How to use your phone as a webcam? iPhone and Android as a web camera. Connecting a wireless WiFi camera to a phone: necessary applications for watching the broadcast How to connect a camera on a phone
You have opened a page with this topic, which means you are looking for an answer to how to connect a camera to Android. Let’s skip the lengthy discussions about the reasons why this might be needed and go directly to the essence of the issue.
Most Android devices (at least gadgets starting from version 3.1) are equipped with USB On-To-Go technology, the essence of which is the ability to provide power to external media that were connected via micro USB.
To connect a camera of this type, a special adapter with a full USB connector on one end and a mini-USB connector on the other, which should come with the device:
If its presence is not provided by the manufacturer, then the absence of such an adapter in our case is not a serious obstacle, since purchasing it in communication stores is not difficult at all, especially since it is useful when connecting joysticks, mice, keyboards, card readers and other peripherals .
So what we have to do:
- We connect our device using an OTG adapter to a USB camera.
- After this, our tablet/smartphone should recognize the connected device as a storage device.
- Now we just have to reboot our gadget.
If the connection is successful, then, using any file manager, you can view the active connections in the corresponding folder.
This is the simplest option for connecting the camera to Android, for example, for communicating on Skype. However, in this case, everything does not always work out as we would like. One of the most common reasons is the lack of necessary drivers, which, however, can be installed by downloading them from the official website of the smartphone (tablet) manufacturer.
Using special software
If installing drivers does not solve the problem, this can only mean one thing - this Android device does not support connecting third-party gadgets. In this case, you can resort to using a special application that is designed to connect peripherals.
For example, application CameraFi is an excellent tool for pairing a mobile gadget on Android OS with any USB camera. This is especially true even in cases where the smartphone is equipped with its own camera (or even two). And this is understandable, because the capabilities of the built-in camera are often inferior in many ways to their budget-class digital counterpart.
You can find out more about the functionality of the utility and the compatibility of connected devices on the manufacturer's website or Google Play, we will now tell you how to work with the program.
For work CameraFi we will need an OTG adapter (see above), download and install the application from any specified source.
So, after installing the application, we connect the Android device and the camera 
Now we launch the utility and for it to work correctly we give the necessary permissions (button “ OK"). In chapter " Settings» You can select quality and resolution settings for both photos and videos (they depend on the capabilities of the camera). The application interface is simple and intuitive, so there should be no problems.
The utility also allows you to record audio and video streams, set the desired prefixes in the name of any file, and then view the finished photographs or videos.
In addition, CameraFi will be an excellent assistant for connecting an action camera, microscope or endoscope, video recorder, etc.
Another tool that I would like to talk about is StickMount– an application that, via a USB connection, recognizes an external video camera (flash drive, mouse, etc.) automatically, and then provides a list of all available connections. The utility also allows you to simultaneously connect several video devices.
After installing the program, connect the camera and launch Root access. Now you need to agree to the proposed conditions, after which the camera should be determined and will be ready for use.
*Note:
- For the program to work correctly, it may require Root access.
- StickMount is distributed on a paid and free basis (for full use it is better to use the PRO version).
- If you have problems playing back files captured by the camera, you need to change the shooting format (AAC or MPEG4) in the settings.
Connecting an IP video camera
Some devices do not have a function that allows you to work via the OTG protocol. But this does not mean that users who have such gadgets will not be able to connect a web camera to them. In such cases (and not only) wireless technologies can be successfully used.
To do this, a smartphone/tablet and camera that support Wi-Fi technology, a stable Internet connection (local or global) and an application that converts the stream from the periphery.
You also need to equip your Android with a special video player capable of streaming video files in flv format (for example, VPlayer).
Once in the settings menu after connecting, the first step is to set the resolution and picture quality and activate the motion detector, which has a sensitivity from zero to 250 units. In addition, for our own convenience, we remember the location where the archive was recorded.
IP Webcam is available in paid and free versions. The PRO version provides many tools for customizing the camera interface: displaying the record button, volume control, selecting their location, size, etc.
For more details on how to connect Android as a web camera, watch the video:
Now there are a huge number of applications for connecting USB cameras. Not all of them are equally convenient and work well. Therefore, I will review several of the most worthy ones. 
Before we begin, it is important to note that the latest versions of Android and the firmware of new webcams make our lives much easier. Developers have learned to negotiate compatibility. As a result, to connect a new camera in 80% of cases it is enough to do the following:
Branded applications for web cameras
For wider functionality and use of camera capabilities, it is best to choose applications from camera manufacturers. For example, there are now applications from GoPro and Yi Action Camera. Such applications make working with cameras much easier. They also make it possible to use a Wi-Fi wireless connection.
Connecting the camera via USB
The most convenient and reliable application for connecting is
. It now has over a million downloads and generally has a good rating for an app of its kind. In addition, the developers approached the project thoroughly and created an entire website dedicated to it. The site itself is in English, but contains all the explanatory materials on the application and cameras.
Connecting using CameraFI
To work with a WEB camera via CameraFI, simply connect the camera to your smartphone or tablet and launch the application. In the window that appears, allow the application access to those items that it will request. After this, you can already use the camera. At the same time, it is worth considering that if you set the resolution in the settings to more than the camera can produce, the image may disappear.
The CameraFi app has four main benefits:
- No need to root your device
Some applications for connecting cameras require Root access, which voids the phone's warranty, and its incorrect use can lead to critical errors in the Android operating system.
- Connecting both wireless and USB cameras
The application works with a wide range of cameras connected via a USB OTG cable. It also allows you to connect cameras through other connectors; there is a corresponding adapter.
- Supports a large number of cameras
CameraFI is compatible with a huge variety of cameras from almost any manufacturer. The application works with action cameras, professional photo and video cameras, WEB cameras and camcorders.
- Fast speed
The application supports high data transfer rates. Transfer can be carried out wirelessly at speeds up to 30 frames per second at FullHD resolution.
- Simple and intuitive interface
There is also a Russian version. The app itself is constantly updated to support newer cameras and recording devices. The latest versions also work well with quadcopter cameras, medical cameras, and built-in action cameras. 
The CameraFi app has both a free and paid CameraFi Pro version.
Problems connecting the camera via USB
The most common connection problem is that the smartphone simply does not see the camera or does not recognize it correctly. An application is suitable to solve this problem stickmount
. It allows the system to correctly identify the device and connect to it. The application itself requires superuser rights on the smartphone to work correctly.
Stickmount analyzes the connected device and allows it to be recognized as a USB camera. In addition to the camera, the application allows you to work with drives and other devices connected via a USB interface.
USBWeb
Application USBWeb- is another way to connect an external USB camera to a smartphone. It also has a free and PRO version. You can download UsbWebカメラ from the Google Play Store.
The application itself has a simple interface and is not as broad as CameraFi, but it is widely compatible with cameras from different manufacturers. The application allows you to take photos and record videos in different resolutions. The camera is fully customizable via smartphone.
To connect an external USB camera via UsbWeb, follow the instructions:
- Connect the camera to your smartphone or tablet via an OTG cable.
- Launch the application, go to settings and run connection diagnostics.
- At the request of the application, disconnect the camera from the smartphone and click OK.
- When prompted by the application, connect the camera to your smartphone and click OK.
- Next, the camera will connect to the application, which will take up to 20 seconds.
- After this, the application will ask you for permission to transfer camera data to the server. Here it is better to choose yes, since it is on the basis of such data that the database of video cameras and methods for connecting to them is formed. All this helps improve the application.
- After this, you can use the camera. If the application does not detect it, try again.
- In case of connection problems, select Stock in the USB Host Diagnostics window.
Other applications in Google Play Market for working with USB cameras
Now in the Google Play Market there are over a hundred applications for connecting external cameras via USB to a smartphone or tablet. But the problem is that there are a huge number of cameras from different manufacturers. They have different matrices, chips and firmware, so the connection procedure can be completely different. Therefore, even the best apps with millions of downloads have low ratings because someone found a camera from an unknown manufacturer that was simply not recognized. But by using more popular applications you increase the chance that the camera will work. In addition, modern cameras are better optimized and standardized than models from 10 years ago.
Many applications require Root access on the smartphone to connect the camera via USB, which is not at all necessary for top applications.
Results
In order to connect a USB camera to a smartphone, you need to use special applications. The most common and versatile is CameraFi. It supports work with a large number of cameras, has a user-friendly interface and is easy to configure. In addition, CameraFi has both a free and paid PRO version.
USBWeb - also an excellent application for working with cameras. It has a simple interface, supports a large number of cameras and is constantly updated. Unlike This application is more difficult to use.
Very often, when connected, the camera is simply not recognized. To solve this problem, it is recommended to use stickmount
, but it requires superuser access, which has subsequent negative effects. 
The best option is to purchase a Wi-Fi camera manufactured in 2015 or later. Such cameras have more standardized software, which makes it easier to connect it to a smartphone and get higher-quality videos and pictures.
Usually, few people are interested in connecting a camera to Android, because Android devices already have a built-in one, or even two. But there are situations when it fails (it breaks or becomes very dirty with dust so that the device cannot see anything). If you suddenly become the owner of a broken camera, I will explain how to solve this problem.
Connecting the camera via USB
What you need is a USB connector or OTG connection support on your phone or tablet. Connection is not difficult using the USB protocol and the availability of drivers for installation.
If you do not have the necessary drivers, then the solution to this problem is to download software from official sources. But you may not need drivers since the Android system can perform the settings without third-party help.
So let's start connecting
- Connect the USB webcam to your device via a USB cable. You need to make sure that the phone has detected the new device. The phone will detect the device as a storage device.
- If suddenly there is a switch on the webcam, make sure that the webcam is turned on.
- If the webcam is detected, reboot the gadget. And everything is ready, we can use it. In my opinion, it’s easy and very fast!
If suddenly you were unable to connect to the Android camera, then I advise you to download a program called Stick Mount from Google Play. Root rights may be required for this application to function correctly. Stick Mount helps your device automatically recognize an external camera via USB and displays a list of all found devices.
It turns out that thanks to this program you can connect up to several devices at the same time, which will be very useful for some users.
How to get ROOT rights: Video
You can download Stick Mount from the following links
- free lite version
- full Pro version
Now, using a USB webcam, you can shoot video and take pictures. If the tablet does not want to play files made by the camera, then you need to change the shooting format in the settings, you need to specify MPEG4 or AAC.
Android Camera Improvement: Video
How to connect a Wi-Fi video camera to Android
If you are the happy owner of a video camera that can connect wirelessly via Wi-Fi, then I will explain how you can connect using the example of the DSC-QX100, in my opinion, this is the best video camera for Android with wireless pairing, since the connection is via Wi-Fi this is its direct purpose.
Here are step-by-step instructions on how to connect a Wi-Fi camera to Android:
- To connect, you must first turn on the camera's power.
- Launch the “Play Memories Mobile” program, which is free on Google Play.
- Select the SSID code found under the camera's battery cover or in the camera's manual on the cover.
- Enter the password, which is written on the same sticker as the LED code.
- Next, you need to touch the NFC tag of the smartphone to the NFC tag of the camera. The power is on: after touching the devices, you need to hold them for 1-2 seconds until the “Play Memories Mobile” application starts. The power is turned off: you need to touch the smartphone camera and do not remove it until the lens extends.
By connecting such an external lens, you can shoot great videos and take great photos that the built-in camera cannot take.
Instructions
Since the USB interface supports 2 data transfer standards and several types of connectors, it may happen that connecting the camera to the phone using a cable becomes impossible for this reason alone. In this case, purchase a universal cable. There are connectors at both ends of this cable that can be connected to one of 5 adapters.
If your camera supports WI-FI, then connecting it to the vast majority of modern phones will not be difficult: it will recognize all nearby devices. Another question is if you have difficulties setting up WI-FI directly on the camera itself.
Assemble a wireless antenna from the components included in the package and screw it into the corresponding connector of the camera. Assemble the camera base. Connect the Ethernet cable (supplied) to the connector located at the bottom of the antenna. Connect the other end to one of the computer's USB ports.
Connect the power adapter. Pay attention to the status indicator (located on the front of the antenna): it should light up red.
Insert the installation disc into your computer drive. If autorun does not work, click on the “Start” button, then select “Run” from the list. Enter the path in the window that appears (for example, E:...) and click “OK”.
Now in the window that appears, select your language and click Start. After the camera is successfully identified by the program, select your camera ID number from the list and click Next. Enter the IP address manually if the program is unable to recognize it.
After this, your camera will be assigned a URL, by clicking on which you can get to the device interface and connect via WI-FI to your phone - for example, in order to transfer photos or videos.
Sources:
- webcam via phone usb
It's no secret that equipment manufactured in other countries will not be as easy to set up and use. If you get your hands on a webcam from a Chinese manufacturer (without Russification), you can still connect it to your computer. True, it will be somewhat harder to find drivers.
Instructions
Connect the webcam to a known working USB port. Wait until the operating system detects the connected device. Launch the Device Manager utility through the properties of My Computer or Control Panel. Find the item related to imaging devices (usually at the very bottom of the list). If the device is not automatically detected, then open it yourself through “My Computer”.
If no drivers were found, the webcam will be listed as . If there are no question marks or exclamation marks in the list of equipment, and the webcam is identified as an “Image Processing Device,” then everything worked out for you and the camera is fully installed.
If there is no disk included with the webcam, you need to search for drivers manually. Open the webcam properties window by right-clicking on the item and selecting the desired item. Go to the "Details" tab and look at the device instance code. Enter part of the code into your browser's search engine. Use only the characters between the slashes, the rest of the code is not needed. Find and download the appropriate driver for your webcam to your computer. Install the driver by running setup.
If the webcam still does not work, try downloading a different version of the driver. Check the USB port and the camera itself on another computer. You can use the Webcam Diagnostics program to determine if your webcam is faulty. It is also worth noting that there are special sites that provide drivers for Chinese equipment. As a rule, many users have encountered similar problems, so finding a solution will not be difficult.
Video on the topic
Installing and updating a digital camera driver depends on how ready the operating system on your computer is to recognize the new device.
Instructions
Before installing camera drivers, temporarily disable anti-virus programs and other USB devices (printer, scanner, etc.). Check the general condition of the system.
Connect the camera to the computer and turn it on. If your camera came with a software CD, insert it into the drive.
Smartphone owners do not necessarily need to purchase a web camera. Modern gadgets replace our cameras, players, navigators, and much more. So if your video transmission device is broken, or is completely missing, we will tell you how to use your phone as a web camera.
Why use a smartphone?
There are situations when you need to organize a work video conference or just chat with a friend on Skype. To obtain an image you need a video gadget. What if it’s not at hand? Then take out your phone. The smartphone can easily be used as a web camera.
How to make a webcam from your phone
You will need to install special software on both your smartphone and your computer. It consists of two parts, each of which is installed separately on the device.
You can use a USB cable or a WiFi network. The phone platform must be Android. Others, such as Bada and Symbian, do not support this functionality. After installation, simple setup follows.
We use the phone as a webcam via USB
First, on your Android phone you need to activate developer mode and check the USB debugging box. To do this, follow these steps:
- Find settings on your smartphone’s desktop and go into them.
- Select "About device".
- Then scroll to the build number and click on it successively until the message about opening developer mode appears.
- Go to the settings menu and look for the corresponding item.
- Open and check the “USB Debugging” box.
- Next we will use the USB Webcam for Android application. Download the smartphone part and install it. Open and put the gadget aside, after connecting it via a USB cable to the PC.
- Then download the computer part USB WebCam PC Host and install it too. When installing, remember the path where the application is installed.
- Next, you will need to open the folder and find the usbwebcam.bat file in it.
- This is the batch file that will launch our application. Double click on it and you will see the command line. Press Enter and it will close.
- The connection has been established. Go to Skype settings.
- Open Video Settings. At first you will see a blank screen. Select a device.
- If everything went well, you will see the image.
How to connect a webcam to your phone using DroidCam
You can download a more reliable DroidCam application from Google Play. You will need a smartphone part and a PC client – DroidCam Client. Download it.
Sequentially install both parts on the gadgets. Here you no longer need a cord; we will use WiFi for connection. So check the connection to the same network on both devices.
On your phone you will see a picture like this. 
Open the application on your computer and enter the specified data in the field. Activate video and audio and click Start. 
An image should appear on your computer. 
Try logging into Skype. Check the settings there too. Everything should work. You just need to use the right camera first. 
If you don't have a Wi-Fi network, you can use a USB cable. Connect it and select the second icon in the client application.
Click start. 
You will have a USB connection and the web gadget will work.
How to use iPhone
You need to buy the PocketCam app or you can use the free Lite, but then you will only get a black and white image. Download it from the AppStore.
Download the application for your computer from the official website.
http://www.senstic.com/iphone/pocketcam/pocketcam.aspx 
The software works with Windows and Mac OS operating systems. Select the desired version. 
Windows 10 owners don't have to worry about their version not being listed. The software is installed on it too.
Launch PocketCamServer on your computer and PocketCam on your iPhone. On your phone you will see the IP address of the camera on the network.
And then you can use your iPhone as a web camera. You will see the image in the program on your PC. Launch Skype and select the PocketCam camera. An image will appear here too. If you don't have a camera, then PocketCam won't even need to be selected; it will appear as the only one.
So, we told you how to use your smartphone as a webcam. You can also use other applications from Google Play Market. But of all the ones we tested, we found DroidWebCam the most convenient.
