How To Turn Your Smartphone Into A Dashboard Camera

Below we share how you can do this, and what kit you will need. 

How you can turn an old smartphone into a dashboard camera

Once you have the necessary kit, turning your smartphone into a dash cam is incredibly easy. So what kit do you need? 

Charging cable The phone really needs to be plugged in and charging when acting as a dash cam. You don't want the footage to stop half way through your journey, or before a collision. 

The mount You will need a mount to keep the phone secured and in the correct position while driving. What is most important when buying a mount, is that it should not obstruct the front facing camera. 

Apps You will need to download a dash cam app in order for your phone to function as a dash cam. Good options include CamOnRoad and Car Camera but it very much depends upon whether you use an iOS or Android device, so shop around and find out what best suits your needs. 

What you need to do

So, once you have installed the app and have become accustomed to navigating it, the next step is to acutely mount your phone in the correct position. It should be positioned in the middle of your dashboard, so that it can video as much of the road as possible. Once the phone is mounted, check that it is secure and charging. Then simply open the app to record and start driving! 

Why you should use an old smartphone

if you have an old smartphone lying around the house, let's face it, we all like to use the very latest phone, then why not put it to good use? An old smartphone will be much cheaper than using a brand new dash cam. More importantly, it is far better to use an old smartphone, than the phone you use everyday, as it will only be used for this dedicated task; not for texting, listening to music or reading emails! 

Security

Your smartphone dash cam should never be left in your car. Doing so is a sure fire way to entice thieves who will want to break into your vehicle. So, even though it makes slightly more work, in having to resecure the phone each time you drive, it is far safer to take the phone with you. 

When you buy a car from Autochoice Bristol you gain peace of mind in knowing that the car comes with a 3 month RAC warranty and breakdown cover. More information can be found here.