Your homeowner app guide
How to set up the Tesla app for Powerwall 3
Your home energy system uses the Tesla app. Download it from the App Store or Google Play and use the Tesla Account registered to your installation. If you already own a Tesla vehicle, use the same account.
1. Complete your app handover
- Sign in and select your home energy site. If Powerwall is missing, ask us to confirm registration and the owner email.
- Complete the in-app onboarding. If offered, use Settings → Phone Pairing → Begin Pairing while near your system and follow its prompts.
- For an online system, use Network Setup, or Settings → Configure Wi-Fi, choose your home network and follow the connection prompts.
- Enable energy notifications and confirm the home screen shows recent solar, battery, home and grid readings.
Tesla app setup resources · Powerwall Wi-Fi instructions.
2. Walk through your Powerwall settings
Self-Powered
Open Settings → Powerwall → Operational Mode → Self-Powered. Surplus solar charges the battery for later home use. This is the option to consider when you want to use more of your own solar. How it works.
Savings / Time-Based Control
Tesla’s current UK guide calls the tariff-led mode Savings; older screens and videos say Time-Based Control. Select it under Settings → Powerwall → Operational Mode, then check the Utility Rate Plan and reserve. It optimises charging/discharging around energy prices. Official instructions.
Backup Reserve
Go to Settings → Powerwall and adjust the reserve slider. A higher percentage holds more energy for outages and leaves less for daily savings. At 100%, normal Self-Powered/Savings use is prevented. Reserve controls require a backup configuration. Reserve explained.
Storm Watch
Open Settings → Storm Watch. With phone pairing and permitted grid charging enabled, it can charge ahead of qualifying severe-weather alerts. UK automatic activation depends on qualifying Met Office warnings, not every storm. Supported apps also offer Schedule Event. Setup and availability.
Grid charging and energy exports
Available advanced controls determine whether the battery can charge from the grid or export stored energy. Installer permissions, your connection agreement and tariff affect availability. Have us check the permitted options; do not assume enabling export means your supplier will pay for it.
Access, support and backup testing
Settings → Manage Access controls other users. Added members can access the energy system’s app features. Support provides troubleshooting and installer contact details. Arrange any Go Off-Grid test with us so the backed-up circuits and load limits are understood.
3. Enter your electricity tariff correctly
- Open Settings → Utility Rate Plan. Select the supported supplier/tariff or use the custom plan option where offered.
- Enter the current buy/import and sell/export prices. Check the units shown before entering pence or pounds.
- Review off-peak and peak periods, including weekday/weekend or seasonal differences. Use your actual supplier schedule.
- Save and check the summary. Changing this screen does not change the contract with your energy supplier.
For example, a tariff with cheaper electricity from 00:30 to 05:30 needs that exact period and its current price. After a tariff change, revisit the app rather than assuming all rates update automatically. Tesla’s illustrated tariff guide.
4. Watch Tesla’s official settings guide
5. Read the results and resolve common issues
Use the energy graphs to compare solar production, grid imports/exports and battery use over the same day. kW shows power; kWh shows energy. Impact/value figures are estimates, so use your supplier’s bill for billed charges.
Powerwall 3 is offline after a router change
Use the app’s Device Offline → Powerwall 3 flow and Tesla’s model-specific Wi-Fi guide above. Powerwall 3 uses a different local pairing procedure from older Gateways. Follow the current in-app instructions; contact us if you cannot complete them.
Why is the battery not discharging?
Check reserve, current mode, tariff periods and any Storm Watch event. A full reserve or preparation for an outage can explain unexpected grid use. If the behaviour persists, capture the energy graph, settings and time, then use Support or contact us.
Guide checked 9 September 2026. Screens and available controls can change.
