Great question! Using a phone as a remote camera is super handy and easier than most people think. There are several apps that turn your old smartphone into a security camera or baby monitor.
Most of these apps work by creating a connection between two devices over WiFi. The “camera” phone runs the app in recording mode, while you view the feed on another device. Some popular options include Alfred Camera, IP Webcam (for Android), and Manything.
For the best experience, I’d recommend:
- Using a stable WiFi connection
- Setting up a phone mount or stand
- Connecting to power since continuous video drains battery quickly
Pro tip: Some apps offer motion detection and cloud recording features!
Alfred Camera is my personal favorite since it’s free for basic use and super intuitive to set up. Takes about 5 minutes to get running!