Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Repurpose an old Android or iPhone as a low-cost security camera.
- Free apps can add live view, alerts, and two-way audio.
- Keep the phone on Wi-Fi and plugged in for home monitoring.
I have a bunch of phones that I don’t use every day. They all sit in a drawer of aging tech that I don’t want to purge just yet, because every now and then, the stuff comes back out and gets used for work or is creatively repurposed, like when I turned an Android phone into a basic Wi-Fi extender. Another example? Turning a phone into a home security camera.
Also: Android phone feeling slow? My refresh routine works wonders
I recently realized that one of my phones can be used to keep an eye on my home and check in on my pets. After all, how are they different from security cameras? Even older models have a decent camera, Wi-Fi, storage, and a built-in battery. The only con I can think of is that they lose security updates over time. Still, for free or cheap, it seems like a fun, easy solution.
Sure, I already own a couple of security cameras, but I really don’t want to move them or buy another one. I also dread getting hooked into another subscription. So, I grabbed an old Pixel, made a few adjustments, and, to my surprise, it works pretty well.
How to turn an old phone into a security camera
What you’ll need: An old iPhone or Android phone, a free security camera app (I recommend one below), a second device to view your feed, a stable Wi-Fi connection, and a nearby power source to keep the phone running.
Before I get into how to turn your old phone into a security camera, let’s make sure it’s good to go first. I recommend wiping it. Remove any personal data, photos, and accounts you no longer need. The goal is to have nothing on the device other than pre-installed apps, which you can also delete if you want.
Here are ZDNET’s guides to help you restore your phone to factory settings:
Then update the operating system if updates are still available. I strongly suggest using a phone that is still receiving security patches, especially if you plan to leave it connected to your network long term.
Right off the bat, I knew I’d need to install a camera app that would allow me to instantly see a live feed. I also wanted motion detection alerts, two-way audio, and the usual features you’d expect from a security camera.
But again, I didn’t want a subscription.
So I did a bit of research and found an app called Alfred Camera. It works on both Android and iOS and has a free tier that offers everything I need, including alerts and audio. I found a few other camera apps with free tiers, like Faceter, EpocCam, and iVCam, but I haven’t tried those yet.
Install Alfred on both your main phone and your old phone. Start on your main device and create a free account. The app will show a QR code, scan it with your old phone, and then sign into the same account. Once connected, set your main phone to Viewer mode and the old phone to Camera.
On your main phone in Viewer mode, you can tap the Settings cog on the live camera feed to edit the camera’s name, turn on event alerts, enable activity and sound detection, set a schedule, and more.
Also: How to enable Advanced Protection on Android – and why
Now it’s time to place your old phone. I started by pointing the camera where I wanted to monitor to figure out the best placement. You can face your phone toward an entry point, put it in a room with valuables, or angle it toward where your pets frequently hang out. In that case, a lower position helps.
Either way, you’ll want the phone close enough to your router to get a strong signal, and it should be near an outlet so you can keep it plugged in when in use. Otherwise, its battery will drain quickly. A longer charging cable, around 10 feet, costs about $10 and gives you more flexibility with placement.
Expect to move your phone around a few times before finding the right spot.
Also: I changed 12 settings on my Android to extend its battery
I wanted a more bird’s-eye view of the room where I planned to place my camera, so I realized I needed a mount.
I repurposed a $6 wall mount I already had in my camper, but depending on your setup, you may prefer a small tripod. For instance, there are flexible tripods like this $25 Joby GorillaPod.
Yes, the Joby and others like it are slightly more expensive than traditional small tripods, but they’re super handy. They can wrap around objects, which goes a long way in helping you position the phone exactly where you want it. There are also suction mounts for around $10 to $30 that can be used on windows or smooth surfaces.
Finally, if you want to expand your field of view, you can try a clip-on wide-angle lens. They are available for $5 to $25. These are optional, and I’m not using one in my current setup, but they are worth considering.
Also: How to turn on Private DNS Mode on Android – and why
Can I record footage, not just view a live feed?
Yes. Alfred Camera includes basic cloud storage for free. If you want features like HD recording or longer storage, you’ll need to upgrade to the premium tier, which costs a few dollars per month, but you can skip it.
Will this work when I am not home?
Yes. As long as the old phone at home has internet access, you can view the live feed. Your main device also needs an internet connection, of course, so you can access the feed from anywhere.
Does this setup use my mobile data?
If you’re using an old phone, it likely doesn’t have a SIM or an active cellular connection. But if it does, make sure it doesn’t switch over to cellular data. You want the phone to use a Wi-Fi connection, not mobile data, which could eat into your plan.
- On Android, go to Settings > Network and internet > SIMs and turn off mobile data.
- On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular and turn off Cellular Data.
You can also remove the SIM or eSIM entirely if the phone still has one.
Is it easier to just buy a security camera?
In some cases, yes.
Entry-level security cameras are inexpensive and may be more reliable. For example, the Wyze Cam v4 costs around $35 and offers solid video quality, with local storage. The Blink Mini is in the same range, though it frequently drops as low as $15 when on sale.
Also: CNET is starting to recommend Wyze Security Cams again
If you want a more polished, set-it-and-forget-it experience, these may be better options. Just keep in mind that some features may require a subscription or extra hardware. For example, if you want to save and share clips with the Blink Mini, you’ll need a subscription. If you want to store footage locally, you’ll need the Sync Module 2, which costs about $50 and is sold separately.
If you want a free solution, a temporary setup, or extra coverage without spending more money, just use your old phone. It’s not perfect, but it is one of the simplest, cheapest ways to get started with home monitoring.
