This guide highlights apps that let you view your computer’s built-in camera or external webcam on a smartphone. With these tools, you can remotely monitor your kids, aged parents, domestic staff, or valuable items from anywhere in the world.
These apps are a boon for individuals who don’t want to invest in new security gadgets. They’re easy to set up and require no technical port configuration on your router whatsoever. All that’s needed is an active internet connection.
Before You Proceed: Important Things to Note
We recommend using a power outlet if you use these apps as a make-do home surveillance system. Also, configure your computer’s display to never go to sleep.
To keep your computer running longer when not plugged in, change the power plan settings to “Never” when you’re on battery and “Plugged in.” ..
For Mac desktops and notebooks, go to System Preferences > Battery > Battery and set the “Turn display off after” slider to Never.
We should mention that you might not need these apps if you’re using an external USB webcam with dedicated software that supports live streaming. Native webcam apps with remote streaming capabilities will most definitely perform better. So, check your webcam’s instruction manual or the manufacturer’s website for directives on using the device to view your webcam on Android and iOS devices remotely.
1. AtHome Video Streamer (Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS)
Webcams remotely are a great way to keep an eye on your home while you’re away, but “AtHome Video Streamer” takes the cake for many reasons. First, setting up the app on our devices was effortless. It also boasts of many security-focused inclined features you’d want in a surveillance app—video snapshot/screenshot, two way-communication, night vision, video recording, etc. These features are available for free, but you’ll need to pay for cloud recording and other advanced features. ..
The “Power Saving Mode” option on the desktop client sends the app to the background, locks your computer, and turns off its display without terminating the webcam stream. This feature saves battery power (on laptops) and lets you confidentially view your webcam feed.
Visit the developer’s website and download the “AtHome Video Streamer” software on your computer. Install the “AtHome Camera” app on your Android or iOS device. Launch the mobile client, create an account, and tap the plus icon (+) in the top-right corner. Select Add Camera by QR Code. ..
QR code: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NfPcjy4KfzM
To use the webcam, open the “Camera” section of your computer’s main screen and select the “Webcam” tab. Then, click on the “Start Streaming” button to start streaming.
To change the video quality, use the control buttons at the bottom of the screen. To record scenes from the webcam feed, enable night vision, and adjust other settings, use the menus on the left side of the screen. ..
2. Alfred Home Security Camera (Android and iOS)
The app has a free and premium model. The free model includes features like two-way communication, motion detector, and low-light filter (or night vision). The premium model includes extra features like motion detector reminder, Google Assistant integration, password lock, etc. ..
Install the Alfred Home Security Camera app on your Android or iOS device and create an account with your email address. You can also sign-up with your Google account or Apple ID. Be sure to verify your email address to sign into the app client. The next step is to link your phone to the Alfred Camera “WebCamera” client.
When you visit the AlfredCamera website on your web browser, sign in to your account and grant the web app access to your Mac or PC’s camera and microphone. Afterward, toggle on the camera and motion detector options.
Open the Alfred Home Security Camera app on your smartphone or tablet, head to the “Camera” section, and select the webcam with a “Live” placeholder on the thumbnail. That’ll immediately mirror your PC’s webcam feed.
If there is an external webcam connected to your PC, you can use it to capture video of your screen. To do this, select the gear icon in the bottom-right corner of the video feed, choose the external webcam in the Camera drop-down menu, and select Done. ..
On the free plan, Alfred Camera automatically records a 30-second clip (called an “Event”) in the “Event Book” when the Motion Detector senses movement. These Events are then grouped into “Event Groups,” a collection of 30-second long clips from the webcam feed. You can export these clips as “Moments,” save them locally on your device or share them with friends.
If you want to save an event for later, you’ll need to do so before it’s deleted. ..
Premium features are required to use the service.
Alternatives: Remote Management Apps
Remote management tools, such as Apple’s FaceTime and Android’s Camera app, let you view a webcam feed remotely from your iPhone or Android device. These tools can be used to view footage of people or objects in real time, as well as to control the camera and audio settings.
3. Splashtop (Android and iOS)
If you’re looking to stream your webcam feed remotely, you need to install the Splashtop Business app and the Splashtop Streamer helper software on your computer. The Splashtop Business app is free for Mac and Windows users, while the Splashtop Streamer is $5 per month.
Install and set up Splashtop on your devices, create a Splashtop account, and sign in to the desktop and mobile apps with your account credentials.
To use the Splashtop apps remotely, you must first authenticate your devices. To do this, open your email inbox and click on the authentication email from Splashtop. Verify your devices by checking your email inbox and verifying that the email contains a link to activate your devices.
After connecting your devices, launch the Splashtop Business app on your phone and select your PC on the list of available devices. Wait for the app to establish a connection with your computer and launch the camera/webcam app. You should see the webcam feed on your phone. Tap the menu icon to change the video orientation, frame rate, and adjust other vital settings. ..
Splashtop also has a Chromebook client and a Chrome extension. So, if you have an old Chromebook, install the Splashtop app on the device and convert it to a live surveillance tool.
4. TeamViewer (Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS)
TeamViewer is a great app that lets you remotely access your computer or Mac from a smartphone. The app utilizes cloud-based technologies to provide screen-sharing, online collaboration, and remote management solutions.
To use TeamViewer, you need to install it on your computer. There are two ways to do this: you can install the free/personal version, or you can choose to install it if your computer is low on storage space or if you only intend to use the app once. ..
To use the app’s remote control, you will need to connect to the app through a specific connection ID (or “Your ID”) and password.
After you connect to a TeamViewer account on your iOS or Android device, head to the “Connect” section and enter the connection ID in the “Partner ID” dialog box. Tap Remote Control and provide the password on the next page.
Make sure both devices are connected to the internet, preferably on the same network. The TeamViewer app will initiate the connection and project your computer’s display on your smartphone. Select your PC on the Teamviewer app’s dashboard and enter the partner password. If everything checks out, you should see the webcam feed on your phone or tablet’s display.
View Your Webcam Remotely: Limitations
If you want to get the best possible picture or video quality from your security surveillance system, try to set it up on a bigger screen. Smartphones have small display sizes, so the apps’ picture/video quality (particularly the free versions) is blurry and pixelated. Some apps that provide HD streaming (e.g., Alfred Home Security app) often require a subscription. ..
Some remote management apps lack security features, like motion detection and night vision. Additionally, you can’t record clips or enhance the video quality when streaming your webcam using these apps. Nonetheless, they’re creative alternatives to standalone webcam apps. ..
Apps are a great way to stay organized and connected, but you need to be careful about which ones you choose. Make sure the app you adopt has the permissions it needs to work properly and that you understand the manufacturer’s usage policies and instructions. ..
