Hey there, fellow Tesla enthusiast! Ever wondered how to pull up those crucial dash cam recordings from your sleek ride? Whether it's for insurance, curiosity, or just reliving a cool driving moment, knowing how to access your Tesla's dash cam footage is a super useful skill. Let's dive into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to mastering your Tesla's built-in surveillance system!
Step 1: Confirm Your Tesla's Dash Cam Readiness
Before we get into viewing, let's ensure your Tesla is all set up to record footage. This is the most crucial preliminary step.
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| How To See Tesla Dash Cam Footage |
Sub-heading: The USB Drive is Your Best Friend
Your Tesla's dash cam and Sentry Mode features require a properly formatted USB drive to store video recordings. Without it, your car won't be saving any footage!
Check for a Pre-formatted Drive: Many Teslas manufactured from approximately 2020 onwards come with a pre-formatted USB flash drive conveniently located in the glove box. If you have one, you're halfway there!
If You Need Your Own: If your Tesla didn't come with one or you want a larger/faster one, you'll need to purchase a USB drive. Tesla recommends a minimum storage capacity of 64 GB with a sustained write speed of at least 4 MB/s. USB 2.0 compatible is fine, but if using a USB 3.0 drive, it must also support USB 2.0.
Sub-heading: Formatting Your USB Drive
If you're using your own USB drive, it needs to be formatted correctly. You have two main options:
Format in Your Tesla (Easiest Method):
Insert the USB drive into one of your Tesla's front USB ports (preferably the one in the glovebox if equipped, as rear USB-C ports typically only charge devices).
On your Tesla's touchscreen, navigate to Controls > Safety > Format USB Drive.
Confirm the action. This will erase all content on the drive and format it as exFAT, automatically creating the necessary "TeslaCam" and (if applicable) "TeslaTrackMode" folders. Make sure you've backed up any important data from the USB drive before doing this!
Format on a Computer (Manual Method):
Connect the USB drive to your computer.
Format the drive to one of these file systems:
exFAT
FAT32 (for drives 32 GB or smaller; larger drives may require a third-party tool for FAT32 on Windows)
MS-DOS FAT (for Mac)
ext3 or ext4 (Linux)
Note: NTFS is generally NOT supported by Tesla for dash cam recording.
Once formatted, create a base-level folder on the USB drive named exactly "TeslaCam" (case-sensitive). If you plan to use Track Mode, you can also create a folder called "TeslaTrackMode".
Safely eject the USB drive from your computer and insert it into your Tesla's USB port (again, glovebox port is usually ideal).
Step 2: Enabling Dash Cam and Sentry Mode ️
With your USB drive ready, ensure these features are activated in your Tesla.
Sub-heading: Activating Dash Cam
On your Tesla's touchscreen, go to Controls > Safety > Dashcam.
You can choose how and when footage is saved:
Auto: Dashcam automatically saves a recording when your Tesla detects a safety-critical event (e.g., collision, airbag deployment).
Manual: You'll need to manually touch the Dashcam icon to save the most recent ten minutes of footage.
On Honk: When you honk the horn, Dashcam saves the most recent ten minutes of footage. You can enable this along with "Auto" or "Manual".
Tip: Note one practical point from this post.
Sub-heading: Activating Sentry Mode
Sentry Mode is Tesla's surveillance system when your car is parked. It uses the external cameras to monitor for suspicious activity.
On your Tesla's touchscreen, go to Controls > Sentry Mode.
Toggle Sentry Mode to "On". The Sentry Mode icon in your controls will turn red when active.
You can also configure "Camera-Based Detection" to use external cameras for detecting events, and even exclude certain locations (like home or work) where you don't want Sentry Mode to automatically activate.
Note: Sentry Mode requires your battery to be at least 20% charged to operate effectively.
Step 3: Accessing Footage in Your Tesla
This is the most common and immediate way to review recordings.
Sub-heading: Using the In-Car Dashcam Viewer
Ensure Your Vehicle is in Park: You cannot launch the Dashcam Viewer while driving.
Tap the Dashcam Icon: On your Tesla's touchscreen, locate and tap the Dashcam icon (it often appears as a red dot with white lines around it).
Launch Viewer: Select "Launch Viewer" from the menu that appears.
Browse and View Clips:
The viewer will open, displaying your recorded clips, typically organized by timestamp.
You'll see tabs for RecentClips (a rolling hour of footage that gets continuously overwritten if not saved), SavedClips (manually saved footage), and SentryClips (recordings from Sentry Mode events).
You can swipe to the right or press and hold to quickly delete unwanted clips.
Use the timeline scrubber at the bottom of the screen to navigate through the video.
You can switch between different camera angles (front, rear, left, right) to get a comprehensive view of the event.
Step 4: Accessing Footage via the Tesla Mobile App
This is a fantastic and convenient option, allowing you to view footage without even being in your car!
Sub-heading: Requirements for Mobile App Viewing
To use the Dashcam Viewer in the Tesla app, you'll need:
Premium Connectivity: This is a subscription service from Tesla.
Tesla mobile app version 4.39.5 or newer (or 4.43.5 or newer for Android users, as this feature was initially iOS-only).
Your vehicle must be equipped with an MCU 2 (Intel) processor or higher. Most modern Teslas (Model 3, Model Y, newer Model S/X, Cybertruck) support this.
Your vehicle must be connected to cellular data or Wi-Fi for the app to stream videos directly from your car to your phone.
Sub-heading: Steps to View via Mobile App
Tip: Slow down at important lists or bullet points.
Launch the Tesla App: Open the Tesla app on your smartphone.
Navigate to Security & Drivers: Scroll down to the "Security and Drivers" section and tap on it.
Select Dashcam Viewer: Tap on "Dashcam Viewer" (sometimes labeled "View saved clips").
Connect to Vehicle: Wait a few moments for your phone to connect to your vehicle and retrieve the footage.
Browse and Save Clips:
You'll be able to browse through available clips from both Sentry Mode and dashcam recordings.
You can select different camera angles.
A particularly useful feature is the ability to save 30-second clips directly to your phone's photo gallery. When viewing a clip, navigate to the desired moment and select "Save 30-second clip to photos" – this will save 15 seconds before and 15 seconds after your selected point.
Step 5: Accessing Footage on a Computer (for Full Control)
For more in-depth review, archiving, or if you prefer a larger screen, a computer is your best bet.
Sub-heading: Steps to View on a Computer
Open the Glove Box: On your Tesla's touchscreen, tap the glove box icon to open it.
Remove the USB Drive: Carefully remove the USB drive that stores your Dashcam and Sentry Mode recordings.
Connect to Computer: Insert the USB drive into a USB port on your computer.
Navigate to the TeslaCam Folder:
Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
Locate the connected USB drive (it might be named "TESLA" or similar).
Open the folder named "TeslaCam".
Explore Sub-folders: Inside "TeslaCam", you'll find several sub-folders:
RecentClips: Contains a rolling hour of footage that is continuously overwritten.
SavedClips: Holds recordings you manually saved.
SentryClips: Contains recordings from Sentry Mode events.
View and Manage Files:
You can now open these video files using your computer's default video player.
The files are typically organized by timestamp, making it easy to find specific events.
From here, you can copy, move, delete, or back up the footage as needed.
Sub-heading: Third-Party Dash Cam Viewers
While you can use any standard video player, some third-party applications (available for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android) are designed specifically for TeslaCam footage. These can offer features like:
Synchronized playback of all camera angles.
Faster scrubbing through footage.
Easy trimming and exporting of clips.
Location mapping for events.
Examples include "Perception" (available on iOS and Android) and various "Dashcam Viewer for Tesla Cars" apps on app stores. Always exercise caution and read reviews before downloading third-party software.
Step 6: Managing Your Footage and Storage ️
Dash cam footage can quickly fill up a USB drive. Regular management is key.
Sub-heading: Preventing Full Storage
Regularly Move and Delete: To prevent your USB drive from becoming full (which would stop new recordings), regularly move saved videos to another storage device (like your computer or cloud storage) and delete them from the USB drive.
Understanding Overwriting: Unless you manually save footage, "RecentClips" and older "SentryClips" are continuously overwritten when the USB drive runs out of space. So, if there's something important, save it promptly!
QuickTip: Stop to think as you go.
Sub-heading: Deleting Clips
From In-Car Viewer: In the in-car Dashcam Viewer, you can swipe right or press and hold on clips to delete them. You can also navigate to Controls > Safety > Delete Dashcam Clips to clear all Dashcam and Sentry Mode footage.
From Computer: Simply delete the files from the "TeslaCam" folder on your USB drive when connected to a computer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to format a USB drive for Tesla dash cam?
You can format it directly in your Tesla by going to Controls > Safety > Format USB Drive, or manually on a computer by formatting to exFAT, FAT32, MS-DOS FAT (Mac), ext3, or ext4, and then creating a folder named "TeslaCam" on the root directory.
How to enable Tesla dash cam?
Insert a properly formatted USB drive into a front USB port, then on your Tesla's touchscreen, go to Controls > Safety > Dashcam and choose your preferred saving method (Auto, Manual, or On Honk).
How to view Tesla dash cam footage on the car's screen?
Put your Tesla in Park, then tap the Dashcam icon on your touchscreen and select "Launch Viewer" to browse and play clips.
How to view Tesla dash cam footage on my phone?
Launch the Tesla app, go to the "Security and Drivers" section, and tap "Dashcam Viewer." You'll need Premium Connectivity and a compatible phone/vehicle.
Tip: Reflect on what you just read.
How to save a specific Tesla dash cam clip?
While driving, tap the Dashcam icon on your touchscreen to save the most recent 10 minutes. Alternatively, enable "On Honk" in settings and honk your horn, or use the "Save 30 second clip to photos" option in the mobile app viewer.
How to delete Tesla dash cam footage?
In the in-car Dashcam Viewer, swipe right or press and hold on clips to delete them. You can also go to Controls > Safety > Delete Dashcam Clips to clear all footage, or simply delete files from the "TeslaCam" folder when the USB drive is connected to a computer.
How to ensure my Tesla dash cam is always recording?
Ensure a properly formatted USB drive is inserted, Dashcam is enabled in your vehicle's settings, and the Dashcam icon on your touchscreen shows "RECORDING". For parking surveillance, ensure Sentry Mode is also enabled and your battery has sufficient charge.
How to troubleshoot if Tesla dash cam is not working?
First, check if a USB drive is inserted and properly formatted. Ensure it has enough free space. Confirm Dashcam and Sentry Mode are enabled in Controls > Safety. If issues persist, try reformatting the USB drive or testing a different drive.
How to distinguish between Dashcam and Sentry Mode footage?
When viewing footage on the in-car viewer or a computer, clips are typically categorized into "SavedClips" (manually saved dash cam), "RecentClips" (rolling dash cam), and "SentryClips" (Sentry Mode events).
How to get the best quality Tesla dash cam recordings?
Use a high-endurance USB drive with a fast sustained write speed (at least 4 MB/s, but faster is better, e.g., 20-30 MB/s sustained write for optimal performance) to ensure smooth recording without dropped frames, especially during multi-camera recording.
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