MyCarTracks can start recording when your phone connects to a chosen Bluetooth device, such as your vehicle’s hands-free system. You can now assign a vehicle to each device so a new trip uses the vehicle associated with that connection.
Android version 2.8.4.7 also adds an optional Bluetooth battery saver (BETA) to reduce battery use while waiting for a Bluetooth connection. Vehicle assignments work with the beta turned off, so you can set up automatic vehicle selection without enabling it.
Before you start
- Pair the vehicle’s Bluetooth device with your phone in the phone’s Bluetooth settings.
- Check that the vehicles you want to assign are available in MyCarTracks.
- Allow Bluetooth access when the app asks for it.
- Use Android app version 2.8.4.7 or later for the new device-and-vehicle screen and beta setting.
Choose the devices that can start recording
- On Home, turn off automatic recording with the recording switch while you configure it. The recording-mode setting cannot be changed while automatic recording is enabled.
- Open More > Settings > Auto recording & Recording. You can also open Recording Settings from the Home screen.
- Tap Auto recording action and select On Bluetooth.
- Open Bluetooth devices and vehicles.
- Choose Selected devices only, then turn on the switch beside each vehicle device you want to use. Leave unrelated speakers, headphones, and other devices off.
Example data: Van 1 Audio is assigned to Van 1, and Van 2 Audio is assigned to Van 2. Device names, addresses, and vehicle names in this image are fictional.
You can choose between these two modes:
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Selected devices only | Only devices with their switches turned on can trigger Bluetooth recording. If no device is selected, Bluetooth recording will not start. |
| Any Bluetooth device | A Bluetooth connection can trigger recording without restricting it to your selected devices. Choose this only if you want connections to other devices to trigger recording too. |
The Connected label shows that your phone is currently connected to a device. In Selected devices only mode, a connected device still needs its switch turned on to trigger recording.
Assign a vehicle to each Bluetooth device
- On the Bluetooth devices and vehicles screen, tap the three-dot menu beside a device.
- Choose Assign vehicle… and select the vehicle used with that device.
- Check the Vehicle: line under the device’s address.
- Repeat for your other vehicle devices. To change an existing assignment, choose Change assigned vehicle…. To clear it, choose Remove vehicle assignment.
- Return to Home and turn automatic recording back on. Connect to an allowed vehicle device and check the vehicle on the recorded trip.
For example, if you alternate between two vans, assign Van 1 Audio to Van 1 and Van 2 Audio to Van 2. A new Bluetooth-triggered trip can then use the corresponding van without you selecting it manually before each drive.
An assignment chooses the vehicle; the device switch decides whether that device is allowed to start recording in Selected devices only mode. Check both settings.
How the app chooses the vehicle
| Connection | Vehicle used for a new trip |
|---|---|
| An allowed device with an available assigned vehicle | The vehicle assigned to that device. |
| An allowed device without a vehicle assignment | The vehicle currently selected in MyCarTracks. |
| An allowed device whose assigned vehicle is no longer available | The currently selected vehicle; choose an available replacement in the device’s menu. |
If connected devices point to different vehicles, the app can fall back to the currently selected vehicle. Review the saved trip’s vehicle in this situation; the app may also show a reminder to check it. Avoid relying on overlapping connections to choose between different vehicles.
The vehicle is chosen when a new trip starts. The connection-handling improvements keep an active trip associated with its vehicle rather than changing that trip’s vehicle whenever another device connects.
Try Bluetooth battery saver (BETA)
Bluetooth battery saver (BETA) reduces battery use while the app waits for a Bluetooth connection. It is off by default and applies to On Bluetooth recording.
Beta limitation: Some phones may delay or miss automatic recording with this option enabled. Check your trip history after trying it. If trips are missing, turn the beta off.
To enable it:
- On Home, turn off automatic recording. The beta setting cannot be changed while automatic recording is enabled.
- Open More > Settings > Auto recording & Recording and check that Auto recording action is On Bluetooth.
- Turn on Bluetooth battery saver (BETA).
- Return to Home and turn automatic recording back on.
- After your next drive, check that the trip was recorded and that its vehicle is correct.
The orange outline marks Bluetooth battery saver (BETA). This example shows it enabled; it is off by default.
To turn it off, first turn off automatic recording on Home, clear the Bluetooth battery saver (BETA) checkbox, then re-enable automatic recording. Your device selections and vehicle assignments remain available.
If something is not working
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth devices and vehicles is disabled | Set Auto recording action to On Bluetooth. Turn off automatic recording first if the action cannot be changed. |
| Bluetooth battery saver (BETA) is disabled | Check that the action is On Bluetooth and that automatic recording is turned off while you change this setting. |
| A device is missing | Pair it with the phone, allow Bluetooth access, then tap the refresh icon at the top of Bluetooth devices and vehicles. A saved device marked Not currently paired needs to be paired again. |
| Recording does not start | Check that automatic recording is enabled on Home, Bluetooth is on, and the phone is connected to an allowed device. In Selected devices only mode, at least one device must be enabled. |
| A trip uses the wrong vehicle | Check the device’s assignment, confirm that the assigned vehicle is available, and check whether another allowed device was connected at the same time. |
| Trips are missing after enabling the beta | Turn the beta off, re-enable automatic recording, and check the next drive. If the settings show a Bluetooth recording-start failure, check recording permissions as well. |
For a drive that was not recorded, see How to add a trip manually on Android. For the release highlights, see Android app update 2.8.4.7.