Before you can take advantage of Tesla’s Dashcam & Sentry Mode features, there’s a small step you need to take: formatting your USB device correctly. Even though these important safety features are available in all Tesla models, the majority of Tesla owners don’t take advantage of them – so give yourself a pat yourself on the back for even being here.
With Tesla dashcam recordings, you can’t just about slap in a factory model USB stick & call it a day. There’s a little prep work involved, and that’s what we’ll talk about in todays article.
What’s The Big Deal About Tesla USB Drives?
Tesla’s dashcam and Sentry Mode require storage space. The USB drive you use is the storage vault for your video recordings. Thing is, Tesla cars are very specific about their USB ports requirements & first-time configuration can seem complicated. We’ll try to make everything easy.
Most USB devices up to 32 GB come pre-formatted with FAT32. However, larger storage devices (32GB+ USB hub storage monsters can hold way more video timing) use NTFS format. This won’t sit well with Tesla’s systems. So reformatting is needed if you’re leaning toward these larger devices.
But remember, all this is only useful if your Tesla vehicle is up-to-date to at least the Autopilot Hardware 2.5 update. If you’re rocking an AP2.0, the Sentry Mode will work & send you notifications via the Tesla app… but saving videos? That’s a no-go.
Upgrading your Autopilot Hardware or investing in an external / aftermarket Dashcam are your options here. Sentry mode is just a fancy term for parking mode anyway, a feature that’s been included in quality dash cams for a few years now.
How to Format Tesla USB Drive from inside Your Car
Based on my experience so far, it seems like Tesla is constantly looking for ways to enhance user convenience. Imagine a world where you simply plug your USB into your car and the vehicle takes care of the rest.
Well, that’s exactly what Tesla aims to bring to the table. Tesla has attempted to merge futuristic aesthetics with function with its in-built USB port.
- Insert your USB device into one of the vehicle’s front USB ports.
- Navigate through the settings and spot the “Security” tab.
- Then find the “Format USB Device” button to prep your USB for dashcam actions. But pause for a moment before pressing “Continue”.
- Before you press the button to format your USB, make you’ve backed up the current data on your drive. Formatting is the tech world’s equivalent of a clean slate, erasing everything on your device. If you’ve never used the drive before or don’t have anything important on it, press the “continue” button.
Having Issues?
As promising as it sounds, formatting through the Tesla touchscreen is still in its honeymoon phase. There’s occasional hiccups. Some of the more sizable front USB ports might nod in disagreement with this method. It’s like they have a penchant for the classics.
The “old-school” approach might be your best bet. That’s right, a return to the trusty PC or Mac. Formatting on a computer seems like a tech-step backward, is a tried-and-true method that’s been around for 20+ years.
While Tesla’s attempt at in-car USB formatting is a commendable stride into the future, the road is still being paved. Sometimes, detours with the perfected methods are essential. Here’s how to do it on both Windowns & Mac computers.
How to Format a Tesla USB Drive on a Windows Computer
When it comes to formatting your Tesla USB device on a PC, the process is simple for those with a little technical knowledge. The catch, though, is that Windows typically only allows USB devices up to 32 GB to be formatted with FAT32 in the regular ‘file explorer’.
If you want to format a larger storage devices though, you’ll need a third-party tool as a workaround (as of August 2023). Dash Cam Discount doesn’t have any affiliation with third-party formatting tools but there’s plenty of reliable software that can help you accomplish this.
For the sake of this step-by-step walkthrough, I’ll be using the free tool ‘Rufus’ to format it since it’s the tool I have the most experience with. Here’s how you get your USB device Tesla-ready on Windows:
- Backup, Always: Before diving into the steps, make sure any valuable data on the USB device is backed up. The formatting process wipes everything out.
- Go to Rufus & Find Your Version: Go to the Rufus website and get for software for your Windows OS version. I recommend getting the “portable version” as it doesn’t require any installation. It’s hassle-free and does the job without a download needed to your Windows machine.
- Launch Portable Version: Double-click the Rufus file you downloaded to launch it.
- Select Your Device: Make sure your USB device is plugged into your computer. Locate & select it from the drop-down list. Formatting erases everything so make sure you’ve chosen the correct device to avoid data loss. Double Check. Triple Check. Whatever you need to do.
- Create as Non-Bootable: Under ‘Boot Selection’, you’ll see a dropdown. Make sure you select ‘Non-bootable’… we’re prepping it for your Tesla, not trying to a boot computer from scratch here.
- FAT32 Formatting: In the ‘File System’ dropdown, select “FAT32 (default)”. As of August 2023, Tesla cars perform best with “FAT32” formatting but if you need storage to exceeds 32 GB, customize your formatting selection as needed for your device.
- Choose Cluster Size: Choose the default option under ‘Cluster Size’. Overthinking won’t serve you here. There’s no reason further cluster size customization would benefit the USB for our Tesla specific use-case.
- Start Formatting Process: Click on the “START” button. Rufus will notify you about the data wipeout, continue by pressing “PROCEED” if you’ve ensured all your data is backed up. Once Rufus dutifully completes its job, close the software.
- Creating the TeslaCam Folder: Find to your newly formatted USB device in Windows File Explorer. Right-click the USB drive → Choose “New” → “Folder”. Name this new folder “TeslaCam”
When your Tesla dash cameras record new videos, the “TeslaCam” folder is where it will be saved to. You cannot customize the name of this folder. The name of the folder MUST BE “TeslaCam” for your dashcam and sentry mode recordings to save properly. The Windows landscape might seem complex, but with all the cool tools out there, prepping your device is easy.
How to Format a Tesla USB Device For Mac
Format a USB device for your Tesla is easier on Mac. Unlike Windows, which needs third-party tools to get around certain limitations (like the 32 GB FAT32 formatting cap), Mac users get to enjoy a simpler process.
Over the years, Apple made sure that Disk Utility is equipped to handle a wide range of formatting requirements. The free tool can format drives in several file systems, including the MS-DOS (FAT) format. Which just so happens to be compatible with Tesla’s… without any storage limits or additional software requirements. Which makes it straightforward for Mac users. Follow these steps:
- Safety First: Remember, formatting will wipe all data. Ensure any essential data on your USB device is backed up.
- Connect and Launch: Plug your USB device into your Mac. Navigate to ‘Applications’ → ‘Utilities’ and open ‘Disk Utility’.
- Choose Your Device: On the left panel of Disk Utility, you’ll find a list of available drives. Click on your USB device.
- Erase & Format: Once selected, click on the ‘Erase’ tab. A dialog box will appear. Choose the format as ‘MS-DOS (FAT)’ for drives up to 32 GB. If your drive is larger than 32 GB, choose ‘ExFAT’. This is the step where Mac showcases its edge — no need for external tools, no cumbersome steps. It’s all built-in.
- USB Naming: Give your USB device a name, the format USB device name doesn’t matter so pick what ever you want.
- Begin the Process: Once you’ve made your selections, click on the ‘Erase’ button. Your Mac will take care of the rest.
- Create the Folder: After the format is complete, navigate to the USB drive and create the “TeslaCam” folder to make your drive Tesla-ready.
To repeat what I mentioned in the Windows section, the name of the folder MUST BE “TeslaCam” for your footage to save. Apple’s integrated approach makes sure users don’t need additional tools, so that’s it from the Mac perspective!
FAQ
Yes, Tesla made it convenient for its users to format usb devices. If you plug a USB device into your Tesla’s front USB port or glove box, you can easily format it from the car’s settings. Navigate to Safety and Security, then choose ‘Format a USB Device’. Voila! Remember, however, that this feature may not work for all USB devices, especially some larger ones.
Yes, to use the Dashcam, Sentry Mode, or the Tesla LightShow, your USB must be formatted in a way the Tesla system can recognize and access. Once formatted, you also need to create a folder named “TeslaCam” for the system to save its recordings.
Tesla vehicles mainly recognize the FAT32 and ext4 file systems. Most USB drives up to 32 GB are usually pre-formatted in FAT32 by the manufacturer, making them instantly ready for Tesla use. If your drive isn’t in FAT32 or is larger than 32 GB, you’d need to format it accordingly.
Tesla vehicles support the exFAT file system, which is especially useful for larger USB drives, since the FAT32 has a limit of 32 GB. Just make sure you have the “TeslaCam” folder in place after formatting.
While Tesla is compatible with many exFAT USB drives, it’s recommended to have at least 64 GB of storage for best performance. It should also be capable of USB 2.0+ & have a write speed of at least 4 MB per second. This allows the Tesla software system to quickly save videos without hiccups.
Other Troubleshooting Tips
Red Dot Dash Cam Icon
Suppose this icon plays hide and seek with you. In that case, it’s a signal: your USB device isn’t syncing with the vehicle. Perhaps it’s a FAT32/ext4 format issue or the absence of the “TeslaCam” folder. And don’t underestimate the potential quirks of USB hubs or extension cables. Direct port connection is a robust diagnostic step.
USB Device Going Haywire
If you unplugged your USB without stopping the video recording, it might corrupt the file system. At best, you’ll need to reformat the file system; at worst, you might be looking at a defunct USB device. Always halt recording by pressing and holding the Dashcam icon till the red dot vanishes before unplugging.
Conclusion
When you’re finished with formatting your USB drive, you’ll need to know how to save Tesla dashcam footage since it’s not super intuitive unless you’re fairly technical. After being able to saving your videos, you’ll also want to know how to view dash cam & Sentry Mode Events – whether that’s on your in-car touchscreen, through the app or on your computer. Our guides cover it all.
Tesla remains a front-runner in the realm of modern electric cars. From the Tesla Dashcam to the Sentry Mode, the brand consistently shows its dedication to ensuring security and convenience.
After
It’s fascinating how a simple empty folder named TeslaCam on your USB device activates such advanced features. If your USB device suddenly stops working, don’t panic. Dive into the other step-by-step guides we have related to formatting USB issues. Details like video recording speed playback, or potential damage caused by removing the USB too fast could be the reason a USB port stops responding.
In the newest Tesla software version features have been enhanced but sometimes all you need is your laptop. Don’t overcomplicate things if you don’t have to!
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