Use old cell phone as security camera

Recently, one of my cats had a bit of an incident and wound up having to wear a collar around his neck to prevent him from irritating a nasty wound. We were instructed the collar could come off, so long as we were watching him. Given I work from home, I had no problem with that, but there were times when my face had to be buried in a screen, so I couldn't always have my eye on the little guy.

Table of Contents Show

Requirements
How to use an old Android phone as a security or pet camera
Step 1: Installing DroidCam
How to use DroidCam
Using Alfred to turn your old phone into a security camera
Other available apps
Can you use an old cell phone as a security camera?
How can I turn my old phone into a security camera for free?
How can I use my old Android phone as a security camera?
How can I turn my old Android into a security camera without Internet?

As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. To be able to keep watch over him, and still meet deadlines, I decided to make use of one of the many Android phones I had lying around. With the help of a simple-to-use application, called DroidCam. This app makes it remarkably easy to create a security or webcam that can be used for many applications (security, monitoring, etc.). Let me show you how this is done.

Requirements

To make this work you will need the following:

An Android phone (running version 5.0 and up).
A power cord for the phone (you don't want your battery to run out).
The DroidCam app.
A web browser on the same network as the phone.

With those things at the ready, let's get this up and running.

How to use an old Android phone as a security or pet camera

Step 1: Installing DroidCam

Installing the application is simple with these steps:

Open the Play Store on your Android device.
Search for DroidCam.
Tap Install.

Once the app is installed, you're ready to go.

How to use DroidCam

Make sure your Android device is on the same wireless network as the desktop or laptop you'll use to view the camera and start the application. Once it starts (Figure 1), it will present you with the address you use to connect from your browser.

Figure 1

The DroidCam interface is a bit old-school but works like a charm.

Image: JackWallen

The output on the screen displays the IP address and the port you need to use to access the camera. If you point a web browser to http://SERVER:4747/video (Where SERVER is the IP address displayed by DroidCam), you'll see the video output from the camera (Figure 2).

Figure 2

Kevin Convery / Android Authority

As you install the app on each phone, you will be asked to log in to your Google account. You must use the same Google account for both phones, or they will not be able to communicate. You will be required to set one camera as the Viewer (presumably your new phone), and the other as the Camera.

Kevin Convery / Android Authority

When you have the phones paired, just set the Camera phone anywhere you need to keep an eye on. Of course, it has to be within range of your Wi-Fi. You should also place it near an power outlet and connect it, because streaming is a battery-intensive activity.

The free version of Alfred is, as you would expect, limited in function. The video is standard definition, there is no zoom control, and there are ads. The Alfred Premium plan, currently at $3.99 a month, gets rid of these limitations and adds cloud storage. It also allows for the scheduling of motion detection recording, so the app does not record ordinary, expected movements. Alfred will not replace a real home security system: it is not suitable for outdoor use, and since the phone being used as the camera has to have the Alfred app up on its screen to work, it is too easy to disable. But it will definitely function as a supplementary camera where security is not an issue—it would make a great puppy cam, scientific experiment monitor, or plant minder.

Other available apps

While Alfred is popular and easy to use, there are other options out there for turning a phone into a security camera. Each of the following apps has most of the main features you look for in this kind of app: motion detection, two-way audio, a low-light filter, etc. Each has small variations in how it works; you should check out several to see which has the best combination of features for you. All of these apps are available on Google Play, which gives some assurance that the app is going to be malware-free.

Manything: Has a free plan like Alfred; the subscription plan allows for multiple cameras.
Haven: Features vibration detection, a rare feature.
Presence: Their free app allows for camera use; they also sell wireless sensors and detectors that interface with the app. See them at www.presencepro.com.
Athome: This app will connect with not just phones, but tablets, laptops, and IP cameras; “almost any device with a camera” is the claim made.
Wardencam: Allows multiple cameras; the ability to set “motion zones” within the camera view is a rare feature.

Read more: The best wireless security cameras to protect your home

Is Alfred free?

The basic version of Alfred is free. This version has ads, cannot zoom, and only gives standard definition video. The premium version costs $3.99 a month.

Can you use an old cell phone as a security camera?

One of the best app options for setting up your phone as a security camera is Alfred. It's cross-platform, so it doesn't matter if your old phone was an Android phone or iPhone. And the same goes for your new phone.

How can I turn my old phone into a security camera for free?

WardenCam is another app that turns old phones and tablets into security cameras. Expect motion detection, push notifications, low-light filters, and cloud storage via Google Drive or Dropbox. It's prone to crashing, but when it works, it works well.

How can I use my old Android phone as a security camera?

Set Up Your Current Android Device as a Security Camera Viewer.

Open the AlfredCamera app from the App drawer..

Once there, choose an email option to create your account and signup..

Next, choose the purpose of using AlfredCamera and tap send option at the bottom of the screen..

How can I turn my old Android into a security camera without Internet?

Steps to Turn Old Phone as Security Camera Download and install AirDroid Personal app on your old phone as well as on your computer. Create AirDroid Personal account and log into that account from both devices. Step 2. On your old phone, go to Me ＞ Security & Remote Features ＞ and turn on Camera option.