How to Use Your Phone as a Webcam for PC (Windows & Mac)

Updated: July 24, 2025 • Works with Android & iPhone • Zoom / Meet / Teams / OBS

Your smartphone camera is often better than a cheap webcam. With the right app, you can turn your Android or iPhone into a high-quality webcam for your PC—over USB (best) or Wi-Fi (most convenient). This step-by-step guide shows you how, compares popular apps, and includes pro tips and troubleshooting.

Table of Contents

1. Overview: How phone webcams work
2. Choose your app (quick comparison)
3. Android setup: USB & Wi-Fi
4. iPhone setup: USB & Wi-Fi
5. Use it in Zoom, Teams, Meet & OBS
6. Quality, audio & lighting tips
7. Troubleshooting
8. References

1) Overview: How phone webcams work

Phone-to-PC webcam apps install two parts:

• A mobile app that captures your phone camera.
• A desktop client/driver that exposes a virtual camera to Windows/macOS.

Once installed, video apps see your phone as a normal webcam. Most tools support USB (lowest latency) and Wi-Fi (wireless). Some also pass through your phone’s microphone.

Tip: Use the rear camera for sharper footage and better low-light performance.

2) Choose your app (quick comparison)

App	Android	iOS	USB	Wi-Fi	Max Free Quality*	Notes
DroidCam	✔	✔	✔	✔	720p–1080p (model-dependent)	Lightweight, Windows/macOS/Linux; OBS plugin available.
Iriun Webcam	✔	✔	✔	✔	Up to 4K (device/PC dependent)	Very simple setup; cross-platform.
EpocCam (Elgato)	✔	✔	✔	✔	720p+ (higher in paid tiers)	Good driver stability; integrates with Elgato ecosystem.
Camo	✔	✔	✔	✔	720p (higher tiers for 1080p/4K)	Excellent controls (exposure, LUTs), polished UI.

*Free tier capabilities vary by model/OS/version. Check each app’s page for current limits.

3) Android setup (USB & Wi-Fi)

Option A — DroidCam (USB recommended)

1. Install DroidCam from Google Play on your phone.
2. Install the DroidCam Client on your PC from dev47apps.com.
3. USB mode:
   • Enable Developer options → turn on USB debugging.
   • Connect phone via USB; open the DroidCam desktop client → choose ADB/USB → Start.
4. Wi-Fi mode: Open the mobile app and note the IP/port → enter it in the desktop client → Start.
5. Select camera “DroidCam Source” in Zoom/Teams/Meet/OBS.

Option B — Iriun Webcam (simple Wi-Fi/USB)

1. Install Iriun 4K Webcam from Google Play.
2. Install Iriun Webcam for Windows/macOS from iriun.com.
3. Open the app on both phone and PC → they auto-discover over Wi-Fi; or connect via USB and allow permissions.
4. Choose “Iriun Webcam” as your camera in meeting apps.

4) iPhone setup (USB & Wi-Fi)

Option A — Camo (best controls)

1. Install Camo from the App Store.
2. Install Camo Studio on your PC/Mac from reincubate.com/camo.
3. Connect iPhone via USB (most stable), or use Wi-Fi if supported by your setup.
4. Open Camo Studio → pick the rear camera, set resolution/frame rate, lock focus/exposure.
5. Select “Camo Studio” as your camera in Zoom/Teams/Meet/OBS.

Option B — EpocCam (Elgato)

1. Install EpocCam from the App Store.
2. Install EpocCam drivers for Windows/macOS from elgato.com/epoccam.
3. Connect via USB or the same Wi-Fi network; open your video app and pick EpocCam as the camera.

USB trust: The first time you plug your iPhone into the computer, tap Trust This Computer and enter your passcode.

5) Use it in Zoom, Teams, Meet & OBS

Zoom

1. Open Zoom → Settings → Video.
2. Choose your phone camera source (e.g., DroidCam Source, Iriun, Camo Studio, EpocCam).
3. In Audio, pick the phone mic if your app exposes it (or use a USB mic/earbuds).

Microsoft Teams

1. Three-dot menu → Settings → Devices.
2. Select your virtual camera under Camera and microphone under Audio devices.

Google Meet (Chrome)

1. Meet call → More → Settings → Video → choose the virtual camera.
2. Under Audio, change the microphone if needed.

OBS Studio (stream/record)

1. Create a new Video Capture Device source.
2. Select the phone camera (DroidCam/Iriun/Camo/EpocCam).
3. Set resolution (e.g., 1920×1080) and FPS. Add filters (color correction, crop) if needed.

6) Quality, audio & lighting tips

• Stability: Use a tripod or clamp at eye level. Landscape orientation for meetings/streams.
• Lighting: Face a window or use a soft key light. Avoid strong backlight.
• Rear camera: It’s sharper than the selfie camera; use it if framing allows.
• USB over Wi-Fi: Better bitrate/latency. If on Wi-Fi, use 5 GHz near the router.
• Audio: Use a wired lavalier or USB mic; phone mics are okay but pick the one closest to you.
• Power: Keep the phone on charge for long sessions and disable auto-lock.

7) Troubleshooting

• Camera not listed: Reboot PC; reinstall the desktop driver; on Windows, allow Camera access (Settings → Privacy → Camera).
• Black screen over Wi-Fi: Phone/PC must be on the same network; disable VPN; try USB.
• Choppy video: Drop to 720p/30fps; switch to USB; move closer to the router; close heavy apps.
• USB not detected (Android): Install ADB drivers; enable USB debugging; use a data-capable cable.
• Audio echo: Use headphones or mute PC speakers; select only one mic source in your meeting app.

8) References (official help & downloads)

• DroidCam by Dev47Apps — Downloads & Docs
• Iriun Webcam — Windows/macOS/Linux & Mobile
• EpocCam (Elgato) — Official Drivers
• Camo — Reincubate (Windows & macOS)
• Zoom — Changing video settings
• Microsoft Teams — Devices & camera settings
• Google Meet — Video & audio settings
• OBS Studio — Official Wiki

Capabilities and free-tier limits can change. Always review the latest details on the official pages above.

Want more creator tips? Explore our guides on document scanning, PDF tools, and meeting productivity.