The BlackVue App for iOS and Android is improving significantly via its April 1 update. And no, it’s not a joke. Besides the usual stability improvements and bug fixes, the new update features three major changes.
Let’s review those changes below.

Mapbox replaces Google Maps

The open-source Mapbox is replacing Google Maps for all mapping features of the BlackVue App. Granted, for most users, this won’t change the experience and users don’t have to do anything. 

However, this will be a welcome change for China-based users where Google services are generally unavailable. While iOS users could fall back on Baidu Maps from within the app, Android users did not have this luxury, as Baidu services are banned from the Google Play stores.
Now, all users in China will be able to access GPS tracking features and see on a map where a video was recorded while playing it in the app.

The Chinese version of the BlackVue App for Android can be downloaded here.

Outside of this change, the user interface was unified for map-related features across mobile apps and the web. Additionally, the mobile GPS Tracking menu interface was simplified while retaining all the same features.

Cloud Battery: check your BlackVue battery level over the Cloud

With the Cloud Battery function, you can pair a Power Magic Ultra Battery (B-124X or B-130X supported) with your Cloud-connected BlackVue dash cam.

After the pairing, you will be able to check battery levels remotely over the Cloud, from the Cameras tab. You will also be able to receive Push Notifications when the power gets low. 

• Important new features:
  • Pair your B-130X or B-124X battery to your Cloud-connected dash cam.
  • View battery levels from the Cameras tab right under your dash cam’s name.
  • Battery information is updated every 10 minutes in the background.
  • Low-Battery Alert function: Receives a Push Notification when the battery drops under 20% charge.
  • Access detailed battery charge level and temperature history graphs. Two tabs available: past 24 hours and past seven days.

Downloaded Videos storage location change (IMPORTANT!)

The change that will affect the most users is in the way the app will now handle videos downloaded from the dashcam to users’ phones.

Until now, the videos were saved in an internal app-specific folder and accessible via the Downloaded Videos menu of the BlackVue App. That menu can be accessed from the Profile tab as well as the Cameras tab. 

Going forward, videos will be saved to your photo/video gallery on your phone instead of a BlackVue app-specific folder that is tied to the BlackVue App. 

The benefits for users include: 

• Easy access and sharing of videos from the phone’s native photo gallery.
• Preservation of the videos even in case the BlackVue App is deleted. 

Upon accessing the Cameras tab or the Downloaded Videos menu in the Profile tab, if the app detects any video downloaded previously, a popup will prompt you to back up your downloaded videos to your device’s gallery. 

Keep in mind:

• This only changes the location where the videos are saved on your phone.
• The videos will still be accessible from the Downloaded Videos menu, allowing for playback with map visualization.

Note on in-app Map View compatibility:
Map visualization during playback via the BlackVue app is available for models from DR750S (2017) onwards, as those models embed the GPS data in the video files. 

BlackVue dashcams released in 2016 and earlier (DR650S, DR650GW), save the GPS data in separate files, which cannot be saved to the photo gallery folders on either iOS or Android. Therefore, the BlackVue App won’t be able to display a map alongside the video when playing back from the Downloaded Videos menu. To display the map during playback (Map View), users will need to use the BlackVue Viewer for Windows or macOS.