Webcam: How to use your mobile phone camera as a webcam 2022

Here we go again! Your brother has stolen your webcam again… just now that you would need it to have a videoconference with your classmates! Are you wondering if there is a way to remedy the situation? Of course yes: buy a new webcam. Come on, I was just kidding! In fact, there is a technological “gimmick” to solve your problem and that has to do with the camera built into your smartphone. Yes, you got it right!

You are wondering how to use your mobile phone camera as a webcam? If you give me a few minutes of your attention, I can gladly explain it to you. I already anticipate that you will simply have to download the right applications, use them following the instructions I am about to give you and the game will be done in a few seconds. In short, nothing as difficult or expensive as you might have imagined.

Did I intrigue you and would you like to find out in more detail how to proceed? Well, then let’s not get lost in more chat, and let’s get right into the heart of the tutorial. Make yourself comfortable, take your time to concentrate on reading the following, and, more importantly, implement the advice I am about to give you. I just have to wish you a lot of fun!

DroidCam (Android / iOS / Windows / Linux)

How to use your mobile phone camera as a webcam ©aranzulla

One of the first applications that I suggest you try for using your mobile phone camera as a webcam of the PC is DroidCam. This is a solution available for devices Android And iOS which integrates with various services, including Skype. Allows you to connect the camera of your device to your computer either via the USB cable (on Android you need the USB debugging) or wirelessly, after downloading the official client, which is available for Windows And Linux.

Basically, it is free, but to eliminate advertising and to access some advanced features, such as the one that allows you to record videos in HD, you need to switch to the Pro version which is paid (on Android it is available as a separate app and costs 5.20 euros, while on iOS in-app purchases must be made at a price of 6.99 euros).

To be able to use it, first download and install the app on your smartphone, proceeding as follows: if you are using Android, access the related section of the Play Store and press the button Install (you can also contact alternative stores if the Play Store is missing on your device); if you are using iOS / iPadOS, log in to a relevant section of the App Store press the button Get on that Install and authorizes the operation via Face ID, Touch ID or Apple ID password.

Then, start the app on your smartphone, selecting the relevant one icon added to the home screen or to the one in which all applications are listed, tap the button Forward on the screen displayed, read the instructions necessary to connect the camera of your smartphone to the PC, press the button I understand and grant I permissions possibly required.

At this point, working from your Windows computer, go to the DroidCam website click on the button Windows Client Download, and, on the page that opens, click on the button DroidCam Client to download the DroidCam client on your PC.

When the download is complete, start the .exe file obtained and, in the window you see appear on the desktop, click on the button Yup. Next, hit the buttons Next, I Agree, Next, And Install and terminate the setup by pressing the key Finish.

Now, start the DroidCam client on the PC using the appropriate connection which was just added to the Start menu Windows, click on the icon Wifi located at the top left of the window you just opened, enter the IP address you see on your smartphone in the text field IP device put the checkmark on the items Video And Audio and finally click on the button Start.

If, on the other hand, you prefer to connect your smartphone to your computer via USB cable, select the icon of USB connection and you will not need to type in the IP address of the phone to be able to use it.

If everything went well, your smartphone will be connected to your PC and you can use its camera as a webcam. To do this, start Skype or another program you use to make video calls and it should recognize DroidCam as the main webcam without any problems.

iVCam (Android / iOS / Windows)

How to use your mobile phone camera as a webcam ©aranzulla

Another great resource that I suggest you consider if you want to use your mobile phone camera as a webcam is iVCam. It is an easy-to-use solution that integrates perfectly with numerous services for online meetings and video calls. It works with Android And iOS and the computer client is compatible with Windows.

It can be used both via a wireless network and via USB. It supports various video resolutions and offers advanced adjustments. It is available for free, but to eliminate the advertising banners and unlock all the countless functions available, you need to make in-app purchases (with prices starting from 6.99 euros).

To be able to use it, first, download and install the app on Android from a related section of the Play Store and on iOS from the relevant section of the App Store then start it and grant I permissions possibly required.

At this point, proceed with the download of the iVCam client on your computer, connecting to its website and clicking the button Download for Windows.

Once the download is complete, open the file .exe obtained, click the button Yup in the window that appears on the desktop and follow the wizard to complete the installation of the iVCam client, by clicking on the button on that Forward three times consecutively and then pressing the keys Install And end.

Then wait for the main program window to be visible on the desktop and grant the authorizations related to the firewall if required. Next, take your smartphone and, if it is connected to the same Wi-Fi network to which the PC is connected, the phone will be automatically recognized by the iVCam client on the computer.

If doing as I have just indicated you are unable to establish the connection, proceed by manually typing the IP address of your mobile phone, pressing the button with the three lines horizontally at the bottom right, by selecting the item Connect from the menu that appears and then that Connect via IP. You can also establish the connection via USB, in which case everything happens automatically.

After connecting your smartphone and computer, you can take photos and record videos using the camera of your mobile phone by clicking, respectively, on the buttons depicting the camera and the movie camera found in the iVCam client main window.

EpocCam (iOS / Windows / macOS)

How to use your mobile phone camera as a webcam ©aranzulla

Are you looking for an application that allows you to turn your iPhone into a webcam to use on both PC and Mac? Then, EpocCam could be the solution for you. This is an app only available for iOS on mobile and usable both from Windows that gives macOS on the computer, which can be downloaded for free, but with some advanced features, such as the one that allows you to transmit images in HD, which are only available in its Pro version which is paid (costs 7.99 euros).

It can be used both wirelessly and via cable, it automatically appears as a webcam in all the most popular applications that support its use, the video quality is up to 1080p and also offers a whole series of static and dynamic lenses.

To be able to use it, download and install the app on your iPhone by taking it from the relevant section of the App Store then start EpocCam and grant I permissions possibly required.

Next, connect to the Elgato site (the software house that develops EpocCam) from your computer, select the item EpocCam from the drop-down menu on the left, the operating system you are using from the one on the right, and press on the circular button with the down arrow that you find next to the wording EpocCam Driver located a little further down.

Once the download is complete, if you are using Windows, open the .exe file obtained and, in the window you see appear on the desktop, click the Yes buttons, Forward, I accept And Install then click on the button end.

If you’re using macOS, start the .pkg file just obtained, click the button Keep it going in the window you see appearing on your desk, accept the license conditions indicating the position destination of the installation, confirm your intentions, and press the button to conclude the setup.

After installing EpocCam on the computer, the smartphone will be automatically connected to Windows or macOS if the devices are connected to the same wireless network, otherwise, you will have to preventively connect the iPhone with the computer. Subsequently, you can start one of the services with which you usually make video calls, go to the settings of the latter and choose EpocCam as the default camera.

Other solutions to use your mobile phone camera as a webcam

How to use your mobile phone camera as a webcam ©aranzulla

Did none of the resources for using the mobile phone camera as a webcam that I have already reported convinced you in particular? If so, try contacting the other solutions part of the category I have included in the list below. I sincerely hope they are able to satisfy you.

• Iran Webcam (Android/iOS/Windows / macOS / Linux) – an application that works from practically any smartphone and computer with which it is possible to transform the mobile phone camera into a webcam quickly and easily. Just install it on the phone and then also on the PC to make the connection in wifi or even via USB cable. It’s free, but to remove the advertising you need to make in-app purchases (with prices starting from 4.99 euros).
• Camo (Android/iOS/Windows / macOS) – a recently developed application, free and which allows you to use any camera on your phone, even the front one, to use it as a computer webcam. The desktop client works with a variety of programs and services. It is free, but eventually, it is possible to switch to the Pro version which is paid (with prices starting from € 5.23 / month or € 82.95 one-off) and allows you to remove the watermark that is applied and to unlock various advanced functions.
• IP Webcam (Android/Windows) – a totally free solution that allows you to use your Android smartphone as a webcam on a Windows PC. It is very easy to use, quite intuitive, and works both via Wi-Fi and by connecting the phone with the cable to the PC.