If you have an old smartphone lying around, rather than letting it gather dust, you can transform it into a fully functional dashcam for free. This process is quick and requires no additional costs if you already have a phone mount and car charger. The result is a recording system that can compete with affordable dashcams available in the market.
When converted, your old phone will support loop recording, GPS timestamping, and will provide perfect recordings for insurance claims or simply to capture travel memories.
Gather Your Materials
Before getting started, make sure you have the following items:
- Your old smartphone
- A free dashcam app like Droid Dashcam or Smart Dash Cam
- A charging cable
- A car charger
- A phone mount for your dashboard or windshield
If you already possess these accessories, the entire setup process can be completely free.
Prepare Your Old Smartphone
To effectively use your old phone, it should ideally have a minimum storage capacity of 32GB. The first step is to wipe the phone clean. For Android devices, you can find the option by searching for 'Factory Reset' in settings. For iPhones, navigate to Settings, then General, Reset, and select 'Erase All Content and Settings.'
Once reset, it’s important to set up the phone without any unnecessary apps. Disable all notifications to keep the phone quiet while recording. Next, download the dashcam app from your phone's app store. Droid Dashcam is available for Android, while Smart Dash Cam works well on iPhones. Both apps are free and support essential features such as loop recording, GPS, timestamping, and impact detection.
Configure Your Dashcam Settings
After the app is installed, grant permissions for the camera, microphone, location, and storage. It's advisable to set the video quality to 1080p instead of 4K to conserve storage space and avoid overheating during long trips. Loop recording is crucial as it automatically deletes old clips when storage is full, ensuring continuous recording. Make sure to enable this feature in the app settings.
Additionally, configure the app to save clips in 5-minute intervals instead of large files, making it easier to share with insurance companies or authorities if needed. You can also customize the display to show speed, map, license plate, or other desired information.
Mount the Phone and Start Recording
Position the phone mount at the top of your windshield near the rearview mirror to achieve a centered view of the road. Tilt the camera slightly downward to capture the hood, road, traffic lights, and lanes ahead. Once everything is set, simply press the camera button to start recording.
To preserve battery life, keep the phone plugged into the charger, as video recording, GPS, and screen activity can quickly drain the battery. You can test your setup by recording a short clip in your driveway. Check that the horizon is level, glare from the windshield is minimized, and the mount is steady. Once everything looks good, your phone is ready to function as a dashcam.
Source: https://telset.id/how-to/ubah-ponsel-lama-jadi-dashcam-gratis-begini-caranya
