Nowadays, smartphones are able to do a lot of things with the help of various apps. One of those things is using its camera as a small surveillance camera, in order for you to keep an eye on your precious things or your loved ones. If you want to feel like a true spy, check out these music apps to turn you into a proper James Bond!
If you really want to spy on someone or just monitor your house, you can easily make a spy camera using android phone. Whether you want to spy on your employees at the office or make sure that your baby is safe while you’re away, turning our Android device into a spy camera takes only a couple of minutes. Here are the ways you can use to make a surveillance or spy camera using your smartphone. If you really get ambitious, you can track calls and texts after your spy cam is set up.
Need more than just a cell phone camera? Browse our indoor hidden cameras for all your surveillance needs.
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Ways to make a spy camera using Android phone
Try these three DIY methods to make a spy camera using your old Android phone.
Method 1 – AtHome Video Streamer – Free
This method should work on most Android devices, and you will only need a couple of minutes to get this app going.
Note: You will need another device for watching the live streaming video while the primary device will act as a surveillance camera.
1. Download and Install the App
Download the app on your device and then launch it.
2. Press Start Now
Press the Start Now button to get to the Start Page.
3. Set up the app
Click on the Menu button in the top left-hand corner and select Change Password. You can select a custom username and password – you’ll need them to stream the video using another device. After you’ve entered your details, press the Save button and click the Back button to get back to the webcam page.
Make A 
4. Place the primary phone strategically
You will see a CID code on the screen – make sure to write it down because you will need it later. After, click on the Screen Off button in the top right, if you don’t want others to know you’re monitoring them. Then place the phone strategically depending on what you want to spy on.
5. Download the app on your second device
Download, install and configure the app on your second smartphone.
6. Add Your Device
Click on the Add Button in the top left in order to add your device. Then, click on By CID.
7. Configure Details
Enter the CID code, the username, and passwords you used to configure the camera on the first device. Afterward, press Save.
8. Start Spying!
You will be taken to the main screen of the app. Click on the Webcam icon and the device you are using should now appear. If so, click on the Camera button.
You will now be able to stream live from the Android device that you turned into a spy camera earlier. You can capture screenshots from your spy camera, switch between the front and back camera and switch the flash on or off.
Method 2 – IP Webcam – Free
IP Webcam is one of the most reliable and popular spy camera apps there is. Also, the app supports watching the video stream on any browser or on any media player on your PC. The app also supports video chat through Skype and Chatroulette.
1. Download and Install the App
Download and install the app on your device and then launch it.
2. Edit the Settings
Once you open it, you can edit settings for how you want to record the video. The setting options include frames per second, image size and image quality.
3. Start Recording
Click on the Start Server button in order to start recording from the phone’s camera. After that, you’ll see an IP address and a port number at the bottom of the screen. Make sure to write them down – you will need them later.
4. Start Streaming!
Now, place the phone at the location that you want to monitor. Make sure you position the phone strategically.
If you want to stream on your PC, open your browser and enter the IP address and the port number you saved earlier. You will be taken to the Android Webcam Server page where you will be able to view the video in your browser – where you will have some options about what to do with the stream.
5. Download and install the app on your second device
Download and install the tinyCam Monitor app on your Android device.
6. Select Your Camera
Launch the app and click on Add Camera. Then, under Mandatory Settings, click on Camera Vendor and select IP Webcam for Android.
7. Configure Your Camera
Enter the IP Address by clicking on Host Name and enter the port number by clicking on Port Number.
8. Start streaming
All you have to do now is go to the main screen and click on Live View. You will now be able to see the video stream directly on your Android device.
Method 3 – Cloud Cam
This is another helpful app, but unfortunately, it isn’t free. The app features several advanced features including silent video recording, silent picture capturing, upload the video file on Picasa, Dropbox, FTP or email and saving the video to your SD card. The app also features picture motion detection/G-Sensor for automatically activating image capturing and video recording modes.
Note: The price is as of 23 May 2019 and is subjected to change.
1. Download and install the app
Download and install the app on your Android device, then launch it.
2. Configure Settings and Start Recording
Click on the Settings icon to configure things such as movement sensitivity and pixel comparison threshold while recording the video on the phone. After that, just click Start Server to start recording and streaming.
3. Save IP Address and Port Number
You will see a button with the link featuring the IP Address and Port Number – make sure to save them somewhere because you will need them later. After that, you should position the device strategically.
4. Start Streaming
Open the browser on your PC or another Android Device – and open the URL (IP Address and Port Number you saved earlier). This will open up the CloudCam page in your web browser where you will be able to edit the settings, capture screenshots from the device and view the live stream directly on your browser or through another media player.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a phone camera be hacked?
Yes. There are many apps that could be installed on your phone and that could access your camera without you knowing. this is why it is important to be careful what you install and what permissions you agree to grant.
What is the best home security app?
Even if it costs a penny, we’d go with Cloud Cam, because it offers many advanced features that others don’t – and that might be useful when you want to use such an app.
Why should I use a home security app?
Perhaps you want to keep an eye on your pets or children at home, or what to see if your valuables are well protected. There are many reasons why you’d want to use a home security app. However, sometimes an amateur app is not enough. If you want more, we suggest you read our article “Best Home Security Camera Systems”.
Turning Old Phones into Security Cameras
You don’t need expensive surveillance or spy cameras in order to monitor someone at your house or office – you can easily use your Android device. Home security apps can turn your old device into a spy camera in a couple of minutes.
We don’t encourage monitoring people illegally, and you should only use your Android phone as a spy camera if genuinely feel that monitoring the individual is extremely important, like for monitoring your baby or pets.
So what method did you use? What was your experience? Let us know in the comments below!
This content was originally published here.
