Do you ever find yourself in need of a webcam for your laptop, but don’t want to go out and buy one? Well, what if we told you that you can actually use your Android device’s camera as a webcam? In this article, we will guide you on how to do just that.
Reasons to Use Your Phone as a Webcam
There are actually some good reasons to use your phone as a webcam. For example, you can turn your old phone into a speed camera or baby monitor without having to buy a standalone camera. Additionally, if your phone doesn’t have a front camera, or your laptop doesn’t have a built-in webcam, using your phone’s rear camera for video calls is a great option.
Connecting via Wi-Fi (Android and iOS Devices)
To connect via Wi-Fi, make sure that both your laptop and Android device are connected to the same network. Then, launch the DroidCam app on your phone and click on the “Wireless” option. The app should provide you with the Wi-Fi IP and DroidCam Port information you need. Next, launch the DroidCam Client on your laptop or PC, enter the Wi-Fi IP and DroidCam Port provided by the app, and click the “Start” button. Finally, launch your video conferencing application and adjust the webcam output by clicking on the “Webcam” or “Video” settings.
Connecting via USB (Android Devices)
To connect via USB, connect your phone to your laptop or PC using a USB cable. Then, go to your phone’s Settings, click on Developer options, and enable USB debugging. If prompted with a dialog box, click OK. Launch the DroidCam app on your phone and ensure that your phone is connected to your laptop or PC. Finally, launch DroidCam Client on your laptop or PC, click on “USB”, select the appropriate options, and click “Start”.
Connecting via USB (iOS Devices)
To connect via USB using an iOS device, connect your iPhone to your laptop or PC using a USB cable. Make sure to have iTunes downloaded on your Windows PC as you will need it to connect via USB cable. Launch DroidCam Client, select “USB”, and click “Start”.
Connecting using the Browser
Lastly, you can connect to your phone’s camera using a web browser. Simply connect your phone to a Wi-Fi network, open DroidCam, and enter the provided “Browser IP Camera Access” information into your browser’s URL bar. You can even specify the resolution of the video in the URL using the ‘force’ path.
Final Remarks
Using your Android device as a webcam is a great solution for those who don’t want to purchase a separate webcam. DroidCam is a free app that does the trick, or you can purchase DroidCamX Wireless Webcam Pro for an ad-free, HD streaming experience. We hope that this guide has been helpful and that you are now able to use your Android device’s camera as a webcam easily.
FAQs
1. Can I use my iOS device as a webcam?
Yes, by following the steps outlined in the article you can also use an iOS device as a webcam.
2. Can I specify the resolution of the video when connecting via Wi-Fi?
Yes, when connecting via Wi-Fi you can specify the resolution of the video in the URL using the ‘force’ path.
3. Do I need to download any additional apps to connect to my Android device’s camera?
Yes, you will need to download the DroidCam app on your Android device, as well as the DroidCam Client on your laptop or PC.
4. Can I adjust the webcam output after connecting?
Yes, you can adjust the webcam output by clicking on the “Webcam” or “Video” settings in your video conferencing application.