How To use an old phone as a home security camera for free
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- Опубликовано: 20 сен 2024
- Whether your old iPhone is obsolete or your Android phone has a smashed screen, learn how to give your outdated phone new life as a free security camera.
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#security #oldphone #securitycamera
Took minutes to setup and looks better than Ring. Finally a useful, straight-to-the point instructional tech video.
I can't share how grateful I am! I'm a solo mum living in a bad area and I can't afford home security but have a couple of old phones so I'm going to try this today. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻. Thanks again mate 😊
Bbbbbbbb
Did you try
This video manages to be funny while still straight to the point. Well done!
True. Short, straight to the point with funny. Like the combo
This is exactly what we needed for our old phones
Yes yes and yes
set it up as cctv before you give it to your girlfriend.
si
Yeah , people is so interested in you , gotta watch out .
But how old OS do they run on? Hopefully on very old OS.
Thank you so much for this. I was just looking at home security cameras. Now I can set up 3 for nothing! You've really helped a lot of people with this.
Awesome. Glad to hear it!
How will the phone do 24 hiur recording without overheating and exploding and how will you prevent the intruder from not taking your phone also
@@AmanExplorerBoy they can take the phone, but the recording of the thief stays on the main phone/computer !
Not all the phones explode, plus u come back sooner than 24h, if you are gone for many days you probably want to instal professional security system..
@@rodicapopescu2038 ok
@@AmanExplorerBoy 😂
Thanks for this. I know this is an old video, but I was just talking with my wife about how there has to be a way to use your old phones as security cameras. So I looked on RUclips and found you. 🎉
And I almost gave away my crack old samsung s9 ! So grateful for this video 🙏
Just a thought, but for an outdoor option they sell solar chargers for cell phones. Put phone battery saving mode as long as it doesn't affect camera and battery optimization so it doesn't harm battery. A couple ziploc bags and your good to go. Or put it in something like a birdhouse with solar panel on top.
Thank you for sharing such a simple guide on making your old phone into a home security camera you are truly awesome and helpful ^^
with same wifi network it will work.
@@shaikhussain7011With different?
IP Webcam is FANTASTIC !
It also works on my 10yr old Android phones. I made a 4 phone security system for under $50 !! Love it !
you should do a video for us that would be nice.
Are you using Alfred?
@@franklidgad Ummm I'm using "IP Webcam" like I said....😩
Awesome! You just saved me from being paranoid on choosing from different kind of IP cam on the market today. Now, i don't have to buy any, just need to use my spare phone. Thanks a lot.
Pretty informative, pretty intuitive, up the date, & to the point. Excellent video!
"Up the date" ? Sounds painful!
@@alanhartigan Am I the only one who tuned it out as "to" the date when I skim-read it?
Love getting on RUclips to find all the tips and tricks for home innovations!
Especially when it's a smooth process and not a lion hunt, a.i, dead end , over explained, clickbait b.s....
omg thank you so very much . My home was Broken into last night . I came across the man in my kitchen as a women in her 60's this made me feel so upset . I am going to use all my old iPhones to monitor my entrance ways thank you so very much .
Sounds scary. Hope you’re ok.
has it destroyed the battery or screen?
spend the money and invest in better security to prevent somebody getting in. how did they gain entry what type of doors and windows do you have? i would go with a london bar and a birmingham bar and hinge bolts on the doors also a cheap shed alarm with remote can be used by putting the siren somewhere it can be reached or installing a metal box over it bolted to the wall to prevent removal etc
@@imstupidbut ?
Lmao, bs!
Hey Granny DEAN....
The last freaking place you'd be is on RUclips the next day casually browsing you tube, regardless of content, claiming that you were merely "upset".
Besides, you'd be pretty hard-pressed to find a woman in her sixties that has several iPhones laying around.
And those horrid grammatical errors, typically seen in the younger generations not 50s and above!
I cannot believe how many likes you got on that comment, lol
Talk about a profound lacking of comprehension skills!
Thanks for an easy step by step instructional video. Easy and clear.
I tried to use old phones laying around with this project. Samsung Galaxy S4, Note 3 and iPhone 5 created so many problems that I gave up. Connection is not reliable. Phones heat up too much and close themselves. This may work with newer phones that I used maybe.
Thank you, this is amazing! I cannot believe how easy this was to follow and set up. Now, I'll be able to monitor my dog in the camper while we're out and about.... And best of all, IT IS FREE!
Which one is free? Is there any fee?
liar, u need a mobile phone bill(viewer), alfred bill monthly, cloud storage bill and a home internet bill for the camera. thats 4 bills in a month to run this so called free security
WOW! Really?!! He shared this video and I for for free and as a Content Creator myself that takes time & work! He assumes everyone is already paying for wifi and their own cellular service dumbass! How about getting ao estimates on how much it’s cost to put in a security system with cameras installed or mounted? THEN you’ll see WHY this is a FREE security system and even if there’s a monthly fee worth the app it’s still worth it! I used to use canary on my Verizon Security camera Until the trial expired but only worked when wifi was connected..if out of town and wifi went out due to storm or whatever ...wasn’t there to reboot so we had to have a hardwired system installed later which is very costly! How about a “thank you” instead of calling him a Liar...wtf...🥴
@@damo1140 that's not nice. He stated you can use the FREE Version OR Upgrade.
Yes I'm guessing service on phone will be needed but there are better ways to address this.
you just saved me a lot of money. I recently got a kitten and my girlfriend really wanted a security camera for the house so we can check on him while we're both at work. The subscription is very cheap too! Thank you!
This app works great. My old Galaxy S7 doesn't loose power as long as it's plugged into a power supply and isn't getting hot either. And the motion detection send me notifications within seconds and records whats detected. 30sec clips
Hello, I'm also planning to use my samsung phone as a cctv. Does it affect your electricity bill that much? Or is there a consequence with the phone's battery after plugging it for 24/7
@@Marjannuel This is MY question as well. My phone gets warm or hot after 15 minutes of charging, how in the world are we supposed to have a phone plugged in 24/7??
@-vickyspit- I stopped using the phone as a cctv after a day. I felt bad for the phone. After all, it was my first phone and had a sentimental value in it.
@@Marjannuel Pfffft 🤪
I just did this to my old iPhone in less than five minutes. Really a great video!
Is it functional when your old phone is in screenlocked mode?
@@kevincalapiz8152 You can still use the a Android or iPhone after you unlock the screen. So if the camera app closes, just open it again and lock when using security feature.
@@kevincalapiz8152 Also yes the camera works on locked screen. But I do check to make sure on the iPhone that I’m watching from.
I use Alfred for monitoring my 3d prints in the other room, but it's really hard to see any detail without upgrading for the HD video streaming. ($6 a month or $30 a year at the time of writing)
Ok now to hide the phone that security extra phone. Ya know? Gotta keep a security camera hidden
What about any risks keeping phone charging 24/7 overheating?,overcharged?charger ,catch fire?,important questions need answering!
Nobody is answering this most important question and I don't even want to set myself up for an explosive battery which seems like would be likely!
Thanks just what I was looking for. My guess is you are either a teacher or a sales person😊 You speak so clearly and are at ease with the camera.
This was the best video on using Alfred I have watched so far! Plus the 'NO' and 'Get out of the bushes' = funny.
Thank you. I've a few peeping Toms around my area. This is really what I needed.
yikes!!😯 so sorry, that's creepy!😣 and we never hear about 'peeping mary's,' checking out males in their homes, do we? something is *seriously WRONG* with some of the men out in these streets!🤦🏾♀️
Excellent, I looked this up because I thought this should be possible and I was right...great stuff!.
I learned that long ago. If I had a thought for something, I just went to RadioShack. And sure enough I was in business. I found phone recorders, timers and mini recorders with auto reverses. " Busted my wife" . Divorced and moved on.
Thank You RadioShack. Lol!
When you look in the Net. You eventually find what you want.
I think your old phone is more expensive than those security cameras 😂
Ql
Ye but we already own them.
I was going to respond to this but then I thought, if you don’t get it then there’s no point explaining. But I will leave you with a thought ‘old phone’
what everyone else said egosirius
@Richardo Franzie YES
Greetings from the UK. You are what we would call a 'top bloke'!
Thank you for this!
The face when he said Note 20 Ultra is old phone is just unforgettable
Sir, I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate your help. I don't want to get too personal regarding the reasons why this is necessary for me, but as soon as i completed these steps and confirmed they worked, I've literally been in tears. Thank you so much for helping to keep me safe. Maybe now the police will take me seriously. Thank you, I love you guys ❤. Subscribed.
Does this require a home network? Will it work with Sim card and data connection only?
That's cool i got it working for free. Thanks. Used 2 iphone 10s i had to reload the apps on both to get it fully 100% loading the camera on the viewing 'live'.
Excellent ideas!
I'd also suggest a cheap "charging station". Double function: the phone stays upright and it'll be charged. And it's much less obvious.
The thief blacks-out your home, and you have no a security camera anymore.
@@zhuk462 you're forgetting that mobile phones have batteries. The charging station will keep the phone charged, but even in case the power is cut off, there are some hours left
@@mawkeetwo The whole idea is Wi-Fi related. I.e. phone's battery won't help. You'd need a battery for your Wi-Fi router, which adds money.
@@zhuk462 you’re also forgetting phones can have a 4G chip and won’t need wifi at all
@@mawkeetwo yes, but i don't pay for cellular data on my old cellphone. It's pretty much just a wifi android device.
Dismiss my previews question. I check the entire video it's clear and very useful. Thanks
you got a subscriber .... thank you man .... Saludos desde PERU!!
Awesome! Welcome
THANK YOU! Clear, to the point, and amusing to boot! (And still useful in 2023, 3 years after you posted it!) 🌹🌹🌹
Does the security phone need to be connected to wifi?
@petemulhearn7787
0 seconds ago
Tried this and it worked fine, except that the old mobile seriously overheated after an hour or so and now has a bulge on the back indicating that the lithium battery is in danger of bursting into flame. Good idea in theory but leaving an old phone unattended whilst recording video is definitely a fire hazard.
I highly suggest 3D printing mounts for the cameras. (if you have one) Really fun project.
My application: using this for a live stream security camera for my antique car while parked to make sure a tow truck thief doesn't decide to steal the car. The next step is setting up free wifi hotspots where ever I happened to be parked. I am on different forums and tow trucker operators claim they can tire tow within 30 seconds. I would think longer to get the truck situated. I am also looking into real time GPS locations with fence capability. Let me know what you think.
If they want it bad enough a security camera is not going to stop them. Maybe you should think about parking it in a more secured location. Maybe put one of those parking boots on one or more of the wheels so it can't be towed away.
This has been a blessing
You added a touch of humor. Nice video. Thanks.
0:07 Well i see what old phone is !!
Not iphone ..
I have 12 android phones 2 iPads, 3 tablets... Finally they can be used for something other than media server.
Thanks. I installed Alfred and so far it's doing well.
Thank you for just what I need. great production BTW
Great job, clear and concise, thanks!
Great use of old phones, I will give this a try. Just wanted to know when you have downloaded the app to your old phones, does the old phones still need to be connected to the internet to run the app?
Excellent video, do i need to be on the same WIFI, or i can use the 4G,
Thanks for the video. I installed it but it only works for a day or so then gives me an error “7007 the device camera is off-line”. I’ve checked every single settings on the Samsung galaxy, but can’t figure this out. Any help would be appreciated. 🙏
Try another app?
Way to gooooo!!! Don't throw away, reuse for security!!!!!
is it public restricted free viewing. I saw a private cam setup that allowed open viewing by the public. please explain how this can be happen.
EASY WAY TO SPY ON: SET YOUR PHONE WHERE YOU WANT TO SPY ON
AND MAKE A VIDEO CALL ON THAT PHONE AND REDUCE THE SPEAKER VOLUME TO ZERO
AND COME BACK IN YOUR ROOM AND WATCH IT😊
Does this work off mobile data from the phone you'd have on you? Trying to find something that doesn't have to be on wifi to be able to use while I'm away from the house.
Awesome video! I've had my previous phone just sitting around for a year, wondering what to do with it, and now I've got a versatile home monitoring device... For free!
If you do it tell me how it went
I was looking at this video some time ago and now it's finally time to put it into practice! Thank you!
Can you access a phone that is using cellular data instead of WiFi? Basically, it’s at another location…has the app downloaded and paired with the device I have but isn’t connected to WiFi.
I’m searching for an option that doesn’t have rights to my footage. Do these apps have pretty strict privacy policies where my footage is my own?
First, great video. Thanks for sharing this knowledge. However, I was really hoping to see the quality of the recordings. I mean what good is a security footage if you can't make out who or what is in it? Also, phones do not have night vision or IR sensors, so this is also a drawback. But overall, this is a great basic option for those who don't need more than a basic camera to record daytime stuff.
quality is dependent on the phone you are using and the app.. some are capped at lower res until you pay the subscription.
Presumably you already know what the picture quality on your old phones are
Can I apply this to my car looking forward or at the car behind me?
My dog keeps on climbing on to my balcony even though we have already blocked off the stairs to my balcony. I'm gonna try to use this video to catch her while she's trying to climb and figure out how she's doing it.
So did you find how your dog climbs the balcony yet?
I had a cocker spaniel that regularly climbed trees AND up and over a 6 foot tall welded wire fence (2" x 4" grid pattern) to go chase squirrels and deer in my front and back yards.
Thank you for the information. Can I see the camera when I am away from home on a different wifi?
He didn't discuss whether the recorded video is saved on the phone, on a server or on the viewer.
What good is it if the intruder can just run off withe the phone?
You can put the phone in a secure place or hide it so it won’t appear
He did discuss it.
This is definitely an option, but I wouldn't say it's a good one.
Alfred works and it's very easy to setup. But unless you root your phone and modify the charge limits for your battery, you'll destroy it in a few months. Lipo batteries aren't meant to stay at 100%.
Better to sell the phone and buy a cheap mini pc and install free camera software. You can buy decent wireless cameras for under $30 to connect to the pc, and an external USB drive to store days worth of recordings instead of hours.
With the pc, you can enable motion capture, and set multiple zones on the camera with different trigger levels.
Alfred is fun to play with, but it's just a toy. It works much better for spying than it does for home security
Great explanation, smart and clear, but seems too many things could go awry with this usage. Like having it plugged in and needing to be near a power source, which the best vantage points don’t necessarily offer. And of course interferences will always happen just when you need the camera most.
Buy an extension lead.
Just what I wanted..
Thank you for uploading..
Thanks. You're a genius.
We actually have our old iphones on the whole day ( plugged in) to watch our security cameras in our laundromat and 24h shop. This because I don't want to ruin my good day to day phone by having it on all day long. They basically function as a screen because we have a brand that you can't see on the pc. But this is a very cool feature too. I am definitely going to try this. Thanks for sharing
Definitely a fun to watch video :)
Light bulb is fine one if it's new but their problem is after four days they charge you $100 to keep on your security camera
I tried this and had a phone in the window, but with the sun on it, it over heated, so be careful where you put yours.
I was thinking that the phone would overheat if it stays on around-the-clock, permanently, even without being in direct sun. I wonder if your phone would have overheated regardless of where it was placed just due to never having a break from running full power.
@@crstna10 I tried it without full sun on it, and it worked OK.
@@SuperBartet Ah, ok. Thanks a lot! I just might give this a try…that is, if it is not too difficult to figure out.
do you need home wi-fi for this or can you use a sim card in the camera phone?
That's awesome, thanks a punch 🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸...
Software mentioned in the video:
Manything 1:12
Salient Eye
Presence
IP Webcam
Alfred
What a great idea, now old phones won’t hit the landfill every two years, a problem we never experienced with rotary phones.
They shouldn't be going in a landfill anyway! There're plenty of places and ways to properly recycle, donate, or sell them. Geesh.
@@alexapuerta You assume everyone follows proper protocol.
@@xanderalxandro6823 I'm well aware of the amount of shortsighted consumers out there. That's why they continually need called out.
@@alexapuerta You can only recycle, donate or sell so many times before you have no other choice but to hit the landfill. What then?
Good idea for optimizing the use of old phones.
Do you need wifi for these to work?
yes
This is excellent.
General question - will an outdoor version of this, with charger, survive in winter? 10 degrees F.
lithium ion batteries do not do well charging in the cold, which is why car GPS devices and dashcams use capacitors. Charging in 10F will likely damage the battery.
You can make stick it to the windows like I did i works great
Well this is unexpected. The "old broken phone" is this year's Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, and his regular phone last year's fairly modest Pixel 3A. If that's not a weird flex...
That's what I was saying
Ahah
Ftismg
Chf
@@rkzooplays hsh
I'm guessing the motion sensing is done by an image changing? I'm not clear on what triggers it.
I think this is a great option to buying yet another piece of gear for checking to see what critters are eating the cat food left out on the patio!
An old phone....😂...takes out the note 20 ultra and also has the galaxy z flip😂
It's OK, they smashed them specifically for this video!
That was a great instructional video. And your humor was priceless. Thanks 😁
Excellent idea
This looks perfect for my campervan that I want to monitor from inside when parked up / away for the day. Means I can periodically check the van and disconnect from power source on our return.
Can I record somehow for free without having to pay for the extra stuff? Will any footage be saved locally to the device monitoring?
well, he was very clear about the features - so, NO. you'll have to look for some *other* brand of free software - at 'trusted' sites like the Apple Store or at the Google Play, depending on the kind of phones you have. you can also do a search here @ RUclips, for free versions of the same type of software for your phone.
Just screen record…
Great idea. Easy to follow fun instructions . Thanks.
Thank you for the info and the links!
and lol your valuable refrigerator contents
Good tips. I think you have the knack for this. Please make another tips. I'm subscribing
Great information, I need a monitor for my Mom so I am going to try this!!
hope you tell your mom!!!! lol just kidding with you
@@chadflanders543 Yep, she's 87 and I am her caregiver.
Just as well Ive still kept my old mobile phone,Could come useful again when I get CCTV Cameras installed in my Flat
When I buy a new phone, I usually remove the SIM card from the old phone and place it in the new phone. So, can an old phone without a SIM card work as a security camera?
UPDATE: YES! I am currently using my old phone as a security camera and it does not have a SIM card. You only need to have access to your WiFi signal which your phone can do without a SIM card. The SIM card is only needed for making and answering PHONE CALLS. All other Internet functions will still work as long as you are connected to a WiFi network.
I got two old iPhone to which the SIM card is in the new phone. I charged it and turned on at it is asking for a SIM card. So how do I even install the app from the App Store.
I use this app on two old galaxy S7 phones with no sim cards. Just make sure you log into your wifi and google account on all phones being used.
I plan on trying to do this,im pretty illiterate when it comes to this stuff but i definitely think it's worth a try.I have a system that has bin disconnecting more than watching!UGH! THANKYOU! Come back & let u know if i was able to figure it out!
Great Video!! Follow up question ... Is there the possibility of being able to stream the video from any one, or all, of the phones set up as cameras to a wall mounted monitor and have a 1, 2, 3, or 4 grid layout? I'd like to have a monitor displaying video from all the phones while I'm in the basement workshop ... I can just look up and see what is going on outside the house
You can have each use like the IP Webcam app to record+livestream video and then view those streams with something like VLC Player on your basement PC etc.
Wow thanks!!
I want to make sure that I am not doing this right by a nothing male
this is a great education,👍 I had no idea! however, the logging into Google option to link up devices just seems like a privacy nightmare! I wouldn't want to grant them any potential access to my offline world, ant part of my home life, what I or my family members look like. even when I'm accessing an account using only an 'anonymous' name. because they *ALREADY* gather enough information about us [is Alfred a Google product?] but sounds like it's 1 of 2 options? scanning the QR code to link devices being the 2nd way?
also, those camera's are very obviously placed. seems wiser to hide/disguise them in strategic places than to leave them out in the open like that. especially the one in the window!😯
and maybe because I don't understand how the security cam software works - but one thing I wasn't clear about is the old phones wouldn't be connected to a service anymore - and I do use old phones to access the internet at home sometimes. but once I'm away from the house, how can the images or live feed be accessed remotely? If I'm at the grocery store and I want to see what's going on at home, how does that work exactly? which function of the Alfred software makes that possible?
Your really paranoid about your privacy i mean anyone can take your picture google doesnt really care much about you. the phones connect on your wifi. when away from home your phone is on mobile data looks for the ip adress of the phones and access them through your wifi router. if you dont want google invest in some yi home or egloo cameras and skip google
@@luc1ferblack that person has good reason to be Leery of Google ( tracking etc) I don’t even use them as a search Engine anything that I’ve been to google always shows up on all my social media etc.
@@maggiemirenda7146 I think you're mistaking "showing up all over your social media" with Google ads. Those are literally based on your search history, no one else sees them. They're personalized.
Using Google to login is much safer than creating another account using the same password and email combo as many of your other services use, as some people tend to do. Worth it to read up on how it actually works.
A friend just told me about this video. I got out my old iphone, plugged it in to power, downloaded the app and WOW this works great! Best thing for an old phone sitting in the drawer. Now I have security at my front door! Thank you for this great and easy video!!
Do I need data for the old phones to view while I am gone? Or Wi-Fi, does it use my data from my currently active phone?
You can use Wifi. I am going to be using my Ipad as the camera at home. Just make sure like the vid says to keep it charging.
Thankyou!!! I was looking for a camera to monitor my dog when left alone. I’ll do this!!!
Thanks. I’m using this to watch my new guinnea pigs. I want to check if they will come out at night. I just got them today.
Let us know if they come out at night. Thanks
I just wanna watch my cats when I'm in school.
Brilliant and So useful. Thank You Sir ❤️