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To download Tesla Dashcam video, save the clip in the car, remove the USB drive used to record it, then connect that drive to a computer and copy the file from its TeslaCam folder. For a local backup, this computer-transfer method is the clearest option; touchscreen playback and mobile-app viewing depend on the vehicle and its software.
Download a saved clip to a computer
- Save the footage in the vehicle. Use the Dashcam control to save a clip manually. In the Model Y manual, Manual mode saves the most recent ten minutes. Automatic safety-event recording depends on the mode and may not capture every event, so save important footage promptly. Tesla Model Y Owner’s Manual.
- Park and remove the recording USB drive. Use the drive and vehicle port that supported recording. Port locations and capabilities differ by vehicle and configuration; some center-console ports on certain vehicles produced after approximately November 1, 2021, may support charging only. Check your vehicle’s current manual before choosing a port. Tesla Owner’s Manuals.
- Connect the drive to a computer. Open the
TeslaCamfolder. Tesla’s manual describesRecentClips,SavedClips, andSentryClips; manually saved Dashcam recordings are inSavedClips. Copy the video file you want to your computer or another storage location. Tesla Owner’s Manuals. - Keep a separate backup. Recording storage can fill. Tesla says older Sentry clips may be deleted to make room when space is limited, and deleted clips cannot be retrieved. Copy important footage promptly rather than relying on the USB drive as its only storage. Tesla Owner’s Manuals.
Where Tesla Dashcam videos are stored
Recorded video is stored locally on the USB drive, rather than transmitted to Tesla, according to Tesla’s Vehicle Safety and Security Features support page. On the drive, open TeslaCam. Look in SavedClips for saved Dashcam recordings. Tesla’s manual says RecentClips contains up to 60 minutes of recorded content; clips in that folder are not the same as a clip you deliberately saved to SavedClips.
Choose another way to view a clip
| Method | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Computer transfer | Copying a clip to a computer or another storage location | Requires access to the recording USB drive and the relevant TeslaCam folder. If the clip is encrypted, use the decryption guidance below. |
| Vehicle touchscreen | Playback in the vehicle while parked | Tesla manuals describe touchscreen playback of saved footage. Available controls can vary with the vehicle and software. |
| Mobile app | Convenient viewing or sharing where supported | Not available on every vehicle or software configuration. Tesla’s Model Y manual lists requirements including Premium Connectivity and a minimum Tesla app version; check the applicable manual for current eligibility and requirements. Tesla Model Y Owner’s Manual. |
Check the USB drive before recording
Tesla manuals specify a minimum 64 GB storage capacity, sustained write speed of at least 4 MB/s, and USB 2.0 compatibility. Supported formats and folder setup can depend on the vehicle. Follow the instructions in the manual for your model and the port that supports video recording. Tesla Owner’s Manuals and Tesla support.
Tesla’s in-vehicle USB formatting process creates an exFAT drive and the TeslaCam folder. Formatting erases existing content, so copy off any files you need before formatting. Tesla Support: Vehicle Safety and Security Features.
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If the video will not play on your computer
If Dashcam encryption is enabled, a clip that will not play directly on a computer may be encrypted rather than damaged. Tesla says encrypted clips can be viewed in the vehicle that recorded them or decrypted in a browser by signing in to a Tesla account linked to that vehicle when the clips were recorded. Tesla’s manual says the browser decrypts the clips locally and they are not sent to Tesla. Tesla Owner’s Manuals.
Quick Recap
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If no clip appears on the USB drive
- Check the folder: Open
TeslaCamand look inSavedClipsfor manually saved Dashcam footage. - Confirm the recording was saved: Footage must have been recorded and saved in the vehicle; connecting a drive cannot retrieve a clip that was never recorded or has been deleted.
- Check the recording port: Not every USB port supports video storage. Consult the manual for the specific vehicle and configuration.
- Check drive setup: Verify that the drive meets Tesla’s requirements and has the format and folder setup supported by your vehicle. Back up needed files before formatting.
- Try the vehicle or decryption workflow: If a file exists but will not open on the computer, check whether encryption is enabled instead of assuming the file is corrupt.
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