Turn your old Android phone into a free dashcam in 5 steps

Want a dashcam without spending money? ZDNET's Elyse Betters Picaro repurposed an old Pixel 9a into a free dashcam. The process takes five steps: factory reset the phone to remove bloatware, install the Droid Dashcam app (free, supports loop recording), disable notifications, mount the phone on the windshield or dashboard, and plug it into a car charger. The app offers GPS data, timestamps, and automatic overwriting of old footage. No cellular plan or subscription required—the phone runs entirely offline.

Key accessories include a USB-C charging cable, a car charger adapter, and a sturdy phone mount. Droid Dashcam handles continuous recording in loops, and you can manually save clips. While a dedicated dashcam is a cleaner long-term solution, this DIY approach costs nothing if you already have an unused smartphone. It's especially useful for temporary setups or as a backup camera. The article also notes the same process works with iPhones using equivalent apps.