You can easily buy a reliable dashboard cam at a price below $ 100, but a high -class unit that offers high -resolution video and audio recordings and has no restrictions such as default storage may be at least two or three more expensive. If you are very economical or want a better feature with a minimum investment, you can use the old iPhone as a dash camera instead of throwing it. In this article, we will take you by using the old iPhone as a dash cam. If you have an Android phone, you can also check our guidelines about the best use for old Android phones.
There are many reasons for installing the dashboard in your vehicle. Is it to record an unfavorable accident or to capture something that is really funny or creepy, the dashboard camera can be proven to be very useful to document the things you want to share with your friends or want to secure for legal reasons. The idea of using the old iPhone to record recordings while driving is not new, and that is why there is an application dedicated to this purpose.
Things you’ll need to turn an old iPhone into a dash cam
Before we start by using your old iPhone as a dash cam, we need to make sure you have all the required resources. Note that the biggest requirement is to have a functional iPhone. Don’t worry if the screen is cracked; This must work as long as the touch is responsive. If you don’t have an old iPhone, you can get old units and function fully with prices under 50 dollars through several online retailers and third -party sales sites.
Although unnecessary, maybe it’s better to use an iPhone that still gets iOS updates, and you can check the latest iPhone list that will get the upcoming iOS 16 update. This will ensure that the iPhone is protected against security vulnerability such as spyware, especially if you plan to use an iPhone with the same Apple ID as other devices.
After you prepare an iPhone, maybe a good idea to get a car installation for the phone so that it keeps sitting on the dashboard or windshield of your vehicle. You will also need a USB-to-reserve cable and car charger because a constant video recording will suck up a lot of juice from the old battery on your iPhone. Finally, if you want to keep things neat, you can also choose cable management clips to prevent it from hanging freely and block your view.
iOS apps that turn old iPhones into dash cams
After you have an old iPhone and all useful accessories, the first step is to download the iOS application that allows you to use the iPhone as a dash cam. There are various applications – both free and paid – which offers this functionality. Here are some options for you to consider:
Driver: Dash Cam & Cloud Sync — Free and one of the highest-rated dash cam apps on the App Store with dual-camera mode, pedestrian detection alert, and roadside assistance (some features may require a subscription).
Smart Dash Cam — Free app that also allows you to record videos while the display is turned off and also upload them directly to cloud storage.
CamOnRoad Car Video Recorder — Free app with a built-in speedometer, alerts for speed traps, and free 2GB cloud storage.
Nexar – AI Dash Cam — Free app with certain paid features. Uses AI to detect sudden braking and collisions, even if they are not in the camera’s frame.
Once you choose an app, you can follow simple steps to get the setup running.
How to set up an old iPhone as a dash cam
Start by choosing the ideal place to place the car holder for the iPhone. If you use one that relies on a suction cup, make sure you place a place in a place that is not too hot in direct sunlight because it might fall due to heat. Another thing to note is that certain countries in the US forbid vehicle owners from placing anything on the windshield. So, check enough invite in your area before putting the car holder.
After you install the iPhone, connect to the charger using a lightning cable, then open the application that you download. While options can vary per application, certain important options will exist in each application. This may include video quality, the use of storage space, and the duration of recording (including repeated recording in certain applications). After the options are arranged, press the Record button to get your old cam-cam-dash-dash-cam. Make sure you move the recording to another device or delete old recordings that you don’t need. This will allow the old iPhone to continue working as a dash cam without problems with limited storage. Even though you use a new and economical gadget, there are a number of things for you to pay attention to.
Things to know when using an old iPhone as a dash cam
Some points will help you ensure that your efforts to save money by reusing the iPhone do not turn into painful losses. First, remove your iPhone from the holder every time you get out of the car because it can be a free invitation for thieves to not only steal your iPhone but also attack your vehicle for other valuables. The best is to bring the iPhone with you or keep it safe in the gloves box.
Second, as mentioned earlier, make sure the mountain is placed in a place in a car that is least influenced by heat. Besides the sun, the use of ordinary phones will produce a lot of heat, so make sure you are careful. Excessive heat, in general, can also cause damage to the iPhone and harm the battery, so the best is to avoid it. Although it does not need to be said, we still want to clarify that you should not do the cable or electrical components in the car without getting help from a professional. Avoid using DIY challers or telephone holders at all costs, because it can be a disaster.
