Dashboard cameras are incredibly useful to have in your car. Once installed, the dash camera will record everything from when you turn on your car to when you turn it off. However, if you do not want to record every trip to the grocery store as it can take up all the space on your SD card, it’s a good idea to learn how to disable a dash cam.
If the footage your dashboard camera records are stored on an SD card, it means you do not have infinite storage. Or you may want to disable your dashboard camera because you do not want to be filmed during a particular trip.
How to Disable a Dash Cam
If you want to disable your dashboard camera, you can do it by unplugging it from its power source, or if the dash camera has a Stop button, you can press it. If your dash camera is a newer model and connected to your phone, you can go into the specific apps and disable the dash cam.
Also read: How to Disable Drivecam
Disabling the Dashboard Camera on Your Car
While dashboard cameras serve as excellent tools in case of robberies or accidents, they can be incredibly useful in a court case where a driver must prove they are not at fault. They can also help drivers with insurance issues when they are not at fault.
According to certain statistics, there has been an 86% decrease in accident-related costs thanks to dash cams. Dashboard cameras record from when you start driving until you park your car. And if your dash camera stores recorded footage on an SD card, no matter its capacity, it will fill up fast with constant footage.
If you dislike the camera recording all the time, you can disable it by unplugging its cable from the power source. This will turn it off entirely and will not record until you plug it back in. Some dashboard cameras have a Stop button that you can press, and the camera will stop recording.
Turn off the dash cam from your smartphone
On the other hand, newer dashboard cameras use Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 4G connectivity, so you can sync them with your phone. And if you want to disable it, you can go into your phone’s Apps folder, select Dash Cam, and disable it. The recording will restart automatically on your next drive.
Read more: Does A Dash Cam Record Sound?
Turn Off Audio Recording on Dash Cam
If you do not want your conversation to be recorded while driving but do not want to turn off video recording, then you can disable the audio only. You can easily turn off the integrated microphone and only let the dash camera collect video footage. This way, you will be protected in case of an accident while not worrying about your conversations being recorded.
How Dash Cams Operate
Dashboard cameras are often connected to operate via the car’s electrical system by converting the 13.8V to a 5V USB connector. The dash cameras can be plugged into your car via the cigarette lighter socket or hardwired directly into the car’s electrical system.
Because when the car is ignited, so is the dashboard camera, so to store files when there is no power, dash cam units use either a Lithium Polymer battery or a capacitor. However, their capacities are different.
For example, a Lithium Polymer battery has a life of about two to three years. This is because the battery starts to degrade over time and will not work properly. On the other hand, capacitors last much longer and are more resistant to higher operating temperatures.
Capacitors are usually more expensive and require additional hardware and software, which is why they are used in more expensive dash cameras. In comparison, Lithium Polymer batteries are used in less expensive dash cameras.
Also read: Can A Dash Cam Be Tracked?
Conclusion
In conclusion, learning how to disable a dash cam is pretty straightforward. You do not have to worry about overly complicated processes. You need to know the model of your dashboard camera, while generally, most can be turned off by unplugging them from the power source.
Others have a Stop button that you can press, and the camera will stop recording. Or newer dashboard cameras, as I mentioned, can be turned off from your smartphone.