Hey there, fellow Tesla enthusiast! Ever wondered how to properly save those crucial dashcam videos from your Tesla? Whether it's for an unfortunate incident, capturing a funny moment, or simply keeping a record of your drives, knowing how to save your Tesla's dashcam footage is super important. Let's dive into a comprehensive guide that'll make you a pro at managing your Tesla's eyes on the road!
Understanding Tesla's Dashcam and Sentry Mode
Before we get into the "how-to," it's vital to understand what Tesla's Dashcam and Sentry Mode actually do. They're powerful tools that leverage your Tesla's external cameras to record footage.
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Dashcam: This feature records video footage while you're driving, much like a traditional dash camera. It continuously records and overwrites older footage unless you specifically save a clip.
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Sentry Mode: This is your Tesla's intelligent security system. When activated, it monitors your surroundings while parked. If it detects a significant threat (like someone leaning on your car or an attempted break-in), it triggers an alarm, flashes the headlights, and saves the event footage to your USB drive.
Important Note: All recorded footage is saved locally to your formatted USB flash drive and is not sent to Tesla. Your privacy is protected!
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| How To Save Tesla Dashcam Video |
Step 1: Prepare Your USB Drive (The Foundation)
This is the absolutely crucial first step. Without a properly configured USB drive, your Tesla's dashcam and Sentry Mode won't be able to save any footage. Let's make sure you've got the right setup!
Sub-heading: What You'll Need
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A USB Flash Drive: Don't just grab any old thumb drive from your drawer! Tesla has specific requirements:
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Minimum Storage: At least 64 GB. However, video footage can take up a lot of space, so a larger capacity (128GB, 256GB, or even 1TB SSD) is highly recommended, especially if you plan to use Sentry Mode frequently.
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Sustained Write Speed: This is key! Look for a drive with a sustained write speed of at least 4 MB/s. This is different from "peak" write speed, which is often what's advertised. A slow write speed can lead to corrupted or missed recordings. Many owners opt for high-quality USB 3.0 drives or even portable SSDs for optimal performance and durability.
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USB Compatibility: While newer Teslas have USB-C ports, it's generally recommended to use a USB-A drive (often with an adapter if your Tesla primarily has USB-C ports in the glovebox/console that support data). USB-C ports in the center console or below the rear touchscreen often only support charging, not data for dashcam.
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Proper Formatting: This is where many people get stuck. The drive needs to be formatted in a specific file system.
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Sub-heading: Formatting Your USB Drive
You have two main options for formatting:
Option A: Formatting Directly in Your Tesla (The Easiest Way)
This is the simplest method if your Tesla's system is cooperating.
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Insert the USB drive: Plug your USB drive into a front USB port that supports data (preferably the one in the glovebox if your Tesla has one). Avoid rear USB ports as they are typically for charging only.
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Access Controls: On your Tesla's touchscreen, tap on Controls.
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Navigate to Safety: Select the Safety tab.
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Format USB Drive: Look for the option Format USB Drive and tap it.
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Confirm: Confirm the action. Your Tesla will automatically format the drive as exFAT and create the necessary
TeslaCamandTeslaTrackMode(if equipped) folders.
Pro Tip: If you have existing data on the USB drive you want to keep, make sure to back it up before formatting, as this process will erase everything!
QuickTip: Scan for summary-style sentences.
Option B: Formatting on a Computer (When In-Car Fails or for Advanced Users)
If your Tesla struggles to format the drive, or if you prefer to set it up manually, you can do it on your computer.
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Connect USB Drive to Computer: Insert the USB drive into your computer's USB port.
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Choose a File System: Format the USB drive using one of these file systems:
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exFAT (Recommended): This is generally the most compatible and recommended format for both Windows and Mac users.
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MS-DOS FAT (for Mac)
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ext3 or ext4 (Linux users)
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Do NOT use NTFS — it is currently not supported by Tesla for dashcam functionality.
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Create the
TeslaCamFolder: Once formatted, create a base-level folder (meaning, directly on the drive, not inside any other folders) namedTeslaCam. This folder is essential for your Tesla to recognize where to save footage.-
If you plan to use Track Mode (available on performance models), you'll also need to create a separate base-level folder named
TeslaTrackMode.
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Eject Safely: Always safely eject the USB drive from your computer before removing it. This prevents data corruption.
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Insert into Tesla: Plug the newly formatted USB drive into the appropriate USB port in your Tesla. It might take a few seconds for your Tesla to recognize it. You should see the Dashcam icon appear on your touchscreen (usually in the app launcher or status bar).
Step 2: Activating and Configuring Dashcam and Sentry Mode
Now that your USB drive is ready, let's make sure your Tesla is set up to record!
Sub-heading: Enabling Dashcam
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Go to Controls: On your Tesla's touchscreen, tap on Controls.
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Navigate to Safety: Select the Safety tab.
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Enable Dashcam: Ensure Dashcam is set to "On."
Sub-heading: Choosing How Footage is Saved
Tesla offers a few options for how Dashcam footage is saved:
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Auto: This is a convenient setting where your Tesla will automatically save a recording to the USB drive if it detects a safety-critical event, like a collision or airbag deployment. However, do not rely solely on "Auto" for all events, as detection can vary based on various factors.
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Manual: This is your primary control for saving clips. You'll manually touch the Dashcam icon to save a recording of the most recent ten minutes of footage.
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On Honk: This is a super handy feature! When you press the horn, Dashcam will automatically save a recording of the most recent ten minutes of footage. You can enable this along with "Auto" or "Manual" simultaneously.
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To enable "On Honk," go to Controls > Security (or Safety, depending on software version) and scroll down to Dashcam settings.
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Voice Command: You can also save a clip using voice commands! Simply press the voice command button on your steering wheel and say, "Save Dashcam Clip."
Sub-heading: Enabling Sentry Mode (for Parked Protection)
Sentry Mode is a separate but related feature that also saves video footage.
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Ensure Dashcam is On: Sentry Mode requires Dashcam to be enabled first.
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Go to Controls > Safety: Access the safety settings on your touchscreen.
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Enable Sentry Mode: Touch Sentry Mode and set it to "On." The Sentry Mode icon will turn red when active.
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Sentry Mode Settings:
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Exclude Locations: You can choose to exclude Sentry Mode from automatically enabling at your "Home," "Work," or "Favorite" destinations. This prevents unnecessary recordings in familiar, safe locations.
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Camera-Based Detection: If enabled, Sentry Mode uses external cameras in addition to vehicle sensors to detect events. If disabled, it only saves clips if a physical threat is detected.
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Step 3: Saving Dashcam Videos During Your Drive
This is where you actively control what gets saved! Remember, continuous footage is overwritten, so you need to manually save clips you want to keep.
QuickTip: Slow scrolling helps comprehension.
Sub-heading: Manual Saving via Touchscreen Icon
This is the most direct way to save a clip while driving.
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Locate the Dashcam Icon: The Dashcam icon is typically found in your app launcher at the bottom of the touchscreen. You might want to drag it to your main app tray for easy access.
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Tap to Save: When you witness an event you want to save, simply tap the Dashcam icon. This will save the last 10 minutes of footage from all active cameras (front, rear, left, and right repeater cameras) to the "SavedClips" folder on your USB drive.
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Icon Status: The icon will momentarily change to "SAVED" to confirm the action.
Sub-heading: Saving via Honk (If Enabled)
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Press the Horn: If you've enabled "On Honk" in your settings, simply press your car's horn when you want to save the last 10 minutes of footage. This is great for quick, reactive saves.
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Sub-heading: Saving via Voice Command
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Activate Voice Command: Press the right scroll wheel button on your steering wheel (or the voice command icon on the touchscreen).
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Say the Command: Clearly say, "Save Dashcam Clip" or "Save Dashcam Video."
Sub-heading: Understanding Auto-Saved Clips
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RecentClips Folder: Tesla continuously records to a "RecentClips" folder on your USB drive, typically storing up to 60 minutes of footage. This footage is continuously overwritten unless you manually save it.
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SavedClips Folder: When you manually save a clip (via tap, honk, or voice command), that 10-minute segment is moved from "RecentClips" to the "SavedClips" folder, where it will not be overwritten.
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Sentry Clips: If Sentry Mode detects an event, it automatically saves the footage to a "SentryClips" folder.
Step 4: Viewing and Managing Your Saved Videos ️
Once you've saved your videos, you'll want to review them. You have two main options: on your Tesla's touchscreen or on a computer.
Sub-heading: Viewing on Your Tesla's Touchscreen
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Park Your Vehicle: You can only view saved footage on the touchscreen when your Tesla is in Park.
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Open the Dashcam Viewer: Tap the Dashcam icon located in your app launcher.
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Browse and Play: The viewer will display a list of all video clips, organized by location and timestamp. You can:
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Select clips: Tap on a clip to play it.
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Navigate: Use the tabs to switch between "RecentClips," "SavedClips," and "SentryClips."
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Controls: Pause, rewind, and fast forward clips.
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Delete: Swipe right on a clip or press and hold to quickly delete specific clips. You can also delete all Dashcam and Sentry Mode clips by navigating to Controls > Safety > Delete Dashcam Clips.
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Important: Dashcam recording pauses when you launch the Viewer on the touchscreen.
Sub-heading: Viewing on a Computer
This is often the best way to review footage comprehensively, especially if you need to share it or edit it.
QuickTip: Check if a section answers your question.
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Safely Remove USB Drive from Tesla: Before removing the USB drive, it's critical to safely dismount it to prevent data corruption.
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Press and hold the Dashcam icon on your touchscreen for about 5 seconds until it turns from red to gray. This indicates that recording has stopped.
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Wait approximately 10 seconds to ensure all data is written, then safely remove the USB drive from the Tesla's port.
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Insert into Computer: Plug the USB drive into your computer.
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Navigate to
TeslaCamFolder: Open the USB drive. You'll find a primary folder namedTeslaCam. -
Explore Subfolders: Inside
TeslaCam, you'll typically find these subfolders:-
RecentClips: Contains the continuously overwritten footage (up to the last hour). -
SavedClips: Contains the clips you manually saved. -
SentryClips: Contains footage triggered by Sentry Mode events.
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Playback: Each "event" (whether manual save or Sentry trigger) will have its own folder, usually timestamped. Inside, you'll find four video files, one from each camera (front, rear, left repeater, right repeater).
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Video Format: Tesla encodes videos in HEVC H.265. Most modern computers, operating systems, and media players (like VLC Media Player) can play these files natively. If you have an older computer, you might need to install a compatible HEVC codec or use a player that supports it.
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Transfer and Backup: Copy any important videos from the USB drive to your computer for long-term storage and to free up space on the USB drive. Regularly moving saved videos and deleting them from the USB drive prevents it from getting full and stopping recordings.
Step 5: Best Practices for Tesla Dashcam & Sentry Mode
To ensure you're always capturing what you need and maintaining your USB drive, here are some best practices:
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Dedicated USB Drive: Use a USB drive specifically for your Tesla's dashcam. Avoid using it for other files to prevent conflicts or accidental deletion.
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High-Quality Drive: Invest in a high-endurance USB drive or an SSD (Solid State Drive). These are designed for continuous write cycles and are more reliable for dashcam use.
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Regularly Check Status: Occasionally check the Dashcam icon on your Tesla's screen. If it's not showing as "RECORDING" or "AVAILABLE," there might be an issue with your USB drive or settings.
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Periodically Review Footage: Don't wait for an incident to discover your dashcam isn't working. Periodically review your saved clips to ensure everything is recording properly.
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Backup Important Clips: Always transfer important clips from your USB drive to another storage device (computer, cloud storage) as soon as possible.
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Format Regularly: If you notice performance issues or simply want to clear old, unsaved footage, reformatting the drive every few months can help. Remember to backup anything important first!
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Know Your Ports: Be aware of which USB ports in your Tesla support data transfer for the dashcam. Generally, the glovebox USB-A port (if equipped) and front center console USB-A ports are the ones to use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to ensure my USB drive is compatible with Tesla's dashcam?
Ensure it's at least 64GB, has a sustained write speed of 4 MB/s or higher, and is formatted to exFAT (or MS-DOS FAT for Mac, ext3/ext4 for Linux) with a top-level folder named TeslaCam. High-endurance drives or SSDs are recommended for reliability.
How to manually save Tesla dashcam footage while driving?
You can tap the Dashcam icon on your touchscreen, press your horn (if "On Honk" is enabled), or use the voice command "Save Dashcam Clip." Each method saves the last 10 minutes of footage.
How to view Tesla dashcam footage in the car?
Put your Tesla in Park, then tap the Dashcam icon on your touchscreen. This will open the Dashcam Viewer where you can browse and play your recorded clips.
How to stop Tesla dashcam recording before removing the USB drive?
Press and hold the Dashcam icon on your touchscreen for about 5 seconds until it turns from red to gray. Wait about 10 seconds before physically removing the drive to ensure data integrity.
QuickTip: Focus on what feels most relevant.
How to access Tesla dashcam footage on a computer?
Safely remove the USB drive from your Tesla, insert it into your computer, and navigate to the TeslaCam folder. Inside, you'll find RecentClips, SavedClips, and SentryClips subfolders containing your video files.
How to troubleshoot if my Tesla dashcam isn't recording?
First, check that a properly formatted USB drive is inserted and the Dashcam icon is visible. Ensure the drive isn't full. Try reformatting the drive (backing up important data first). If issues persist, try a different, higher-quality USB drive.
How to enable Sentry Mode to save parking incident videos?
With a properly formatted USB drive inserted, go to Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode and turn it "On." Sentry Mode will then automatically save clips if it detects a security event while parked.
How to delete Tesla dashcam clips?
In the in-car Dashcam Viewer (when in Park), you can swipe right on individual clips to delete them, or go to Controls > Safety > Delete Dashcam Clips to delete all Dashcam and Sentry Mode footage.
How to free up space on my Tesla dashcam USB drive?
Regularly transfer important saved clips to your computer or another storage device, then delete them from the USB drive using either the in-car viewer or a computer.
How to tell if my Tesla dashcam is actively recording?
Look at the Dashcam icon on your touchscreen. It will typically show as a red circle with a camera icon when actively recording. If it's grey, it's paused or not recording.
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