If you work from home and need to communicate with your team, a little video chatting goes a long way. While laptops usually come with built-in webcams, desktops often don’t. If you would rather not purchase a new webcam or use for a short term, turn your phone into a wireless webcam for your PC with some free software.
For Android Phones: DroidCam
To get started, you just need to download the DroidCam app from the Play Store and a Windows client from Dev47Apps. Make sure your computer and phone are on the same Wi-Fi network, then enter 192.168.1.91 as an IP address in the desktop app to connect them both.
Be sure to check the Audio box if you don’t have a microphone on your PC. Then click Start and you should be connected. Most video chat apps should recognize DroidCam as valid webcam, but if they weren’t running when you installed DCorp, it may need to restart them for compatibility.
(Skype is an exception, which can be finicky—the older and Microsoft Market version that doesn’t support .webcam URLs)
For iPhone Users: EpocCam
If you have an iPhone, try the recommended app, EpocCam (opens in a new window). It’s available on iOS and Android with a free version that includes intrusive ads and very few features. With the paid upgrade from $7.99(opens in a new window), you get microphone support, HD video, USB connections, and zoom/focus adjustments.
To use EpocCam, download the App to your iPhone and download drivers for Windows or macOS (opens in new window). You may need to restart your computer after installing the desktop software.
Once you restart, you can launch the EpocCam Viewer app on your computer alongside the App on your phone to check if it’s working.
As long as both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network or by USB cable, they should link without any extra steps. EpocCam should show up as a webcam for Zoom, Hangouts or any other video chat application you might use.
If you have an iPhone, download the EpocCam app for turning it into a webcam. However, the free version includes intrusive ads and very few features, almost necessitating the $7.99 paid upgrade.
With the upgrade, you get mic support, HD video, USB connections and zoom/focus adjustments. You can use your computer to view your webcam feed at any time when both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network or by USB.
If both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network or have been connected by USB, no extra steps should be needed to link them. As long as both devices are on a network that is given internet access, they will connect and show up in others’ screens as a web camera with other automation software like Zoom or Hangouts Video Chat.
Alternate Workarounds
If your friends or coworkers would rather chat with you on their cell phone than through your PC, you’ve got options. All video conferencing apps offer mobile apps that can be used if you don’t have access to a computer. It’ll be tough to see your friends and coworkers on the small screen, but it’ll work when you need to leave your computer at home.
If you want to share a screen while chatting with friends or colleagues, try connecting using only one device: use the PC or device of choice to see and hear everyone else in the video conference.
You can use the PC or device of choice to transmit video; as long as both devices have enough bandwidth (and they’re not too far apart), it’ll work in a pinch.
If the above apps don’t quite meet your standards, or if you want to avoid third-party software, all you need is your phone. There are a lot of video conferencing apps that allow you to speak with others from your phone.
If you can see and hear them on the screen of your device, using the app is great for conversations when you don’t have time for a PC. (If you use an iPad or Android tablet, it’s even better!) You can also use this method if you want to chat with people in person and use other software when it’s necessary. Keep in mind that both video calls will use network bandwidth, so make sure it’s enough!
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