12 Best Free Apps to Convert Your Old Phone Into A Security Camera
Do you plan on selling off your abandoned smartphone? How about you turn your old phone into a security camera? Thanks to innovative developers, there are apps that can do this so well. No need for expensive CCTV installations. You get to boost your home security, reinvent your smartphone and save costs.
Rather than giving away your smartphone at a price much lower than its purchasing cost, give it a new purpose with these genius apps. In this article, we have compiled 12 best free apps to turn old phone into security camera. Let's look at them in detail.
How Can I Use My Old Phone as Free Security Camera
Definitely, this is probably the question on your mind as you begin to read this.
Using your old phone as a security camera requires that you download and install an app designed to convert a phone into a security camera. Installing such app equips the phone with the functionalities required of a security camera. These functionalities vary from app to app.
Top 12 Free Apps to Turn Old Phone into Security Camera
There are a good number of apps to make old phone a security camera. Choosing an app out of the numerous options available can be quite tricky and overwhelming. It's important you select a very good app. Here's a list of 12 highly-rated free apps that you can select from.
AirDroid Personal
AirDroid Personal is an excellent app to make old phone a security camera. While the old phone serves as a security camera, a secondary remote device (PC) functions as the viewing device.
Additionally, AirDroid Remote Support also stands out when it comes to using an old phone as a security camera, which specializing in remotely supporting your friend or family. And you can see the remote screen in real-time, including your camera.
| Features | AirDroid Personal | AirDroid Remote Support |
|---|---|---|
| Viewing device(s) | Win, Mac, Android, iOS | Android, iOS |
| Remote device(s) | Android | Android, iOS |
| Screenshot | Yes | No |
| Screen recording | Yes | No |
| Camera permission | Turn on the camera remotely without knowing | Need permissions to turn on camera |
| Price | $3.99/month | $2.49/month |
| Free trial | Free under local network | 10 mins per day |
Once it is installed on your old Android device, all you need to do is orientate the device camera to focus on what you wish to survey. This enables you to do real-time monitoring from anywhere in the world. AirDroid Personal can be used as a baby monitor and pet camera.
Compatibility: Windows, MacOS, Android devices.
Key Features:
One-way audio
This feature allows you to hear background noise. Not only are you able to monitor a particular place, but you are also able to listen to the phone surroundings within that location. For instance, you can hear when your baby cries when AirDroid Personal is used as a baby monitor.
Remote screenshotting and recording:
This feature enables you to record videos and capture screenshots. For example, if you put your old phone at home, you can use it to record videos and screenshot for your baby or pet remotely and those could be the moments for you to relive later.
Adjustable remote monitoring:
AirDroid Personal grants you access to the device's flashlight and camera settings. This enables you to observe in detail the different angles of both the back and rear cameras of the device. In addition, you can switch the flashlight on when the environment gets dim remotely.
Absence of network limitations:
It works on both Wi-Fi and cellular networks, unlike other software that only lets you connect via Wi-Fi.
Pros
- AirDroid Personal is flexible; can be used on both cellular and Wi-Fi networks.
- Compatible with multiple platforms; Android, desktop and web.
- Allows you to capture special moments.
- One-way audio enables you listen to the phone surroundings clearly.
- Ease of operation.
Cons
- One-way audio is the Premium feature.
How to Make Old Phone a Security Camera with AirDroid Personal
Follow these steps to turn old phone into security camera using AirDroid Personal
Step 1: Click "Download Now" button to download and install AirDroid Personal on your old Android device and PC.
Step 2: On your old phone, go to Security & Remote Features, switch on the Camera button, then select the Grant Permission button.
Step 3: Next, you enable One-Way Audio by turning the option on. Afterwards, allow AirDroid Personal to record audio by tapping the relevant button.
Step 4: On your PC, launch AirDroid Personal. Select your old device as the device you want to monitor remotely, then Click on Remote Control, and tap on Remote Camera. Now your old phone has been completely turned into a security camera.
Can you expect more from AirDroid Personal?
Yes, you can. AirDroid Personal is definitely a treasure for mobile device management. It contains a host of other useful features. They include:
More Features of AirDroid Personal
- File transfer: This feature allows you to move your files wirelessly and seamlessly across multiple platforms at high speed without loss of data.
- Remote control phone: Once this tool is set up, you can control your Android phone or tablet from your PC in any part of the world.
- SMS & Notification: Using this feature, you can make calls and send and receive texts directly on your computer. In addition, you can receive notifications from apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook on your PC and reply to them instantly.
- Screen mirroring: This tool allows you to transpose the screen of your Android device to your computer, enabling you to view the content on a much larger scale.
Alfred
This is a multi-purpose app that can transform your old phone into a home security system. It can also be utilized as a baby or pet monitor. Alfred employs both front and rear cameras to provide a live home feed. You can access this feed remotely.
Compatibility: Android and iOS devices.
Features
- 24/7 live streaming: This ensures round-the-clock monitoring hence nothing suspicious gets past you.
- Motion detection: When a suspicious movement is detected, Alfred immediately notifies you.
- Two-Way Audio: Not only are you able to pick up background sounds, but you can also speak in real time from your remote location.
- Low-light filter: When it gets dark, you can adjust the camera's light for continuous visibility.
Pros
- It provides HD video surveillance.
- You can remotely zoom in on an object of interest.
- Large cloud storage.
- Smart motion detection.
Cons
- Installation and setup are time-consuming.
- Low-light filters and motion detection features do not work all the time.
- Doesn't work on some devices.
Manything
This is a simple app which functions both as a motion detection tool and a surveillance tool. Manything works by detecting movements within a specified zone. It converts your old smartphones into sophisticated security cameras. This app can be used to monitor anything.
Compatibility: Only on iOS devices.
Features
- Ease of installation: Manything is simple and easy to set up.
- Live video feeds: You have a real-time view of whoever or whatever you are monitoring. It could be your home, baby or pet.
- Motion detection zones: You only monitor the areas of interest.
- Motion recognition: Instant notification when there are any movements within the detection zone.
- Auto-record: Every movement detected is automatically recorded.
- Stills-on mode: Every movement detected is automatically recorded.
Pros
- Provides real-time monitoring of whoever or whatever you wish to survey.
- The motion sensitivity can be adjusted to capture only significant events.
- Extensive backup cloud storage.
Cons
- Doesn't offer extensive coverage; it only defects movements within a specified zone.
- Not compatible with Android devices.
Salient Eye
A very good free app to turn old phone into security camera. It has an excellent alarm system helping to prevent burglary. Its setup is hassle-free and straightforward.
Compatibility: Only works on Android devices.
Features
- Motion detection: This feature becomes functional when you position the phone's camera and enable the Arm button of the Salient Eye. This makes all motions within the camera's range to be detected by the app. Salient Eye takes pictures of these movements and then triggers an alarm. Links to photos taken are sent to you via texts or emails; this is optional.
- Theft-deterrence: It has an alarm system which can only be turned off by a unique 4-digit disarm code set by you. You can input this code remotely from a secondary device. The alarm is extremely loud, and movements within the camera's field of view trigger it. This helps to scare off burglars. Enabling Salient Eye to send you photos taken via texts or emails helps you know why the siren was triggered and also notifies you to turn off the siren.
Pros
- Simple and easy to set up.
- Works on almost all Android devices.
- Modifiable motion sensitivity.
Cons
- Only works on Android devices.
- Doesn't provide live video feeds.
Presence
Presence, just like Alfred, utilizes both the front and rear cameras. Wherever the camera is set up, Presence will live stream the entire location to a remote secondary device. This results in extensive and comprehensive home surveillance similar to what you get with CCTV systems.
Compatibility: Android and iOS devices.
Features
- HD Video Stream: Presence offers top-tier live streams.
- Extended video recordings: Significant events are fully captured as a result of this feature.
- Safe and secure cloud storage: In Presence, the cloud storage is encrypted.
Pros
- Allows you to monitor your home from any location in the world.
- Clearer live feeds
- Large and encrypted cloud storage.
Cons
- Doesn't work well on devices having older Android & iOS versions.
- Crashes frequently.
IP Webcam
This app allows you to use extra phones as security cameras. It helps to repurpose your old smartphones.
Compatibility: Only on Android.
Features
- Multiple viewing points: Captures movements from all angles.
- Cloud Backup: All recordings are automatically stored in the cloud storage.
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Ability to detect an object and capture all movements across its path.
- Recordings are not lost.
Cons
- Works over a limited distance.
- Requires frequent check-ups; the app constantly requests permission from users.
SeeCiTV
This app also uses both front and rear cameras. A functional Gmail account is required during setup. It offers HD live video streams.
Compatibility: Only on Android.
Features
- HD live video streams
- Remote camera control: You can turn on/off the security cameras remotely.
Pros
- It is free.
- Permits users to record HD live videos.
- Consumes less power.
Cons
- Users can't record for a long period of time.
- There are so many ads which, most times, take over the entire phone screen.
AtHome
This app contains advanced and professional features, which makes it suited to handle the security of your home. It turns your old phone into a reliable security camera.
Compatibility: Android and iOS devices.
Features
- Face recognition: You can set the app to recognize the faces of everyone in your home. It can also be enabled to notify you as each family member arrives home. In addition, you can set it to only alert you when a stranger walks in and not when a family member does.
- High-resolution audio: You can speak through a mic to visitors.
- Improved night vision: AtHome enhanced night vision lets you capture all movements around your home, even at night.
Pros
- Offers two-way communication.
- AtHome group view option permits the viewing of 4 cameras simultaneously.
- Its face recognition feature reduces the occurrence of false alarms; you only get notified when necessary.
Cons
- It's not user-friendly; the advanced features make it quite complex for the average user.
- The app doesn't always run smoothly; it lags from time to time.
Baby Cam
It is specifically designed to serve as a baby monitor. The app is replete with features which enable it to serve this function.
Compatibility: Only on Android.
Features
- In-built Lullaby songs: You can play a Lullaby song to soothe the baby from the variety available in the app.
- Screen recording and Screenshotting: Baby Cam allows you to screen record or screenshot a memorable baby moment so you can look them over again.
Pros
- You get instant notification when your baby wakes up or begins to cry.
- The app allows you to talk to your baby from a remote device.
- Recorded videos are available for download on the remote device and not the recording device.
Cons
- It requires that the remote device and the camera be linked to the same network for it to function.
- Both the remote device and camera have to be relatively close for Baby Cam to work well.
OWLR
This app has the ability to convert an Android phone into an IP camera. Primarily functions as a monitor. It can be used as a home, baby or pet monitor. It can also serve as an office monitor.
Compatibility: Android and iOS devices.
Features
- Motion detection: It uses in-built algorithms to detect movements.
- Synchronized camera control: It allows you to monitor all cameras placed in the home from a single remote device.
Pros
- It serves as a hub that links different IP cameras around the home.
- Passwords are not stored on its server hence protecting the camera from being hacked.
- It is free.
Cons
- It's a new app; hence most features are not fully functional; they are still being developed.
- It is not reliable.
Warden Cam
It provides round-the-clock security surveillance. Works over both Wi-Fi and cellular networks. Warden Cam utilizes the audio and video sensors of your old smartphone, essentially making it a security camera.
Compatibility: Android and iOS devices.
Features
- Ultra HD Audio and Video: Offers ultra HD video streams. Its audio quality is also top-notch.
- Motion detection: This alerts you of any movements detected via email.
- Cloud Storage: Recorded videos are saved directly to your Google drive.
Pros
- Users can link as many phones as possible.
- Its ability to support multiple phone connections enables it to record and document all activities happening in the home and its surroundings.
- The night vision feature ensures visibility under low light conditions.
Cons
- Consumes a lot of data.
- Doesn't work well over Wi-Fi networks.
12Haven
This is an open-source application which functions as a motion, sound and vibration detector. Only records when triggered by motion and sounds.
Compatibility: Android and iOS devices.
Features
- Sound & Vibration detection: In addition to motion recognition, Haven also detects vibrations using an inbuilt accelerometer.
- Light detection: It also gets triggered by light inputs.
Pros
- Consumes less data; it only records and stores footage when there are unusual movements and sounds.
- It is reliable; works fine even on the oldest Android devices.
- Works well over Wi-Fi networks.
Cons
- Low-quality videos and pictures.
- Doesn't have cloud storage.
Compare these best free apps to turn your old phone into security camera and pick up the one that suits you the best:
| Apps | Motion detection | Video recording | Ease of use | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirDroid Personal | No | Yes | High | Free Trial |
| Alfred | Yes | Yes | High | $4.99/month |
| Manything | Yes | Yes | High | $7.99/month |
| Salient Eye | Yes | No | Medium | Free |
| Presence | No | Yes | Low | $1.99 for 7 days |
| IP Webcam | No | Yes | Low | Free |
| SeeCiTV | No | Yes | Medium | Free |
| AtHome | No | Yes | Medium | $4.99/month |
| BabyCam | No | Yes | Low | $0.99 |
| OWLR | Yes | No | Medium | Starting at $0.99 |
| WardenCam | Yes | Yes | Low | $5.99 |
| Haven | Yes | Yes (triggered upon motion detection only) | Low | Starting at $5/month |
Conclusion
These innovative apps give your old, abandoned phones a whole new purpose and are cost-effective. Of the numerous options discussed in this article, AirDroid Personal is the best app to turn old phone into security camera.
Give your old phone a new life. Get AirDroid Personal today. Download it Now.
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