Browse 2,290+ ready-to-install WAV files: each one downloads as LockChime.wav, already formatted for Tesla. Plug into USB → Toybox → Boombox → done. Keep reading for the full compatibility breakdown, setup steps, and 5 common fixes.
What Is Tesla Boombox?
Boombox is a built-in Tesla feature that plays audio through your car's external pedestrian-warning speaker. Boombox arrived in Tesla's 2020 Holiday Update; custom lock sounds came later, in Tesla’s 2023 Holiday Update (software 2023.44).
What Boombox lets you do:
- Custom lock sound: the core feature; replace the factory beep with any WAV file
- Exterior speaker playback: play sounds, music, or messages through the external speaker (where legally permitted)
The most common use case by far is the custom lock sound, which is what we specialize in at Tesla Lock Sound.
Customize your Tesla lock sound
Browse 2,290+ sounds, instant preview and free download.
Which Tesla Models Support Boombox?
The requirement is an external pedestrian-warning speaker. A car without one can't play a custom lock sound, whatever its software version.
| Model | Custom lock sound | Which cars |
|---|---|---|
| Model 3 | Yes | Built September 2019 or later |
| Model Y | Yes | All model years |
| Model S | Yes | The 2021 refresh or later |
| Model X | Yes | The 2021 refresh or later |
| Cybertruck | Yes | All |
Custom lock sounds have been available since Tesla’s 2023 Holiday Update (software 2023.44) on cars with the external speaker. If you don’t see the Lock Sound option, update your software from Controls → Software.
How to Set Up Boombox: Step by Step
What You Need
- A USB drive (any size; even 1GB is plenty)
- A WAV file named exactly LockChime.wav
- Recommended: 44.1 kHz, 16-bit PCM WAV for clean playback (our converter handles this automatically)
- The WAV file goes inside a folder called Boombox on the USB drive
The Setup
- Download your sound from the Tesla Lock Sound library: every file is already formatted and named correctly
- Format your USB as FAT32 or exFAT (not NTFS or APFS: Tesla can't read those). Need help formatting? See our USB format guide
- Create the folder structure: The USB should look like this:
USB Drive/
└── Boombox/
└── LockChime.wav
- Plug the USB into a USB port that carries data (the glovebox port on newer cars; rear ports only charge)
- Open Boombox: Controls → Toybox → Boombox
- Select USB as the source, and your custom sound will now play when you lock the car
For detailed screenshots and troubleshooting, see the full installation guide.
Why Isn't Boombox Showing Up? (5 Fixes)
This is the #1 question new Tesla owners have. Here are the most common reasons and how to fix them:
1. Wrong Firmware Version
Custom lock sounds need Tesla’s 2023 Holiday Update (software 2023.44) or later. If your Tesla is on an older version, update it first:
- Connect to Wi-Fi
- Go to Controls → Software
- Tap Check for Updates
2. Wrong USB Port
Not all USB ports support data. Try another USB port that carries data.
3. Wrong File Format or Name
Tesla is strict about the file:
- Must be named exactly
LockChime.wav(case-sensitive) - Must be WAV format: not MP3, not AAC, not FLAC
- Should be 44.1 kHz, 16-bit PCM (recommended for clean playback, not a Tesla requirement)
- Must be inside a folder named exactly
Boombox
If you downloaded a sound from elsewhere and it won't play, use our audio converter to fix the format automatically.
4. Wrong File System
Format your USB drive as FAT32 or exFAT. Tesla cannot read NTFS (Windows default) or APFS (Mac default).
- Windows: Right-click the drive → Format → choose FAT32 or exFAT
- Mac: Open Disk Utility → select the drive → Erase → choose ExFAT
5. Regulatory Restriction
Some regions restrict Boombox features. If the Lock Sound option is missing, check whether your car has an external pedestrian-warning speaker; see our regional availability guide.
Still stuck? Our troubleshooting guide covers 7 fixes for when your Tesla won't play a custom lock sound.
Download Free Boombox Sounds
Every file below downloads as LockChime.wav, pre-formatted at the recommended 44.1kHz/16-bit WAV spec. No conversion needed. Browse the full library or jump straight to these crowd favourites:
- Vine Boom: deep bass drop, unmissable from 50 feet (Memes)
- Mario Coin: clean 8-bit chime, never annoying (Games)
- Halo Shield Recharge: futuristic and dead-quiet between transients (Sci-Fi)
- Among Us Emergency: familiar enough that bystanders double-take (Games)
- Zelda Secret: the four-note discovery chime everyone recognises (Games)
- Bruh: best deployed in a quiet parking garage (Memes)
- The Office: That's What She Said: works better in public than it has any right to (Movies & TV)
- R2-D2: iconic beep sequence, instantly places you in the fandom (Sci-Fi)
What Sounds Work Best?
The best Boombox sounds share these qualities:
- 1–5 seconds long: Tesla plays the file once on lock. Anything over ~8 seconds sounds awkward
- Clear initial attack: sounds that start with a sharp transient (a ping, chime, or click) are more noticeable than sounds that fade in
- Moderate volume: very quiet files get lost in ambient noise. Very loud files clip. The library at Tesla Lock Sound is pre-normalized for optimal volume
- Distinctive character: the whole point is standing out. A sound that makes you smile when you lock the car
Popular Categories
Browse the full library for inspiration, or jump straight to the favorites:
- Sci-Fi & Futuristic sounds: Star Wars, Portal, Halo, Dune
- Gaming sounds: Mario, Zelda, Minecraft, COD
- Meme sounds: Vine Boom, MLG, Bruh, LeBron
- Movies & TV: The Office, Breaking Bad, Marvel
- Nature & Animals: bird calls, ocean waves, thunder
Boombox vs Custom Lock Sound: What's the Difference?
These terms get used interchangeably, but there's a distinction:
| Feature | Boombox | Custom Lock Sound |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Tesla's built-in audio feature | One specific use of Boombox |
| Scope | Audio through the external speaker, including the lock chime | Lock chime only |
| Setup | Through Toybox → Boombox menu | Same setup, but specifically the LockChime.wav file |
| File needed | LockChime.wav for the lock sound | Just LockChime.wav |
Think of it this way: custom lock sounds are a feature of Boombox. When someone says "Tesla Boombox sounds," they usually mean the custom audio you load via the Boombox feature, and the lock chime is by far the most-downloaded type.
Can You Use Boombox While Driving?
No. Boombox playback is disabled when the vehicle is in Drive or Reverse. The lock sound plays automatically when you lock the car (regardless of Boombox playback state), but the "Play Sound" feature in the Boombox menu only works in Park.
This is a regulatory requirement in most jurisdictions. The exterior speaker can only be used while stationary. Availability also varies by region; see our regional availability guide for details.
Can Boombox Play MP3 Files?
No. Tesla's Boombox only reads WAV files, and the lock sound must be named exactly LockChime.wav.
If you have an MP3, AAC, FLAC, or any other format, use our audio converter to transform it into a Tesla-compatible WAV automatically. No software to install: it works in your browser.
Boombox on Cybertruck
Every Cybertruck has an external pedestrian-warning speaker, so custom lock sounds work on all of them. The setup is identical to other models: plug the USB into a USB port that carries data (the glovebox port on newer cars; rear ports only charge), open Toybox → Boombox → Lock Sound, and select USB.
For the best sounds tailored to Cybertruck, browse the Cybertruck lock sounds collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sounds work for Tesla Boombox?
Any WAV file named LockChime.wav works: Tesla doesn't restrict the content. In practice, short sounds (1–5 seconds) with a sharp opening transient play best: the clip starts the moment you lock, so sounds that fade in get missed. Common categories: memes (Vine Boom, Bruh), games (Mario Coin, Zelda Secret), and sci-fi (Halo, R2-D2). Browse 2,290+ ready-to-install options; every download is already named and formatted correctly.
Where does the Boombox folder go on the USB drive?
The folder must be at the root of the USB drive, named exactly Boombox (capital B). Your lock sound file goes inside it, named exactly LockChime.wav. The full path on the drive looks like Boombox/LockChime.wav. Avoid extra subdirectories and renamed folders. If the car doesn't see the file there, try LockChime.wav at the top level of the drive; both locations work.
Does Boombox drain the battery?
No. Lock sounds play for 1–5 seconds and draw negligible power from the 12V battery. They have no measurable impact on range.
Can I have different sounds for lock and unlock?
No. Tesla plays LockChime.wav when you lock the car. There is no supported separate unlock sound file.
Can I change my Tesla's horn sound with Boombox?
No. Boombox uses the external pedestrian warning speaker, a completely separate device from the horn. The horn is federally regulated and cannot be customized. For the full breakdown of what is and isn't changeable, see Can You Change Tesla Horn Sound?
My custom lock sound stopped working after an update. What do I do?
Tesla updates sometimes reset the Lock Sound source. Re-select "USB" in Toybox → Boombox → Lock Sound. If that doesn't work, try reformatting the USB drive and copying the file again. Full troubleshooting steps in our lock sound fix guide.
How long can a Tesla lock sound be?
Tesla plays LockChime.wav once on lock. We recommend 1–5 seconds for the best experience. Files up to about 10 seconds work, but anything longer starts to sound awkward. See our lock sound duration guide for details.
What's the difference between Boombox and the PWS (Pedestrian Warning System)?
They use the same external speaker on some models, but they're separate features. The PWS emits a low-speed warning sound required by law. Boombox is for custom audio. They don't interfere with each other.
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Ready to customize your Tesla's sound? Browse 2,290+ free lock sounds: every file downloads as LockChime.wav, formatted correctly, ready for USB install. No signup required.