If you’re in need of a high-quality webcam, then consider using your iPhone! You can use your iPhone to take videos or set up your iPhone to work as a webcam for your computer. When using an iPhone as a webcam, you can take videos, join video conferences, live stream, and more!
In this article, we will cover how to take webcam videos with an iPhone, how to use an iPhone as a webcam, and how to use a third-party app to set up your iPhone webcam with your desktop or laptop. No matter your use case, knowing how to use an iPhone as a webcam is an important skill.
Why Use iPhone as Webcam?
So, why should you use an iPhone as a webcam? The simple answer is it’s convenient and high-quality. When you use your iPhone to take facecam videos, you don’t have to purchase another costly device. Furthermore, iPhones are portable, so you can take videos from any location. With an iPhone, you don’t have to sit at your desk or set up a high-tech recording room in order to take great videos.
Fortunately, your iPhone already comes with a high-quality webcam. The iPhone has some of the best image and video quality of any device. For example, the iPhone 12 can record up to 4K at 60 fps. It also includes high-quality audio recording, autofocus, optical image stabilization, and other features that guarantee excellent video quality. To put it simply, your iPhone is already comparable in quality to the best webcams on the market. If you already own an iPhone, then why pay for another device of the same quality?
If you want to take hands-free webcam videos, then you can still do that with your iPhone if you purchase a tripod. You can find information on the best phone tripods online.
How to Use iPhone as Webcam
If you want to take a basic webcam video with your iPod, then it’s quite easy. Just follow these simple steps to start an iPhone webcam recording:
- Open the Camera app on your iPhone.
- Choose Video mode.
- Switch to the front-facing camera by tapping the icon in the bottom right-hand corner.
- Press the recording button or either volume button to stop recording. To stop recording, press the same button again.
Do note that videos record at 30 fps by default. To change your video resolution settings, go to the Settings app, click on Camera, then select “Record Video”. For more information on how to record videos on iPhone such as slow-mo and QuickTake videos, check out your iPhone user guide.
You can also take webcam videos from various apps on your iPhone such as Zoom, Droplr, and Covideo. You may want to use a separate iPhone video app if you are joining a video conference or want to upload your video to an online video storage platform.
Use iPhone as a Computer Webcam
You can also connect your iPhone to your computer to use as a webcam using a third-party app. A list of the best of these iPhone webcam apps can be found below. For specific instructions on how to use each app, go to the app’s website. However, here’s a general overview of how to set up your iPhone to use as a computer webcam.
- Download your chosen application on your iPhone and open it.
- Download the app’s drivers on your computer.
- Connect your phone to your computer using wireless or USB.
- Set up your phone so that it captures you in its video. For most apps, you can use either your front-facing or rear-facing camera. The best way to keep your phone stable during webcam recordings is to invest in a tripod that you can attach to your desk or computer.
- Set your computer’s webcam as the app.
After you follow these steps, your iPhone will become your computer’s webcam device. Now you can record videos, join conference calls, and more!
iPhone Webcam Apps
To use your iPhone as a webcam, you need to install a third-party app on both your phone and computer. Here are 3 of the best iPhone webcam apps.
EpocCam can be used to turn your iPhone into a webcam on either Mac or PC. You can connect your iPhone to your computer via USB or over Wi-Fi. Once connected, you can record or stream in 1080p and HDR for maximum quality. EpocCam can be used in both portrait and landscape mode and is compatible with popular video software such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. You can even use Snapchat lenses to create video effects or add another webcam to your setup for multiple angles.
You can use EpocCam for free, but the free version is limited to 640 x 480 resolution and includes a watermark. For better quality, you can purchase the pro version for $7.99.
iVCam only works for Windows devices, but it’s an excellent option for PC users. It can record in up to 4K and includes advanced camera settings. You can also configure your video frame rate and encoder. iVCam supports both landscape and portrait modes, front/rear cameras, and modes such as flash, manual/autofocus, and video mirroring. iVCam also includes a background replacement feature so you can blur your background or insert a green screen. You can connect iVCam over USB or Wi-Fi.
iVCam’s free version supports HD resolutions but includes a watermark over the video feed. To remove this watermark, you can pay $9.99 for the upgraded version.
Camo’s webcam app for Mac and PC is highly-rated on the iOS app store at 4.8 stars. It’s no surprise, considering the amount of features that Camo includes. Camo lets you use any lens on your device and add effects such as zoom, pan, rotate, and recolor. You can also use a variety of adjustments and filters to change your image. Videos can be recorded in up to 1080p and use your iPhone’s Dark Mode. You can also switch between multiple iOS devices, so you can record from multiple iPhones or both your iPhone and iPad.
Camo’s free version can be used to record in up to 720p using multiple lenses. Upgrading to Camo Pro unlocks higher resolutions, portrait mode, access to your iPhone’s flash as a webcam light, and image and focus adjustments. Camo Pro costs $4.99/month or $79.99 for a lifetime license.
More iPhone Recording Tips
You can do more with your iPhone than just record webcam videos. Learn how to screen record on iPhone and record your voice on iPhone on our blog. Be sure to check out our iOS video recording app that lets you take videos and screen recordings, store them online, and share them with any iOS app.