How to use your Android phone as a webcam in Windows 11

[Admin]

You can use your phone's front and back cameras for conferencing, photos and anything you use a dedicated webcam for.

How to use your Android phone as a webcam in Windows 11 : Read more

 

[ThomasKinsley]

In all my years of using a laptop, I never once said, "boy, I wish my phone could act as my webcam. I hate the fact that my current webcam is conveniently embedded in my laptop screen! Instead I want to buy a useless phone stand that I will use for only one purpose!"

 

[peachpuff]

In all my years of using a laptop, I never once said, "boy, I wish my phone could act as my webcam. I hate the fact that my current webcam is conveniently embedded in my laptop screen! Instead I want to buy a useless phone stand that I will use for only one purpose!"

This is more for desktop users who don't have a webcam on their monitor.

 

[ThomasKinsley]

This is more for desktop users who don't have a webcam on their monitor.

You would still have to purchase a stand to prop up the phone and I imagine they would produce an unflattering image looking upwards. Compared to PC webcams that can clip on the monitor and are close in price, this seems like an attempt to produce a feature hardly anyone will use.

 

[peachpuff]

You'll make it work if you need it in a pinch, nothing bad about this.

 

[slightnitpick]

You would still have to purchase a stand to prop up the phone and I imagine they would produce an unflattering image looking upwards. Compared to PC webcams that can clip on the monitor and are close in price, this seems like an attempt to produce a feature hardly anyone will use.

Most people would use the stands integrated into phone cases, or those popsockets, that they've already purchased. Unflattering image aside, people are already using phones at that angle to video chat while doing work.

 

[imsurgical]

You would still have to purchase a stand to prop up the phone and I imagine they would produce an unflattering image looking upwards. Compared to PC webcams that can clip on the monitor and are close in price, this seems like an attempt to produce a feature hardly anyone will use.

Over half of the world population own a smart phone already, that's billions of people. This also doesn't include people who own a tablet if their tablet has a built in camera, and often times people with a table have a cover/foldable prop up. A stand/prop up for a phone is significantly cheaper than any dedicated web cam ($10 or less), and often times, even if it's not a flagship phone, the camera on a phone is much better than the cheapest of webcams to compare to the cost of a stand/prop up.

There is nothing wrong with this article pitching this idea for anyone who finds it suitable to their circumstance, needs/wants to have at least some method of video conferencing while at their desktop. Especially for anyone who just doesn't want to make that extra investment into a decent/quality webcam.

 

[slightnitpick]

With the phone app and computer both required to connect to a Microsoft account it seems that the phone and computer aren't directly communicating, but that the video is being streamed to MS servers and then to the computer?

I guess this is probably more secure than a bluetooth or WiFi connection, but less secure than a USB connection. Is the video encrypted end-to-end, or can MS theoretically view it as well?

Edit: It looks like some third-party apps can use USB or WiFi instead of an internet connection: https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-use-your-phone-as-a-webcam-in-windows/

 

[ThomasKinsley]

Over half of the world population own a smart phone already, that's billions of people. This also doesn't include people who own a tablet if their tablet has a built in camera, and often times people with a table have a cover/foldable prop up. A stand/prop up for a phone is significantly cheaper than any dedicated web cam ($10 or less), and often times, even if it's not a flagship phone, the camera on a phone is much better than the cheapest of webcams to compare to the cost of a stand/prop up.

There is nothing wrong with this article pitching this idea for anyone who finds it suitable to their circumstance, needs/wants to have at least some method of video conferencing while at their desktop. Especially for anyone who just doesn't want to make that extra investment into a decent/quality webcam.

The average price for a stand I'm seeing online is $40. I can find webcams for around the same price (some stands go for $30 and there's a janky tripod selling for $14.99 but that looks sketchy). Either I'm completely out of touch or this phone cam method will not be adopted at all because I really can't find a good use, especially with the hassle that this guide demonstrates you need to go through just to get the camera working (normal webcams are just plugnplay). No knock against the article, just Microsoft for setting up a bizarrely complicated webcam system currently out there.

I'd really be interested in seeing the stats of how many people actually adopt this tech.

 

[NedSmelly]

What I find happening in the real world is people logging on twice to a chat session when their computer doesn’t have a web cam. Problem solved. The majority of people won’t go through an app/handshake faff when they’re already running late to a meeting.

 

[slightnitpick]

The average price for a stand I'm seeing online is $40. I can find webcams for around the same price (some stands go for $30 and there's a janky tripod selling for $14.99 but that looks sketchy).

The cheapest name-brand (not even a knockoff) PopSockets are currently on sale for $6: https://www.popsockets.com/en-us/sale

Either I'm completely out of touch or this phone cam method will not be adopted at all because I really can't find a good use, especially with the hassle that this guide demonstrates you need to go through just to get the camera working (normal webcams are just plugnplay). No knock against the article, just Microsoft for setting up a bizarrely complicated webcam system currently out there.

I think the largest use case for this app is that it allows using *any* feature of your phone on your computer.

 

[CmdrShepard]

And here I thought this article will tell us how to do this without needing Microsoft account and surrendering even more personal data to them.

 

[Viking2121]

I used DriodCam before with a old phone, worked pretty good at the time where 1080p webcam was stupid expensive, I rarely need a webcam for anything but needed just that one time for a zoom meeting for work.