Tesla Update 2026.14.100: Smarter Grok, a New Creations Hub, and Service Mode Gets QR Codes
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Tesla began rolling out software version 2026.14.100 on May 21, 2026, a point release on the Spring Update branch that focuses on AI assistant polish, a new creative media hub, and expanded access for independent repair shops. Not a Tesla App, which tracks Tesla software changes across the fleet, cataloged more than 20 discrete changes in the update. Here is what matters most.
Grok: Auto-Dismissal and Location Favorites
The most visible behavioral change is Grok's new auto-dismissal timer. The AI assistant will now automatically close itself after approximately 15 seconds of inactivity — a direct response to user feedback that Grok's persistent overlay was cluttering the main display after voice queries. The change applies to AMD Ryzen vehicles across all S, 3, X, Y, and Cybertruck models.
The update also wires Grok into Tesla's navigation favorites: the assistant can now retrieve a saved location from your favorites list and navigate there directly from a voice command, without requiring a separate tap in the navigation interface. This closes a gap that made Grok less useful for hands-free route initiation on frequently visited destinations.
A third Grok change moves the assistant's settings into the Audio section of Controls, giving users a second access point alongside the existing status bar shortcut — useful for owners who want to adjust Grok's behavior without hunting through menus.
Creations: Photobooth and Sketchpad in One Place
AMD Ryzen vehicles running 2026.14 or later gain a new Creations section in the Tesla mobile app. The section consolidates two previously separate features — Photobooth (photos taken with the vehicle's cameras) and Sketchpad (drawings made on the center screen) — into a single interface with dedicated tabs.
Creations are stored on the vehicle itself, not on Tesla's servers. When you open the section, the app wakes the car and retrieves the stored files. From within the app, you can view, share, or delete individual photos and sketches. The Sketchpad in 2026.14 added sticker and emoji support, and those creations are now surfaced alongside Photobooth images in the unified view.
| Feature | Detail | Applicable Models |
|---|---|---|
| Creations section | Unified Photobooth + Sketchpad tabs | AMD S, 3, X, Y, Cybertruck (2026.14+) |
| Grok auto-dismiss | ~15 seconds inactivity | AMD vehicles, all models |
| Grok Favorites | Navigate to saved locations via voice | AMD vehicles, all models |
| Chromium browser | Updated 136 → 140 | All models |
| Advanced updates toggle | Simplified on/off (was Standard/Advanced) | All models |
Chromium 140 and WebGPU Performance
Tesla's in-car browser received its first major version bump since the Spring Update: Chromium 136 → 140. The jump closes four minor Chromium releases at once, bringing improved WebGPU performance — relevant for browser-based apps that use GPU acceleration — and updated web standards compatibility. Tesla does not detail which Chromium-level security patches are included, but four releases' worth of upstream fixes are now present in the vehicle.
Service Mode Gets QR Code Authentication for Independent Shops
The most technically significant change for the repair industry is a new QR-code authentication flow in Service Mode Plus. Independent repair shops can now scan a QR code displayed on the vehicle screen to authenticate access to the extended service diagnostics interface — previously a capability restricted to Tesla-authorized service centers.
This expands the repair ecosystem without requiring independent shops to hold Tesla-issued credentials in advance. A technician at any shop can enter Service Mode Plus, perform diagnostics, and access the Vehicle Functions panel (Model 3 and Y) and a new Bluetooth diagnosis panel.
"QR code authentication for independent repairers using Service Mode Plus" — Tesla 2026.14.100 release notes, via Not a Tesla App
Additional Service Mode additions include a DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) indicator on the bottom banner and ANC microphone recording support for 2021+ Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck — useful for diagnosing cabin noise complaints.
Other Noteworthy Changes
Several smaller quality-of-life improvements round out the release. The FSD disengagement menu now includes "Parking" as a reason and removes "Preference" and "Discomfort" — a change that refines the data Tesla collects on why drivers take back control. The Amber Brake Lights visualization update improves how the Unreal Engine renders region-specific amber turn signals in the car's driving display. And Cloud Profiles — stored driver preferences synced to Tesla's servers — now display a cloud icon in the profile selector so drivers can distinguish cloud-stored from locally stored profiles at a glance.
The Bottom Line for Tesla Owners
Update 2026.14.100 is a refinement release rather than a feature landmark. The changes that most owners will notice first are Grok's new 15-second auto-dismissal and the Creations section in the mobile app — both address usability friction that has built up since the Spring Update. The Service Mode QR code change is quieter but consequential for the independent repair ecosystem, expanding professional access to vehicle diagnostics without requiring pre-established Tesla authorization.
Owners can check availability through the Tesla app's Software tab or the vehicle's Software menu under Controls.
Photo: Tesla touchscreen FSD interface / Pexels