TeslaUSB Setup Guide
Automatically backup your Tesla dashcam footage
TeslaUSB transforms a Raspberry Pi into a smart USB drive that automatically syncs your Tesla's dashcam and Sentry Mode footage to your home network whenever you arrive home. No more manually copying files from a USB drive.
What is TeslaUSB?
TeslaUSB is an open-source project that turns a Raspberry Pi into a sophisticated USB drive for your Tesla. When plugged into your car, it appears as a standard USB storage device where your Tesla saves dashcam and Sentry Mode footage. The magic happens when you get home.
How It Works
- In Your Car: The Raspberry Pi acts as a USB drive, and your Tesla records footage to it just like any other USB drive.
- At Home: When you park and your Pi detects your home WiFi network, it automatically connects and begins syncing new footage.
- Archive Complete: Files are transferred to your NAS, computer, or cloud storage, then deleted from the Pi to free up space.
Key Benefits
- Automatic backup with zero manual intervention
- No need to physically remove the USB drive
- Supports local network shares, rsync, and cloud storage via rclone
- Works with both dashcam recordings and Sentry Mode events
- Open source and completely free software
Step-by-Step Setup
Download the TeslaUSB Image
Download the pre-built TeslaUSB image from the official GitHub releases page. Choose the image that matches your Raspberry Pi model.
Which image to choose:
teslausb-*-pi4.img.xz- For Raspberry Pi 4 and Pi 5teslausb-*-pizero2.img.xz- For Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W
Configure Your Settings
Before flashing the image, you'll need to prepare a configuration file. Create a
file named teslausb_setup_variables.conf with your settings.
WiFi Configuration
At minimum, you need to configure your home WiFi network so the Pi can connect and sync files.
# /boot/teslausb_setup_variables.conf
# WiFi credentials for your home network
export SSID='YourHomeWiFi'
export WIFIPASS='YourWiFiPassword'
# Optional: Additional WiFi networks
# export SSID2='SecondNetwork'
# export WIFIPASS2='SecondPassword'Archive Configuration
Choose how you want to store your archived footage. The most common options are:
# Archive method: Choose one of cifs, rclone, or rsync
# Option 1: Windows/Samba Share (CIFS)
export ARCHIVE_SYSTEM=cifs
export archiveserver=192.168.1.100
export sharename=TeslaCam
export shareuser=tesla
export sharepassword=yourpassword
# Option 2: Cloud Storage via rclone (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.)
# export ARCHIVE_SYSTEM=rclone
# export RCLONE_DRIVE=gdrive
# export RCLONE_PATH=TeslaCam
# Option 3: Linux Server via rsync
# export ARCHIVE_SYSTEM=rsync
# export RSYNC_USER=tesla
# export RSYNC_SERVER=192.168.1.100
# export RSYNC_PATH=/home/tesla/TeslaCamComplete Configuration Example
Here's a complete configuration file with all common options:
# /boot/teslausb_setup_variables.conf
# Complete TeslaUSB Configuration
# ============================================
# WiFi Configuration (Required)
# ============================================
export SSID='YourHomeWiFi'
export WIFIPASS='YourWiFiPassword'
# ============================================
# Archive Configuration (Required)
# ============================================
export ARCHIVE_SYSTEM=cifs
export archiveserver=192.168.1.100
export sharename=TeslaCam
export shareuser=tesla
export sharepassword=yourpassword
# ============================================
# USB Drive Configuration
# ============================================
# Size of the virtual USB drive (in GB)
# Recommended: 32 for basic, 64 for regular use
export camsize=32
# Enable music partition (optional)
# export musicsize=4
# ============================================
# Advanced Options
# ============================================
# Timezone (find yours at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tz_database_time_zones)
export timezone=America/Los_Angeles
# Enable headless setup (no monitor needed)
export HEADLESS_SETUP=true
# Trigger archive when connected to WiFi
export TRIGGER_FILE_SAVED=trueFlash the Image
Use Raspberry Pi Imager to write the TeslaUSB image to your microSD card. It's the easiest and most reliable method.
- Download and install Raspberry Pi Imager
- Insert your microSD card into your computer
- Open Raspberry Pi Imager
- Click "Choose OS" then scroll down and select "Use custom", then select the downloaded TeslaUSB image
- Click "Choose Storage" and select your microSD card
- Click "Write" and wait for the process to complete
Data Loss Warning
After flashing, copy your teslausb_setup_variables.conf file to the boot partition of the microSD card.
Install in Your Tesla
With the microSD card prepared, it's time to assemble your Pi and install it in your vehicle.
Where to Plug In
- Center Console USB Ports: The most convenient location. Use the data-capable USB-A ports (not the USB-C charging-only ports).
- Glovebox USB Port: A cleaner installation that keeps the Pi hidden. Available on Model 3/Y.
USB Port Selection
LED Status Indicators
The Pi's LED will indicate its current state:
- Solid green: Normal operation, acting as USB drive
- Blinking: Connecting to WiFi or syncing files
- Red: Error state, check configuration
First Boot
On first boot, TeslaUSB will run its setup process. This can take 10-15 minutes as it configures partitions and settings. The Pi will automatically reboot when complete and begin functioning as a USB drive.
Test Your Setup
After installation, verify everything is working correctly.
Verify USB Drive Detection
- Check that the dashcam icon appears on your Tesla's screen
- The icon should show a red recording dot when driving, indicating footage is being saved
- Tap the dashcam icon to verify you can save clips manually
Test WiFi Syncing
- Drive around briefly to generate some dashcam footage
- Park at home within range of your WiFi network
- Wait 5-10 minutes for the Pi to detect WiFi and begin syncing (you may notice the LED blinking)
- Check your archive destination to verify files are appearing
Success!
Hardware Recommendations
Below are our recommended components for TeslaUSB. Each category shows options across three tiers: Budget (~$50 total), Recommended (~$100 total), and Advanced (~$150+).
Raspberry Pi
The brain of your TeslaUSB setup
Storage (MicroSD Card)
High-endurance cards for continuous recording
Case
Protection and cooling for vehicle temperatures
Optional Accessories
USB SSDs and hubs for advanced setups
When to add accessories
These are optional upgrades for users who want maximum performance:
- USB SSD: More reliable than microSD for heavy Sentry Mode use. Requires Pi 4/5 for USB 3.0 speeds.
- USB Hub: Only needed if using both SSD and other USB devices.
- NVMe Enclosure: Use your own NVMe drive for maximum performance.
USB SSDs
Which tier should you choose?
Budget (~$50)
Occasional drivers who want basic automatic backup. Pi Zero 2 W + 64GB microSD + simple case.
Recommended (~$100)
Daily drivers wanting reliable performance. Pi 4 + 128GB microSD + quality case. Best value for most users.
Advanced (~$150+)
Power users with heavy Sentry Mode use. Pi 5 + SSD storage + premium case for maximum performance.
Using with Tesla Dashcam Analytics
Once TeslaUSB is syncing your footage, you can easily analyze it with our platform.
Importing Synced Videos
- Navigate to the TeslaUSB archive folder on your computer or NAS
- Find the trip folder you want to analyze (organized by date and time)
- Drag and drop the folder into Tesla Dashcam Analytics, or use the upload button
- The platform will automatically detect all camera angles and extract telemetry data
Organizing Your Footage
Troubleshooting
Pi not detected as USB drive
If your Tesla doesn't recognize the Pi as a USB drive:
- Try a different USB port - some ports may be charging-only
- Verify the microSD card is properly seated
- Check that the TeslaUSB image was flashed correctly
- Try a different USB cable (use a data cable, not charge-only)
WiFi not connecting
If the Pi isn't connecting to your home WiFi:
- Double-check SSID and password in the config file (WiFi credentials are case-sensitive)
- Ensure your WiFi is 2.4GHz (Pi Zero 2 W doesn't support 5GHz)
- Verify your router isn't blocking new devices
- Check that your parking spot is within WiFi range
Tip
Files not syncing
If WiFi connects but files aren't transferring:
- Verify archive server settings (IP address, share name, credentials)
- Ensure the network share is accessible from your local network
- Check firewall rules aren't blocking SMB/CIFS traffic
- For rclone setups, verify your cloud credentials are correct
Slow transfer speeds
If archiving takes longer than expected:
- Pi Zero 2 W has limited WiFi speeds - consider upgrading to Pi 4
- Move the Pi closer to your WiFi router if possible
- Check for WiFi interference from other devices
- Consider using a USB WiFi adapter with an external antenna
SD card corruption
Prevention is Key
SD cards can fail due to constant write cycles. To minimize risk:
- Use high-endurance cards designed for dashcam use (Samsung PRO Endurance, SanDisk Max Endurance)
- Consider using an external SSD instead of relying solely on the SD card
- Keep a backup SD card with TeslaUSB configured
Frequently Asked Questions
Does using TeslaUSB void my Tesla warranty?
No. TeslaUSB simply acts as a USB storage device, exactly like any other USB drive you might use. It doesn't modify any Tesla software or hardware. Using it is no different from using a regular USB flash drive for dashcam storage.
Which USB port should I use?
Use a data-capable USB port. In Model 3/Y, the ports inside the center console armrest or the glovebox port work well. The USB-C ports in the center console are often charging-only. In Model S/X, use the ports in the center console.
How much storage do I need?
For the Pi's USB drive partition, 32-64GB is typically sufficient since files are regularly archived. For your archive destination, plan for approximately 4-8GB per hour of driving. Sentry Mode can use significantly more if you have frequent events. Most users find 500GB-1TB of archive storage works well.
Can I use an external SSD instead of microSD?
Yes! Using an external SSD is actually recommended for better reliability and performance. You'll still need a microSD card to boot the Pi, but the actual dashcam storage can be on the SSD. This is especially beneficial with Pi 4/5 which have USB 3.0 ports.
Will this work with Sentry Mode?
Absolutely. TeslaUSB works with all Tesla recording features including Sentry Mode. Sentry Mode events are archived just like regular dashcam footage. The Pi's storage acts as a buffer until you get home and files sync automatically.
What happens if I drive away before syncing completes?
TeslaUSB handles this gracefully. When you start driving, the Pi switches back to USB drive mode, and syncing pauses. The next time you're connected to WiFi, it will resume from where it left off. No data is lost.
Can I access the Pi remotely?
Yes, when the Pi is connected to your WiFi network, you can SSH into it for configuration changes or troubleshooting. The default configuration enables SSH access. You can find the Pi's IP address in your router's admin panel.