In other words, it is legal to mount your smartphone on your dashboard to be used as a dashcam, just make sure it's on a steady car mount (so you're not busy fishing any fallen phones from the floor), not blocking your line of sight, and you're not swiping, tapping, or texting.

In 2026, using your phone as a dash cam is legal in most jurisdictions, provided the phone is securely mounted and does not obstruct your view. In the UK and many EU countries, it is strictly illegal to touch or interact with the phone while the engine is running; therefore, you must set the recording before you start driving. If the phone is mounted on the windshield, it must be placed in a way that it does not block more than a few centimeters of your "primary field of vision." In the U.S., laws vary by state; for example, in California, you can only mount devices in specific 7-inch or 5-inch "corners" of the windshield. The biggest legal risk isn't the recording itself, but the distraction; if a police officer believes the phone’s screen is distracting you, you can be cited for "distracted driving" or "failing to have full control of the vehicle," regardless of whether the phone is in a mount or not.