Old phone lying around? Here’s how to use it as a CCTV camera
Sanjeev Kumar | April 12, 2026 5:21 AM CST
Most people have an old phone lying around that they don't use anymore. It may not be good enough for daily use, but it can still be useful.
One simple way to use it is by turning it into a CCTV camera. You don't need anything complicated for this. If the phone still has a working camera and connects to Wi-Fi, you can set it up as a basic security camera. It won't replace a proper CCTV system, but it works fine for keeping an eye on a room, entrance, or even a parking area.
What you need before setting it up
The setup is quite simple, but a few basic things should be in place. The old phone should be able to stay on for long hours, so it's better to keep it connected to a charger. You'll also need another device to see the camera feed. This can be your main phone, a tablet, or even a laptop. A stable internet connection makes things easier, especially if you want to check the feed while you're not at home.
Apps that can help
There are a few apps that make this process easy. Apps like Alfred Camera, Manything, and DroidCam are commonly used for this setup. These apps let you use one phone as a camera and another as a viewer. Once you log in on both phones, the feed just starts showing. There's nothing complicated there. Some apps also give extra features like motion alerts or recording, but that really depends on which app you pick and how good your old phone is.
How the setup works
- Install the same app on both phones.
- On the old one, just select the camera option.
- On your main phone, select the viewer option.
- Log in using the same account on both devices.
- Once that's done, the live feed will start showing on your main device.
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