Are you letting your old smartphone gather dust? Instead of discarding it, you can easily convert it into a functional dashcam at no cost. The entire process takes just a few minutes and can be done if you already have a car mount and charger.
Why Use an Old Phone as a Dashcam?
Transforming your old phone into a dashcam can provide recording capabilities comparable to budget-friendly dashcams available in the market. This repurposed device can support loop recording, GPS timestamping, and capture high-quality footage, making it ideal for insurance claims or simply preserving travel memories.
Gather Your Equipment
Before you begin, make sure you have the following: your old smartphone, a free dashcam app such as Droid Dashcam or Smart Dash Cam, a charging cable, a car charger, and a phone mount for your dashboard or windshield. If you already own these accessories, the entire setup is entirely free.
Preparing Your Phone
It's best to use a phone that has at least 32GB of storage to ensure ample space for video recordings. First, perform a factory reset on the device to clear all data. On Android devices, search for “Factory Reset” in the settings. For iPhone users, navigate to Settings, select General, then Reset, and choose Erase All Content and Settings.
Installing the Dashcam App
After resetting, keep your phone free of unnecessary apps. Disable notifications to ensure a quiet recording environment. Next, download a dashcam app from your phone's app store. Droid Dashcam is available for Android, while Smart Dash Cam is a reliable option for iPhone users. Both apps are free and support loop recording, GPS, timestamping, and impact detection.
Once the app is installed, grant permissions for the camera, microphone, location, and storage. Set the video quality to 1080p instead of 4K to save storage space and avoid overheating during long drives. Loop recording is essential as it automatically deletes older clips when storage is full, ensuring uninterrupted recording. Activate this feature in the app settings.
It’s advisable to save clips in segments of 5 minutes instead of larger files, making it easier to share with insurance companies or law enforcement if necessary. You can also customize the on-screen display to show speed, maps, license plates, or any other desired information.
Mounting Your Phone
Position the phone mount at the top of your windshield near the rearview mirror for an optimal view of the road. Angle the camera slightly downward to capture the hood, road, traffic lights, and lanes ahead. Once everything is in place, press the camera button to start recording.
Power Management and Testing
To prevent battery drain, ensure your phone remains connected to the charger, as video recording, GPS, and screen activity can quickly deplete the battery. Test your setup by recording a short clip in your driveway. Check that the horizon is level, glare from the windshield isn’t excessive, and the mount is stable. Once everything is set, your phone is ready to serve as a dashcam.
Source: https://telset.id/how-to/ubah-ponsel-lama-jadi-dashcam-gratis-begini-caranya
