For a 2022 Tesla Model Y Long Range (YLR), your iPhone 16 Pro Max should normally reconnect automatically once it has been paired. Tesla specifically says the Model Y will reconnect to the last-used phone when it is within range and Bluetooth is on.
So if you have to manually tap Connect every time, something is interfering with the saved Bluetooth connection rather than this being normal behaviour.
I would try these in this order
1. Check the Tesla is remembering your iPhone
- In the Tesla: Controls → Bluetooth → Paired Devices
- Find your iPhone 16 Pro Max.
- Make sure it is still listed as a paired device.
- If there is a Priority Device option, make your iPhone the priority device.
Tesla says a Priority Device should be automatically selected when it is in range.
2. On your iPhone, check Bluetooth properly
Go to:
Settings → Bluetooth
Make sure Bluetooth is ON there—not merely enabled through Control Centre. Apple notes that using the Control Centre Bluetooth button can disconnect Bluetooth accessories while leaving Bluetooth functionality available.
3. The most likely fix: completely re-pair the phone
I’d do a clean pairing rather than repeatedly pressing Connect:
On the Tesla:
Controls → Bluetooth → Paired Devices → your iPhone → Forget Device
On the iPhone:
Settings → Bluetooth → ⓘ next to your Tesla → Forget This Device
Then restart the iPhone.
After that, sit in the Model Y and pair it again from the Tesla’s Bluetooth screen. Tesla specifically recommends unpairing on both sides and re-pairing if Bluetooth continues to have connection problems.
One other thing I’d check
If you have another phone previously paired with the Y, particularly a partner’s phone, the Tesla may be trying to connect to that device instead. Tesla can have multiple phones paired but normally connects to the Priority Device or the last phone used.
If it still happens
Then I’d suspect either a Tesla software/Bluetooth glitch or an iPhone Bluetooth-state problem. Tesla recommends updating the vehicle software, restarting the touchscreen and, if necessary, power-cycling the vehicle.
If you tell me whether your iPhone is also set up as the Tesla Phone Key, I can give you a very specific 5-minute reset procedure for your 2022 YLR that won’t risk losing your phone-key access.
