After months of iPhone exclusivity, Tesla has finally extended one of its most practical features to Android users. With the release of Tesla app update 4.43.5, Android device owners can now access the Dashcam Viewer functionality that iPhone users have enjoyed since last year’s holiday update.
Tesla’s Dashcam Viewer allows owners to review footage captured by their vehicle’s cameras without needing to be physically inside the car. This capability streamlines the process of checking Sentry Mode alerts or reviewing driving incidents, addressing a pain point many owners have experienced.
The new Android implementation offers identical functionality to its iOS counterpart, letting users view, save, and delete video clips directly from their phones. This should lead to higher quality Tesla footage being shared online, replacing the common practice of recording the car’s screen with another device.
Tesla Finally Brings Dashcam Viewer to Android App
How It Works
The system doesn’t rely on cloud storage – instead, it creates a direct connection between your vehicle and phone. Videos remain stored on your car’s USB drive but are streamed to your mobile device when requested.
To access the feature:
- Navigate to the Security & Drivers section in your Tesla app
- Select Dashcam Viewer
- Wait for your phone to establish a connection
- Browse, save, or remove clips as needed
Not every Tesla owner will have immediate access to this feature. The Dashcam Viewer requires:
- A vehicle equipped with MCU 2 (Intel) or newer hardware
- Active Premium Connectivity subscription ($9.99/month in the US)
- Reliable cellular or Wi-Fi connection to your vehicle
Legacy Model S and Model X vehicles (2020 and older) aren’t currently supported, though Tesla is expected to add compatibility when these models receive the Actually Smart Summon update, which relies on similar video streaming capabilities.
To prevent excessive data consumption, Tesla has implemented viewing limits that vary by region. Users can stream Dashcam footage for either 15 minutes or 1 hour, depending on their location, before the system requires a reconnection.
This Android rollout continues Tesla’s recent trend of equalizing feature availability across mobile platforms. Earlier this year, the company added ultra-wideband support to Android, enabling improved phone key functionality and hands-free trunk and frunk operation previously limited to iPhone users.
For Tesla owners who frequently park in areas with poor connectivity, the feature’s reliance on a stable connection might prove challenging – but for most users, the ability to review footage without returning to their vehicle represents a welcome advancement in Tesla’s app-based control ecosystem.
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