Name: How to Turn Your Old Phone into a Security Camera | Digital Trends
Brand: digitaltrends.com
SKU: digitaltrends-com-23
Availability: OnlineOnly

critic

How to Turn Your Old Phone into a Security Camera | Digital Trends

preview

Skip to main contentJust because your smartphone is a couple of generations old doesn’t mean it can’t be put to good use. When you get down to it, even the most outdated phone is still a palm-sized computer stuffed with advanced sensor tech. So instead of throwing it away or reselling it for less than what you paid originally, why not repurpose the device and turn your old smartphone into a security camera?ContentsThere are dozens of incredible Android and iOS apps that can transform your phone into a useful smart home fixture and surprisingly smart security camera (especially if you are willing to mount it on a wall near an outlet for power), as well as myriad low-cost accessories that can add extra functionality to your device. Below you’ll find a quick roundup of the best options available, starting with Alfred.Recommended VideosNote: This is an easy way to get a security cam, but your smart home security camera will not be great for the outdoors. Check out our list of the best outdoor security cams&nbsp;to learn more.RelatedIf you’re looking for the best security cam app to turn an old phone into a security asset, Alfred is your pick. This excellently designed app is installed on two phones — one for using your phone’s camera as a security cam, and one for controlling all of your settings and viewing footage.Not only do you get streaming footage on your phone, but Alfred also offers a siren feature, two-way talking, motion detection, and a low-light filter. There’s also a “trust circle,” where friends will be able to access the cam themselves if necessary. It even works for multiple smartphone-turned-cam devices for whole-house monitoring. Paid versions are available for more advanced storage features.The catch is that you have to have a fairly advanced smartphone to take advantage of all these features, so using a particularly old phone may not be very efficient.AtHome is another app packed with useful features, including two-way talk options, night vision, and A.I. learning to recognize moving people as opposed to branches swaying in the wind. There’s also a mode that gives you a 24-hour time-lapse of everything the cam saw in the last 24 hours, so you can quickly look for anything suspicious.If your phone has the right sensors, it can even automatically start filming if it detects vibration. Note that there are two versions of the app, one for the phone that will act as a cam, and one for your own phone for controls, so make sure you download the right options.Manything is a free iOS app that can convert your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad into a Wi-Fi-connected security camera. Then, you can use a second iOS device as your mobile monitor or opt to keep an eye on things from the Manything web app.This app provides more than just a security camera; it’s also got its own IFTTT channel, so you can link it to a huge range of web services and connected devices. For example, if you’ve got Philips Hue lights in your house, you could set them to turn on automatically whenever Manything detects motion — making your phone act as both a motion-activated smart switch and a handy home-security tool that makes it look like someone’s at home.For $7, Dormi will take any Android phone or tablet running Gingerbread version 3.2 or greater and put its internet connectivity and advanced video and audio sensors to good use.The Cloud Baby Monitor app affords you high-quality video and unlimited range through Wi-Fi, 3G, or LTE. It’s incredibly versatile, functioning as either a home security camera or a baby monitor.Cloud Baby Monitor alerts you to both sound and motion, as well as allowing you to talk to your little one remotely. This baby monitor can also play a lullaby or soothing white noise to help your baby get to sleep. Since it’s compatible with the Apple Watch, you can get motion or noise alerts right on your wrist no matter where you are.IOSTopicsTyler LacomaContributorfacebooktwitterEmailIf it can be streamed, voice-activated, made better with an app, or beaten by mashing buttons, Tyler's into it. When he's not…Anker finally admits to Eufy security camera issuesAnker, the parent company of Eufy, has officially admitted that its line of security cameras was not as secure as previously thought. Its products were said to use end-to-end encryption for recorded video footage -- but it turns out that wasn’t always the case.In late 2022, it was discovered that Eufy cameras had a bit of a privacy issue. Using the VLC media player, a Eufy user managed to access video through the cloud that was supposedly only stored locally. There were also reports as far back as 2021 of folks viewing camera feeds of strangers, although Eufy chalked that up to a bug that impacted only a small number of products.Read moreAre smart security cameras worth installing?If you’re looking to protect your home, few options are as powerful (and affordable) as security cameras. The market has exploded with new products over the past few years, and today you’ll find a wide variety of smart home security cameras that are easy to install, carry reasonable price tags, and offer you peace of mind while out of town. But are smart security cameras worth installing?The short answer? Yes -- smart security cameras make a lot of sense for the majority of homes. However, there are a few caveats to consider. Here’s a closer look at whether you should install a smart security camera in 2023.Check with your HOA and local government firstRead moreHow to sell your parents on a smart assistantWe all know how discerning, doubtful, and lovingly thick-headed our parents can be, especially when it comes time to adapting new technologies. I'm sure many of us can still hear the arguments about switching to a flatscreen TV buzzing around in our brains ("but the Trinitron still works great!"), which can make the idea of trying to convince mom or dad to start using Alexa a bit of a daunting task.But the fact is that a digital smart assistant, whether it be Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri, can do a number of things, but chief amongst the myriad of capabilities, these digital companions are designed to add convenience, organization, and a number of peace-of-mind automations to the lives of all who use them.Read more

Skip to main contentJust because your smartphone is a couple of generations old doesn’t mean it can’t be put to good use. When you get down to it, even the most outdated phone is still a palm-sized computer stuffed with advanced sensor tech. So instead of throwing it away or reselling it for less than what you paid originally, why not repurpose the device and turn your old smartphone into a security camera?ContentsThere are dozens of incredible Android and iOS apps that can transform your phone into a useful smart home fixture and surprisingly smart security camera (especially if you are...

How to Turn Your Old Phone into a Security Camera | Digital Trends

No article scores yet.

CRITIC REVIEWS

PUBLIC REVIEWS