Buying one of the best dash cams is all well and good, but you might not want to sink that much money into a new dash cam. Even if you go for a highly rated budget unit, you’re still talking about paying upwards of £50 for a turn-key unit.
Fortunately, there is an alternative if you’re looking to keep your costs to a minimum: use a mobile phone, old or current, as a dash cam. All you’ll need is a suitable phone, an in-car phone mount, and one of myriad free apps, and you can be on your way and recording the road ahead in no time at all.
Using a mobile phone as a dash cam is also a great idea if you just want to experiment, to see if investing in a proper dash cam is worthwhile, or if you suddenly find yourself in need of a dash cam – such as if you’re hiring a car and want something to record the journey, just in case, or you don’t have your normal dash cam to hand.
Can I really use a mobile phone as a dash cam?
Yes, you can use a mobile phone as a dash cam. Even older phones should be capable of recording good- or high-quality footage in many situations, and a newer phone will certainly have no problem recording your driving footage.
There are also numerous dash cam apps around, for both Android and Apple iOS devices, that serve up the required functions and features that can turn a mobile phone into a serviceable dash cam.
For example, these apps can use the phone’s accelerometer – which effectively monitors how the phone is moving – to automatically save footage should emergency braking or a hefty bump be detected.
Is using a phone as a dash cam legal?
You can legally use a phone as a dash cam, provided it is installed safely in a mount and that you do not interact with it at all once you have set off. You need to fit the device, make sure it is secure, start it recording, start your car, and then drive off when safe to do so – and never touch the device until you have come to a complete stop in a safe area.
The phone must also be mounted in a way that does not interfere with your line of sight, so ensure you have an unobstructed view of the road and traffic ahead when you are installing the phone. Effectively, you treat the phone in the same way as if you were using it for satellite navigation; you set it up, make sure it’s not in your way, start it off, and then don’t touch it until you get to your destination.
Otherwise, it is illegal to interact with or hold any mobile device while you are driving your car or riding a motorcycle.
What are the advantages of using a phone as a dash cam?
Accessibility is the major advantage of using a phone as a dash cam. You’ve no doubt got a phone, or a spare older phone you could use, and you may well have a suitable in-car mount to hand. Consequently, you don’t need any new hardware.
And, furthering this, many dash cam apps are free to download and use. Some have advertising in them but, even in those cases, that won’t stop you using the functions you need.
That means you can often set yourself up with what is basically a dash cam for the sum total of nothing. This can be ideal if you just want to experiment, or if you’ve a particular trip you’re about to undertake that you want a bit of reassurance on. Alternatively, you might be leaping into a hire car, or borrowing a car, and want to document the drive without buying or fitting a dash cam.
Using a phone as a dash cam also means you don’t have to buy another piece of technology; you could use your current phone with a dash cam app, for when you’re out on drives, and not have to buy and fit a conventional dash cam into your car, saving both money and time.
Many apps also have useful features, such as auto-record when your phone is connected to a charger, which will make your phone function more like a dash cam.
What are the disadvantages of using a phone as a dash cam?
There are a few snags to employing a phone, old or new, as a stand-in for a normal car dash cam. For starters, a phone is much bulkier than a regular dash cam, so it’ll take up more windscreen real estate and be obvious to other road users and pedestrians.
The quality of the captured footage will also vary, depending on your phone and the capabilities of its camera, and you may find its performance lacking – especially when it comes to more challenging conditions, such as recording in the dark or rain. You might have to experiment a bit, and see what the footage looks like, to know whether it’s a viable option for you.
Using a phone with dash cam apps can also be more fiddly and complicated than a standalone dash cam, which could get annoying if you’re using it regularly. Additionally, some phones may struggle, in terms of battery life and heat, when tasked with recording video for extended periods.
Furthermore, you often won’t benefit from many of the features offered by conventional dash cams, such as dual-camera functionality, for recording behind the car as well as in front of it, and options such as parking modes.
What do I need to use a phone as a dash cam?
To use a phone as a dash cam, you just need a phone, a suitable in-car mount that will give the phone a decent view of the road ahead without impeding yours, and a charging cable.
A charging cable isn’t strictly necessary, but the demands imposed by constant recording and the apps might drain your phone’s battery quickly, so it’s best to have a charging solution on hand to ensure it keeps going.
While you can just use the phone to record video while you drive along, it’s easier and more effective to use a dedicated dash cam app – for one thing, aside from the fact that many are free, features such as loop recording means they won’t just fill up your phone’s storage and then stop recording.
What dash cam apps are available for phones?
There are lots of dash cam apps out there, for both Android and Apple iOS devices. Usefully, they’re often free to download and experiment with, so you can quickly get an idea as to whether you’re comfortable with the interface and if the app does what you need it to.
Here are some of the ones you’ll see at the top of the recommended lists when you visit the Google Play store and Mac App Store:
Smart Dash Cam (Android/iOS): IPCamSoft’s dash cam app is free and benefits from options such as auto-recording mode and configurable auto-loop technology. A paid-for version is available, which removes the adverts.
Navmii AI Dashcam (Android/iOS): This app is free and has no ads, and packs features such as speed limit indication and actual speed tracking, as well as options such as configurable loop recording.
Driver: Dash Cam & Cloud Sync (iOS): If you want an app with lots of options, and don’t mind spending a little, have a look at Driver: Dash Cam & Cloud Sync. It can use the different cameras on your phone, has a cloud storage mode, and offers stacks of customization.
Droid Dashcam – Video Recorder (Android): This app is easy to use and offers an array of great features, including the ability to use wide-angle cameras and G-shock sensors. It also has auto-start modes and loop recording, and ads can be removed for a small fee.
Should I just buy a proper dash cam instead?
If you’re looking for a device that you can leave in your car, and one that you don’t have to think about too much, it’s probably best to buy a dedicated dash cam. It’ll be easier to use, be more reliable, and it’ll be less conspicuous.
But if you just want something to use on the odd trip, and you’re not fussed about how it looks, using an old phone as a dash cam has some merit. The required apps are usually free, and even ad-free upgrades often cost a few pounds, if that, and you’ll only otherwise need a suitable holder – and, if you’ve longer usage in mind, a way to charge the phone while it’s in your car.
A proper dash cam doesn’t need to be expensive, though, if you’re worried about cost but uncertain about using a phone. One of our favourite budget dash cams, the Orskey S680, costs just £39.99. Outside of the camera itself, you’ll only need a suitable dash cam memory card for it, but that should only cost around £10.
All in, for some £50, you’ll have a dedicated dash cam that works well and has a great array of features; it offers 1080p recording at 30 frames per second, has a 170-degree viewing angle, and it’s simple to use. Put it in your car, plug it in, and it’ll turn on when you start the car and start recording for you.
Interested? Check out our best budget dash cam article to find out more about the Orskey and other best affordable dash cam recommendations.
