Using Your Android Device as a Webcam: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you have an unused Android smartphone, consider repurposing it as a webcam. This comprehensive guide outlines different techniques for converting your Android device into a webcam for both Windows and Mac computers.

Utilizing a Third-Party Application

There are multiple approaches to transform your Android phone into a webcam for your Windows or Mac machine. One of the easiest methods is to utilize third-party software like IP Webcam. It connects wirelessly to any Android device, allowing you to stream video and view it via a web browser on a PC that is linked to the same Wi-Fi network.

To get started with IP Webcam, download and install the app on your Android device, then open it.

The app’s main screen serves as the Settings menu where you can adjust your webcam configurations.

Scroll down and tap the Start server button to set up your webcam server. Aim your device’s camera at the subject you want to stream.

If you wish to share your stream, click the Actions button located at the upper right. Choose Share IP, then select the app you’d like to use to send the connection details.

In my trials, the app performed adequately. There was slight latency during longer sessions, but overall, it functioned well.

To end your stream, press Actions again, then select Stop.

The IP Webcam app comes with additional features such as plugin support, zoom, adjustable video quality, and more.

To use the IP Webcam with video conferencing applications, navigate to the same URL and click on the Videochat drivers menu option at the top. Download the appropriate driver for Windows or Linux.

After installing the driver on my Windows machine, I added “videofeed” to the end of the URL. If you’ve set up an account with a password in the app, enter those details; then click Apply -> OK.

Now, when you launch your video conferencing application, the option to use IP Webcam will appear (identified as an MJPEG camera).

If this setup feels too complex, you could also use your phone for video calls directly, as it has a built-in camera that’s ready to go.

Leveraging Your Phone’s Built-in Features

Many smartphones, such as Google’s Pixel and Motorola devices (Windows compatible), offer built-in capabilities to function as webcams for your computer. Here, I’ll demonstrate using a Google Pixel phone.

To utilize this method, specific requirements must be fulfilled. For instance, you need a Pixel 6 or newer device, and your computer needs to support USB Video Class (UVC) standards since this approach requires a USB connection, making it non-wireless.

On the pop-up screen, choose the Webcam option from the Use USB for section.

Your Android’s webcam functionality is now active. Click the notification on your phone to access the webcam feed.

You can customize various aspects of your video stream, including quality, zoom level, and camera orientation.

Back at your computer, choose the Android Webcam option within your video conferencing software to initiate the video feed from your device. Grant necessary permissions when prompted.

Select the No data transfer setting when you’re done.

Connecting through Windows Apps

If you own a Windows 11 PC, use the Link to Windows app to effectively convert any Android phone into a webcam. Pair your device with your computer.

After establishing the connection, enter “mobile device settings” in the Search bar and select the top result. In the ensuing menu, enable the Allow this PC to access your mobile devices option.

Click the Mobile devices button, ensuring the toggle beside your connected phone is activated. If it isn’t, activate it.

When the option is enabled, also ensure Use as a connected camera is toggled on.

Access your video conferencing application on the PC to see the choice to utilize your phone as a webcam (identified as Windows Virtual Camera).

Tap the notification on your phone to view the webcam feed on your computer.

On your Android device, a message will indicate a successful connection to the PC, and you’ll have the option to switch to the front camera or pause the video.

When you want to end the streaming on your Android, press Pause Video and close the webcam application on your phone to disconnect the feed.

Your old Android smartphone can serve numerous purposes. If using it as a webcam isn’t advantageous for you, consider how to turn it into a remote control for your Android TV instead. Additionally, it can function as a mouse when one isn’t readily available.

Image credit: Freepik . Screenshots by Alexandra Arici.

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