What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
To download Tesla Dashcam video, save the clip in the vehicle, remove the USB drive used to record it, connect the drive to a computer, and copy the clip from the TeslaCam folder. Tesla also documents touchscreen playback and, on eligible vehicles, viewing or sharing through the mobile app. Which options work depends on your vehicle and 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 saving of safety-critical events is available in documented modes, but Tesla cautions that it may not capture every event. Tesla Model Y Owner’s Manual
- Park and remove the recording USB drive. Use the drive in a port that supports video recording. Port locations and capabilities vary; some center-console ports on certain vehicles produced after approximately November 1, 2021, may support charging only. Check the manual for your model before removing or relocating the drive. Tesla Owner’s Manuals
- Connect the drive to your computer. Open the
TeslaCamfolder. Tesla’s manual describesRecentClips,SavedClips, andSentryClips; manually saved Dashcam footage is inSavedClips. Copy the video file you want to your computer or another storage location. Tesla Owner’s Manuals - Make a separate backup. Storage can fill. Tesla says older Sentry clips may be deleted to make room, and deleted clips cannot be retrieved. Copy important footage promptly rather than leaving the USB drive as its only copy. Tesla Owner’s Manuals
Tesla says recorded video is stored locally on the USB drive and is not transmitted to Tesla. Tesla Support: Vehicle Safety and Security Features
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Choose a way to view the footage
| Method | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Computer transfer | Keeping a local copy or moving a file elsewhere | Requires access to the recording USB drive and its TeslaCam folder. Encrypted clips may need decryption before they play on a computer. |
| Vehicle touchscreen | Viewing footage in the car while parked | Tesla manuals describe touchscreen playback; supported steps and availability depend on the vehicle. |
| Tesla mobile app | Convenient viewing or sharing, if supported | The Model Y manual describes this option with requirements such as Premium Connectivity and minimum app versions. Availability depends on the vehicle and software; check your applicable manual. |
The computer path is the documented way to copy the files off the drive. Touchscreen and app options are alternatives for viewing, but should not be assumed to work on every Tesla. Tesla Owner’s Manuals
Check the USB drive before recording
Tesla manuals specify a minimum storage capacity of 64 GB, sustained write speed of at least 4 MB/s, and USB 2.0 compatibility. Follow the instructions for your vehicle for supported formats, folder setup, and which port to use. Tesla Owner’s Manuals Tesla USB support
#1 Best Overall
- MOVE FILES IN A FLASH: Fast and convenient read speeds up to 300 MB/s* with the latest USB 3.1 standard give you more time to work, play, watch, and create; Send a 3GB 4K UHD video file from your Bar Plus to your PC in just 10 seconds**
- RUGGED REFINEMENT: As strong as it is stylish; The sturdy metal body keeps your data safe and intact, and the integrated keyring prevents accidental misplacement or loss; The Bar Plus is the ideal combination of stunning design and worry-free durability
- TOUGH & TRUSTED: The Bar Plus a trustworthy drive to store your valuable data; It works through it all with a waterproof, shock-proof, temperature-proof, magnet-proof, and X-ray-proof body, all backed by a 5-year limited warranty***
- WORLD'S #1 FLASH MEMORY BRAND: Experience the performance and reliability from the world's #1 brand for flash memory since 2003;**** All firmware & components, including Samsung's world-renowned DRAM & NAND, are produced in-house
Tesla’s in-vehicle formatting creates an exFAT drive and the TeslaCam folder. Formatting erases the drive, so copy any files you want to keep before formatting. Tesla USB support
If a clip will not play on your computer
First check whether Dashcam encryption is enabled. An encrypted clip may not play directly on a computer; that does not by itself mean the file is damaged. Tesla’s manual says encrypted clips can be viewed in the vehicle that recorded them or decrypted in a browser by signing in to the Tesla account linked to that vehicle when the clips were recorded. Tesla says the browser decrypts the footage locally and the clips are not sent to Tesla. Tesla Owner’s Manuals
Rank #2
- MOVE FILES IN A FLASH: Fast and convenient read speeds up to 300 MB/s* with the latest USB 3.1 standard give you more time to work, play, watch, and create; Send a 3GB 4K UHD video file from your Bar Plus to your PC in just 10 seconds**
- RUGGED REFINEMENT: As strong as it is stylish; The sturdy metal body keeps your data safe and intact, and the integrated keyring prevents accidental misplacement or loss; The Bar Plus is the ideal combination of stunning design and worry-free durability
- TOUGH & TRUSTED: The Bar Plus a trustworthy drive to store your valuable data; It works through it all with a waterproof, shock-proof, temperature-proof, magnet-proof, and X-ray-proof body, all backed by a 5-year limited warranty***
- WORLD'S #1 FLASH MEMORY BRAND: Experience the performance and reliability from the world's #1 brand for flash memory since 2003;**** All firmware & components, including Samsung's world-renowned DRAM & NAND, are produced in-house
If you cannot find the clip, check the correct folder and confirm the footage was saved before removing the drive. Folder contents differ by clip type: saved Dashcam footage is in SavedClips, while recent and Sentry footage use their respective folders. Menu labels, ports, and supported features vary by model and software, so consult your vehicle’s current manual for exact instructions. Tesla Owner’s Manuals
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Compact plug-and-stay design to instantly add storage to your laptop, game console, in-car audio, and more
- Save time with ultra-fast transfer speeds up to 400MB/s (Based on read speed. 1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors. USB 3.0 port required.)
- Transfer a full-length movie to the drive in less than 30 seconds (Based on 1.2GB MPEG-4 video transfer with USB 3.2 Gen 1 or USB 3.0 host device.)
- Get space for your high-resolution photos, videos, and more at a great value with up to 256GB of storage (1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user storage less.)
- Password-protect files using a downloadable software (Password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 10+ and macOS v10.9+ (Software download required, see Password Protection page on SanDisk site).)
Rank #3
- Compact plug-and-stay design to instantly add storage to your laptop, game console, in-car audio, and more
- Save time with ultra-fast transfer speeds up to 400MB/s (Based on read speed. 1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors. USB 3.0 port required.)
- Transfer a full-length movie to the drive in less than 30 seconds (Based on 1.2GB MPEG-4 video transfer with USB 3.2 Gen 1 or USB 3.0 host device.)
- Get space for your high-resolution photos, videos, and more at a great value with up to 512GB of storage (1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user storage less.)
- Password-protect files using a downloadable software (Password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 10+ and macOS v10.9+ (Software download required, see Password Protection page on SanDisk site).)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
