How to Use Phone as Webcam for Computers [2024 Update]
If you're a student, you might need a webcam for attending your classes or a virtual event. For other individuals as well, you will need a webcam to attend online meetings every now and then for remote working.
The flip side of this need is advancements in mobile phones with high-quality cameras and video results. Therefore, in this article, we will explore how to use an Android phone or iPhone as a webcam for your computer.
Methods | Supported OS |
---|---|
Sytem Settings | Android 14 or later |
Continuity Camera | iPhone → Mac |
AirDroid Personal | Android → Windows & Mac |
Droidcam | Android & iPhone → Windows & Linux |
IP Webcam | Android → Any platform with VLC player or web browser |
EpocCam | iPhone → Windows & Linux |
Enable Webcam on Android 14 or Later
The prerequisite for this method is that your phone device runs on Android 14. Also, you need a good transfer USB connection cable. Google has simplified the execution on this version of OS to use the method described below.
Step 1. Connect your phone to your PC using a USB cable, and you will see the USB prompt.
Step 2. Open it and then select Use USB for and pick Webcam.
Step 3. Open the Device as Webcam prompt that pops up, then click on the notification, and you will see the same view on your PC.
Step 4. Your phone camera is now your Webcam. You can pick it for any video calling app in the meeting app's settings.
Pros
- It is simple to set up.
- It does not require a third-party app or internet connection.
Cons
- No feature is available to make changes to how the camera performs.
- Connection can be severed if the USB connection shakes.
Use iPhone as a Webcam for Mac with Continuity Camera
To use this feature, you need the MacOS (13) Ventura or later versions working on your Mac. While you can use an iPhone 11 or any later versions, you can only use an iPhone that supports iOS 16 or later. However, all the latest Continuity Camera features are only available when you pair an iPhone with iOS 17 and a Mac with MacOS 14 together or any later version of the two. Here is how to set up the connection.
Step 1. Ensure your iPhone and Mac are signed in to the same account.
Step 2. Switch on the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for both devices. Alternatively, connect the two devices with your USB cable.
Step 3. Turn on your Continuity Camera in the Settings app.
Step 4. Under the General Settings, select AirPlay &Handoff to toggle on the feature.
Step 5. Ensure the two devices are close to each other.
Step 6. Open any app on your Mac that uses a camera.
Step 7. Open the app's settings and set its camera option to iPhone.
Step 8. Your iPhone Continuity Camera is now your Mac Webcam.
Note: If it does not connect automatically, click on video in the toolbar at the top of your Mac screen. Click on Camera and choose your iPhone.
Pros
- Users can easily interchange between wired and wireless connections.
- No third-party app is required to establish a connection.
AirDroid Personal
AirDroid Personal allows you to remotely control the camera of your Android device. It will be the best solution if you need to use your mobile phone as a webcam to monitor your home or watch your family pets.
This app is helpful for efficiently controlling Android devices. Several functions are available on the app, such as removing or changing folders, arranging files, creating a backup of the device data, or other file transfer and management functions. AirDroid Personal can be used for attending to notifications, replying to SMS, screen sharing, etc. Additionally, you can use it to control up to four devices simultaneously. Some of its other features are;
Unattended Access: You can control an Android phone without requesting permission.
Video Recording: You can record security footage of what is happening around the phone.
Droidcam
Droidcam is one of the most popular webcams applications for Android and iPhone. You can go for a USB connection or wireless connection of your phone with a PC to turn your own phone camera into a webcam. Whether you want to attend a conference call on Skype using your phone camera through PC or stream a live video on YouTube, DroidCam can be your go-to solution. It is completely free with no usage limits or watermarks. If you want HD mode and advertisement-free, you may upgrade to premiun with an one-time purchase that cost about $4.
Main Highlights of DroidCam Free Version
- Chat option using DroidCam
- DroidCam can run in the background while you keep using your phone
- Connectivity with USB as well as wireless connection
- Hotspot connection in the absence of Wi-Fi
Main Features of Premiun Version
- HD mode of video and more camera controls
- Brightness, contrast, volume adjustment, etc.
- Auto-mute phone calls to avoid distractions
- Advertisement free
Pros
- The safety and security of your data remain intact
- USB connection and hotspot connectivity
- The Pro version has higher controls and features
- Available for Windows and Linux
Cons
- Separate installation of two apps on Android as well as PC
- The user interface looks outdated and not updated regularly
- The free version has limited features
Steps to Turn Your Phone into Webcam with with Droidcam
Step 1. Install DroidCam from the official stores on your PC and phone.
Step 2. Open the Android app and copy your Android phone IP address in the Wi-Fi IP line at the top of the screen.
Step 3. After opening the PC app, fill in your Android phone IP address in the Device IP field.
Step 4. Tap on the Video and Audio boxes of your desktop.
Step 5. Select Camera from the Menu options at the top of the screen to pick between rear or front camera.
Step 6. Your phone camera is now your Webcam. Now, you can pick it for any video calling app in the meeting app's settings. Select either DroidCam Source 2 or DroidCam Source 3.
IP Webcam
IP Webcam is also a popular option for smartphone users who are interested in using Android as a webcam. The wireless application setup helps you stream your camera footage to your computer over Wi-Fi. The application is often viewed as one of the best Android webcam applications. You can go for the free version or pro version (one time purchase that cost about $3) of the app as per your requirements.
The main features of the IP Webcam are as follows:
- Wireless connection of Android with PC
- Two-way audio recording and support in various formats
- Multiple Viewing points
- You can stream video within a Wi-Fi network without internet access
- IP Webcam can be integrated with surveillance software and security monitors
Pros
- Easy setup and connection with your PC
- No additional app or USB debugging enables required
- The free version is a decent edition of the software
Cons
- The app user interface is outdated and boring
- No USB connection support is available
EpocCam
EpocCam is also an Android webcam app, but it cannot be installed to use an iPhone or iPad as a USB webcam. It can work with Windows, Mac to provide you with an HD camera alternative to your nominal PC webcam. There is a one-time cost to purchase a license of EpocCam worth $7.99.
The main features of EpocCam are as follows:
- Integrated Snapchat lenses and gesture-controlled lenses for video chats and live streams
- Blur background, chroma key, etc., to transform video backgrounds
- You can also create your digital avatar, change your hair color, etc.
- Multicam setup allows you to get a complete setup for video conferencing, virtual lectures, YouTube videos, etc.
- Wireless sharing of your camera footage to a PC over Wi-Fi
Pros
- Compatible with famous apps like Skype, Google, Hangouts, Facebook, etc.
- Affordable to purchase
- The video quality is great
- Easy setup process
Cons
- Only available for iPhones
- You cannot change the settings in the viewing software
- App crashes can be annoying, and intervening
Best Practices of Using Phone as a Webcam
In order to enhance a better experience when you're using a phone as a webcam on a PC, make sure to follow these tips:
- Ensure that both the webcam application and PC drivers are up-to-date.
- Connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network or use a high-quality USB cable.
- Make sure that the phone screen remains unlocked while using it as a webcam.
- To use Android phone as webcam via USB, you should always enable developer options and USB debugging on your Android phone.
- The process often takes a lot of battery. Therefore, make sure that your Android phone is plugged into a power source when using Android as a webcam.
- If your computer still doesn't recognize your phone, try to restart or relaunch the application or devices.
Final Words
We have shared different Android applications and macOS software that will let you connect your Android phone with a PC/laptop wirelessly or through USB and use Android as a Camera. Among all the software, AirDroid Personal is the best software giving you remote camera features and many other options like screen mirroring, screenshots, recording, file transfer, remote access to the phone, etc.
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