Is your Tesla's dashcam or Sentry Mode giving you trouble, or is your USB drive simply full and you need a fresh start? Erasing and reformatting your Tesla USB drive is a straightforward process, whether you choose to do it directly in your car or on a computer. Let's get that storage optimized!
Step 1: Prepare for Erasing
Before you dive into erasing your USB drive, it's crucial to consider any important footage you might have saved. Tesla's Dashcam and Sentry Mode record a lot of data, and if you have any clips of incidents, fun drives, or suspicious activity you want to keep, now's the time to back them up!
1.1 Back Up Important Footage
On your Tesla's Screen:
While in Park, tap the TeslaCam icon on your car's touchscreen.
Navigate to the Dashcam Viewer.
Review your footage. For any clips you want to save, look for a "save" or "download" option if available, or simply note the timestamps so you can easily find them when you transfer the drive to a computer.
On a Computer:
Safely remove your USB drive from your Tesla. To do this, press and hold the Dashcam icon on your Tesla's screen until it turns gray, indicating recording has paused. Then, you can unplug the USB.
Insert the USB drive into your computer.
Open the drive and navigate to the TeslaCam folder. Inside, you'll find sub-folders like "RecentClips" and "SavedClips".
Copy any video files you wish to keep to a different location on your computer (e.g., your desktop, an external hard drive, or cloud storage).
Step 2: Choose Your Erasing Method
There are two primary ways to erase and reformat your Tesla USB drive: directly in your Tesla or using a computer. Both are effective, but the in-car method is often the simplest.
2.1 Method A: Erasing from Your Tesla (Recommended)
This is the easiest and most recommended method, as your Tesla will automatically format the drive to the correct specifications and create the necessary folders.
Requirements:
Your Tesla must have software version 2020.16 or later.
The USB drive should be inserted into a front USB port that supports video recording (often in the glovebox, or a front center console port). Rear USB ports typically only provide power.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Insert the USB drive into the appropriate USB port in your Tesla.
On your Tesla's touchscreen, tap the car icon (Controls).
Go to Safety & Security.
Scroll down until you find the "Format USB Drive" option. You might need to scroll up slightly if it's hidden.
Tap "Format USB Drive".
A warning message will appear, letting you know that all existing content on the USB drive will be erased. If you've backed up everything important, confirm by tapping "Format" again.
Your Tesla will now format the drive. This usually takes just a few moments. Once complete, the Dashcam icon should reappear, often with a red dot, indicating it's ready to record. If it has a gray dot, press and hold the icon for a few seconds until it turns red.
2.2 Method B: Erasing from a Computer
If you prefer to format on a computer, or if your Tesla is having trouble formatting the drive, you can do so manually.
Important Considerations:
File System: Tesla typically supports exFAT, MS-DOS FAT (for Mac, which is FAT32), ext3, or ext4. NTFS is currently not supported.
Dedicated Folder: After formatting, you must create a base-level folder named
TeslaCam(case-sensitive) on the root of the USB drive. Without this folder, your Tesla will not recognize the drive for Dashcam or Sentry Mode.Drive Health: If your drive has been causing errors, a computer format can sometimes help diagnose or fix underlying issues.
2.2.1 Formatting on Windows
Insert the USB drive into an available USB port on your Windows PC.
Open File Explorer (Windows key + E).
In the left pane, click on "This PC" or "My Computer".
Right-click on the icon representing your USB drive (be very careful to select the correct drive to avoid erasing other data).
Select "Format..." from the context menu.
In the Format window:
Under "File system," choose "exFAT". If exFAT isn't available or causes issues, you can try "FAT32" (especially for drives 32GB or smaller). For larger drives, Windows might require a third-party tool to format as FAT32.
You can leave "Allocation unit size" at its default.
You can give the drive a "Volume label" if you wish (e.g., "TESLACAM").
Ensure "Quick Format" is checked (this is usually faster).
Click "Start".
A warning will appear stating that all data will be erased. Click "OK" to confirm.
Once the format is complete, click "OK".
Create the
TeslaCamfolder: Open the newly formatted USB drive. Right-click in the empty space, select "New", then "Folder". Name the new folderTeslaCam(exactly as written, case-sensitive).
2.2.2 Formatting on Mac
Insert the USB drive into an available USB port on your Mac.
Open "Disk Utility". You can find this by searching in Spotlight (Command + Space and type "Disk Utility") or by navigating to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
In the left sidebar of Disk Utility, select your USB drive. Crucially, select the entire drive, not just a volume or partition on the drive.
Click the "Erase" button at the top of the Disk Utility window.
In the Erase dialog box:
Name: You can give the drive a name (e.g., "TESLACAM").
Format: Choose "MS-DOS (FAT)" (which is FAT32) or "ExFAT". ExFAT is generally preferred for larger drives and cross-platform compatibility.
Scheme: Select "Master Boot Record" or "GUID Partition Map" (GUID is generally fine, but MBR is often recommended for broader compatibility).
Click "Erase".
Confirm the erasure when prompted.
Once the process is complete, click "Done".
Create the
TeslaCamfolder: Open the newly formatted USB drive. Right-click or Control-click in the empty space, select "New Folder". Name the new folderTeslaCam(exactly as written, case-sensitive).
Step 3: Verify and Reinsert into Your Tesla ✅
After either method, you'll want to ensure your Tesla recognizes the drive and begins recording.
Safely eject the USB drive from your computer (if you formatted it there).
Insert the formatted USB drive back into your Tesla's designated USB port (glovebox or front center console).
Wait a few moments. You should see the Dashcam icon appear on your Tesla's touchscreen. A red dot on the icon indicates that recording is active. If you see a gray dot, tap and hold the icon until it turns red.
You're all set! Your Tesla should now be recording Dashcam and Sentry Mode footage to your freshly erased drive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to format a brand new USB drive for Tesla?
A brand new USB drive can be formatted directly in your Tesla by inserting it and navigating to Controls > Safety & Security > Format USB Drive, or on a computer using exFAT or FAT32 file systems and creating a TeslaCam folder.
How to check if my Tesla USB drive is properly formatted?
You can check if it's properly formatted by inserting it into your Tesla; if the Dashcam icon appears with a red dot, it's working. On a computer, you can verify the file system (exFAT or FAT32) and the presence of the TeslaCam folder.
How to solve "Dashcam Unavailable" errors related to the USB drive?
"Dashcam Unavailable" often means a formatting issue or a corrupted drive. Try reformatting the drive (either in the car or on a computer) or using a different, higher-quality USB drive. Ensure it meets Tesla's speed and capacity requirements.
How to view saved Tesla footage after erasing?
Once you erase the drive, any unsaved footage is permanently deleted. To view saved footage, you must have copied it to another device before the erasing process.
How to know which USB port to use in my Tesla for Dashcam/Sentry Mode?
For recording Dashcam and Sentry Mode footage, use the USB-A port in the glovebox if your Tesla is equipped with one. Otherwise, use a front USB port in the center console. Rear USB ports are typically for charging only.
How to choose the right USB drive for Tesla Dashcam and Sentry Mode?
Look for a drive with a minimum of 64GB storage (more is better), a sustained write speed of at least 4 MB/s, and USB 2.0 compatibility (USB 3.0 drives must also support USB 2.0). Many users prefer SSDs or high-endurance microSD cards with an adapter for better reliability.
How to avoid frequent reformatting of my Tesla USB drive?
Regularly offload and delete old footage from your drive. If your drive frequently becomes corrupted, consider investing in a higher-quality, more durable USB drive specifically designed for continuous recording, like an SSD or a high-endurance microSD card.
How to delete individual clips without reformatting the entire drive?
You can delete individual clips directly from your Tesla's touchscreen using the Dashcam Viewer. Alternatively, connect the USB drive to a computer and manually delete files from the "RecentClips" or "SavedClips" folders within the TeslaCam folder.
How to partition a USB drive for both TeslaCam and music?
While it's possible, it's not officially supported by Tesla and can be complex. It involves creating separate partitions (e.g., one exFAT for TeslaCam, another for music). Many recommend using two separate drives for simplicity and reliability.
How to safely remove the USB drive from my Tesla?
To safely remove the USB drive, press and hold the Dashcam icon on your Tesla's touchscreen until it turns gray, indicating recording has paused. Then, you can unplug the USB drive. This helps prevent data corruption.
For a visual guide on formatting your Tesla's USB drive, you can watch this video:
