Drive Smarter connects to all our devices (both radar detectors and dash cameras) via Bluetooth for information sharing and settings configuration.

Drive Smarter can also connect to dash cameras via WIFI to view or transfer videos; WIFI connections are not addressed here.


Preparing to Connect Your Device


Not all devices are compatible with Drive Smarter


If previously connected to Drive Smarter, Escort Live, or iRadar

  • Close the app, and REMOVE (unpair) the device from your phone's Bluetooth connections (saved there from the pairing with Drive Smarter/Escort Live/iRadar.)  If you don't see it at first, be sure the device is on and in range.  
  • Do NOT re-pair the device from here after removing it, proceed to Connecting a Device below.


Install Drive Smarter

Visit the your phone's app store (e.g. Apple App Store or Google Play) to install the "Drive Smarter" app.  


Register and Login

If updating from Escort Live or iRadar:  

  • You do NOT need to register a new account, simply use the same email address and password (that you used for those apps) to directly login to Drive Smarter.  
  • If you don't recall your password, you can select login, then you should see an option to reset your password.  You may also call or chat with our Customer Service team if having difficulty.  

If you do not have an existing account, register to create one.  

  • When you tap "register" there is an "I agree" checkbox that may overlap with words depending on your phone's font size.  You should be able to tap the checkbox just above the grayed out "continue" button.  If not, temporarily reduce your phone's font size to find the "I agree" checkbox.  
  • You will be required to click a link sent to your email to verify you new account before you can login.  



Registration and Login Issues


Cannot Complete Registration
  • When you tap "register" there is an "I agree" checkbox that may overlap with words depending on your phone's font size.
    • You should be able to tap the checkbox just above the grayed out "continue" button.  
    • If not, try temporarily reducing your phone's font and display sizes to defaults so you can see the "I agree" checkbox.  
Cannot Login After Registration
  • If you have not yet clicked the link in your email to verify the account, you must do so before you can login. If you did not receive this email from Drive Smarter, please call or chat with our Customer Service team.
Invalid Username/Password
  • If you see an "Invalid Username/Password" error, use the "Forgot Password" function and you will receive an email with a link taking you to drivesmarter.com for the password reset.  
    • If the reset fails you may notice you are logged into the website with your name/initials on the top right. If so, click your name/initials and click "logout" at the bottom of the menu, then click the password reset link from your email again, this time it should allow you to reset the password.
    • If all else fails, call or chat with our Customer Service team and we can manually reset your password.  


Connecting a Device


Have your phone's Bluetooth turned ON, but never connect from the phone's Bluetooth connections; this can only be done properly from within the Drive Smarter app. 

Be sure the device is plugged into it's 12 volt power source and turned on.  (USB power is not sufficient.) This will trigger its internal Bluetooth to allow pairing mode.


On your first login to Drive Smarter, you are guided through the process of pairing your first device, including setting up a vehicle and a WIFI hotspot connection (only certain models include the ability).  


To Connect/Pair devices at any time:  

  • Tap the menu button (3 bars on the top left) then Devices.  
  • If you have no vehicle, first tap to Add Vehicle.  The Add New Device button will appear beneath the newly created vehicle.  
  • Tap Add New Device underneath your vehicle and follow the prompts.  


Vehicles are created to separate the devices you are adding, so multiples of the same device can be added each to a different vehicle to keep them straight.  

  • Currently there is a 4 device limit per vehicle, so if you reach the limit you won't have the Add New Device button.  Simply create a new vehicle to see the Add New Device button underneath the newly created vehicle.  


Once added, the device will show as "Connected" and you will be able to access the device settings using the settings gear/cog next to the word "Connected".

  • It may take several seconds for all device settings to load.  
  • If after initial pairing you do not see the gear/cog symbol or cannot access the device settings with it, close the app, restart the device, open the app, and when connected again it should allow access to the device settings.  


For dash cams, you can also visit the Gallery / Live View to see your video clips and/or the current live view.  (Note:  dash cams will not record while connected to Gallery / Live View, disconnect to continue recording.)



Onboarding Error

If you receive an "onboarding error" stating the device is registered to another account:  


Call or chat with our Customer Service team to provide the device serial number, we can remove this from our system allowing you to pair the device to a different user account.

  • The serial number "S/N" should be located on the sticker on the bottom or side of the unit. 
  • The serial number may appear above a bar code on the sticker or product packaging.  
  • If faded or removed see the manual or contact us for instructions (based on your type of device and model) to find the serial within the device settings.




No Devices Found

When you tap "Add New Device" and tap to search or scan for devices, the search (if finding no devices) should take 20-30 seconds before it reports that no device was found. 


If the search immediately reports no devices found without actually searching for 20-30 seconds, you will need to enable 3 animation settings in developer options, click here for step by step instructions.


When the search reports no devices found after searching for 20-30 seconds.  Follow the steps below to resolve.  


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
Check Bluetooth and Remove Old Device Pairings
  • Close the app, and REMOVE (unpair) the device from your phone's Bluetooth connections (saved there from the pairing with Drive Smarter/Escort Live/iRadar.)  If you don't see it at first, be sure the device is on and in range.  
    • Do NOT pair the device from here, devices must be paired only from within the Drive Smarter app.
  • Turn your phone's Bluetooth off and then on again.  This can clear caches that allow proper detection.  
Check Device Settings / Factory Reset Device
  • Some devices allow for switching Bluetooth off, verify that it is ON in your device settings. 
  • Power cycle the device (unplug it, plug it back up) then wait 1 full minute before tapping to search for the device again. 
  • Restart your phone.
  • Perform a Factory reset of the device, which configures all settings as default (including enabling Bluetooth.)  
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.  
  • Based on customer feedback, it may be helpful to turn off Bluetooth on nearby devices, like an Apple Watch or disconnect from your vehicle's Bluetooth (you can reconnect once the device is paired.)
  • Temporarily disconnect from infotainment systems (e.g. Apple CarPlay or Android Auto)
Reinstall Drive Smarter
  • Uninstall the app from your phone
  • From your phone's app store, reinstall Drive Smarter
  • The reinstall will clear app caches and force app permissions and permission prompts.  
Update/Reinstall Device Firmware and Factory Reset
  • Try a factory reset of the device using the device's menu if available, or shortcut keys (check the device manual for the correct shortcut key combination.)   
  • Check for and install Firmware Updates.
  • If already on the latest firmware, try reinstalling the firmware:  (Not available for Cobra radar detectors)
    • Dash Cams can download the .bin file to the camera's SD card while plugged up to a computer.
    • Escort radar detectors require a Windows computer with our Detector Tools software
      • On a Windows PC, ignore the green buttons in the middle of the screen, and instead click the small "Devices" drop down menu near the top of the window, then click "Update All Software" from the menu that drops down. 
      • On a Mac, ignore the green button in the middle of the screen, and instead click the small "Manual Updates" drop down menu at the very top of the screen, then click "Update Firmware" from the menu that drops down.  
  • A factory reset of the device is also recommended after a firmware update or reinstall.  



Out of Range

If the device is not in range or is unable to make the connection, it will show "out of range".  


If your device shows out of range when it is powered on and close by, simply turn off the device, close the app, and start over.  Wait about 1 minute after powering on the device (to allow Bluetooth to fully initialize on the device) before trying to connect again from Drive Smarter.  


If still showing out of range, close the app, ensure the phone's Bluetooth is enabled, see Check App Permissions above to make sure Drive Smarter has Bluetooth permissions, REMOVE (unpair) the device from your phone's Bluetooth connections, then pair the device again as found under Connecting a Device above.  




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


Connecting a Device to your WIFI Hotspot

Gallery/Live View (Viewing Dash Cam Footage)

Apple CarPlay Guide

Android Auto Guide