How To Turn Old Android Phone Into Security Camera Without Internet? +The Best Mobile-To-CCTV App

Last Updated on July 20, 2023 By Emma W. Thomas

To turn an old Android phone into a security camera without internet, follow these steps:

1. Install a security camera app like “IP Webcam” on the old phone.
2. Connect both your main phone and the old phone to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Set up the security camera app on the old phone and start streaming.
4. Access the live feed on your main phone using the app or a web browser, using the local Wi-Fi network.

Turning Old Android Phone Into Security Camera Using IP Webcam In 10 Simple Steps

Discussed below is a step-by-step guide on how to turn your old Android phone into a CCTV system without the internet using an IP webcam. The process is not complicated, and you can apply it with any viewer device. 

Step 1: Download and install the IP Webcam app on the old Android phone from the Google play store. The app only takes up 21 MBs of your space.

Step 2: Turn on the mobile hotspot on the old Android phone. This will create a wireless Wi-Fi access point. The old Android phone can now easily be linked with the camera of your viewing device.  

Step 3: Check for any other active camera apps that might be active and close them to avoid disruption.

Step 4: Launch the installed IP Webcam. IP webcam will open an interface with certain features, including camera effects, video settings, sound, and motion detection.

Step 5: Set the various settings following your preferences. This security system can be used both indoors and outdoors.  

Step 6: Scroll to the far bottom of the IP Webcam and tap the command “Start Server.” The camera app will then open, and at the bottom of the displayed screen, there will be a webpage address. Note that if your router access point is compatible with IPv6, two web addresses will be displayed, including IPv4.

Step 7: Connect your viewer device to the WIFI created by your old Android phone. Remember to keep both devices charged to avoid losing the entire process. 

Step 8: Open your browser of choice on the viewer device and type in one of the web addresses displayed on your old Android phone. The web address contains your IP Address. 

Step 9: By now, your old Android phone and the viewing device should be paired successfully. The opened web address on your viewing device will display various settings to help you operate the security camera. Navigate through the web interface and set the viewing device following your preferences.

Step 10: Since the aim is to use your old Android phone as a security camera without the internet, use the VLC media player. All you need is to download and install it if you don’t have it already. Once you’ve launched the VLC media player, you’ll need to run it. Tap on the “Open Network Stream” on the Media menu in the VLC media player. You will find the command at the top. Now, key in the address from your old Android phone camera phone from step 8. Your old Android phone should be ready for use as a security camera without the internet. 

N/B: If you desire, you can also record video from the VLC player. To achieve this, tap on the “Media” tab again on the top menu and tap the Convert/ Save command. You’ll then tap on the “Network” command and paste the URL code from your old Android phone’s camera phone app.  You can pause, zoom in and out, increase or reduce brightness, among others, on your viewing device. The best thing is that you can use any device to view whether you are using a VLC media player or a browser.

Why Opt For An Android Phone?

You can turn old Android phones into security cameras to enjoy the following:

Crispier Images

An Android security camera will record much more explicit images compared to a regular security camera. Most security cameras have an average of 8 megapixels resolution, which is way below what an Android security camera can offer. 

On average, android smartphones offer a resolution of up to 12 megapixels. The four megapixels difference means that an Android phone will record crispier images, and the details will be as rich. Although there is a variance between recording videos and capturing images for security cameras, Androids still take the lead. 

Android Phones Are Compatible With Some Of The Best CCTV Apps

All Android phones come with an inbuilt camera and a wireless connectivity feature. Therefore, they make a perfect security system. All this would be pointless if Android phones weren’t compatible with mobile CCTV apps. Alfred security camera, IP webcam, Athome camera, and Trackview are some of the known best CCTV apps that require the said features and are no doubt compatible with Android phones.

Although some require an internet connection, these best-rated apps can pair an Android device to any other viewer device and obtain the expected results. They also offer an unquestionable resolution and fast and easy-to-use features.

Baby Monitors

If you have a CCTV installed already and you lack a baby monitor, you can link it with your old Android phone for baby monitoring. Connecting your old Android phone to your security system will help you keep an eye on your baby while at a distance. As long as your old Android phone is charged and can be turned on, you won’t have a CCTV camera and baby monitor on your budget list anytime soon. 

What Is The Best Mobile-To-CCTV App?

there are several mobile-to-CCTV apps available, and the “best” app can depend on your specific needs and preferences. Some popular mobile-to-CCTV apps that have received positive reviews include:

1. IP Webcam (Android): This app turns your Android phone into an IP camera, allowing you to view the live feed remotely using a web browser or another device on the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Alfred Camera (Android, iOS): Alfred Camera lets you turn old smartphones into home security cameras. It offers live streaming, motion detection, and cloud storage options.
3. Manything (Android, iOS): Manything is designed to work with spare smartphones and tablets, turning them into cloud-based security cameras with motion detection and remote viewing capabilities.
4. iCamViewer (Android, iOS): iCamViewer is compatible with various CCTV systems, providing remote access to your cameras from your mobile device.
5. TinyCam Monitor (Android, iOS): TinyCam Monitor is an excellent option if you already have IP cameras in your surveillance system. It supports a wide range of camera models and offers extensive monitoring features.

Why IP Webcam?

IP Webcam is a streaming application developed by Pavel Khlebovich. One of its major applications is to turn your Android phone into a security camera. The app has been on google play for ages hence old, and it doesn’t cost you anything to download and use. It is an app that can be used globally and with almost every electronic device, such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and iPads. 

So far, IP Webcam has over 10,000,000 downloads in the Google play store and an overall rating of 4.3 from 97,907 users, which shows it is a great app. Most of these users praise it for its versatility and ease of use.

The app’s developer has created a PRO version paid upgrade of the mobile to CCTV app, allowing sharper images and remarkable recording. PRO version IP Webcam also removes the watermark on the saved video recordings and will enable you to advance the motion detector feature. The app gives you access to cloud storage, but you don’t have to pay for it unless you want to. 

N/B: The mobile to CCTV IP Webcam has a limit of 1080p HD when recording even though the Android camera can support 4k recording.

Pros and cons of IP Webcam

Here’s a table summarizing the pros and cons of using IP Webcam:

Pros of IP Webcam	Cons of IP Webcam
1. Free and Easy to Use: IP Webcam is typically available for free and easy to set up on Android devices.	1. Android Only: IP Webcam is primarily designed for Android devices and may not be available for iOS or other platforms.
2. Turns Old Phone into Camera: You can repurpose an old Android phone into a security camera, saving money on buying a dedicated camera.	2. Limited Features: Compared to dedicated security camera apps, IP Webcam may have fewer advanced features and settings.
3. Remote Access: Allows you to access the live camera feed remotely, even when you’re away from home, using a web browser or another device on the same Wi-Fi network.	3. Dependency on Wi-Fi Network: IP Webcam requires a stable Wi-Fi network for both the camera and viewing device, limiting usage in areas with poor Wi-Fi coverage.
4. Motion Detection: Some versions of IP Webcam offer basic motion detection capabilities to alert you of any movement.	4. Security Concerns: As with any app that accesses your camera, there may be potential security and privacy risks if not properly configured or if using older app versions.
5. Compatibility: IP Webcam is compatible with a wide range of Android devices, allowing flexibility in device selection.	5. Limited Technical Support: Being a free app, technical support might be limited, and updates could be less frequent than paid alternatives.

Final Thoughts

As said earlier, the security camera’s resolution doesn’t surpass that of the Android phone. However, the only technology the developer has for the IP Webcam supports up to 1080p HD video resolution. For pictures, you can capture up to 3840 x 2160p Ultra-HD from your viewing device. 

For a security camera, 1080p quality is more than enough. It’s clear, and you are certainly guaranteed not to miss any details. IP Webcam allows you to record footage through your Android phone hence relatively convenient. It also has night vision, so you never have to worry about missing anything. 

The old Android phone’s security system will not auto-track, pan, and carry out other smart AI functions, but it will provide you with a phenomenal security system from your old Android phone.

References:

https://techaxen.com/how-to-use-mobile-as-cctv-camera-without-internet/
https://amazeinvent.com/turn-an-old-android-phone-into-a-security-camera-without-internet/