Tesla dashcam is a feature that allows you to record and save video footage of your vehicle’s surroundings using the built-in cameras. You can use a dashcam to capture driving incidents, scenic views, or other notable events. In this post, I will show you how to view Tesla dashcam footage on your vehicle’s touchscreen or on your computer.
What You Need?
To use a Tesla dashcam, you need the following:
- A Tesla vehicle that supports a dashcam. The dashcam feature is available in Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y vehicles.
- A USB flash drive that is properly formatted and has enough storage space. Tesla suggests utilizing the glovebox USB port, if it is available, for storing and accessing footage. The flash drive can be formatted using your vehicle’s touchscreen or a computer.
- A Tesla app on your smartphone or a web browser on your computer. Dashcam videos can be downloaded and viewed remotely using either the app or the website.
How to View Tesla Dashcam Footage on Your Vehicle’s Touchscreen
To view Tesla dashcam footage on your vehicle’s touchscreen, follow these steps:
- Make sure your vehicle is in Park mode, and the USB flash drive is inserted in the USB port.
- Tap the dashcam icon in the top right corner of the screen.
- It appears to resemble a small camera.
- Select “Launch Viewer” to access the dashcam viewer.
- Navigate through the “SavedClips” and “RecentClips” folders to play back your stored videos directly from the car’s interface. You can also delete videos that you don’t need by tapping the trash icon.
- To exit the dashcam viewer, tap the “X” icon in the top left corner of the screen.
How to View Tesla Dashcam Footage on Your Computer
To view Tesla dashcam footage on your computer, follow these steps:
- Make sure your vehicle is connected to the internet and the USB flash drive is inserted in the USB port.
- Sign in to your Tesla account on the Tesla website and choose “Dashcam” or “Sentry Mode” from the “Vehicle” menu.
- A list of dashcam videos that you can download to your computer is visible. The videos can be sorted or filtered based on date, time, location, or type of event.
- To download a video, click the download icon next to the video thumbnail. The video will then be saved in the MP4 format on your computer.
- To view a video, open it with any media player that supports MP4 format.
How to View Tesla Dashcam Footage on your Tesla phone app
Yes, you can view Tesla dashcam footage on your phone in the Tesla app. To do so, you need to follow these steps:
- Open the Tesla app and tap the “Controls” tab.
- Select “Safety & Security” and tap “Download Dashcam Videos” or “Download Sentry Mode Videos.”
- A list of available dashcam videos that you can download on your phone will be made viewable. You can filter the videos by date, time, location, or event type.
- To download a video, tap the download icon next to the video thumbnail. The video will then be saved in the MP4 format on your phone.
- To view a video, open it with any media player that supports MP4 format.
How do I know if my Tesla supports a dashcam?
To know if your Tesla supports a dashcam, you need to check the following:
- Your Tesla model and manufacture date. Dashcam functionality is present in Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y vehicles. However, complete dashcam features with all cameras are available only in vehicles manufactured after July 31, 2017. For vehicles produced after October 1, 2016, equipped with HW2.0 hardware and upgraded with the AP3 processor, a limited dashcam is available, including only the front and side cameras.
- Your Tesla software version. Dashcam was introduced in software version 9.0 in 2018. To utilize a dashcam, you must have this version or a later one. You can verify your software version by tapping the Tesla “T” located at the top center of the touchscreen.
- Your USB flash drive. You need a properly formatted USB flash drive inserted in your vehicle’s USB port to store and retrieve dashcam footage. Tesla suggests utilizing the glovebox USB port, if available. The flash drive can be formatted either using your vehicle’s touchscreen or on a computer.
What is the difference between dashcam and Sentry Mode?
Dashcam and Sentry Mode serve distinct purposes. Dashcam captures video footage of your vehicle’s surroundings, both during your drive and while parked. On the other hand, Sentry Mode operates as a security feature, identifying and notifying you about potential threats or vandalism when your vehicle is parked and securely locked.
Dashcam employs four external cameras placed around the car—front, side fenders, and rear—to capture and store video footage. The recordings are saved onto a USB flash drive, ensuring it is correctly formatted and inserted into the designated USB port. Viewing the dashcam footage is possible through your vehicle’s touchscreen or by connecting the USB drive to your computer. Additionally, you have the option to manually save the last 10 minutes of dashcam footage by tapping the dashcam icon or honking your horn.
Alternatively, in the event of an accident, the system can auto-save the footage. Sentry Mode uses the same cameras as the dashcam but also adds the front pillar cameras to cover more angles. It does not independently record video footage; instead, it utilizes the existing dashcam recordings by relocating them to a separate folder when activated during alert mode.
Sentry Mode is activated when you leave and lock your vehicle, and it monitors the environment for any suspicious activity or movement. If Sentry Mode detects a minimal threat, such as someone leaning on your car, it will display a warning message on the touchscreen and play music to deter the intruder.
Also, if it detects a more severe threat, such as someone breaking a window, it will activate the car alarm, increase the brightness of the touchscreen, and play music at maximum volume. Moreover, Sentry Mode sends you a notification to your Tesla app or web browser. This notification gives you the option to download and review the most recent 10 minutes of dashcam footage transferred to the Sentry folder.
Both Dashcam and Sentry Mode are useful features that can help you document what is happening around your vehicle in different scenarios. However, they have different purposes and functions, and you should be aware of their limitations and requirements.
How to activate Tesla Sentry Mode?
To activate Sentry Mode, you need to do the following:
- Make sure your Tesla vehicle supports Sentry Mode. Sentry Mode is accessible on Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y vehicles.
- Ensure that your Tesla software version is 9.0 or above. You can verify your software version by tapping the Tesla “T” located at the top center of the touchscreen.
- Ensure there is a correctly formatted USB flash drive inserted into your vehicle’s USB port for storing and retrieving footage. If available, Tesla recommends using the glovebox USB port. The USB drive can be formatted using your vehicle’s touchscreen or a computer.
- Park your vehicle and lock it. To activate Sentry Mode, navigate to Controls > Safety & Security > Sentry Mode on your vehicle’s touchscreen. Alternatively, you can enable it through voice commands or the Tesla mobile app. Once activated, the Sentry Mode icon in the Controls tab will turn red.
Conclusion
Tesla dashcam is a useful feature that can help you record and view video footage of your vehicle’s surroundings. You can view Tesla dashcam footage on your vehicle’s touchscreen or on your computer. Furthermore, you can choose to download and share the videos with others. I hope this post was helpful and informative.
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