Tesla Dealer says account is setup but app still says no vehicle linked

1. There is no such thing as a Tesla "dealer". It's a store or a service center.
2. Give it 24 hours after delivery, if the app still isn't active then you should call Tesla service.

While I agree with the dealer nomenclature, but what if he bought the car used from a "dealer"?

He specifies a 'Tesla Dealer', not a generic dealer.

My car in September took about 8 hours to recognize the phone app.

He doesn't say he purchased the car yet. Early in the process "my tesla" is set up for documents etc. You can't get to the car with the app until you purchase and through the console make it available.

First thing I'd check is your settings on the Tesla to make sure you've enabled remote access:
Controls > Settings > Safety & Security > Remote Access > On

Based on your post history, looks like you bought a previously owned Signature Model S a couple weeks ago? It might have some connection issue since the previous owner may have set it up. If you have the 6.1 upgrade you can try a "factory reset" which may clear any connections to previous accounts (warning: I don't know that this would fix the issue, but it will clear all your other personalized settings. If you don't want to risk the hassle, just skip to calling customer service.)

Otherwise, I'd suggest reaching out to customer support instead of your local store/service center. Customer support line may be more familiar with the issue. Make you you have your VIN & account info, and (assuming you bought a used Signature based on your posts) let them know the full background of your situation.

It took me about 48 hours and I was in contact with the Delivery guys at the Lawrence service centre so I think they may have had to get the guy back at the mothership to reauthorize or whatever.

My husband bought a used Tesla from anon-Tesla dealer and Tesla would not give him access to the car via the app until he has provided them proof of ownership and then it still took a day or two to activate.

Liz G said:

My husband bought a used Tesla from anon-Tesla dealer and Tesla would not give him access to the car via the app until he has provided them proof of ownership and then it still took a day or two to activate.

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It's good they're careful and require proof of ownership when the car isn't purchased from Tesla.

I had to contact ownership for mine. It hadn't shown up after 24 hours. It took about a day after that to show up in the app. It should have been automatic, but even with the hiccup was relatively painless to sort out.

wayner said:

It took me about 48 hours and I was in contact with the Delivery guys at the Lawrence service centre so I think they may have had to get the guy back at the mothership to reauthorize or whatever.

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Mine also took around 36-48 hours for the app to start working.