Want to transform your old iPhone into a security camera without having to buy a new one? If you have an old smartphone that you never use anymore, then install a security camera app to protect it. You don’t want your kids or pet chewing on the screen and causing damage.
You are no longer using your old smartphone. It is sitting in the drawer or box, gathering dust. What can you do with it now?
If you have an old smartphone to spare and hate spending money on new devices, then install a security camera app onto it! There are many free apps that will turn your phone into a security camera without buying anything new at all – Here are 10 free apps you can download and start capturing footage with.
Can you use old cell phones as security cameras?
Yes, you can use old smartphones to be security cameras. There are a number of apps on the market that will allow you to do this without spending money. With a few simple steps, you can turn your old smartphone into an effective security camera.
The first step is to get an old phone and download the app from Google Play or the Apple store so that it works on any device with a front-facing camera.
Next, activate the app by following instructions in its settings menu; this will allow easy access for remote viewing of a live video stream from anywhere around the world via a Wi-Fi connection. Lastly, make sure to leave yourself extra battery power as it will drain the phone’s battery quickly.
This is a cost-effective option as these apps are free and take only three steps to set up, making it easy for you to use your old smartphone without spending money on a new one.
List of 10 free apps to turn an old phone into a security camera
1. Haven
Snowden created an app called Haven, which allows you to turn your old phone into a security camera. This app is all about motion, sound, and shake detection.
Haven is a security device that you can configure remotely, or on the fly. It’s designed for home use and comes with an easy setup process and free remote recording services.
Haven also automatically sends events via text or Signal so no one has to worry about forgetting where they are at all times. Keep in mind you’ll have to trigger the monitoring manually before leaving.
2. Alfred Home Security Camera
Alfred is a free app that allows you to use your old smartphone as a security camera. It can be used in multiple ways from home, business or pet monitor and baby monitor.
The main advantage of Alfred is that you can use the remote device to talk in real-time. The premium plan has no ads and features like zooming, whereas if you want a free version with ads then it will even block small features like zooming.
3. Presence
Presence is a free app for iOS that turns your old smartphone into a security camera. It requires an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch running iOS 6.0 or later to work.
The Presence app is a motion and video detection security system. It uses your smartphone as the sensor, which sends an alert to the device when there’s movement nearby.
The Alerts feature can also be used for other purposes like door or window sensors, temperature sensors, water sensors and robotic swivelling stand for smartphones.
4. Baby Cam
Baby Cam is a professional app for monitoring your child. This app can be downloaded without paying any additional fees.
The Baby Cam is a device that attaches to the baby’s crib and connects it with your Wi-Fi. It has ads but can be removed by paying $3 which is worth it considering how convenient this product would make a life for parents of newborns.
The Baby Monitor 3G converts two iPhones into one child monitor and parent station, which gives you peace of mind when out shopping or running errands because you will always know what your kids are doing at home.
5. Athome
Athome is a free app to turn your old smartphone into a security camera. It can detect faces and has many other features such as motion detection, baby monitor mode and the ability to view a live streams on another device.
Athome is a mobile app that aims to help you feel safer in your home. The app lets you set up face recognition for everyone with their own passwords, and it also has the option of notifying only when someone unfamiliar walks into your room (i.e., if a stranger comes into my house).
As mentioned, though, there are ads inside which will make the experience less enjoyable than intended.
6. Manything
Manything is an app that allows you to turn your old smartphone into a security camera. The app has motion detection zones, and it also has the ability to set up schedules for when the camera turns on and off.
Manything is a cloud storage service for smartphones and tablets. For the best performance, Manything requires Android 4.2 or higher and iOS 6 or higher, which are on most modern devices these days.
Manything is a live streaming, motion detection alert and recording app for both Apple and Android devices. Manything offers the option of subscribing to their cloud services which give you remote storage as well as live video viewing capabilities.
It features a free option as well as several subscription options that give you cloud recording and storage.
7. Warden Cam
Warden Cam is a free app that allows you to connect your old smartphone to your existing security camera system. It has all the features of a high-end motion detection camera, including zoom and continuous recordings.
Warden Cam is a surveillance system that was introduced by the company. It is an affordable, easy to use a camera with no subscription required for certain features.
The camera has a short range of about 1 kilometer and only records sound/motion in black and white but it does not have live streaming or motion detection capabilities without subscribing to their plans first.
8. Upload Cam
Upload Cam is a free app that can turn your old smartphone into a security camera. The app will upload automatically while recording and the pro version costs $1.49 dollars.
“Upload Cam” is an Android app that allows for continuous recording to a cloud storage account. It also provides the option of sending video directly to email, Dropbox, SFTP, FTP and more.
9. Yawcam
Yawcam is a free app that allows you to turn your old Android device into a security camera. It features motion detection, video streaming and snapshots of the captured image.
Yawcam is an app that allows you to install any of the standard apps on your phone. Connecting your smartphone to the TV wirelessly with MHL or HDMI cable, Yawcam lets you take control of what’s happening in front of the screen by using a gamepad as well as using voice commands and gestures.
10. Perch
Perch is a free app that turns your old smartphone into a security camera. It also provides alerts for motion, video review of recordings, and easy integration with home automation systems.
Perch is a social app that allows you to see what someone else has been up to. It’s available on the web, iOS, and Android devices. The live feed can be viewed from another device or video chats give you the opportunity for check-in time with family members.
However, some people have experienced a bug in which the camera flips from landscape into portrait mode during video chatting over Perch.
How to use an old phone as a security camera
Step 1: Install a security camera app on your old phone
- Install a security camera app on your old phone.
- Plug in an Ethernet cable from the phone to your router.
- Create a wifi connection with the new phone and connect it to the same network as before. The apps that are best for this purpose are Alfred and Crossy Camera because they work on both Android and iPhone devices, respectively.
Step 2: Choose a spot for your phone security camera
Choose a spot for your phone security camera. Make sure the area is well-lit and has good visibility.
Next, you’ll need two phones with cameras that are working and connected via Wi-Fi to complete this system in order to monitor what’s happening at home and with children during their time away.
Step 3: Mount and power your new security camera
Mount and power your new security camera. For a mount, an old smartphone tripod or suction-cup car mount can work wonders. After mounting your new security camera, you can view the old phone’s feed on your new one.
