Turn an Obsolete Phone Into a Free Security Camera With 3 Easy Steps
Congratulations new mobile phone —but before you try trade Or recycle your old models, we have another idea. You can turn it into a free, effective Indoor home security cameras instead. This is an especially good idea if you can’t get much cash for a trade-in. All you need to do is download a simple app.
This technique works especially well with Special mobile phone holderbut you can use your new camera in a variety of ways. This includes monitoring entryways, play areas, home offices, and more. Let’s give new life to your old smartphone in three easy steps.
Step 1: Install the security camera app on your old smartphone
First, you need to choose a security camera app. Most apps offer many of the same features, such as local streaming, cloud streaming, local or remote recording and storage of footage, and motion detection and alerts. Once set up, you’ll be able to monitor your living space and control your security cameras from anywhere, right from your new phone.
One of the best app options to set up your phone as a security camera is alfred. It’s cross-platform, so it doesn’t matter if you have an older phone or an older phone Android phone or iPhone. The same goes for your new phone.
Alfred is free to use and gives you a live remote view, motion detection with alerts, free cloud storage, two-way live audio and the use of front and rear cameras. To unlock additional features like higher resolution viewing and recording, zoom capabilities, ad removal, and 30 days of cloud storage, you can Upgrade to Alfred Premium.
1. Download Alfred (Android, iOS system) on your old phone and your new phone. You don’t have to use your phone as a monitoring tool – Alfred can also be downloaded to a tablet or PC if you’d rather monitor from there. Just make sure the app is installed on both devices.
2. On a new phone, swipe through the introduction and tap start. choose audience and click Next.
3. After entering the login page, click Sign in with Google (Google Account required) and log in using your Google Account credentials.
4. On your old phone, repeat the same steps but leave the option audiencechoose camera. And make sure to log in to the same Google account.
read more: 7 Places You Should Never Install Home Security Cameras
Alfred’s app supports night vision, people recognition, and more.
Once both phones are logged into Alfred, you’re basically set up. Alfred simplifies the camera options to just a few settings. On iOS, you can only enable motion detection, choose between the front and rear cameras, and enable or disable audio. If you’re using an Android device, you can use these options, as well as enable continuous focus, have Alfred automatically reopen when the phone restarts, set the resolution, and enable a passcode lock.
On your new phone, you can change more settings, such as turning notifications on or off, setting your camera or viewer name, and adding others to your circle of trust (Allow others to access your video feed), remove the camera, check how many times the camera has been disconnected, set motion detection sensitivity, and enable a low-light filter on the camera.
If Alfred doesn’t really do it for you, you can also explore other cam app options. Other apps that can provide a security camera upgrade for your older phone include:
- Face: Faceter is a monitoring app that offers quick setup and cloud storage for Apple and Android phones.
- era: EpocCam is a very fast camera app designed specifically for content creators but can be used for a variety of purposes. Currently it only works on iPhone.
- iVCam by E2ESoft:iVCam is a more open source camera solution best suited for those who really want to tinker with camera settings and customize them, although like EpocCam it’s more focused on webcam-related activities than security.
Step 2: Choose a location for your new smartphone security camera
Once your stream is up and running, you will need to set up and position the camera. You may want to focus it on your home’s main entry points, your backyard, where you store valuables, or areas you think may be particularly vulnerable. You can also Set up webcam as baby monitor.
If you have multiple older phones, you can set up multiple cameras to get pretty robust video coverage.
Step 3: Install and power your security camera smartphone
To mount or position the camera, a small Smartphone tripod or Suction cup car mount Can work wonders and help you place your camera in an inconspicuous place. To expand your horizons, consider purchasing The wide-angle lens for your phonecan be purchased online for $5 to $20.
Streaming video is very battery intensive and your phone will be working 24/7. To prevent your phone from dying in the first few hours, you need to place it near a power source. one 10ft Micro USB or lightning protection wire Will give you more flexibility in where to place it.
That’s it: Now you can use a security camera app on your new phone to view information from your old phone’s camera, making your home safer without breaking the bank.
Final Note: Old Smartphones and Security Concerns
Smartphones eventually become obsolete from security updates, which means they may eventually be vulnerable to attacks. That’s a problem if your old phone is still online (such as when you’re using it as a security camera).
First, we recommend that you clear all personal data on your phone before turning it into a camera. Second, automate updates as much as possible. Third, consider giving the phone an end-use date after which you will recycle it. Today, companies try to push out security updates within five to seven years of release (some even longer in recent years). We have a complete guide talking about this If you want to know more information.
Finally, if we got you excited about using your smartphone for home security purposes, don’t forget that you can also download similar apps hidden camera detector Automatically searches for signs of camera surveillance in a room. Airbnb may have banned indoor security cameras, but we wouldn’t blame you if you still want to check them out while traveling.
For more information, check out Six quick tips for getting the most out of your home security cameras and Best DIY Home Security Systems.
