How do I turn off Tesla video recording?

[KateFitz]

To completely disable video recording in your Tesla, navigate to Controls > Safety > Dashcam and select 'Off'. This ensures the integrated dashcam system does not record or save any driving footage. If set to 'Auto', 'Manual', or 'On Honk', the system remains active and will record events based on triggers or manual saves, even if you're not viewing the footage live.

Understanding the different recording modes is crucial for managing your privacy and storage. The system uses the vehicle's built-in cameras. Your selection determines when clips are saved to the formatted USB drive.

• Off: The dashcam is completely inactive. No footage is recorded or saved.
• Auto: The system automatically saves a 10-minute clip if it detects a safety-critical event, such as a collision or airbag deployment.
• Manual: You must press the dashcam icon on the touchscreen to save the last 10 minutes of footage.
• On Honk: Pressing the car's horn will save the last 10 minutes of driving footage.

For the settings menu to appear, a USB drive must be properly formatted and inserted into one of the vehicle's front USB ports. Tesla requires using a USB drive with a minimum sustained write speed. Many owners use endurance microSD cards designed for continuous recording, as typical USB flash drives can wear out quickly. If no drive is present, the Dashcam menu item will not be visible.

The Tesla mobile app does not control the dashcam's recording function. Its role is related to Sentry Mode, a separate security feature. You can enable or disable Sentry Mode notifications and live camera access via the app, but the core dashcam driving recorder is managed solely through the vehicle's touchscreen.

To stop all recording comprehensively, you must disable both systems. Setting Dashcam to 'Off' stops driving recording. Then, go to Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode and toggle it off to disable the security recording when the car is parked. Note that some regions have regulations about disabling these safety features, and doing so may affect the availability of data for insurance or incident review.

[AidenMarie]

As a long-time Model 3 owner, I just leave my dashcam on 'Auto'. It's my silent witness. But if you want it completely silent, here's what you do. Get in the car, tap the car icon on the bottom left of the screen. Go to 'Safety', then find 'Dashcam'. Tap it and choose 'Off'. That's it for driving. Don't forget 'Sentry Mode' right below it—switch that off too for total privacy when parked. Just know that without it, you're relying on luck if something happens to your car.

[Jeanette]

My teen just got his license, and we walked through this together for his own sense of control over privacy. I told him it's a two-step process, all done on the car's main screen, not the phone app. First, control the always-on driving recorder: tap Controls, then Safety, then select Dashcam. Choosing 'Off' stops it from saving any trip footage. Second, right below that is Sentry Mode. That's the security system for parking lots. Turn that off separately. We decided to keep Sentry on at home but use the 'Exclude Home' feature. It’s about understanding what each setting does and making informed choices.

[VonAxel]

You're looking for the off switch because you value privacy, and that's valid. The process is straightforward but final. Open the main controls menu on your Tesla's touchscreen. Select the 'Safety' tab. You will see two key settings: Dashcam and Sentry Mode. Set Dashcam to 'Off'. This stops the continuous driving loop. Then, disable Sentry Mode. This prevents the car from recording while parked. Remember, this also means the vehicle will not save an event if a collision occurs or if someone damages it while parked. It's a trade-off between privacy and potential evidence.

[DiDallas]

Think of your Tesla's recording in two layers: the Dashcam (for driving) and Sentry Mode (for parking). To turn off all recording, you must address both. I manage this often when taking my car in for service.

For the Dashcam, the setting is only accessible when a USB drive is plugged in. Pop in a drive, then on your touchscreen, hit the car icon > 'Safety' > 'Dashcam'. Select the 'Off' option. This stops the system from preserving any driving footage, whether automatically or manually.

Sentry Mode is a separate entity. Even with Dashcam off, Sentry can still record while the car is parked. To disable it, stay in the same 'Safety' menu and toggle the Sentry Mode switch off. You can also enable 'Exclude Home' if you only want it off at your house. A final tip: if you want zero power usage from recording features, also check that 'Sentry Mode' is not set to activate based on location in your mobile app's 'Security' settings.