Tesla Service UK / Guides / Sentry Mode & Dashcam
Sentry Mode & dashcam guide
Getting storage, footage retrieval and battery drain right, so it actually works when you need it.
Last fact-checked: . General guidance — always check your own model's specifics and current official sources before relying on it for a decision.
Storage setup
What you need for storage
Both Sentry Mode and dashcam recording require a USB drive formatted correctly and inserted into one of the car's USB ports, since there's no built-in storage for continuous recording. A reasonably fast USB 3.0 drive with enough capacity (footage fills storage quickly, especially with multiple camera angles) avoids the recording dropping frames or the drive failing to keep up, which is a common, avoidable cause of missing footage exactly when it's needed.
Retrieving footage
Getting footage off after an incident
Footage is organised into folders on the USB drive by date and event type, viewable by removing the drive and plugging it into a computer, or in some cases through the car's own screen. If Sentry Mode has captured an incident, footage is usually saved to a separate protected folder automatically so it isn't overwritten by continued recording — but don't assume this indefinitely; back up anything relevant to insurance or police promptly rather than leaving it on the drive.
Managing battery drain
Why Sentry Mode drains the battery, and how to manage it
Sentry Mode keeps cameras, sensors and the car's computer active while parked, which draws a meaningful amount of charge over several hours — noticeably more than the car simply being switched off. If you regularly park for long periods (an airport trip, for example), consider whether Sentry Mode is necessary for the full duration, and always check your remaining charge is sufficient for your return journey plus a buffer, rather than assuming it.