Before you start
Make sure your Dash Cam is powered on using the supplied power cable.
Insert a compatible SD card into the Dash Cam.
Install the Nextbase App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Set up the Nextbase App
Open the Nextbase App on your phone.
Create your account, or sign in if you already have one.
When asked which Dash Cam to set up, choose 385.
When prompted, allow all permissions, including:
Bluetooth
Notifications
Location and Location Services
Local Network / Nearby Devices (if shown)
Note: If you deny permissions, some features in the app will not work correctly.
Enter pairing mode on the 385
Make sure your 385 Dash Cam is powered on and the SD card is inserted.
Press and hold the Protect button on the Dash Cam for about 5 seconds.
When the Dash Cam LED flashes blue, release the Protect button.
The Dash Cam is now in pairing mode.
Pair the Dash Cam with your phone
The Nextbase App will now search for your Dash Cam. This can take up to 2 minutes.
Ensure Bluetooth is turned on in your phone settings.
In the app, wait for your Dash Cam to appear in the list.
Check that the serial number shown in the app matches the serial number on your 385 Dash Cam.
Tap your Dash Cam in the list to connect.
Extra step for iPhone / iPad
On iPhone or iPad, the Dash Cam will appear in the “Select an Accessory” window after up to 2 minutes.
Tap the Dash Cam name when it appears to continue pairing.
Confirming the pairing
A pairing request will appear on both your phone and the Dash Cam screen.
Confirm that the codes match.
Tap Pair on your phone and confirm on the Dash Cam.
When pairing is complete, the app will show Connected via Bluetooth.
If you cannot pair your 385 Dash Cam, contact customer support.
Connect to the Dash Cam over Wi‑Fi
You need a Wi‑Fi connection to:
View and download footage in the app
Edit Dash Cam settings
Use features such as Guardian Mode Lite
The app creates a direct high‑speed Wi‑Fi link between your Dash Cam and your phone.
To show how this works, we will use accessing the Dash Cam Library as an example.
Make sure you have completed Bluetooth pairing as described above.
Open the Nextbase App.
Go to the Library tab.
The app will try to connect to your Dash Cam via Wi‑Fi.
You should see “Syncing files” or “Wi‑Fi connection in progress” on the screen.
When the connection is successful, video thumbnails will start to load in the Library.
If Wi‑Fi is not connecting or is slow
If you do not see a syncing message, or it takes a long time to connect:
Make sure Wi‑Fi is turned on in your phone settings.
Turn off any VPN that is running on your phone.
Disconnect your phone from other Wi‑Fi networks (for example, your home Wi‑Fi).
Turn off automatic Wi‑Fi reconnection, so your phone does not jump back to a familiar network.
If your vehicle has Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, disconnect your phone from it while you connect to the Dash Cam.
Check that you have allowed all app permissions: Go to Settings → Apps → Nextbase App → Permissions and turn them all on.
When a successful Wi‑Fi connection is made, the thumbnails of your recordings will appear in the Library.
Manually connecting to the Dash Cam Wi‑Fi network
If the Nextbase App and Dash Cam still cannot create a Wi‑Fi connection, you will see a Wi‑Fi connection failed screen in the app.
From there you can connect manually:
On the Wi‑Fi failed screen, copy the Dash Cam Wi‑Fi password to your phone clipboard.
Open your phone Wi‑Fi settings.
Find the Dash Cam Wi‑Fi network name in the list.
Tap it and paste or enter the password.
Once connected, return to the Nextbase App and open Library again.
If you are still unable to connect via Wi‑Fi to your 385 Dash Cam, open a support ticket.
Troubleshooting
Dash Cam not found in the app
Check Bluetooth is turned on.
Confirm the Dash Cam is in pairing mode (blue light flashing).
Move your phone closer to the Dash Cam.
Wi‑Fi drops or keeps switching back to home Wi‑Fi
Turn off automatic reconnection to your usual Wi‑Fi network while you use the Dash Cam.