the navigation system, a feature titled Grok with Navigation Commands (Beta), which enables the system to “add and edit navigation destinations,” effectively serving as a personal guide. Another feature, Tesla Photobooth, allows occupants to take selfies using the cabin-facing camera and apply filters and stickers.
The update also focuses on vehicle utility and personalization. Navigation capabilities are improved with Automatic Carpool Lane Routing and easier management of favorites, while a new Paint Shop feature allows users to customize their on-screen vehicle avatar with “custom wraps and license plates.”
For charging, the release introduces the ability to Charge Limit Per Location and includes a new “Charging Passport” feature that reportedly gamifies the Supercharging experience. A safety-focused chime, Phone Left Behind Chime, will alert drivers if a phone is detected in the cabin after the doors close.
The update also includes new entertainment options, notably the ISS Docking Simulator game, developed in collaboration with SpaceX.
Limited Rollout and Hardware Exclusions
Initial deployment of the update appears to be targeting specific hardware configurations within the existing fleet. The reporting noted a concentration on vehicles equipped with the AMD Ryzen chip, which is typically found in newer Model S, Model X, and some recent Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.
One report observed a strategic limitation in the rollout, stating, “It seems the release is a bit of an apology to a particular group, as it has only made its way to Hardware 3 vehicles, particularly the ones using the AMD Ryzen chip.”
This limited deployment suggests older vehicles utilizing the Intel Atom processor, even those with Full Self-Driving (FSD) capability, may receive the update at a later time or with a subset of features due to processing requirements for the more graphically intensive applications.
Additional Features
In addition to the main release notes, two other functions were noted to be included: a new Storage Space for Dashcam feature that provides a visual breakdown of USB drive usage for recording, and the “Charging Passport” Supercharging gamification. Other improvements include an update to the Light Show with a “Jingle Rush” sequence, a new Dog Mode Live Activity for iOS devices offering remote climate updates and cabin snapshots, and a Dashcam Viewer Update that now embeds telemetry such as speed and steering wheel angle into the video clips.
