Which USB drive to use for a lock sound

A lock sound is tiny (well under 1 MB), so almost any USB drive works. A few details make it easier.

Connector

Cars built from roughly 2021 onwards have USB-C ports. A USB-C drive plugs straight in; a USB-A drive needs a small adapter. Older cars have USB-A ports. Look at your ports before you buy.

Size

For a lock sound alone, the smallest drive you can find is plenty. If you also want Dashcam and Sentry Mode recordings, 64–256 GB is a sensible range, and a drive rated for continuous writes will last longer.

Format

exFAT is the best choice: it works on Windows and macOS and handles large Dashcam files. FAT32 also works. Avoid NTFS and APFS. The car can’t read them.

Sharing a drive with Dashcam

You can use one drive for both. Keep the TeslaCam folder as it is and put LockChime.wav next to it, at the top level of the drive. If you format the drive from the car (Safety → Format USB Device), copy the lock sound on afterwards.

Short version

• Any brand-name drive is fine for the sound alone.
• Match the connector to your car, or keep an adapter.
• Format as exFAT.