Have you ever wondered what's happening inside your Tesla when you're not there, or wanted to check on your furry friend in Dog Mode? The Tesla cabin camera, located above the rear-view mirror in most newer models (Model S 2021+, Model 3, Model X 2021+, Model Y, and Cybertruck), offers a unique insight into your car's interior. While primarily designed for driver monitoring for features like Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) to ensure attentiveness, Tesla has expanded its functionality to allow owners to view the cabin. Let's dive into how you can utilize this feature and understand its implications.
Step 1: Understanding the Tesla Cabin Camera and Its Purpose
Before we get into viewing the camera, it's crucial to understand why it's there. The cabin camera serves several important functions:
1.1 Driver Monitoring for Assisted Driving Features
When Autopilot or Full Self-Driving (FSD) is engaged, the cabin camera monitors the driver's attentiveness. It can detect if you're looking away from the road, using your phone, or showing signs of drowsiness. If it determines you're inattentive, it will provide audible alerts to remind you to keep your eyes on the road. This is a key safety feature.
1.2 Data Sharing and Privacy
By default, images and video from the cabin camera do not leave the vehicle itself and are not transmitted to anyone, including Tesla. The processing for driver inattentiveness happens directly on the vehicle.
Data Sharing: You have the option to enable data sharing with Tesla. If enabled, and a "safety-critical event" occurs (such as a collision or advanced emergency braking), short cabin camera video clips may be shared with Tesla to help them develop future safety enhancements and improve features that rely on the cabin camera. Tesla states that this data is not associated with your VIN or any other identifying information unless a safety event occurs and data sharing is enabled.
No Facial Recognition for Identity: Tesla explicitly states that the cabin camera does not perform facial recognition or any other method of identifying or verifying identity.
Passenger Capture: The entire cabin is captured by the camera, meaning it can record passengers. If you enable cabin camera data sharing, it's your responsibility to inform passengers.
Step 2: Enabling Live Camera Access via Mobile App (Sentry Mode/Dog Mode)
The most common way to view the cabin camera is through the Tesla mobile app when Sentry Mode or Dog Mode is active.
2.1 Requirements for Live Camera Access
Tesla App Version: Ensure you have Tesla app version 4.2.1 or later.
Premium Connectivity: This feature requires an active Premium Connectivity subscription.
Vehicle Model: Live Camera access for Sentry Mode/Dog Mode is available on Model 3, Model Y, Model S (2021+), Model X (2021+), and Cybertruck. It is not available on Model S and Model X vehicles produced between 2012-2020.
No Occupants: For Sentry Mode live view, ensure no occupants are in the vehicle and all doors are locked. However, in Dog Mode, you can have someone in the passenger seat and still view the cabin camera.
Encrypted Feed: The live camera feed is end-to-end encrypted and cannot be accessed by Tesla.
2.2 Step-by-Step Guide to Enable and View Live Cabin Camera
On Your Tesla's Touchscreen:
Navigate to Controls > Safety & Security.
Look for the option "View Live Camera via Mobile App" and ensure it is enabled.
Note: On older Model S and Model X vehicles (2021+), the path might be Controls > Safety > "View Live Camera via Mobile App".
Activate Sentry Mode or Dog Mode:
Sentry Mode: When you park and lock your Tesla, you can activate Sentry Mode from the touchscreen or the mobile app.
Dog Mode: To use Dog Mode (and view the cabin camera with a pet inside), navigate to the climate controls on your touchscreen and select "Dog Mode."
Accessing from the Tesla Mobile App:
Open the Tesla App on your smartphone.
Go to the "Security" section (often found under the "Controls" tab or a dedicated security icon).
Tap on "Sentry Mode" or "Dog Mode" (depending on which you've activated).
You should see an option to "View live camera." Tap this.
The live feed from your Tesla's external cameras will appear. You can usually switch to the interior cabin camera view within this interface.
Important Considerations:
A message will appear on the Tesla's touchscreen letting any individuals inside the vehicle know they are being viewed when the cabin camera is accessed remotely through Sentry Mode or Dog Mode.
Live Camera viewing is limited to approximately one hour (or 15 minutes for some regions) of cumulative usage per day to manage battery drain.
Step 3: Previewing the Cabin Camera Feed (In-Vehicle)
Tesla has introduced a feature that allows you to preview the cabin camera feed from within the vehicle. This is a helpful way to understand what the camera sees and can provide peace of mind regarding its capabilities.
3.1 Step-by-Step Guide to In-Vehicle Preview
Ensure Software Update: This feature was introduced in Tesla update 2023.2. Make sure your Tesla's software is up to date.
On Your Tesla's Touchscreen:
Navigate to Controls > Service.
Look for "Camera Preview" and tap it.
The live cabin camera feed should appear on a portion of your touchscreen (often the right side on Model 3 and Model Y).
3.2 Benefits of In-Vehicle Preview
Understanding Camera View: It helps you understand the camera's field of view and what it can and cannot see.
Privacy Awareness: It can make owners more aware of what might be transmitted if data sharing is enabled.
Before Video Calls: Some users might find it useful to check the view before participating in in-car video calls (if supported by future updates or third-party apps).
Step 4: Managing Cabin Camera Data Sharing Preferences
Your privacy is paramount, and Tesla provides controls over data sharing from the cabin camera.
4.1 How to Adjust Data Sharing Settings
On Your Tesla's Touchscreen:
Navigate to Controls > Software.
Tap on "Data Sharing".
Look for the option "Allow Cabin Camera Analytics" and toggle it on or off based on your preference.
You can change these settings at any time.
4.2 Impact of Data Sharing
Disabled Data Sharing: If data sharing is disabled, images and video from the cabin camera do not leave your vehicle unless a specific safety event triggers it and data sharing was previously enabled. This data is not saved to onboard memory or transmitted to Tesla.
Enabled Data Sharing: If enabled, and a safety-critical event occurs, short cabin camera video clips may be shared with Tesla to improve their safety features. Tesla emphasizes that this data is not linked to your identity or VIN unless a safety event occurs.
Step 5: Important Notes on Cabin Camera Usage and Limitations
Driver Attentiveness: The primary function of the cabin camera remains driver monitoring for Autopilot/FSD. If you cover the camera, these features may be disabled.
No Audio Recording: Tesla's cabin camera does not record audio. Video footage is stored without audio.
No Remote Access without Sentry/Dog Mode: You cannot generally access the cabin camera remotely unless Sentry Mode or Dog Mode is enabled.
Local Processing: By default, cabin camera features are processed directly on the vehicle.
Cleaning the Lens: Keep the camera lens clean and free of obstructions. Use a clean cloth to wipe off dirt or dust. Do not use chemical-based or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the lens.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to turn on the cabin camera in a Tesla?
The cabin camera is always "on" in the sense that it's ready to monitor for driver attentiveness or be activated for live viewing via Sentry/Dog Mode. To enable its function for driver monitoring, no specific action is needed as it's part of the assisted driving features. To view it, you enable Sentry Mode or Dog Mode and access it via the Tesla app, or use the "Camera Preview" in the service menu on the car's screen.
How to access saved cabin camera footage?
Typically, the cabin camera footage for driver monitoring is not saved unless data sharing is enabled and a safety-critical event occurs. Even then, it's shared with Tesla for improvement purposes, not for direct user access. For Sentry Mode or Dashcam recordings, you'll need a properly formatted USB drive. The cabin camera footage is not typically saved to your USB drive for general access like exterior camera footage.
How to disable Tesla cabin camera recording?
You can disable data sharing from the cabin camera by going to Controls > Software > Data Sharing > Allow Cabin Camera Analytics on your Tesla's touchscreen. This prevents images and video from leaving the vehicle. However, it may impact the functionality of driver monitoring for Autopilot/FSD.
How to check if my Tesla has a cabin camera?
Most newer Tesla models (Model S 2021+, Model 3, Model X 2021+, Model Y, and Cybertruck) are equipped with a cabin camera. It's located above the rear-view mirror.
How to ensure privacy with the Tesla cabin camera?
You can ensure privacy by disabling data sharing for the cabin camera analytics in your vehicle's settings (Controls > Software > Data Sharing > Allow Cabin Camera Analytics). Some owners also choose to use physical camera covers, though this may impact Autopilot/FSD functionality.
How to use the cabin camera for Sentry Mode?
When Sentry Mode is active, you can access a live view of the cabin camera through the Tesla mobile app by navigating to Security > Sentry Mode > View live camera.
How to view the cabin camera when driving?
The cabin camera is primarily for driver monitoring while assisted driving features are active. You generally cannot view a live feed of the cabin camera on your main screen while driving. The "Camera Preview" feature is typically accessible when the vehicle is in Park.
How to know if the cabin camera is actively recording?
For driver monitoring, the camera is always active when Autopilot/FSD is engaged. For Sentry Mode/Dog Mode live viewing, the car's touchscreen will display a message indicating that the camera is being viewed. Otherwise, unless data sharing is enabled for a safety event, the data isn't generally "recorded" in a user-accessible way.
How to troubleshoot cabin camera issues?
Ensure the camera lens is clean and free of obstructions. If you encounter issues with features relying on the cabin camera (like driver monitoring), check your settings for data sharing and contact Tesla service if problems persist.
How to format a USB drive for Tesla camera footage (general)?
While cabin camera footage isn't typically saved this way, for Dashcam and Sentry Mode (external cameras), you can format a USB drive by inserting it into a front USB port and going to Controls > Safety > Format USB Drive on your Tesla's touchscreen.
