How to Use Your iPhone as a Webcam

by Spanner Spencer
The iPhone 4 has a front-facing camera, which webcam applications can also use.

The iPhone 4 has a front-facing camera, which webcam applications can also use.

Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

The iPhone has a built-in digital camera on the rear of the device. The camera is available for use within a variety of different iPhone applications, including applications that convert the handset into a wireless webcam. The iPhone application must be running in order to use the handset as a webcam, and drivers or client software must be installed on the computer to allow it to receive the video signal.

Step 1

Launch the "App Store" application on the iPhone and locate a suitable webcam application, such as "WebCamera" or "iWebcamera." Download and install the application onto the iPhone.

Step 2

Visit the webcam developer's website and download its client software for the computer.

Step 3

Install the client software on the computer after the download has completed. This allows the computer to connect to the webcam application on the iPhone and receive the video signal.

Step 4

Launch the webcam application on the iPhone and position the handset accordingly.

Step 5

Launch the desktop client software and connect to the iPhone. The method will vary depending on the application being used. Consult the iPhone application or the developer's website for instructions on how to connect to the handset from the computer.

Step 6

Launch the webcam software on the computer that you want to use the iPhone with, such as Skype, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! or AIM. The iPhone's video signal will be available to use as a webcam device.

Tip

  • Most commercial iPhone webcam applications include free downloadable client software.

Warning

  • Maintaining a constant Wi-Fi connection will deplete the iPhone's battery.

About the Author

Spanner Spencer has been writing since 2005 for a variety of print and online publications. Focusing on entertainment, gaming and technology, his work has been published by Eurogamer.net, "The Escapist," "GamesTM," "Retro Gamer," "Empire," "Total PC Gaming" "The Guardian," among others. Spencer is a qualified medical electronics engineer with a Business and Technology Education Council certificate in technical writing from Huddersfield Technical College.

Photo Credits

  • Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images