256 GB USB - Any Luck?

[fishacura]

I am trying to use a 256GB USB but it doesn't look like you can format a drive this large using the FAT method which is supposedly required in order to work. That said, I see a ton of recommended USB drives for the sentry/dashcam that are this size. Has anyone had any success using one this large and if so, how did you format it? The car won't recognize it and Windows won't allow a FAT format of a drive this big. I must be missing something here.

 

[GtiMart]

Isn't the car itself capable of formatting that device? Did you try that?
Late 2019 when I got my car I used something like 128 or 256Gb too, Windows didn't like it and the car didn't have a format option. I ended up using some other formatting application but I don't remember the name. I just don't think you need to do this anymore.

 

[5150]

I did my 256GB a while ago and don't recall the exact specifics. You need to format using exFat, on your PC. And then create the Teslacam folder and another for music.

 

[jjrandorin]

I am trying to use a 256GB USB but it doesn't look like you can format a drive this large using the FAT method which is supposedly required in order to work. That said, I see a ton of recommended USB drives for the sentry/dashcam that are this size. Has anyone had any success using one this large and if so, how did you format it? The car won't recognize it and Windows won't allow a FAT format of a drive this big. I must be missing something here.

Just format it in the car, or format it exFAT (not FAT32). What you "may be missing" is if you are reading things about separate partions and needing to format it FAT32, thats very old information which hasnt been relevant in at least a year, maybe a year and half or longer.

 

[EVRider-FL]

Both exFAT and FAT32 work, and both can handle 256GB drives.

 

[fishacura]

Just format it in the car, or format it exFAT (not FAT32). What you "may be missing" is if you are reading things about separate partions and needing to format it FAT32, thats very old information which hasnt been relevant in at least a year, maybe a year and half or longer.

Yeah problem is the car doesn't recognize it. Oh well not a huge deal as they included one that seems to be plenty large enough I guess. Thx.

 

[jjrandorin]

Yeah problem is the car doesn't recognize it. Oh well not a huge deal as they included one that seems to be plenty large enough I guess. Thx.

Then you can format it on a computer, in exFAT, and try. I have a 256GB sd card, in an adapter, and the car re formats it ok.

 

[CreoUCLA]

On my 2022 M3P, I had to try formatting the 256GB micro SD card in a USB adapter in the car a few times before it finally worked.

 

[stopcrazypp]

Yeah problem is the car doesn't recognize it. Oh well not a huge deal as they included one that seems to be plenty large enough I guess. Thx.

If you are using it for dashcam, you need to create a Teslacam folder on the drive for it to recognize it.
Otherwise you can try reformatting using the car (assuming you don't have anything important in it):
Model 3 Owner's Manual | Tesla

 

[lUtriaNt]

the tesla ones are rebadged samsung drives.

i picked up two 256gb ones direct from samsung for my new 2022 m3p and they both have been formatted in the car per usual and work properly. perhaps you have a faulty or knock off thumb stick. have you ran a test on the one you have to make sure its legit?

 

[jjrandorin]

Both exFAT and FAT32 work, and both can handle 256GB drives.

This is true, but its much easier for a windows user to format exFat at that size, than FAT32 as the native windows interface wont format FAT32 larger than 32GB.

 

[terranx]

My car formatted a 1TB SSD without complaint. Seemed to use the exFat format

 

[EVRider-FL]

This is true, but its much easier for a windows user to format exFat at that size, than FAT32 as the native windows interface wont format FAT32 larger than 32GB.

You’re right, but I’m a Mac user, so I don’t have that issue.

 

[fishacura]

Then you can format it on a computer, in exFAT, and try. I have a 256GB sd card, in an adapter, and the car re formats it ok.

Exactly what I did but not recognized by car. Weird because it's a pretty standard Sandisk card. Oh well.

 

[BigNick]

Try naming the drive/partition to "TESLADRIVE" after formatting to exFAT. Don't use numbers in the name.

Also try inserting while the car is powered off from the Safety menu, and a thumbwheel reset is never a bad idea.

 

[EVRider-FL]

Try naming the drive/partition to "TESLADRIVE" after formatting to exFAT. Don't use numbers in the name.

The drive name doesn’t matter, mine works without that name. If you’re using the drive for video, you have to create the TeslaCam folder (case sensitive) if you don’t format in the car.

 

[Birdsfan]

I TB Samsung SSD installed and formatted in the car in just a few seconds, no issues at all.

 

[S&B's M3]

My car formatted a 1TB SSD without complaint. Seemed to use the exFat format

Ditto on a 500gb SSD I'm using with no problem.

 

[lUtriaNt]

The car will format drives that's been proven. Occam's razor suggests the ops drive is the issue and less rare an issue in ops car.

 

[Flybyglass]

I found it wont format anything bigger than 128GB with FSD Beta 2021.44.30.21. I CAN format the same 1TB drive (and 256) in a Model Y using 2022.3.101.1. The drive reads ok once formatted but wont format. No errors on the port itself so I think it software related.