How to Turn an Old Smartphone Into a Security Camera?

Do you sometimes wonder how much technology we produce or throw away daily?

It’s a pretty scary thought. Do you regret throwing away an older mobile phone when you get a new one?

Are you one of those people who keep old equipment, hoping to use it sometime in the future?

If you’re keeping your old phones, we have a tip for you on how to utilize them to benefit the whole family. Create a turn your phone into a security camera!

Nowadays, home security is no longer a matter of significant investments and interventions in the house’s interior. You can create a simple home camera system with your cell phone.

So take your old smartphone out of the drawer, dust it off, and give it a new purpose—use your old smartphone into a security camera!

1) Find your old smartphones

Most users keep their older phones for a while in case the new one gets broken. The phones may no longer have fast response times or good battery life, but this is no obstacle to creating a simple camera system.

Here’s why.

The important thing is that such a phone is still functional. It also doesn’t have such an old version of the Android/iOS operating system and you can install home security camera app from the App Store or Google Play. And that’s it! Such a mobile phone can now serve you as a smartphone security camera.

2) Install the app on two phones

The principle of creating a home security system via phones is as easy as pie. You need two phones, one serving as your camera and the other (your actual phone) as your viewing device.

Now, you need to choose a home security camera app from the App Store or Google Play. There are countless apps on the market (both paid and unpaid). It’s up to you whether you try them all (most of them offer a free trial period), take a friend’s advice, or check out app reviews, for example.

Some of the most successful security camera apps are these:

1. ZoomOn Home Security App
2. Alfred Home Security Camera
3. Manything
4. Presence Video Security Cam
5. Athome Camera Pro: Monitor

If you want to check the availability of similar apps thoroughly, type the terms „home security camera“ or „home camera“ in the app marketplace. This way you can see a list of all home security apps, and one by one, you can test them and choose the most suitable one for you.

What should you consider when choosing the right security camera app?

• The app should be available for Android and iPhones devices – in many homes, the different types of mobile phones are used.
• The app developer should offer you a free trial period – it makes sense that you should try the app properly first before paying for it.
• The app should have 24/7 support available – either directly in the app or via e-mail.
• The app should be updated regularly – you can check the date of the last update in the app marketplace.

💡 TIP: You can also tell the trustworthiness and willingness of an app developer by whether and how they respond to user reviews in the App Store and Google Play.

Once you’ve chosen the suitable app, install it on the phones you’ll be using as the camera system.

3) Pair your cell phones

On both phones, run the installed app. The app should initially offer you the option to pair the two phones so that they can communicate with each other. Most apps will either offer you to pair via a code (enter the code created on one phone into the other) or by signing up and logging in with the same username on both phones.

Upon completing this step, you can start monitoring and, step by step, try out all the features the app offers. Some of the most useful ones include:

• Live HD stream – Crystal clear video streaming with high-resolution video and zooming in/out option.
• Motion Detection – If the app detects motion, it will immediately alert you with a pop-up message.
• Night Vision – You can light up the monitored room using the light on your mobile phone.
• Two-way video and sound – Many apps work like a walkie-talkie.
• Multi-home and multi-owner units – All family members can monitor every corner of the house.

💡 TIP: Monitoring via mobile phones doesn’t just help you with home security. You can also use it as a baby monitor or to watch your pets!

4) Choose the right spot for your smartphone security camera

Now, you must choose a suitable place where to place your smartphone security camera. For example, you can start by monitoring your house’s entrance or the garden’s door. Either way, keep as much space as possible in the camera’s frame and watch what you don’t want to lose sight of.

You can place the camera into a camera phone holder like a smartphone tripod or paper stand. Likewise, you can lean it against an object on a shelf, but ensure your mobile phone doesn’t fall or tip over.

💡 TIP: Don’t have a phone stand? Are you a DIYer? Make your own paper stand for mobile phones! Or if you own a 3D printer and you’re a DIY enthusiast looking for a camera phone holder, do not hesitate to print the perfect phone stand or phone holder.

Live HD video streaming is demanding on cell phone batteries. Therefore, placing your mobile phone near an electrical outlet is best to ensure a permanent connection to the power grid. If necessary, get a longer power cord or use a power bank with sufficient capacity.

That’s it! Use your smartphone security camera!

Follow these four simple steps, and get your own simple home security camera system! No investment in security cameras, no intervention in the house’s interior, no nerve-racking actions!

You can start with our ZoomOn app, for example. Just install it on two mobile phones and follow the above procedure to get everything ready and start monitoring. It’s easy.

You can try the app with a 3-day free trial (when choosing a yearly subscription). Users of the iOS version of the app will also be pleased with the option to add the most common types of security cameras (HomeKit, ONVIF, and other IP cameras). This way you can monitor everything captured by all your cameras (whether they are mobile phones or classic security cameras) through a single app.

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