Ever wondered what to do with that old smartphone you tossed into the junk drawer after getting a new one? Here’s an idea that will give that old phone new life—and protect your home!
One of the most useful ways to reuse an old phone is to make it into a home security camera. Once you’re set up, you will be able to monitor your living space and control your security camera from anywhere, right from your new phone.
To begin, you will need to choose a security-camera app for your phone. Most apps offer standard features like local streaming, cloud streaming, recording and storing footage locally or remotely, and motion detection and alerts. There are a number of impressive, free choices available for both Android smartphones or iPhones—including highly recommended apps like Alfred, Manything (short for “monitor anything”), Home Eye, or Presence, all of which will work on either platform.
Generally, you’ll need to download the app on both your old and new phone, and follow a few simple installation and setup steps to get started. Once both phones are signed in to the app, the old phone serves as your security camera. You’ll need to set it up at a point you most want to monitor, like the main entry of your home, backyard, or a place where you store valuables. Mounting it on a smartphone tripod, or a car mount, will help stabilize it in place.
Your security app will provide a live-feed from the old phone’s camera to your new phone using streaming video. Keep in mind that streaming video uses a lot of battery power, so you’ll also want to keep the older “camera” phone charged regularly. If possible, position it near a power source and leave it plugged in—that way, you can have it monitoring 24/7 without worry.
If you’ve got an older smartphone gathering dust, put it to work for you! Explore home security apps at the Google Play or Apple App store. You’re sure to find one that’s just right for you.
I have the security camera will any security system work
Hi Marykay, thanks for your question. We can’t guarantee that every security system will be compatible with the phone, but you can definitely give the one you have a try to check it out!
Wow! I wonder how that person came up with that idea, probably sitting on the couch drinking a cold beverage wondering how he could protect his family, dog, assets on a very strict budget. Good commercial idea.
Thanks for that information.
Sincerely,
Catherine M. Lipps
Does this use data from my active Consumer Cellular phone.
Hi Gary, thanks for your question. Depending on the application you’re using, it is probable that data would be used when accessing the app away from WiFi.
Do I need a SIM card in the security camera phone?
Hi Michael, thanks for your question. If you’re using it for just the camera function, it wouldn’t need a SIM card. You would need a WiFi connection though to download the security app onto the old phone and get logged in since it won’t have an active SIM to connect it to a data network.
very helpful information.
My old phone was deactived when I started using my new phone. Same phone, I don’t think two phones can have the same number. What do you think? thank you, John
That’s correct, John. A number can only be assigned to one phone at a time.
Does the security app cost ?
Hi Mitch, the apps we’ve listed (Alfred, Manything, Home Eye, and Presence) are free apps.
Would it work putting the camera phone in window facing out?
Hi Linda, that should work as long as the phone’s camera has a clear view.
Consumer cellular,which phone service are you with,Verizon or at&t
Hi Rachael, we use both AT&T and T-Mobile towers for our service. You can also review our coverage here.
To follow-up with John’s question, Can a deactivated phone be used for this purpose? Brad
John says
NOVEMBER 3, 2020 AT 11:26 AM
My old phone was deactived when I started using my new phone. Same phone, I don’t think two phones can have the same number. What do you think? thank you, John
Hi Brad, thanks for your post. That is correct, once a new phone is activated, it shuts the old one down so that way calls are just going to one phone. There can only be one active SIM associated with a number which is why it shuts the one down and moves service to the new phone.
Yes, a deactivated phone can be used. It does not have to be active to be used as a camera.
Does is cost to use the old phone as a security camera ?
Hi Susie, thanks for your question. Since the line isn’t active with that phone, there’s no cost through us. There shouldn’t be an extra cost to use an old phone as a camera if you already have the service already set up through a company. You can always reach out to the company that is used for that to make sure as well.
How does one get the required App to the “old ANDROID phone”? Must it be downloaded before deactivation (of the old phone)? I’ll be switching from an old MOTO to a newer version MOTO.
Hi Rick, thanks for your question. It doesn’t need to be an active phone to download it as long as there is a WiFi connection. The WiFi connection would allow for you to download it even once it’s no longer active on the network.
So my deactivated phone (camera), would transfer data via my WiFi network?
Hi Brad, thanks for your question. All of the broadcasting for that phone would need to go through WiFi that is correct.
Does the security camera ap need to be loaded into the old phone before the phone is deactivated? Can it be loaded from the net after phone is deactivated?
Hi Chuck, thanks for your question! An app can be downloaded to a phone once it’s no longer active on our network, it would just need to have a WiFi connection to do so, similar to how a tablet would work.
Jacob,
Thanks for the answer, and thanks to all for the discussion.
Life’s school is never over.
Can the “Old Camera” be viewed on a Desktop computer? If so, how to set it up.
Hi Rick, that would depend on the app that you’re using for the camera. I recommend checking some of the apps listed to see if they can be viewed on a computer.
I’m considering replacing my Android phone with an iPhone. Can I use the Android as a camera and see the video on the iPhone or would the 2 different apps be incompatible?
That’s a great question, Nancie. The apps recommended in our post are able to be used on both iPhones and Android phones. You should be able to use the Android device as the camera while viewing the video on the iPhone, though I recommend double-checking with the app developer.
I currently have 5 old phones being used as security cameras with the app Alfred. It works well. I am able to view the cameras and their recordings on my PC. The biggest drawback I have found is that if your phone sits in a window with direct sunlight it will swell the batteries and they will quit working. I paid a little extra for the Alfred app even though it is free, to get some more functions. It’s worth it to me. Most old cameras that can hook to your WiFi will work. You can also remotely switch from the front camera to the back camera , turn on the flashlight, or sound an alarm on the camera. Two way audio is also an option.
Does it have to be android 7.0 and higher?. I guess mine is a really oldie android 4.0.4. I got a newer one working no problem. The alfred app does not even show up in playstore
Hi Jan, thanks for your question! It will all depend on the app that you’re wanting to use whether or not it’ll run on your Android version. It could be the app you’re wanting to use needs the newer Android software in order to download and run correctly.
Does alfred control your cameras remotely? Can they see what are one monitoring?
Hi Jorge, thanks for your question! We don’t partner with any apps so we wouldn’t know what it does or how it works, but you can go online to look into it more if you’d like!