a.x61.sh

Alternative to Magic Earth?
from localhorst@sh.itjust.works to degoogle@lemmy.ml on 04 Dec 2025 16:01
https://sh.itjust.works/post/50981233

Since the developers of Magic Earth decided to pull a bait-and-switch with their latest update, locking the automatic dashcam function behind a perpetual 15$/year paywall, I need a new alternative that ideally also supports automatic dashcam recording while navigating. Does anybody have a good recommendation?

#degoogle

threaded - newest

WhatGodIsMadeOf@feddit.org on 04 Dec 2025 16:09 next collapse

Powerbank + raspberry pi + lan cams = constant recording.

Oh yeah you also need money. If I had money that would be my solution.

localhorst@sh.itjust.works on 04 Dec 2025 16:30 collapse

If I had money I’d have a dedicated dashcam, my dude 😅

HiddenLayer555@lemmy.ml on 05 Dec 2025 04:11 next collapse

I would still consider buying a cheap one for $20 (cheapest price I could find from a quick search) if privacy is your priority. Having it record to an SD card with no online capabilities is intrinsically more private than any app you can get. In fact I would specifically get a cheap one because apparently even a slightly more expensive one will have app integration.

A free alternative is an old phone you don’t use anymore, permanently in airplane mode and with just the regular camera app. Can be one where the battery doesn’t hold a charge anymore that you just have plugged into your car.

Or your old point and shoot you probably haven’t touched since smartphones became popular. Would be a good way to make use of it again.

unwarlikeExtortion@lemmy.ml on 05 Dec 2025 15:46 collapse

A free alternative is an old phone you don’t use anymore, permanently in airplane mode and with just the regular camera app. Can be one where the battery doesn’t hold a charge anymore that you just have plugged into your car.

How is it supposed to be recording?

AFAIK dashcams are usually connected to the car so they run when it does. Having tp manually turn it off and on (and having to wait 20+ seconds for Android/iOS to spin up) & fiddling around the phone to start recording seems like way too much work. Or am I missing something?

SlurpingPus@lemmy.world on 05 Dec 2025 05:36 collapse

Everyone in Eastern Europe has a dedicated dashcam. They aren’t expensive.

tomechio@sopuli.xyz on 04 Dec 2025 16:42 next collapse

I think that the new version is missing the dashcam option. At least I’m not able to find it, even I paid for the subscription.

localhorst@sh.itjust.works on 04 Dec 2025 19:33 collapse

When navigating the button should appear at the bottom of the screen. Which leads you to this page

tomechio@sopuli.xyz on 05 Dec 2025 12:01 collapse

Nope, doesn’t appear for me. And they don’t mention anything about the dashcam feature on their website. Several features of the old app are missing from the new version.

cyborganism@lemmy.ca on 04 Dec 2025 16:55 next collapse

The Viofo A119 is a good cheap dash cam.

lorski@sopuli.xyz on 04 Dec 2025 18:51 next collapse

I use HereWeGo

three@piefed.social on 04 Dec 2025 19:46 next collapse

It was also asking for a subscription to use android auto. Never uninstalled an app so fast.

localhorst@sh.itjust.works on 04 Dec 2025 22:29 next collapse

Wow that’s even worse

Screen_Shatter@lemmy.world on 05 Dec 2025 05:10 collapse

Also just to have voice navigation :/

sem@piefed.blahaj.zone on 05 Dec 2025 06:08 collapse

It is letting me have voice navigation for free, butlive traffic is behind the subscription…

Them offering it for free previously was too good to be true guess.

Wait… Maybe live traffic is still free? Idk. I don’t think so.

https://www.magicearth.com/pricing

I think I’ll switch to HereWeGo ifitworks in USA. https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/here-wego-navigation/23752/5

ZebraGoose@sh.itjust.works on 04 Dec 2025 21:19 next collapse

Oh man i was so disapointed when this update came. Has some one tried to fix this with luckypatcher or something?

localhorst@sh.itjust.works on 04 Dec 2025 22:28 collapse

I guess I’ll try an old APK

defaultusername@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 04 Dec 2025 21:26 next collapse

Just get a separate dashcam and use CoMaps for navigation. Cheap dashcams aren’t very expensive.

Schmuppes@lemmy.today on 05 Dec 2025 13:03 collapse

I got myself one this year. The only problem is that you need to wire it up if you don’t want a USB cable dangling around. In my old car with no A-pillar air bags, it was relatively simple. Still took a while to remove the interior trim pieces, wire the camera through a fuse at the appropriate +12V terminals, and then put it all back together.

XLE@piefed.social on 04 Dec 2025 23:04 next collapse

I looked around a little bit and found a couple dashcam projects. This one looks the most promising.

https://github.com/Myzel394/Alibi

Alternatively, are you able to downgrade Magic Earth by installing an older version of the APK?

DolphinMath@slrpnk.net on 05 Dec 2025 05:18 next collapse

This $10 Dashcam

plus

CoMaps?

sem@piefed.blahaj.zone on 05 Dec 2025 06:04 next collapse

So… Don’t upgrade the app? Should I not upgrade?

Shit I’m already on the new version. Can I downgrade?

Mycenaman@lemmy.ml on 05 Dec 2025 12:24 collapse

Just uninstall it and download version 2025122009 from aurora store, three dots up right in the app “manual download”.

Also blacklist the app to prevent it from updating.

sem@piefed.blahaj.zone on 05 Dec 2025 15:21 collapse

Thanks for the tip!

Also for anyone else like me new to aurora store, this is how to blacklist: update section > settings > blacklist manager

herseycokguzelolacak@lemmy.ml on 05 Dec 2025 12:40 collapse