It’s not every day your eight-year-old says, “Dad, do you think Elon Musk has the same phone as me?” My son Soren asked on the drive to his friend’s birthday. It’s the kind of question that hooks you right away—how does the world’s boldest innovator actually connect with the world? With Musk running Tesla, SpaceX, X (formerly Twitter), Neuralink, and whatever else he’s quietly working on, you’d expect something wild in his pocket. Maybe a one-off prototype, maybe an ancient Nokia, maybe nothing. Honestly, the truth is stranger than you’d expect. That debate is all over forums, and the only thing fans seem to agree on is that nobody really knows. But I dug deep, dodged the myths, ignored the noise—and mapped the facts for anyone who’s curious about which phone Elon Musk actually uses in 2025.
Elon Musk and Smartphones: What We Actually Know
Elon’s relationship with smartphones is… complicated. Of course, it’s not because he doesn’t use them. Actually, he’s admitted more than once to being "fairly addicted" to his phone, even saying he sometimes sleeps with it close by. But if you expect him to be parading the newest model each year, think again. Let’s start with what’s been seen in public. In the rare photos and videos where Musk’s phone is visible—from press events to Twitter reveals in boardrooms—his device-of-choice in the last few years has been an iPhone. Not just any iPhone, but often one of the Pro models. In 2022, eagle-eyed followers caught a silver iPhone 12 Pro Max on his desk. Jump to late 2024 and paparazzi shots at Tesla HQ hint at the iPhone 15 Pro Max, identifiable by the larger camera housing and titanium frame. I even pulled out my daughter Annelise’s art supplies and compared the corners—definitely a match.
When asked directly on social media, Musk has never denied using an iPhone. In fact, in 2022, he tweeted in response to concerns over Apple’s App Store policies: “I use an iPhone, so I hope it doesn’t come to that,” referring to removing Twitter (now X) from the App Store. That frank admission answered a thousand Reddit threads. But Musk has also flirted with the idea of making his own phone. Back in late 2022, during his tech wars with Apple and Google, he mused, “If Apple & Google boot Twitter from their app stores, I’ll make an alternative phone.” As of July 2025, no such device from Tesla (or X/Twitter or SpaceX) exists. No leaks, patents, or reliable rumors. The Pi Phone? Pure YouTube speculation—no prototype, no credible document, total vaporware.
So Musk is using an iPhone. But he’s not loyal to Apple for any sentimental reasons. In earlier years, he was seen with a Samsung Galaxy Note (around 2015), and once said at a code conference, “All my companies make apps for Android and iOS.” What he wants is the highest performance, fastest software, and tight integration for his insane workflow. iPhones—especially the Pro models—give him that, with fast chips, clean updates, strong security, and industry-best cameras for all those Q&A livestreams and spur-of-the-moment tweets. It’s also worth noting that Apple iPhones have a reputation for encrypted messaging and better privacy controls, something a billionaire under constant media watch would definitely find appealing.
Behind the scenes, sources suggest Musk runs multiple phones. One for everyday use (most public sightings show the iPhone Pro series), one for extra security (an Android with minimal apps and extra encryption, according to a 2023 Vanity Fair interview), and possibly a "burner" for ultra-private conversations. Insiders say he’s known to swap SIM cards and phones regularly to avoid leaks, but the iPhone appears to be his daily driver—at board meetings, on Teslas' dashboards, and by his bedside at night. When it comes to smartphone loyalty, Musk is as pragmatic as he is about rockets: if it works, it lands a spot in his toolkit.
The Appeal of iPhone Pro Models for Tech Moguls
What makes the iPhone Pro series so attractive—even for someone who could design their own phone from scratch? Well, it comes down to power, security, and—let’s be honest—status. Musk isn’t alone; most execs at technology firms and creative agencies grip an iPhone Pro Max. The reason? These phones aren’t just fast, they’re built for heavy users. The latest iPhone 15 Pro Max dropped in September 2024, packing an A18 chip that benchmarks faster than most laptops from a few years ago. Whether you’re streaming live events from a rocket launch or just triaging emails at 4 AM (Musk’s admitted habit), the speed matters. The display is huge, bright, and adaptive, perfect for reading specs, viewing charts, or video calling your engineers on another continent.
Apple’s privacy stance is big here. Advanced Face ID, encrypted messaging, and “lockdown mode” aren’t just for regular folks worried about privacy. Imagine you’re a billionaire who’s targeted by hackers, competitors, and maybe the occasional upset blogger—privacy isn’t optional. Apple offers a degree of control over data that Android phones, for all their customizability, sometimes struggle with. Even Musk has joked about Apple’s customer service: “It’s better than some car makers I know,” which always gets a laugh at Tesla town halls.
It’s not all hardware, though. The iPhone ecosystem is hard to replicate on Android. AirDrop for quick file sharing in the office, instant connectivity to MacBooks, support for transit cards—these are the little wins that keep you loyal. Celebrities and execs, from Kim Kardashian to Tim Cook himself, love this seamlessness. Just take a look at this brief comparison table for the 2024 phone landscape:
| Phone | Processor | Key Security Features | Main Camera | Battery Life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | A18 Pro Chip | Advanced Face ID, Lockdown Mode | 48MP triple cam | Up to 30 hrs |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Iris Scan, Secure Folder | 200MP quad cam | Up to 26 hrs |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro | Tensor G4 | Titan M3 chip, Security Hub | 64MP triple cam | Up to 28 hrs |
So, if you’re Elon Musk and need guaranteed software updates, top-shelf security, and high dependability in your phone, the iPhone Pro Max becomes a no-brainer, at least for 2025.
Musk’s Unique Habits: How He Uses His Smartphone
You’d expect Musk’s phone habits to be as unconventional as his career. While he’s confessed to spending hours on X (yes, the platform formerly called Twitter, which he owns), he’s also famously absorbed by his direct communication style. He texts staff, friends, and even critics at all hours of day and night. Rumor at Tesla’s Austin offices is that he’s a “master of group texts,” using iMessage to merge formal plans and meme wars with eccentric timing—3 AM meetings, 7 PM bento box photos, you name it. In interviews, Musk has admitted that he’s notorious for “sending emails from my phone faster than most type on a keyboard.” If you’ve ever fired off work tasks while waiting for your kid’s soccer practice to end, you know the vibes.
Unlike other execs, Musk avoids unnecessary apps. His home screen keeps it spartan: X, Slack, email, spreadsheets, news, music, and maybe three games—usually logic puzzles or chess. He’s said he deletes most apps if they annoy him with ads or excessive notifications. When Apple rolled out Focus Mode, he started using it regularly, toggling between "Work" and "Family" modes to block out digital noise. What’s wild: in a 2023 podcast, Musk claimed he disables almost all notifications—it’s mostly direct messages and urgent work pings that can break through.
For security, his tech team reportedly audits his devices every couple of months. They keep him patched up with the latest updates, suggest VPNs for travel, and go the extra mile to prevent anyone from hacking or tracking his phone. And then there’s backup. Musk doesn’t trust just iCloud—he reportedly uses encrypted backups, a custom VPN, and changes his lock screen password regularly (no "123456," thankfully). In a world where a phone hack could leak Tesla’s secret project or SpaceX’s next destination, you have to respect the paranoia.
Family comes into play, too. Musk has mentioned letting his kids use his phone for FaceTime or games once in a blue moon, but only with strict supervision. If you’re a parent, you know that panic when your apps start rearranging themselves thanks to tiny fingers. Musk is no exception—his youngest once sent a private Slack message with nothing but emojis to dozens of Tesla engineers.
Despite all this hype, Musk is just as likely to set his phone aside at dinner with his kids. He’s a fan of old-school connection—he’s mentioned "putting the phone in another room" to focus on family. Anyone who’s tried to hide their own phone during meals will relate. There’s something oddly comforting about knowing even the world’s busiest billionaire tries to unplug and be present, even just for a slice of pizza night.
Mythbusting: The Tesla Phone, Pi Phone, and Other Legends
If you do a quick search, you’ll see half the internet convinced Elon Musk secretly uses a Tesla phone, a Pi Phone, or some wild custom gadget designed by SpaceX engineers. There are hundreds of photos, “leaks,” YouTube videos, and blog posts breathlessly declaring that “Elon’s secret phone changes everything!” Let’s clear this up. Zero evidence supports the existence of a Tesla Phone or Pi Phone. There’s no FCC filing, no parts leaks, no credible journalists with inside info. Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee tackled this in late 2023, debunking videos showing a “Tesla PI” complete with impossible features like satellite calls from anywhere and solar charging. That stuff looks cool on a movie set, not in a real product engineer’s hand.
The legend took flight mostly because Musk loves to rattle cages. His offhand tweets—like vowing to make a phone if Apple and Google “censor” X or talking up satellite connectivity—spark fans’ imaginations. Certain tech blogs thrive on the rumor mill, photoshopping mockups that go wildly viral. Even the idea that SpaceX would make a smartphone—honestly, there’s no evidence at all aside from jokes Musk has dropped during live X Spaces talks.
There’s one semi-true rumor: a “Starlink phone prototype.” In 2024, certification documents did show SpaceX testing a rugged satellite phone for employees in remote locations. It’s not a consumer smartphone, though—it’s a bulky, walkie-talkie style device with basic texting and voice only, no iOS or Android apps. The real innovations from Musk’s companies have been in connectivity, not shiny gadgets.
Musk’s actual public stance? He’s happy with Apple and Android, as long as they don’t cut off his access to X. If push comes to shove, he’s said he'd “make something else.” But until that day arrives, don’t fall for the viral YouTube clips or AI-generated press releases about Pi Phones or Tesla Phones “about to launch next month.” That’s as real as Soren’s design for a Nerf-blaster phone with rocket boosters and unlimited cookies.
If You Want to Use a Phone Like Elon Musk
If you’re ever curious how to match Elon Musk’s phone habits, you don’t need millions in stock options or a rocket company in your backyard. You just need a phone that’s ultra-reliable, secure, and helps you get stuff done. Start with the Elon Musk phone of 2025: the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Yes, you’ll drop close to $1,200, but you get a device loaded with power, privacy, and prestige. Set up Face ID for tight security. Go into settings, use Focus Mode to silence distractions when you need to drill down on your work or family. Keep your home screen clean—delete anything you don’t use, and keep essentials close.
Adopt Musk’s no-nonsense attitude towards notifications. Only let through what genuinely matters: urgent work notes, messages from family, whatever helps you make quick decisions. Use encrypted backups; Apple now includes end-to-end encryption for iCloud, and there are plenty of solid VPNs (NordVPN, ExpressVPN) to boost your privacy on the go. If you work in sensitive fields, rotate your passcodes now and then, and avoid connecting to sketchy public Wi-Fi.
Want to make your phone “Musk-level safe”? Set up two-factor authentication for all sensitive apps (banking, social, email). Consider running a security audit—Apple and Google both offer guides to check device health. If you’re really ambitious, split work and personal comms; run a second phone for new ventures, travel, or projects where you want zero distractions. Musk’s approach isn’t about flashy apps or wasting hours on games—it’s about getting what you need, and unplugging when it counts.
Last tip: remember to unplug at dinner. Your kids will thank you (maybe not at first, but they will). Neither Musk nor anyone else has found a better way to balance out the world’s noise than this. And that’s something every dad learns, billionaire or not.