Using your Smart Phone as a Webcam – Tippy's Tech Tips Site

If you do not have access to a good quality webcam, you may wish to use your smart phone as a camera when in meetings and virtual classrooms. There are multiple different ways this can be done, depending on which devices and software you have access to. This guide is by no means exhaustive, but suggests some methods you might like to try.

Please be aware that the apps described in this blog are third-party apps and are not supported by the University. You use them at your own risk.

A penguin with a smart phone, laptop and headset

Why use a Smart Phone as a Webcam?

Smart phone cameras can provide better quality video than cheaper webcams
You can use a device you already have access too
Having the option to switch views from the front facing to the back facing camera
You can use your phone to visualise your tabletop for top-down work.

Reincubate's Camo App

You will need:
– Windows PC / Mac
– iPhone / iPad (check compatibility)
– Standard lightning USB cable

If you have an iPhone or iPad you can use Reincubate’s Camo app to turn your Apple device into a webcam on either a Windows PC or a Mac. This app has two components; an app that runs on your mobile device (Camo) and a desktop app (Camo Studio). The Camo Studio allows you to configure your camera settings before connecting to your video platform or virtual classroom (such as Teams or Collaborate). This app requires you to connect your mobile device to your desktop via a USB cable.

Check out this Getting started with Camo guide.

DroidCam

You will need:
– Windows PC
– Android phone / iPhone

If you have a Windows PC, you can use either an Android phone or iPhone as a webcam using an app called DroidCam. DroidCam is free but you can upgrade to unlock certain features, such as better video quality and no ads.

See How to Use Any Phone as a Webcam for a Windows PC for guidance on setting-up DroidCam.

EpocCam App

You will need:
– Windows PC / Mac
– iPhone

If you have an iPhone and want to connect wirelessly to your desktop, give Elgato’s EpocCam app a try. This app allows you to turn your iPhone into a webcam using a USB or wireless connection. The free version of the app has some limitations (for example, you cannot use your phone’s microphone in the free version). However, both EpocCam and EpocCam Pro are easy to setup, using these 4 simple steps:

Download the EpocCam app from the Apple App Store.
Download the desktop app for Mac or Windows.
Connect phone to your PC via Wi-fi or using a USB cable.
Set EpocCam as a webcam on your computer.

Connecting your Smart Phone Camera

Once you have downloaded one of the apps above, or something similar, you can then choose your Smart Phone as a camera and/or microphone from your device settings in Teams or Collaborate. Make sure you have your app open and your phone connected to your PC via wi-fi or USB cable.

MS Teams Device Settings

When joining a Teams meeting you will be asked to choose your device settings. Select the gear symbol to open up the settings menu. Here you can configure your speaker, microphone and camera settings by choosing one of the devices you have available from each drop-down menu.

You can also change your device settings during a Teams meeting by clicking on the more actions button (three dots), selecting device settings and choosing your options from the drop-down menus.

Collaborate Device Settings

You can also use your Smart Phone as a web cam when you are using My Dundee’s virtual classroom, Collaborate. You will be asked to choose your device settings when you first join the collaborate session. Here you should ensure you have your app and device set-up accordingly and then simply choose the device you want to use as your camera.

The video below shows you how to go in and change your device settings once you have already started a Collaborate session.

Positioning your Smart Phone

There are a range of ways you can position your phone depending on your needs. For simple set-ups you can take the DIY route and create your own Phone stand. Here are a few ways you can make your own – 4 Easy Ways to make a Phone Stand.

There are many Smart Phone tripods on the market that you may want to look into if you are working with a more complex set-up. For example, if you wish to use your mobile phone as a top-down visualiser to record your table top.

Note: always make sure your phone is positioned safely and securely.