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Jan 3, 2023 · With any security camera app that you download, you'll need two phones to complete the system — your old phone to act as the camera and your current/new phone to serve as the...
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How-to
By Nick Peers
published 27 October 2016
Make an iOS or Android security cam
Page 1 of 2:
Getting started
First, verify your old iPhone is running at least iOS 6.0, or if you have an old Android device it needs to be running Android 4.2 or later, which is the minimum requirement.
That basically means you’ll need at least an iPhone 3GS, iPad 2 or fourth-generation iPod touch to be able to use Manything with iOS.
Assuming your device fits the bill, download Manything from the App Store or Google Play Store, then open the app and tap ‘Sign up’ to create an account.
Enter your email address and provide a strong, unique password, tap ‘Sign up’ again and you’ll be taken to Manything’s main menu.
Next, tap Camera to add the phone you’re using to your Manything account, and then grant the app access to the device’s camera and microphone when it prompts you for permission to use them.
The main screen will appear, showing you what your phone’s camera can see. You’ll be prompted to press the big red button that’s on the right or bottom of the screen (depending on your device’s current orientation) to switch on the camera’s recording capability.
Placement of your device is, of course, crucial. First, it needs to be positioned next to a power source, so it can be permanently powered from the mains – Manything will keep your phone awake while it’s running, so you can’t afford to rely on battery power for long.
Second, your device will need to be on its side so its camera shoots a landscape view, as this provides a wider field of vision. Search eBay for ‘wide-angle iPhone lens’ to purchase a cheap lens to widen this further.
There’s a slight bowing of the picture at the top and bottom with these lenses, but it doesn’t prevent you from seeing what’s happening, and they should also work with iPad and iPod touch cameras too.
The lens may obscure the camera’s flash, which could be an issue if you want night-time security.
Third, which camera should you use? Ideally the rear-facing camera is best, as it offers a higher resolution and provides access to the flash, which Manything will switch on after dark if noise is detected during night-time (consider switching to Still Shot mode at night using IFTTT – read on for more details about that – as it’ll produce enhanced shots in low light conditions).
Finally, how will you secure your phone in its desired position? If there’s not a suitable spot to prop it up in a discreet fashion – on a bookshelf, for example – you may find some kind of mount or clamp is required.
There are two ways you can keep an eye on your cameras while also administering their settings remotely. The first is through the Manything app itself – choose Viewer instead of Camera mode (tap the ‘m…’ button in the top-left corner of the app to switch between them) and you’ll be shown a live view from each of your cameras, complete with phone status (such as live or standby) and battery life, if applicable.
Tap one of them to contact that camera and view its live feed, then tap Events to review a list of recordings. You’ll see a settings button next to each camera too.
Tap this to tweak the adjacent camera’s settings in the same way you would from the camera itself, working through the step-by-step guide on the next page.
You can also view and manage your cameras on your Mac or PC, in a web browser with the Flash Player plug-in installed, by going to the Manything website.
The Manything app offers all the core functionality you need, but you can exercise even greater control over your cameras by connecting them to IFTTT (If This Then That).
Just add the Manything channel to your account on the IFTTT site and you’ll find a large number of triggers, actions and recipes you can use or adapt to your own purposes.
For example, you might configure certain cameras to only come on at set times of day, or have your camera’s flash switch on at night when it detects sound. You can even link your cameras with other devices – for example, to get around your camera’s struggle to detect motion when it’s dark by pairing it with a SmartThings motion sensor, you can use the SmartThings trigger to detect movement, then pair it with the Manything action that switches on the iOS device’s flash and starts recording.
Manything scores highly on all key levels: its subscription pricing’s relatively inexpensive, and it has all the features you could wish for, is beautifully designed, integrates with other smart home devices, and lets your old mobiles live on in a relevant and helpful way, too. What’s not to like?
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- Nick Peers
Oct 16, 2023 · 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.
You don't need to spend money on a new security camera —an old smartphone will do as long as it can still connect to Wi-Fi. Just download a camera app (we like Alfred) to both your old phone and your new phone.
Nov 8, 2023 · Choose the Right App. The first step in turning your old smartphone into a security camera is to select the right app. Numerous apps on both the App Store (for iOS) and Google Play Store (for Android) can help you achieve this. Popular options include Alfred, Manything, and IP Webcam.
Feb 14, 2024 · All it takes is the download of one simple app, and you can reuse your old cell phone and turn it into a small, portable security camera or a baby monitor. You don’t have to shell out a...
Aug 11, 2023 · If you need to keep watch over something in your house or business, but can't be in two places at once, this app makes it easy to set up a simple remote camera using any old Android phone.
