How to use your smartphone as a Windows 11 PC webcam

Windows 11 now allows the wireless connection of Android smartphones for use as a webcam.

- THOMAS JOOS

Although it was already possible in the past to use smartphones as a webcam (fave.co/ 3wC07LB) on a Windows PC, this was cumbersome, not very stable, and hardly useful.

Now Windows 11 has been updated to allow Android smartphones to be used as a webcam wirelessly via Bluetooth much more easily and effectively. The Windows Smartphone Link app is used for this purpose. No third-party app or cable connection is required.

This does not yet work with iPhones. However, iPhone owners can use the iOS app EpocCam (fave.co/44H64DB) in this case. This also turns iPhones into webcams under Windows and macOS. To use it, you need the app on your smartphone and a client under Windows or macOS. Here, the user also has the option of extensively customizing the image. 

Connecting Android to the Smartphone Link app included in Windows 11 is easier and offers even more functions. This includes displaying messages, starting phone calls, and close collaboration between the PC and Android smartphone. In principle, the connection also works with iPhones, but you cannot use the Apple devices as a webcam, as described above.