How to Use Your Smartphone as a Webcam for Webinars

If you want to run a webinar but you don't have a webcam or you prefer a better camera than the one built-in to your laptop, you can use your smartphone camera instead. To do this, there are a few applications that you can use such as Camo, DroidCam, and Iriun.

Benefits of Using Your Smartphone as a Webcam:

• Higher-quality video: Smartphones often have better cameras than built-in laptop webcams.
• Cost-effective: No need to purchase an external webcam.
• Portability: Easily move your smartphone to get different angles or locations for better streaming.

In this article, you learn:

1. Using Camo to connect your iPhone as a webcam

2. Setting up DroidCam for Android, iOS, and Windows/Linux

3. Configuring Iriun to turn your smartphone into a webcam

4. Connecting your Android phone to a Windows PC via USB

To Use Camo to Connect Your iPhone as a Webcam

Camo is ideal for iOS and Mac users. A Windows client is currently in beta, while Android is not supported.

Step 1: Installation

1. Download and install Camo on your iPhone.

2. Download and install Camo on your Mac or Windows PC

Step 2: Connect

1. Connect your iPhone to your laptop with a USB cable.

Step 3: Launch

1. Open the Camo app on both your iPhone and computer.

2. The computer app will automatically detect your iPhone camera.

Step 4: Broadcast

1. In your WebinarNinja account, find the webinar you're about to start and click Enter Studio to the right of the webinar.

2. In the Studio settings popup, click the dropdown menu under Camera and select Reincubate Camo.

You're now ready to go!

To Set up DroidCam for Android, iOS, and Windows/Linux

DroidCam supports Android and iOS devices, as well as Windows and Linux. Mac is not supported.

Step 1: Installation

1. Download and install the DroidCam Android app or iOS app.

2. Download and install the DroidCam Windows client.

Step 2: Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer, or use a USB cable to connect directly.

Step 3: Launch

1. Open the DroidCam app on your smartphone. Take note of the WiFi IP and DroidCam Port on the next screen. If you don't see WiFi IP, or if it shows 0.0.0.0, you're not connected to Wi-Fi.

2. Open the DroidCam client on your Windows PC. Enter the WiFi IP and DroidCam Port as seen displayed on your phone.

Step 4: Broadcast

1. In your WebinarNinja account, find the webinar you're about to start and click Enter Studio to the right of the webinar.

2. On the Studio settings popup, click the dropdown menu under Camera and select either of the DroidCam Source options.

To Configure Iriun to Turn Your Smartphone Into a Webcam

Iriun supports both Android and iOS devices and is compatible with Mac and Windows.

Step 1: Installation

1. Download and install Iriun on your phone.

2. Download and install Iriun on your Mac or Windows PC.

Step 2: Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.

Step 3: Launch

1. Open the Iriun app on both your phone and computer.

2. The computer app will automatically detect your phone camera.

Step 4: Broadcast

1. In your WebinarNinja account, find the webinar you're about to start and click Enter Studio to the right of the webinar.

2. On the Studio settings popup, click the dropdown menu under Camera and select Iriun Webcam.

To Connect your Android phone to a Windows PC via USB

Both DroidCam and Iriun support USB connections. If you cannot connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network, you can use a USB cable to connect your phone to your PC.

1. Go to your phone’s Settings → System → About phone, scroll down, and tap Build number 7 times to enable Developer options.

2. Go back to Settings → System → Developer options → toggle USB debugging.

3. Connect your phone to your computer using a USB cable.

   • In some cases, you may need to install Android Debug Bridge (ADB) on your computer for it to detect your phone.

4. When you get the popup on your phone that says Allow USB debugging, click OK or Allow.

Once done, the Windows client of your chosen app should detect your phone. You can then proceed to the webinar studio and select your chosen Camera source.

For further assistance, contact us through live chat at the bottom right of this page or send us an email at support@proprofs.com.