Drive Smarter uses both Bluetooth and WIFI to connect to dash cameras for different reasons; while Bluetooth is used for pairing/settings configuration (and is not discussed here), WIFI is used to view or transfer videos, check the live view, and to update firmware.  

It is important to know that WIFI as discussed here refers to your phone connecting directly to the camera (via the camera's internal WIFI access point) and NOT through a WIFI network such as your home WIFI or vehicle WIFI, and the connection is managed entirely from the Drive Smarter app.  


Accessing the Gallery and Live View


You must temporarily disconnect from infotainment systems (e.g. Apple CarPlay or Android Auto) to connect to the Gallery and Live View.  


Ensure the dash cam is connected (via Bluetooth) in Drive Smarter

  • Tap the menu button (3 bars on the top left) and tap Devices.
  • The dash cam model name should be listed on this page, and show as "Connected" before you can proceed to the Gallery.  When connected, back out to the map screen so you can access the menu button again.  


Tap Gallery/Live View from the menu button

  • You will see a "trying to connect" message.
  • If you see a JOIN prompt for the camera's WIFI, tap to join.  
    • If asked for a password, remove the saved WIFI network from your phone's WIFI connections, then retry.  This is covered in Troubleshooting section below under Remove the Saved WIFI Network.  
  • Please allow some time, as this connection is not instantaneous. 
    • If you see a pop up message stating "Failed to Access Gallery", click to "retry".
    • If you continue to receive a failure, please see the Troubleshooting section on this page to resolve.  


Inside the Gallery (and Live View)

  • When successful, you will enter the Gallery / Live View on the device
  • Once you have entered the Gallery, you will see 3 categories at the top (All Files, Events, and Live View)
    • All Files should contain all video recordings (including snapshots if manually taken)
    • Events will contain any locked video clips that are not automatically erased in the cameras loop recording feature, these are saved either as emergency recordings triggered by an impact or by manually pressing the yellow triangle button.  
    • Live View shows what the camera is currently seeing. 
  • From All Files or Events, you can play and share the videos like you would any video file on your phone.  You can also download to your phone using the "share" icon.  The clips will be stored in your files.  


Please be aware the camera is NOT recording when connected to the Gallery / Live View.  You must disconnect by exiting the Gallery / Live View for the camera to begin recording again. 



Live View is currently only available via the front, main camera.  Additional cameras will be added as soon as possible.


Troubleshooting


Check App Permissions
  • Drive Smarter requires app permissions to "see" the device, connect, and perform other functionality.  Ensure these permissions are given and "on" for the Drive Smarter app in your phone's settings.  

  • These permissions can be revoked by the phone's operating system for various reasons such as if the app has not been used in a certain amount of time.  

  • Open app permissions for your phone type
    • Android and iPhone with iOS 18 and later:  Settings > Apps > Drive Smarter 
    • iPhone with iOS 17 and below:  Settings > Drive Smarter
  • iPhone permissions required:
    • Location must be "Always" with the "Precise Location" option if available.
    • Bluetooth
    • Local Network
    • Notifications
  • Android permissions required: 
    • Location must be "Allow all the time" with the "Use Precise Location" option if available.  
    • Nearby Devices
    • Notifications
Remove the Saved WIFI Network (Especially if asked for a password)
  • In your phone's saved WIFI Connections, if you see the device WIFI (it should begin with the model name of the dash cam, followed by some other random characters)
    • Tap (or tap and hold) for options, and REMOVE the network.  
    • Do NOT attempt to connect direction to the dash cam's WIFI network from here.  Connection can only be made from within the Drive Smarter app.  
  • Turn your phone's WIFI off and then on again.  This can clear caches that allow proper detection.  
  • If you didn't see the camera's network in your phone's saved WIFI connections, proceed to the next step to Remove and Re-pair the Dash Cam.  
Remove and Re-pair the Dash Cam
  • From Drive Smarter, tap the menu button (3 bars on the top left) then Devices.  
  • Next to the device that will not connect, tap the red trash can next to it and follow prompts to remove the device.  If not visible, be sure the device is off, the red trash can should appear.  
  • When removed, tap Add New Device underneath your vehicle and follow the prompts to pair the device. If the device isn't found at first, turn it off and back on again, wait 1 minute giving Bluetooth a chance to initialize and become discoverable, then search again from the app.
Check Device Settings / Factory Reset Device
  • Applies only to models with a display screen where you can access settings from the device itself.  (All Escort cameras and some Cobra cameras do not have a display screen, so it is not possible to access settings from the device itself and you may skip this section.  
  • Some devices allow for switching WIFI off, verify that it is ON in your device settings.  Find your product manual on this page if you need assistance.  
  • You may instead restore default settings from the device, which configures all settings as default (including enabling WIFI.)  See the manual.  
Restart Everything
  • Power cycle the device (unplug it, plug it back up)
    • Wait 1 full minute before tapping to search for the device again within Drive Smarter.  The device may need time to fully boot and initialize Bluetooth discoverability.  
  • Restart your phone.
Check for Interference from Other Software or Devices
  • VPN software may prevent this connection, even when disabled.  If you have trouble, REMOVE or uninstall (not just disable or close) the VPN and try again.  It has been confirmed that several popular VPNs will not allow successful connection until the VPN is uninstalled.  
    • Some users have reported you can disable cellular data for the VPN app in order to resolve VPN related connection issues, however this must be for the VPN app only not the entire phone.  Drive Smarter will need cellular data to establish the first connection to the dash cam's WIFI access point.  
  • You MUST temporarily disconnect from infotainment systems (e.g. Apple CarPlay or Android Auto) to connect to the Gallery.  
Reinstall Drive Smarter
Update/Reinstall Device Firmware and Factory Reset
Move Out of Range from Other WIFI Networks
  • Some phones are configured to prefer a WIFI network that provides internet access, and will automatically disconnect from the camera when it sees the camera does not provide internet AND another network is around that does (such as your home WIFI.)    

  • The easy fix is to simply move out of range from any other WIFI networks that your phone would connect to (such as your home WIFI) and then you should be able to access the Gallery / Live View.  



If you experience issues with this connection, you can also plug the dash cam directly into a computer to view/save video clips or do firmware updates.  Rest assured, the camera is always recording your drive and the footage is saved on the SD card in accordance with the product specifications.


For additional help and information, choose one of these related articles:


Drive Smarter Self-Service (Main Page)

Connecting a Device to Drive Smarter

Connecting a Device to your WIFI Hotspot

Apple CarPlay Guide

Android Auto Guide