Sentry Mode
NOTE: 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.
◦ 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.
◦ Format the USB drive on a computer. See USB
Drive Requirements for Recording Videos on page
144 for more information.
When enabled, your vehicle's cameras and sensors (if
equipped) remain powered on and ready to record
suspicious activity around your vehicle when Model Y is
locked and in Park. Think of Sentry Mode as an
intelligent vehicle security system that alerts you when it
detects possible threats nearby.
2. Insert the USB drive into the vehicle's USB port.
3. With your vehicle in Park, enable Dashcam by
navigating to Controls > Safety > Dashcam.
4. Touch Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode > On. Once
enabled, the Sentry Mode icon in the Controls tab
turns red.
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).
NOTE: Rear camera recordings are available only on
vehicles manufactured after approximately February
2018.
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
on page 136).
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 on page
144 for information on viewing footage.
NOTE: For some vehicles manufactured after
5. To silence the security alarm and audio system when
the alarm is triggered, navigate to Controls > Safety >
Disable Sentry Sounds. When enabled, Sentry Mode
still sends a notification through the mobile app and
saves the last 10 minutes footage.
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.
6. 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.
NOTE: Software updates cannot be installed when
Sentry Mode is turned on.
CAUTION: Do not rely on Sentry Mode to protect
Model Y 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.
Turn Sentry Mode Off in Controls > Safety > Sentry
Mode to disable for more than one drive cycle.
How to Use Sentry Mode (App
Only)
How to Use Sentry Mode (Camera +
App)
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.
1. 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:
Sentry Mode Settings
• Exclude specific locations
142
MODEL Y Owner's Manual
