Hybrid environments, the return to the office, the no-return to the office… each time we near the end, reality sends us back to square one. That means extra sessions in front of our computers, and webcams… that can fail at critical moments. What alternatives do we have before running out? One of the most interesting is DroidCam, which lets you use your phone as a webcam easily.
They went from playing a secondary role on desktops and laptops to taking center stage, courtesy of a certain bug that has overstayed its welcome. Obviously, I'm referring to webcams, which might work on the first try without a hitch, cause several headaches in unexpected situations, or become prohibitive in a moment of need.
However, the most likely scenario is that we have a smartphone or a tablet at hand. With the right app, it's possible to access the integrated cameras on these devices, and that's where DroidCam comes in. This app had its place in our article about repurposing phones as security cameras, but if you want to use your phone as a webcam and get out of a jam, you should give it a look.
DroidCam and the Advantage of Using Your Phone as a Webcam
Installing DroidCam is divided into two phases: the first is to find the app on the Google Play Store or the App Store, and the second is to download the Windows-compatible client. With both installed, open DroidCam on your mobile device and the client on your computer. There are three connection modes: WiFi, USB, and server, but today we'll focus on the first two, as they're the simplest.
In WiFi mode, both the phone and the computer must be connected to the same subnet. The rest is a matter of entering the IP address assigned by the app in the Windows client, choosing whether you want video, audio, or both at once, and finally clicking Start. USB mode is even simpler: the client automatically detects the connected device, and you don't need to enter IP values. The only recommendation is a quality USB cable with data transfer support (there are many generic cables that only enable charging).
DroidCam has a Pro edition that enables HD mode (720p or 1080p), offers advanced camera controls, and an exclusive USB mode for greater privacy. However, the free edition works quite well and is compatible with the main video conferencing services, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. If you truly want to use your phone as a webcam, give DroidCam a try!
Official site and downloads: Click here
