Everything about Tesla Sentry Mode Live Access

Tesla has started to roll out update 2021.36.8 with one of the most anticipated features, Sentry Mode Live.

Tesla introduces Sentry Mode Live

RichrdSimons/Reddit

With software update 2021.36.8 Tesla is introduced Sentry Mode Live Access. The feature allows you to remotely view your Tesla’s cameras when Sentry Mode is activated.

The feature is available for Model 3, Model Y and the new Model S and X. Unfortunately, it's currently unavailable for 2020 and older Model S and X cars. It's not clear why Tesla has left the feature out of these cars, but it may be due to the lack of an interior camera. It's possible Tesla may add the feature at a later date to these vehicles.

The release notes for the feature reveal a few things. Sentry Mode Live will require Tesla’s Premium Connectivity package, which currently costs $10 / month per car in the US.

Tesla also states that when viewing Sentry Mode live, the video stream is end-to-end encrypted and cannot be accessed by Tesla.

In order to view Sentry Mode live, you’ll also need the latest Tesla app, version 4.2.1 which is available in iOS and Google app stores.

The release notes for the feature say:

You can now remotely view your car’s surroundings when parked to confirm the safety of your environment before returning to your car. Live Camera is end-to-end encrypted and cannot be accessed by Tesla. To enable or disable, tap Controls > Safety & Security.

Note: This feature requires iOS mobile app version 4.2.1 or higher, and Premium Connectivity.

We knew that Tesla was introducing live camera streaming, but this is the first time that we’ve seen it available on cars.

Update 2021.36.8 will introduce Sentry Mode Live, but according to leaks in the Tesla app, we know that additional features related to remote camera viewing are coming as well.

In future updates, you’ll also be able to view Sentry Mode and Dashcam clips that were previously recorded and even save video when viewing Sentry Mode Live. You’ll also be able to talk to your phone and have your voice come out of the car, if your vehicle is equipped with a Pedestrian Warning System.

These additions features are anticipated to be available in version 2021.40.

In addition to requiring Premium Connectivity, your car will also need to have HW 2.5 or higher and MCU 2, which is required to have Sentry Mode or the Dashcam feature in your car.

It's suspected that although you will need to subscribe to Premium Connectivity to use Sentry Mode Live, you will likely be able to use it if your car is connected to WiFi.

App leaks also confirm that there will be daily limitations to how long you can stream video for, but Tesla doesn’t mention limits in their release notes, so it's unclear whether there will be daily limitations at launch.

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Tesla Says 12V Power Socket Access Will Not Return

Not a Tesla App

It turns out that the big undocumented change in Tesla update 2024.32 that disables the 12V power and USB ports while Sentry Mode is active is not a bug but an intentional change.

A fan contacted Tesla Service to see if the change was intentional and what the reason behind the change was. Surprisingly, they received a response pretty quickly.

No 12V Power Access

Tesla has decided to restrict 12V power access for safety reasons—namely, to “reduce the likelihood of thermal events” when third-party devices are left powered on without users present. Tesla reached out to the fan in question by phone, and they seemed to be sticking to that line.

It seems that Tesla is resolute that it was due to safety reasons and that the change would not be “fixed” or allowed in a future software update – as this was an intentional change for safety reasons.

Other sources have reported that the change was due to potential misuse of the 12V power access, with people wiring 1200w microwaves and kettles or jury-rigging 240v to 120v adapters, which had apparently been the cause of multiple fires in Tesla vehicles within China.

Workarounds

Thankfully, for those who camp or need to keep their sub-trunk fridges powered while still having security in their vehicles, there is a simple, although inconvenient, workaround. You can enable Camp Mode, then manually lock your car (since Camp Mode turns off walk-away door locking) and turn off climate controls from the app.

While Sentry will NOT be active with this workaround, the car's power sockets remain powered. While this workaround is fine to use occasionally, it’ll be tiresome for those who use a fridge regularly.

We’re still hoping Tesla considers bringing the Cybertruck’s Power Control menu to the rest of its vehicles and is somehow able to limit the max draw from these outlets to prevent dangerous situations.

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Join Our Tesla Robotaxi Event Prediction Contest

Tesla

With the Robotaxi event just a day away, we thought it would be a fun idea to run a contest to predict what Tesla will announce tomorrow evening.

We’ve outlined a list of questions below; simply answer them on our forums or social media (X or Threads), and be entered for a chance to win some great prizes.

The individuals who have the most correct answers will win one of five prizes mentioned below. If more than five people get them all right, a random drawing will be held from the pool of winners.

We’ll reach out to the winners either by email or by DM on social media.

The Questions

1. Will Tesla let attendees experience Robotaxi at the event?

2. Will Tesla first start the network with human supervision (ridesharing), or with Robotaxis only?

3. What year will the network start? When will it become fully autonomous? (if announced)

4. When will Robotaxi production begin? (if announced)

5. Will it be Robotaxi or Cybercab?

6. Which of these Robotaxi Concepts will be the closest to the one announced?

7. Will Robotaxi include:

   1. Front-facing camera?

   2. Stainless-steel body?

   3. Steer-by-Wire or No Steering Wheel? (if announced)

   4. Which current Tesla model has the most similar door-opening mechanism?

   5. How many seats will the robotaxi have?

8. Will the robotaxi include AI5/Hardware 5, HW4 or something completely different?

9. Where will Tesla’s first Rideshare/Robotaxi location be established?

10. Will customers be able to purchase a Robotaxi?

Requirements

Please use the template below to answer the questions on social media or in our forums. You can post your answer as a comment to our forums, to our X post, or to our Threads post.

Once you do that, repost or quote post your favorite article from us.

1. Yes

2. Ridesharing

3. 2025/2027

4. 2025

5. Cybercab

6. Dominic's

7. Yes, Yes, SBW, No, 2

8. HW5

9. LA

10. Yes

Prizes

Prizes are generously provided by Enhance and Jowua, makers of some of the best Tesla accessories and amazing Tesla community members. Prizes will be mailed out directly by them. Winners will get to choose their prize from the list below. First place will have the first pick and so on. There will be five winners in total.

• S3XY Buttons (including a commander and wiring)

• S3XY Knob for Model 3/Y

• Tesla Gaming Controller - Multi-Device Wireless Controller (Wireless Charging)

• Tesla Gaming Controller - Multi-Device Wireless Controller (Wireless Charging)

• Tesla Gaming Controller - Multi-Device Wireless Controller (Wireless Charging)

Disclaimer

This is a Tesla event, and Tesla normally likes to hold their cards close to their chest. If an answer is ambiguous, we’ll go with the best choice decided by our staff. We’ll do our best to be fair. This

With all that said, we wish our entrants the best of luck, and we’ll announce the winners at the end of the week.

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