When this applies
Use this article when you need to:
Find recordings from your iQ 1K, iQ 2K or iQ 4K Dash Cam.
Understand the Events, Library and Downloads sections.
Check why a recording may be missing.
Understand how long recordings remain on the SD card.
Process / information
Where are iQ videos saved?
Your iQ Dash Cam saves all recordings to the SD card.
A version of each recording can be viewed and downloaded in the iQ App from the Events, Library and Downloads tabs.
Cloud-based footage stored in Events is low-quality footage.
Footage stored on the SD card under Library can be downloaded in either low-quality or high-quality.
iQ History
In the iQ App, videos are shown in the History tab in reverse order, with the newest at the top and the oldest at the bottom.
History is split into three categories:
Events
Events shows videos that are protected from being overwritten.
This includes:
Smart Sense Parking Events.
Driving Events where the built-in G-sensor detects an impact or the Protect button is pressed.
Guardian Mode and Witness Mode activations.
With a Protect or Protect Plus subscription, event files are automatically uploaded to the cloud for a number of days:
Protect - up to 30 days.
Protect Plus - up to 180 days.
Library
Library shows all files currently on the SD card in your iQ.
Files appear in the same order as they would when viewing the SD card on a computer.
Formatting the SD card deletes all videos from the Library.
Downloads
Downloads shows all videos you have downloaded to your phone.
Uninstalling the iQ App deletes all files stored in Downloads.
What to check if you cannot find a file
If you cannot find the recording you need, it may have been overwritten or deleted.
When did the incident occur?
For example, 1:02 pm on 1 March 2026.How much has the vehicle been used since the recording?
Unprotected files can be overwritten quickly, especially if the vehicle is driven frequently or a smaller-capacity SD card is used.Has the vehicle been parked in a busy area?
If Smart Sense Parking is enabled, the Dash Cam can create many motion-based recordings while the vehicle is unattended. These recordings use space and can cause driving videos to be overwritten sooner.Are there many protected files?
Protected files are eventually overwritten when their total size exceeds approximately 30% of the SD card's capacity.Has the SD card been formatted?
Formatting deletes all files on the SD card and clears the Library.Has the iQ App been uninstalled?
Uninstalling the app removes downloaded videos from Downloads.
How long until videos are overwritten?
How long it takes for a recording to be overwritten depends on:
Your iQ model - 1K, 2K or 4K.
Whether a Rear Camera is connected.
Whether Smart Sense Parking is active.
How often the vehicle is driven.
The times below show the total recording time available on the SD card, not only driving time. They do not include space taken by protected files, which can reduce the available space.
iQ 1K
SD card size | Front only | Front + Rear |
32 GB | 123 minutes | 65 minutes |
64 GB (included) | 246 minutes | 131 minutes |
128 GB | 492 minutes | 261 minutes |
256 GB | 984 minutes | 522 minutes |
iQ 2K
SD card size | Front only | Front + Rear |
32 GB | 70 minutes | 46 minutes |
64 GB (included) | 139 minutes | 93 minutes |
128 GB | 278 minutes | 186 minutes |
256 GB | 557 minutes | 371 minutes |
iQ 4K
SD card size | Front only | Front + Rear |
32 GB | 54 minutes | 39 minutes |
64 GB (included) | 108 minutes | 78 minutes |
128 GB | 217 minutes | 156 minutes |
256 GB | 434 minutes | 312 minutes |
What SD card should you use?
Using an SD card that is not designed for Dash Cams or CCTV can cause problems because it may not handle constant loop recording.
Symptoms of a failing or incompatible SD card include:
SD error messages.
Recording failures.
Gaps between recordings.
Corrupt or unplayable files.
Frozen screen or unresponsive buttons.
For best results, use a Dash Cam-rated SD card, such as a Nextbase-branded U3 card.
What to expect
Recordings stored on your iQ can be found in History under Events, Library or Downloads, depending on where the recording is stored.
Still need help?
If you cannot find a recording, check whether it may have been overwritten, the SD card has been formatted, or the iQ App has been uninstalled.