Tesla Model S Custom Lock Sound: How to Change It (2021 Refresh Guide)
Quick answer: if your Model S is the 2021 refresh or later, you can change its lock sound to any WAV file named LockChime.wav. Put the file inside a Boombox folder on a FAT32 or exFAT USB drive (full path: Boombox/LockChime.wav), plug the drive into the center console USB-C port, then open Toybox → Boombox → Lock Sound and switch from Default to USB. Lock the car to hear it. The whole thing takes about 2 minutes.
Every sound in the Model S library downloads already named and formatted, so there is no audio editing involved. The rest of this guide covers which cars qualify, each step in detail, and the Model S-specific things that trip people up.
Does the Tesla Model S Support Custom Lock Sounds?
Yes, on the 2021 refresh or later, including Plaid and Long Range. The custom lock sound plays through an external pedestrian-warning speaker, and pre-2021 Model S cars don't have one. A software update alone won't add the feature to an older car: the speaker is hardware.
On the software side, custom lock sounds arrived in Tesla's 2023 Holiday Update (software 2023.44), so virtually every Tesla on current software supports them. If your refreshed Model S doesn't show the Lock Sound option, update from Controls → Software first.
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Every sound works with Model 3, Y, S, X, and Cybertruck.
How Do You Change the Lock Sound on a Model S?
Every download on this site is already a properly formatted LockChime.wav. No conversion needed.
- Download a sound from the Model S library (one click, no account)
- Create the folder: put
LockChime.wavinside aBoomboxfolder at the root of a FAT32 or exFAT USB drive, so the full path readsBoombox/LockChime.wav - Plug in the drive to the Model S center console USB-C port (a front USB data port; the rear ports are power-only)
- Select it: go to Toybox → Boombox → Lock Sound, choose USB, and pick your file
- Lock the car and listen
Full walkthrough with screenshots: Tesla Lock Sound Installation Guide →
Where Is the USB Port on a Model S?
Use the center console USB-C port. The requirement is a front USB data port: the rear ports are power-only and the car won't read a drive plugged into them. If your USB drive is USB-A, you'll need a USB-C adapter or a drive with both connectors.
After plugging in, give the car a few seconds to index the drive before opening Toybox.
What File Does the Model S Need?
The only hard Tesla requirement is a WAV file named exactly LockChime.wav. For clean playback, the widely used recommendation is 44.1 kHz, 16-bit, 1 to 5 seconds long, and under 1 MB. Those numbers are best practice, not a published Tesla spec, and every file on this site already follows them.
If you have your own audio to convert instead of downloading one, the LockChime.wav page covers the format and naming in detail.
Why Isn't the Lock Sound Option Showing Up on My Model S?
The usual culprits, in order:
Boombox/LockChime.wav: a folder named Boombox at the drive root, with LockChime.wav inside it. A file at the root alone, a misspelled folder, or an extra nested folder will keep USB from appearing as a source.Still stuck? The troubleshooting guide walks through the full checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the lock sound on a Tesla Model S?
Yes, on the 2021 refresh or later. Put a WAV file named LockChime.wav inside a Boombox folder on a FAT32 or exFAT USB drive, plug it into the center console USB-C port, and select it under Toybox → Boombox → Lock Sound.
Does the Model S Plaid support custom lock sounds?
Yes. Plaid works the same as any 2021-refresh Model S. Keep software current under Controls → Software.
Does a pre-2021 Model S support custom lock sounds?
No. Custom lock sounds play through the external pedestrian-warning speaker, which pre-2021 Model S cars don't have. A software update alone won't add the feature.
How do I go back to the stock Model S lock sound?
Open Toybox → Boombox → Lock Sound and switch from USB back to Default. The change is fully reversible and you can swap sounds any time.
What USB format does the Model S need for lock sounds?
FAT32 or exFAT. FAT32 is the most universally compatible choice.
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Browse the Model S sound library → for 1,067+ free lock sounds, or read the installation guide for the complete step-by-step walkthrough.