How to Use an Old Phone as a Security Camera: A Simple Guide

As smartphones are constantly evolving with more appealing features and better durability, people tend to upgrade to better devices before their old phones wear out. As a result, old or outdated devices, though still work well, are taking up space and sitting around. Instead of throwing them away, which is a waste, why not put them to good use, say, turning them into simple security cameras?

With an old phone, its built-in cameras, and a third-party app, you can set up a simple security camera in your home and check in on your kids or pets whenever you like. Setting it up isn't hard. With just a few simple steps, you can turn old phone into security camera. Keep reading to find out how this is done.

Step-by-Step Guide to Turning Old Phone into Security Camera

The common way to use an old phone as a security camera is to download a third-party security app on the old phone and start monitoring with your phone. This setup is pretty easy. The following is a detailed guide, with which you can easily turn an old phone into a security camera.

Preparing Your Old Phone

Start with preparing two mobile devices: an old phone that's no longer in use and your current phone. The old one is used as the Camera device monitoring the surroundings, and your current phone that is carried by you acts as the Viewer device.

Installing the Camera App

Download a security camera app from your device's app store. There are many options available for both Android and iOS. And the best app to turn old phone into security camera comes with essential features like remote recording and streaming, local footage storage, two-way audio, and motion detection.

Once you select a security camera app, download it both on the old and current phones and follow the app's setup instructions.

Pairing Your Devices

Now the app is installed on the two phones, open the app and you will be asked to log in to your account. Keep in mind to use the same account for both phones, otherwise, they will not be able to connect. Follow the steps to pair the devices. (Different apps might offer different pairing methods.) Set the old phone as the Camera, and the other as the Viewer.

Choosing the Perfect Placement

Install the camera in the area that you want to monitor, like entrances, stairways, and living room. Place the Camera up high. In this way, it captures the area clearly without being easily knocked down by your kids or pets. Besides, the Camera should be angled appropriately to give you the most visibility for the area.

Besides, the Camera device has to be within range of your Wi-Fi and be constantly charged. If the power cable is not long enough, you can also power your device with a power bank.

Testing Your Setup

Once the setup is complete, test the two devices to make sure they are working as expected. On the Camera device, make sure it is constantly powered and works well. From the Viewer device, tap to view the camera's live feed. You can also change a few more settings, like setting motion detection sensitivity and turning notifications on or off.

Real-time Monitoring

Using this cost-efficient DIY trick, now you can monitor your property without costing a fortune and control the security camera just from your phone.

Besides, if you have a lot of old phones, you can set them up on the same Wi-Fi network and account in different places to get extensive coverage of your home.

Best Alternative: Consider Professional Home Security Cameras

This simple DIY home security system is a cost-efficient and easy-to-install way to keep an eye on your property. For those who want advanced features, however, using an old phone as a security camera may fail to fulfill their needs with limited features and disadvantages. Here are the 4 main disadvantages:

• Limited Battery Lifespan & High Maintenance- Since monitoring can drain your battery significantly, you have to keep the old phone charging. This is not only troublesome but might heat your phone or even shut it off suddenly. Plus, phones require frequent maintenance as they are not as durable as security cameras.
• Low Resolution & Blurry Camera Footage- Old phones with low camera resolution can't capture clear images and important details nor record clear videos at long distances.
• Lack of Advanced features & Limited Mobility- Phones, which even have security camera apps installed, only offer monitoring, communication, and detection. They can't offer night vision and integration with smart home systems like security cameras. Phones are not waterproof, limiting them to indoor use.
• Risk of Being Hacked & Leaking Privacy - When you use old phones for security cameras, hackers might hack your phone, or footage stored in the cloud can be leaked.

While using old phones as security cameras can be a budget-friendly option, it's important to consider these disadvantages and evaluate whether they meet your specific security needs.

For those who look for stable surveillance performance, investing in security cameras with advanced features and high security can be a more suitable solution.

eufyCam S4 – Best Alternative to All-Around Surveillance

For homeowners who want maximum security without compromise, the eufyCam S4 is the ideal solution. Combining a bullet and PTZ camera in one device, it offers both wide-area coverage and close-up detail at the same time. Its tri-lens system supports up to 4K resolution, while the efficient solar panel ensures continuous operation with minimal maintenance. Paired with HomeBase S380, it brings advanced AI features and secure local storage to enhance your home’s safety.

Reliable Power: Solar charging and a long-lasting battery keep the S4 running nonstop, while old phones drain quickly and need to stay plugged in.

Crystal-Clear Video: With 4K resolution and zoom, it captures faces and license plates clearly, whereas phone cameras often deliver blurry and low-quality footage.

Comprehensive Coverage: The 360° pan-and-tilt view eliminates blind spots, unlike old phones that remain fixed at one angle.

Smarter Detection: Dual radar and PIR sensors ensure accurate alerts, while phones rely on basic apps that often misidentify movement.

Built for Outdoors: The IP65 weatherproof housing withstands rain, snow, and dust, while phones are fragile and unsafe outdoors.

Stronger Privacy: Local expandable storage keeps data secure, compared to phones that rely on cloud apps vulnerable to leaks.

eufy Indoor Cam S350 - Best Alternative to Indoor Surveillance

Choosing the eufy Indoor Camera S350 over an old phone as a security camera is a smart move. The eufy S350 has 4K resolution, which means super clear and detailed video that an old phone can't provide. It also has 360-degree coverage, so it can see all around the room. Plus, it has AI-tracking, the camera can automatically follow and keep a moving target in view. 

eufy SoloCam S340 - Best Alternative to Outdoor Surveillance

Hopefully, no one ever considers using their phone to secure their outdoor space. The eufy SoloCam S340 is a much better option. It offers 360-degree coverage, ensuring you can monitor every angle of your outdoor space. It is also solar-powered, so you don't have to worry about finding a power source or recharging it. Additionally, it comes with a built-in spotlight to deter intruders, providing an extra layer of security. 

eufy ExpertSecure System – Best Alternative to Whole-Home Surveillance

Very few people have enough old phones lying around to build a full-house security system. Even if you did, managing multiple devices with limited features, unreliable batteries, and no integration quickly becomes frustrating. The eufy ExpertSecure System is a far better choice for whole-home, 24/7 security.

Built around the Homebase Professional S1 hub with advanced local AI (EdgeAICore) technology, the system can detect risks in real-time, issue alerts and work with the monitoring center to ensure the safety of your home and property. If you opt for the 24/7 professional monitoring option, every alert is verified by an expert. With a 96Wh backup battery and dual 4G LTE connectivity, the system ensures you stay connected to monitoring information even during power or internet outages.

Bonus: Best Free App to Turn Old Phone into Security Camera

There are a lot of security camera apps available, and they all claim similar capabilities, making it hard to choose the one that actually works. We are here to help.

AlfredCamera

AlfredCamera is the best free app on our list for using a mobile device as a security camera. While you need to upgrade to the premium version to unlock features like HD footage, the free version can satisfy essential surveillance needs.

Features:

• Works on iOS & Android
• Live stream
• Basic motion detection

Faceter

Much like Alfred, Faceter claims to be a free app but also comes with in-app purchases. It works great for turning your old phone into a security camera or baby monitor.

Features:

• Works on iOS & Android
• Free cloud archive
• Share link to stream on any device

AtHome Camera

Being in the market for over a decade, AtHome is also a solid choice to repurpose your old phone as a home security camera. Its AI-powered face recognition capability largely reduces false alarms. However, it may not work as smoothly as the other two apps, according to user reviews.

Features:

• Works on iOS & Android
• Scheduled recording
• Watch the footage on multiple devices, including TV

Conclusion

Using an old phone as a security camera can be a cost-effective solution to enhance your home security. With two phones, a security camera app, and a few steps, you can easily repurpose your old device and keep an eye on your property right now. However, if you're looking for high-quality footage and 24/7 monitoring, a professional security camera with mobile app might better serve your needs. Start increasing overall safety for your home with these solutions!

FAQs

How do I turn my old phone into a security camera?

You can turn an old phone into a security camera by installing a camera app, connecting it to power, and placing it where you want monitoring. This setup works for basic surveillance but comes with drawbacks like limited resolution, battery issues, and no weather resistance.

Can I use my old phone as a security camera without Internet?

Yes, but the functionality will be limited. The phone can record footage locally to its storage or a microSD card, but you won’t be able to view live video remotely or receive motion alerts. By contrast, modern eufy security cameras include offline storage as well as smart AI features and remote access, giving you both flexibility and reliability.

How can I use my old Android phone as a camera?

Download a security app from Google Play, mount the phone in a stable spot, and keep it plugged in to avoid battery drain. Many apps allow motion detection and video storage. However, Android devices are not built for 24/7 monitoring, and over time they can overheat or fail. An upgrade to a dedicated device like the eufy SoloCam S340 provides weatherproofing, 360° coverage, and solar charging for seamless outdoor use.

Is it safe to use an old phone as a security camera?

Using an old phone as a security camera can work for short-term monitoring, but it is not the safest option. Phones lack encryption, are more vulnerable to hacking, and often rely on third-party apps that store footage in the cloud. By contrast, professional security cameras such as eufy offer local AI processing, encrypted storage, and privacy-focused alerts, making them a much safer choice for protecting your home.

How to set up an old iPhone as a security camera?

An old iPhone can be set up as a basic security camera by installing apps such as Alfred or Presence, positioning the phone where it can capture video, and ensuring it stays connected to a charger. While this works in the short term, iPhones have limited storage, lower durability, and lack integration with smart security systems.