iPhone Video Recording While Driving Safely with Hawk Dashcam
Hawk turns your iPhone into a court-ready dashcam that records continuously while you drive, with built-in safety features like one-handed mounting and automatic clip management so you stay focused on the road.
How Hawk Keeps You Safe While Recording
Hawk is a dashcam app that records driving footage continuously in the background without requiring you to hold your phone or tap buttons while driving. The app handles clip management automatically, storing video in a loop so older footage is replaced as storage fills up. You mount your iPhone on the dashboard using any standard phone holder, and Hawk does the rest. The app includes optical-flow stabilisation to smooth out bumpy road footage, and GPS overlay to record your speed and location on each clip. When mounted properly, your phone stays out of your line of sight, and you control everything before or after your drive. As of June 2026, Hawk is the only iPhone dashcam app that writes SHA-256 integrity hashes to every clip, proving the footage hasn't been edited.
Evidence-Grade Recording for Insurance and Police Reports
Hawk is designed for situations where you need proof of what happened on the road. The app's core feature is continuous loop recording with cryptographic integrity verification. Every clip is automatically hashed, creating an immutable timestamp and proof of authenticity. If you have an accident or incident, you can instantly export all related clips as a single ZIP file with a full manifest and legal metadata. That export can be sent directly to your insurance company, police, or used in small-claims court. The free version stores up to 10 clips with 7-day retention; the local Pro tier (£3.99 per month or £39.99 per year) unlocks unlimited clips, longer retention, and iCloud backup of locked footage so you never lose critical evidence.
Evidence Locker and Biometric Protection
Once you flag a clip as evidence (one tap after an incident), Hawk locks it in the Evidence Locker, which is protected by your phone's biometric authentication - Face ID or fingerprint. Locked clips cannot be deleted or modified, and they sync securely to your own iCloud account if you're on Pro. This fail-closed design means even if someone gains access to your phone, they cannot tamper with or erase evidence. You control all the data; Hawk does not upload footage to external servers unless you explicitly choose to sync Pro clips to your iCloud. For drivers who need to submit evidence to police, Hawk on iOS includes direct submission to the National Driver Safety Partnership (NDSP) report system.
For Rideshare and Multi-Trip Drivers
If you drive for Uber, Lyft, or Bolt, Hawk's Rideshare Pro tier (£8.99 per month or £69.99 per year) adds cabin camera support and shift mode. Shift mode lets you group multiple trips into a single session, so you can record your entire shift without manually starting and stopping the app between passengers. Cabin camera recording includes an automatic passenger notice displayed on screen, so passengers are aware they're being recorded, which is legally required in most jurisdictions. The same evidence export system applies: one tap to pull clips from any trip and send them to insurance or authorities.
No Subscription Required to Start
Hawk's free tier lets you record 10 clips per month with 7-day retention, with no signup or payment required. You can test the app, verify it works with your phone's mount, and confirm the video quality before deciding whether to upgrade. The free version includes all core recording features; paid tiers unlock longer retention, iCloud sync, and cabin camera recording. There is no subscription trap or forced upgrade. Lifetime Pro access is available for a one-time purchase of £49.99 if you prefer to own it outright rather than subscribe monthly.
Why Hawk Instead of a Dedicated Dashcam
A dedicated dashcam requires another device, another power source, another mounting bracket, and ongoing maintenance. Hawk uses hardware you already own. Your iPhone has a high-quality camera, GPS, and a screen you can use for playback and export. You don't buy a £200 dashcam device and discover it has poor customer support or outdated software. Hawk updates regularly, uses modern cryptography for evidence integrity, and integrates with your phone's biometric security. The trade-off is that your phone must stay mounted while recording; if you need your phone for navigation or calls during the drive, Hawk continues recording in the background, but you won't see the live view. For commuters and rideshare drivers, that's a fair exchange for simplicity and evidence-grade security.
Start recording driving footage in seconds with Hawk on your iPhone.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hawk record continuously or only when I tap Record?
Hawk records continuously once you tap Record. It runs in the background and keeps recording even if you lock your phone or switch to another app. The app manages clips automatically, replacing old footage as storage fills up unless you flag a clip as evidence.
Can I use Hawk while navigating with Google Maps or Apple Maps?
Yes. Hawk continues recording in the background when you switch apps. You won't see the live camera view, but the recording continues. If you need both navigation and live camera view on screen, use a second device or a dedicated dashcam.
Is my dashcam footage uploaded to MRVL's servers?
No. By default, all footage stays on your phone. Hawk Pro offers optional iCloud sync for locked evidence clips, but that goes to your own Apple iCloud account, not MRVL servers. You control where your data lives.
How is Hawk footage admissible in court or with insurance?
Hawk includes SHA-256 cryptographic integrity hashes on every clip, proving the file hasn't been edited or tampered with. The app exports clips with a manifest and metadata including timestamp, GPS, and speed. Courts and insurance companies accept this as evidence-grade video.
What's the difference between Hawk Free and Hawk Pro?
Hawk Free includes continuous recording, basic clip management, and evidence flagging. Hawk Pro (£3.99/month or £39.99/year) adds unlimited clip retention, iCloud backup of locked clips, and Siri Shortcuts. Rideshare Pro (£8.99/month or £69.99/year) adds cabin camera and shift mode for multi-trip recording.
Do I need a phone holder for Hawk to work?
Yes, you need to mount your iPhone safely on your dashboard so it records the road ahead without obstructing your view. Any standard phone holder (MagSafe, adhesive, vent clip) works with Hawk.