Depending on market region, vehicle configuration, options purchased, and software version, your vehicle may not be equipped with Sentry Mode or the features may not operate exactly as described. It is your sole responsibility to consult and comply with all local regulations and property restrictions regarding the use of cameras.
When enabled, your vehicle's cameras and sensors (if equipped) remain powered on and
ready to record suspicious activity around your vehicle when Model 3 is locked and in Park. Think of
Sentry Mode as an intelligent vehicle security system that alerts you when it detects
possible threats nearby.
If a threat is detected, Sentry Mode pulses the headlights, sounds the alarm, and displays a message on the touchscreen indicating that the cameras may be recording to inform individuals outside of the vehicle. You will receive an alert on your phone through the mobile app and footage of the event is saved to USB drive (if installed).
Sentry Mode is disabled by default. You can use voice commands or the Tesla mobile app to easily enable or disable Sentry Mode. To enable Sentry Mode using voice commands, say "Keep Tesla safe," "Keep my car safe," "Sentry on," or "Enable Sentry" (see Voice Commands).
Note
For some vehicles manufactured after approximately November 1, 2021, the center console USB ports may only support charging devices. Use the USB port inside the glove box for all other functions.
Sentry Mode requires your Battery to be at least 20% charged. If the Battery falls below 20%, Sentry Mode turns off and the mobile app sends you a notification. Power consumption may increase when Sentry Mode is active.
Note
Software updates cannot be installed when Sentry Mode is turned on.
CAUTION
Do not rely on Sentry
Mode to protect Model 3 from all possible security threats.
Sentry Mode uses many factors to determine whether to activate the security alarm-- all
impacts may not be detected and the alarm may not activate in all situations. While it
may help deter some threats, no security system can prevent all attacks.
How to Use Sentry Mode (Camera + App)
Sentry Mode requires a properly
formatted USB drive inserted in your vehicle's USB port (Tesla recommends using
the glovebox USB port, if equipped) to store and retrieve footage. Vehicles
manufactured from approximately 2020 are equipped with a pre-formatted USB drive
in the glove box. There are two ways to format the USB drive:
Insert the USB drive into
the USB port and navigate to Controls > Safety > Format USB
Drive. Your vehicle automatically formats the USB drive for
you.
With your vehicle in Park, enable Dashcam by navigating to Controls > Safety > Dashcam.
Touch Controls > Safety > Sentry
Mode > On. Once enabled, the Sentry Mode icon in the Controls tab turns red.
Note
Rear camera recordings are available only on vehicles
manufactured after approximately February 2018.
When enabled,
Sentry Mode is idle, ready to sound the alarm and save a recording of the
security event if triggered. See Viewing Video Recordings for information on viewing footage.
To manually enable/disable Sentry Mode until the next drive, touch the Sentry Mode icon in Controls. Sentry Mode is Off when the icon is no longer red.Turn Sentry Mode Off in Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode to disable for more than one drive cycle.
How to Use Sentry Mode (App Only)
When Sentry mode is enabled and a security event is detected but without a USB drive plugged into a USB port, your vehicle alerts you through the mobile app, without any camera recordings.
Sentry Mode Settings
Exclude specific
locations
In Controls > Safety > Sentry
Mode, you can determine if you want Sentry Mode to not enable in certain
locations (see Home, Work, and Favorite Destinations
for more information):
Exclude Home:
Sentry Mode does not automatically enable at the location set as Home in
your Favorites list.
Exclude Work:
Sentry Mode does not automatically enable at the location set as Work in
your Favorites list.
Exclude
Favorites: Sentry Mode does not automatically enable at any location
in your Favorites list.
Note
To recognize a
location listed as Home, Work, or a Favorite, Model 3 must be parked
within approximately 500
meters of the saved location.
To set up your Home or Work location, touch Navigate > Set Home/Set
Work. To set up a Favorite,
touch the star when viewing an address on the map. Manually turning Sentry
Mode on or off using the touchscreen or the mobile app overrides your Home,
Work, or Favorite exclusion preferences until the next time you
drive.
Set Camera-Based Detection
When Camera-Based Detection is enabled, Sentry Mode uses the vehicle’s external cameras in addition to vehicle sensors to detect a security event while parked. If disabled, your vehicle only saves clips to the USB drive if a physical threat is detected. To adjust, touch Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode > Camera-Based Detection.
NoteRear camera recordings are available only on vehicles manufactured after approximately February 2018.