While Tesla supports a variety of music streaming services, including YouTube Music, Apple Music, and Spotify, there may be times you want to listen to music from a local USB drive.
While Bluetooth is also an option, it’s limited to what’s available on your phone and the lower streaming quality of Bluetooth.
In this guide, we’ll go through the benefits of having music on a USB drive and how to set it all up.
Benefits of Music on a USB Drive
Having music stored locally has several benefits. First is audio quality; since you’re under full control of the bitrate of the content, you can encode or buy music at much higher quality when compared to steaming content from Spotify or another streaming service. Tesla even supports FLAC’s lossless audio, letting you experience the best audio experience in your vehicle.
Local music also doesn’t require an internet connection, so if you frequently traffic through areas with a spotty connection, you may prefer to have music locally on hand.
While streaming content is convenient, you can be limited by the content that’s offered. If you prefer foreign music or other music that’s not available on a music service that Tesla supports, local content could be a great option.
Lastly, having music on a USB drive is a great option if you don’t subscribe to a music streaming service or don’t pay for Premium Connectivity in your Tesla.
Step 1: Use the Right USB Port
Not all USB ports in a Tesla support data transfer. While some models have USB data ports in the rear console or center console, they do not support media playback and can only be used to charge a device.
Instead, your best bet is to use the USB port inside the glovebox, which is designed for both dashcam video storage and music playback. While some vehicles may also support data transfer through the USB ports in the front console, not all of them do. Older vehicles may not have a USB port in the globebox, and you’ll be limited in using the USB ports in the console.
Important: You cannot play music from a phone, tablet, or external music player over USB—only from a properly formatted USB storage device.
Step 2: Format Your USB Drive
Every new Tesla comes with a high-speed USB drive pre-installed in the glovebox, formatted for Sentry Mode and Dashcam storage. If your vehicle didn’t come with one, or you want to use a larger or separate drive for Sentry Mode or music, you’ll need to format it first.
How to Format a USB Drive in Your Tesla
Insert your USB drive into the desired USB port.
Navigate to Controls > Safety > Format USB Drive
Wait a few seconds (it may take longer for large drives), and the system will format the drive and create the necessary folders (e.g., for Sentry Mode and Track Mode).
💡 Tip: Use a high-speed, high-capacity SSD for the best experience. Regular flash drives work, but SSDs provide faster loading times and more capability.
Step 3: Add Your Music
Once your USB drive is formatted, unplug the USB drive from your Tesla and connect it to your computer to add your music files.
Organizing Your Music:
Create a folder called Music at the top level of the USB drive. All music must be added to this folder.
You can organize the music however you prefer, and you’ll be able to view the folders in the vehicle when selecting music. Most users prefer to have folders that include the name of the artist with subfolders for the album name, but how you organize the content is completely up to you.
If your music files content metadata such as song title, artist, album, etc, it will automatically be displayed in Tesla’s media player.
Supported Audio Formats
Tesla’s music player supports a variety of audio formats, including wave, MP3, and FLAC (lossless), but it does not support AAC (Apple's iTunes format). If you have AAC files, you can convert them to MP3 or FLAC before transferring them.
Step 4: Play Your Music
Not a Tesla App
Once you’ve transferred your music, you can bring it back to your Tesla.
Insert the USB drive into the front console or glovebox port.
You’ll now have a new app under the all apps menu called USB.
The USB app will let you view all of your supported audio content on the USB drive. You’ll be able to view the content by song, artist, album, genre, and folder structure.
First-time indexing of audio content may take a few seconds (longer for larger drives). Tesla re-indexes the drive every time the car wakes from sleep, so keeping the total file size under 30GB ensures faster access.
Voice Commands and Search
While music stored on the USB drive will behave much like other content that’s played over streaming services, there are a few limitations.
Voice commands can not be used to play a specific song or artist from your USB drive. If you ask the vehicle to play any content, it’ll default to one of the music services.
Music search is also not supported. While search will show content from all music services that aren’t hidden, it will not include music from your USB drive.
Enjoy the Best Sound Tesla Has to Offer
Tesla’s audio system is meticulously engineered for a premium sound experience, and playing lossless audio over USB takes full advantage of that. If you’re an audiophile, this setup ensures you hear your music in its purest form—no compression, no interference, just crystal-clear sound.
Now, plug in, press play, and enjoy the ride.
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Tesla’s marketing has always been relatively unconventional, relying on word-of-mouth rather than traditional advertising. The passion of the owner’s community is always massive, but it is especially high now with the launch of the Robotaxi network just around the corner.
Tesla is now tapping into that spring of fan creativity and announced the TeslaVision video contest, with some seriously impressive prizes up for grabs.
Announcing the TeslaVision fan video showcase
Tesla owners & supporters have always been able to see our products & mission for what they truly are.
Your word of mouth has made Tesla what it is today.
The OGs will remember that in 2017, we held our first video contest. 8 years… pic.twitter.com/6pPpkqmqOH
The core of the contest is simple. Create a video that shows how your Tesla gives you more in life. Tesla is looking for submissions that highlight themes of freedom, safety, fun, and convenience.
Prizes
The prizes definitely make this contest worth entering if you’re good with a camera and have some basic video editing abilities.
For North America, the prizes include a brand new Model Y AWD Long Range, alongside an all-expenses-paid trip to Austin for a tour of Giga Texas. The grand prize winner will also be able to custom order their Model Y, allowing them to select their preferred wheels and color.
The two runners-up won’t get a Model Y, but they’ll also enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to Giga Texas for a tour of the factory.
The travel and tour include lodging in Austin for 2 nights, as well as economy-class round-trip tickets from anywhere in North America. Tesla will also provide a vehicle for use during the trip.
For long-time followers of Tesla, this contest may feel familiar. The contest is a direct throwback to the 2017 Project Loveday contest, which was inspired by a letter to Tesla from a 10-year-old aspiring marketer. That contest was won by MKBHD, with his submission below:
How to Enter
If you’re ready to start filming, here are the key pieces of information you’ll need to know:
Video must be 90 seconds or less
Video must be uploaded to YouTube with a public URL
Make a post on X and Instagram tagging “@Tesla” and include the words “TeslaVision contest” in the post.
Provide links to both social media posts in your submission to Tesla’s form
Provide your personal details in the form
You have until July 17th, 2025, or until Tesla receives 10,000 entries, whichever comes first.
After numerous sightings and weeks of anticipation, Tesla has finally unveiled the refreshed Model S and Model X. While we knew what to expect, Tesla managed to sneak in a few additional improvements, such as increasing the range for these vehicles.
While not a ground-up redesign, this update introduces a front bumper camera, ambient lighting, new wheels, colors, and more.
Let’s go through all the changes.
Longer Range
Tesla is increasing the range of these vehicles, with the Model X seeing the biggest improvements. These changes are likely the result of improved aerodynamic efficiency from the new wheel designs and other smaller improvements.
The biggest gain comes from the Model X Long Range, which increases its range from 329 miles to 352 miles, an improvement of 23 miles or about 7%.
Below is a table with the new and old ranges for these vehicles.
2025 Model
2026 Refresh
Model S Long Range
410 mi
410 mi
Model S Plaid
348 mi
368 mi
Model X Long Range
329 mi
352 mi
Model X Plaid
314 mi
335 mi
New Bumpers
The most noticeable exterior change is reserved for the Model S and X Plaid, which are both receiving an updated front fascia with a new, sportier bumper. While the change looks subtle, the new lower spoiler lip gives both vehicles a slightly more aggressive look while also improving aerodynamics, according to Tesla.
New Grill
The new Model S
Not a Tesla App
Tesla has also updated the grill on these vehicles slightly. The Long Range model now has the entire grill area, including the Tesla logo in matte black instead of chrome. The Plaid versions receive a carbon fiber accent in the grill, which helps the Plaid models stand out.
Front Bumper Camera
Same Headlights, but still slick in the new Frost Blue.
Not a Tesla App
Putting the stylistic changes aside, embedded in that front bumper is a new front-facing bumper camera with this refresh. This finally brings the Model S and Model X on par with the Cybertruck and refreshed Model Y - and leaves the refreshed Model 3 as the last of Tesla’s vehicles without a bumper camera.
Tesla is introducing four new sets of wheels with new specifications for these updated models. The Perihelix wheels are standard on the Model X and the Magnetite wheels are standard on the Model S. Velarium wheels are a $4.5k premium for the Model S, while the Machina wheels on the X cost an additional $5,500.
However, as you can see in the table below, the optional wheels also reduce the range of these vehicles.
Wheel
Top Speed (LR)
Top Speed (Plaid)
Range (LR)
Range (Plaid)
19” Magnetite (Model S)
130mph
149mph
410mi
368mi
21” Velarium (Model S)
149mph
200mph*
380mi
328mi
20” Perihelix (Model X)
149mph
149mph
352mi
335mi
22” Machina (Model X)
155mph
163mph
316mi
303mi
*The Plaid’s 200mph top speed requires the updated Track Pack, which is currently not available.
New Colors
Not a Tesla App
Joining the color palette for this refresh are two new colors. Frost Blue Metallic is a new light blue multi-coat paint option. Tesla is also introducing Diamond Black for both its flagship vehicles. The previous colors, Stealth Grey (Standard), Pearl White Multi-Coat, Ultra Red, and Lunar Silver, remain available as well.
Frost Blue will be a premium paint option for $2,500 USD, while Diamond Black will cost $1,500 USD.
New Animated Ambient Lighting
The updated interior.
Not a Tesla App
Inside, the refresh introduces a feature that has become a standard for the rest of Tesla’s lineup: multi-color ambient lighting. The configurable light strip wraps around the cabin, similar to the rest of Tesla’s vehicles, and offers owners some additional personalization. The light strip extends from the dashboard to both sides of the center console and through the front and rear doors.
Unlike the Model 3 and Model Y, the ambient lighting isn’t just on the dash and doors. Tesla also added it to the sides of the center console, which helps differentiate it slightly from the Model 3 and Y while also illuminating the cabin a little more.
Even more so, this ambient lighting can now be animated, allowing lights to transition to different colors so that the entire strip doesn’t need to be the same color.
A lot has been worked on. The outer changes kinda hide the changes underneath. The team looked at the Palladium Cars and worked though a ton of small improvements. Thermals, NVH, Chassis,... everything.
All of these improvements across the car lead to a greater efficiency,…
The LED footwell lights and door pocket lights are now also color-selectable, which is a new feature that’s exclusive to the Model S and X. The footwell and pocket lights can be controlled independently or synced to the light strip lighting. While these little touches are a nice addition, they don’t do much to set these vehicles apart from the Model 3 and Y.
New Startup Animation
The new startup animation for the updated Model S and X.
This animation is tied to the new animated ambient lighting, which allows the lights to transition to other colors instead of being all one color.
Tesla has also added a new entry animation that plays when the driver or front passenger doors are opened, which is synced across the dash and door trim lighting. This is similar to the new Model Y Launch Series animation, but Tesla takes it to a new level here by incorporating the ambient lighting.
The animation begins on the center display, zooming out on a red-glowing Tesla logo. The red light then spreads to the instrument cluster and is then carried throughout the cabin via the ambient lighting. It’s a nice touch.
Improved Noise Isolation
The Model S and Model X have always been quiet compared to the Model 3 and Model Y, but Tesla says they’ve made it even quieter in this refresh. They reduced wind and road noise and improved their Active Noise Cancellation feature.
While it’s unclear how much quieter they are, these new vehicles are heavier than the version they replaced, so additional sound-dampening material was likely added.
Improved Suspension
In Tesla’s post on X, they say these models also have a smoother ride thanks to new bushings and an updated suspension design. Although Tesla likely didn’t update these vehicles to use the newer suspension in the Cybertruck, it’s good to know there are some improvements here as well.
Improved Third Row and Cargo Space
The Model X also gets a boost in practicality, with some additional room in the third row. Before anyone gets too excited about this, it’s important to understand that the frame of the vehicle hasn’t changed, so the improvements here are likely minor.
When we compare the cargo room information provided by Tesla for the previous vehicle to this new one, the total cargo space increases from 92 cubic feet to 94.5 cubic feet, representing a 2.5 cubic foot improvement. Although this appears significant, it’s unclear where the changes are coming from.
It’s possible they redesigned the bottom trunk area to expose more room that was available underneath the cabin, or they may have improved the third-row seats to expose the area underneath them, but unfortunately, we just don’t have enough information to know for sure.
Yoke Steering Wheel
While there are no changes to the steering wheel in these vehicles, Tesla is now making the optional yoke steering wheel only available on the Plaid models.
These vehicles initially launched with the yoke steering wheel, but Tesla later added an option to choose between the yoke or standard steering wheel option. Soon after, Tesla made the yoke steering wheel a $1,000 option and the standard wheel became the default option. Now, the yoke steering wheel is only available as an optional upgrade for the Model S and Model X Plaid variants.
Same FSD and MCU Hardware
While the interior and exterior have received some light touch-ups, the actual hardware that powers the infotainment unit and FSD has not been upgraded.
While Tesla is already working on HW5, it’s not due out until sometime next year. These vehicles, just like the Model 3 and Y, will include FSD HW4 and the AMD Ryzen (MCU3) powered infotainment unit.
Price Increase
Tesla has updated the pricing on both the Model S and Model X, increasing the price by $5k across the various trim levels.
The absence of these features and the price increase leave some wondering whether these vehicles may be worth the price, especially since so many features were brought over to the new Model 3 and Model Y.
Given that the changes to the design are relatively minimal, Tesla likely has only a few minor tooling updates to make. Over on the website, new orders have an estimated delivery window of approximately 3 to 5 weeks.
Tesla will likely begin reaching out to customers who’ve previously ordered a new Model S or Model X and note that the vehicle they receive will be the refreshed variant instead. Those customers previously had a 2-4 week wait before their orders were ready.
It seems likely that over the next few weeks, Model S and Model X inventory vehicles will begin to receive some light discounts to get any leftover vehicles moving. In general, Tesla keeps a relatively low inventory of its two flagships, so if you spot an older S or X and are in the market for a discount, this will likely be your chance.
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