Guide to Using Your Mobile Phone Camera as a Webcam on Windows 11

Essential Information

• Windows 11 enables the use of your Android smartphone’s camera as a webcam in any video conferencing application.
• Access Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices > toggle on ‘Permit this PC to access your mobile devices’ > click on ‘Manage devices’ > Add device, then connect your Android using the Link to Windows application.
• In the ‘Manage mobile devices’ section, ensure ‘Use as a connected camera’ is activated. Open any video-capable software and grant permission to utilize your phone’s camera as a webcam.

It’s widely acknowledged that mobile phone cameras significantly outperform the webcams typically integrated into laptops. Unless you have a dedicated external webcam, the video quality during virtual meetings may not be optimal. Thankfully, with Windows 11, you can utilize the camera from your Android smartphone or tablet as a webcam for platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, or even the built-in Camera app.

Guide to Use Your Smartphone Camera as a Webcam on Windows 11

This handy feature, allowing the use of your smartphone camera, was introduced in the ‘Manage mobile devices’ settings section of Windows 11. To get started, certain prerequisites must be met, including installing an application on your Android device and linking it with your Windows 11 PC.

Prerequisites

• Ensure that Windows is up to date.
• Install the Link to Windows application (version 1.24012 or newer) on your Android device.

Connecting Windows and Android

1. Open the Settings app, then go to Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices.
2. Toggle on ‘Allow this PC to access your mobile devices,’ then click on Manage devices.
3. Choose Add device.
4. Your PC will initiate a ‘Cross Device Experience Host’ update. Please wait until this process is complete.
   
5. Post-update, a QR code will appear for your smartphone to scan.
6. Open the ‘Link to Windows’ app on your Android, selecting Sign in using the QR code on your PC.
7. Scan the displayed QR code on your PC. Afterward, your PC will show a verification code; input this into your app and tap ‘Done’ on your mobile device.
   

8. Once the connection is established, click ‘Continue’ on your PC.
9. Ensure that the option to Use as a connected camera is activated.

Using Your Mobile Camera as a Webcam

1. On your computer, launch any application that requires a webcam (e.g., Google Meet). A prompt will appear asking if you’d like to ‘Use mobile device camera.’ Select Continue.
2. At the same time, swipe down to access your notifications and select Tap to start camera stream. When connected, a ‘Connected to…’ interface will show up.
   

3. Your PC will display a similar window, allowing you to control the stream from either device.
4. To change camera views, select Switch to front/back.
5. To halt the video stream, click on Pause video.
6. To resume the feed, select Resume video.
7. Depending on your mobile device’s capabilities, features like ‘HDR’ effects may be available.
8. To revert to your laptop’s integrated camera or a separate webcam, simply close the Manage Devices window.
9. Click Disconnect.
10. Alternatively, you can switch cameras through the video settings as per the application’s features.
    

This feature primarily benefits those who often struggle with the inferior quality of integrated laptop webcams. By utilizing the superior camera on their Android device, users can achieve much clearer video quality.

Common Questions

Let’s address some frequently asked questions regarding the use of your mobile camera as a webcam on Windows 11.

How to Manually Update Cross Device Experience Host?

If you’ve not received the update for ‘Cross Device Experience Host,’ you can manually check for updates via the Microsoft Store > Library > Get updates.

Utilizing your mobile camera as a webcam enhances the functionality provided on the ‘Manage mobile devices’ page in Windows 11. Previously, access to Android photos and screenshots as notifications on the PC had been introduced—a very handy feature. We hope this guide has been helpful. Until next time!

Source

Image Credits: Nerdschalk.com