How to turn your phone into CCTV camera

Apps that turns your old phone into a security camera [Android and iOS devices]

I know you must have an old phone that you don't use anymore at home or you have another phone you ain't using, I will tell you what to do with it, you can monitor your baby or you want to catch someone or for other security reasons, with just clicks away in Google Play Store.

Then you have come to the right place without further ado, let's get to the point. I will be showing the apps and how to turn your old phone into a security camera, let it be android or iOS devices, they all work. 

You will need some cool apps to get started, which I will mention later, you have to have the app into the phone you are using to watch the stream and the phone that would be using as the camera. 

Contents:

The Best apps that turn your phone into a security camera. 

Benefits of turning your old phone into a security camera.

Reasons for needing a security camera.

Tutorial on How to turn your old phone into a security camera.

Conclusion

The best apps that turns your old phone into a security camera.

I know most of you are wondering how I turn my old phone into a security camera, but it's quite possible to happen. No magic, nothing of that sort would happen. So let's get listed.

• Alfred camera.

• At-home camera.

• IP webcam.

• track view.

• wardencam

Alfred camera.

Alfred camera is the most popular and trusted app in the world currently, it has over 10 million+ downloads on Google Play Store, is the best app to turn your old phone into a security camera, all you need is your old phone or the phone you will be using to record the event.

Go to Google play store and download Alfred camera and for iOS devices go to Apple app store to download the app.

Features

• Voice recording.

• Free cloud storage.

• Video streaming.

• Walkie-talkie function.

• Live video streaming.

• Remote access.

• Low light filter.

• Lots more…

Pros

• Easy and fast installation.

• Do it yourself (DIY).

• Remote flashlight.

• Free (it includes premium monthly subscription for better results).

Cons

Like I found the pros, I found the drawbacks of this app.

• It only works if the phone is unlocked.

• You must use the same Gmail account as the camera and monitor.

• There are a lot of advertisements for the free version.

• Poor network causes poor results.

• Lags between devices.

• Shortens battery life.

• Buy accessories to mount the device.

Alfred premium.

This is the paid version of Alfred which costs around $3.99, it includes the following:

• HD recording.

• Motion detection.

• Zoom.

• Multiple cameras.

• Large size of cloud storage.

• No more annoying ads.

At-home camera.

The At-home camera is among the most popular DIY security cameras around the globe is free to use and it supports multi cross-platform devices like iOS devices, Android, Mac, Windows.

You can get them in a click from Google Play Store, Apple app store or Windows store.it has many features that you would love, it has two apps, one for recording and one for streaming.

Features

• Time-lapse.

• Slow motion.

• Remote access.

• Control 4 recording devices.

Pros

• Time-lapse.

• Free to use.

• Support slow motion while streaming.

• Remote access to your videos at any time.

• Much more...

Cons

• It requires two different apps.

• Poor network causes low performance.

IP webcam.

IP webcam is one of the best apps to turn your phone into a security camera, it can be used by newbies and technical or advanced users, you can also stream your video in VLC player, upload it to Dropbox, ftp server, email.

It's available for Android and Windows devices, this app will suit you in every way whether you want to monitor your baby, catch a criminal or for whatever reason you have, IP webcam will do the work for you.

Features

• Multiple devices recording.

• Night vision.

• Motion detection.

• Use of third party platforms like Dropbox!

• Much more…

Pros

• Easy to use.

• Great for security.

Cons

• Interface needs improvement.

• Can't save directly to PC without saving to phone first.

Track view.

Trackview is a cross-platform home security camera app, it connects your smartphone and computers. Track view not only records your surroundings, but even track your real time location, you can use this app to track your kids when you don't know where they are, you can simply track them and even listen to their conversation.

Features

• Real time location tracking.

• Video and audio recordings.

• Recording works when the camera is asleep or in the background…

• High video quality.

• Easy to install.

• Multiple network support (like 2G, 4G and 5G networks).

• Much more...

Pros

• Walkie-talkie function

• Track real time location. 

• Video and audio recordings.

• Event detection (like calls SMS).

Cons

• Only supports Gmail accounts.

• Privacy(track view has the ability to see your recordings).

Warden cam.

Warden cam is like the other security camera apps is to, one of the best apps to turn your old phone into a security camera.

It also supports Dropbox, VLC player and lots more, it also a cross-platform app, it supports Android, iOS devices, Mac and windows, it works in any network 2G,3G,4G, 5G and Wi-Fi.

Features

• Access your recordings from anywhere of the world.

• Support third party platforms.

• Support all types of smart devices.

• Easy to install.

• Much more…

Pros

• Access your recordings from any devices.

• Easy to install.

• Supports multiple camera recording.

• Simple interface.

Cons

• Poor network, bad quality.

• Shortens battery quickly.

• Premium costs $5.99 one time payment.

Benefits of turning your old phone into a security camera.

• Decrease crime rate at homes.

• Using a phone as a camera makes it camouflage, people probably won't notice there's a camera because it is Small.

• It helps to monitor your kids and babies, when you are out of the house.

• It helps the police, in case anything happens, it's of reference (evidence) to the police.

• It saves you money from buying expensive high tech cameras.

Reasons why you turn your old phone into a home security camera.

• To catch a criminal.

• To save money.

• To recycle your old phone.

• To watch your kids, pets or elderly persons.

Tutorials on how to turn up your old phone into a security camera.

Like I said in the beginning that I will show you how to turn your old phone into a security camera in the beginning of the chapter, now I'll be fulfilling my promise to you.

I will be using Alfred security camera to show you how to set it up. I chose Alfred security camera, because of remote access to your recordings, motion detection, use of both front and rear camera, auto starts the camera when the phone reboots and most importantly free cloud storage, keep read to learn more…

1. Download Alfred security camera from Google Play Store or iOS app store.

2. Download the app in both of your phones both the new and the old phone.

3. On your old device, which is to be used as a camera, launch the app, go through the introduction and tap on “start” and select “camera ”then you will sign in with your Google account.

4. In your new phone you are going to do the same thing, but instead of selecting a camera, you would select “viewer”.

5. Choose A spot where you would be focusing, like your house entrance, living room or even watch your babies.

6. Buy a mini tripod so you could place it somewhere inconspicuous.

7. Place your camera near a power source so it won't run out of battery and you see if the camera shuts down, you can miss some important event.

8. Consider buying a wide angle lens to broaden your camera's view.

After you finish signing with your Google account into both your phones, from the new phone, you can add people into your trust cycle (that means they are able to watch your camera's recording and adjust some settings), adjust resolutions, remote access, alerts and more.

And the old phone you use the front and rear camera of the phone and you can also set motion detection.

Conclusion

Like I had said before that I will show you how to turn your old phone into a security camera. And I had fulfilled my promise, so this is how you do it and I hope you like it.

Please do share with your loved ones.