Fear of intruders, monitoring small children and/or pets: there are several reasons to want to have a security camera. But instead of going out looking for one, perhaps the equipment is literally in your hands right now: a cell phone An old camera can even offer better results than a cheaper camera. Setting up a phone for this new primary function is not difficult and is based on four elements: the phone, the app, the location and the physical support.

1. The cell phone

What matters here is mainly the camera that the old device must have, enabling the ideal use for capturing images. In this case, an ultra-wide camera, one of those that capture the largest possible area, is welcome when the camera API allows the use of this sensor by third-party apps. On older smartphones, only the main camera can be used by external apps and, generally, this is enough.

2. Applications

Both on Android models and on models Apple, there are apps that cater to this specific security camera function. These tools come with some key features, such as video streaming, motion detection, two-way audio, cloud storage, and direct connection.

The app The installed app must be able to send a video stream filmed by the old device to the main phone. Another very important requirement is motion detection, where the app must be able to send push notifications whenever the old phone's camera detects, for example, someone strange prowling around the house. Here, if possible, the ideal is to not point it at areas such as windows or set sensitivity levels to avoid false alarms.

Two-way audio is great for conversations, to help someone at the door or for similar needs. To guide a delivery person, or to quickly respond to a person who is being filmed, the cell phone would work as a kind of intercom with a camera.

Some apps offer storage functionality in the cloud, which allows recordings to be saved to a Google or iOS account for future analysis. In cases of confirmation of what was filmed in a certain period, or in situations of theft of the old cell phone used as a security camera, there would be the recording saved in the cloud to refer to. If the user prefers not to have confidential footage of their home hosted in the cloud, then it is necessary to choose an app that allows a direct p2p connection between the old cell phone's security camera and their smartphone or PC.

Some recommendations for Android and iOS:

1. Alfred Security Camera, available at Play Store and App Store. It offers a very simple setup process. You need to install the app on your old phone and also on your current smartphone.
2. WardenCam (no Android and iOS). Easy to set up, with a very intuitive interface. Installing it on the old cell phone that will act as a security camera and on the cell phone used routinely, the user needs to log in to start using it.

To connect to Alfred, the user logs in with their Google or Apple, or scan a QR code. Then, simply assign the smartphones to their respective functions. The app also allows you to access the image from the main or front camera of the old phone via a browser. In addition, Alfred Security Camera offers two-way communication and functions such as zoom and alarm siren. The motion detection level is adjustable in terms of sensitivity, but zone masking is not available in the free version. The paid version offers other extra features, such as better quality and longer recordings, as well as eliminating ads.

Warden has a range of functions that are very similar to Alfraed, such as motion detection, which can be adjusted over time. When something is detected, the tool sends a push notification and stores the recordings in the cloud, offering support for Google Drive or Dropbox. Warden also has a warning siren function and, in its paid version, ads are eliminated and premium features are released.

3. Location and support

With your cell phone ready to go, you need to determine the physical configuration.

First, where to install it. If the goal is to prevent robberies, the location is where a robber would have to pass through to commit the crime. Hallways, garages, entrance areas, for example. For safe monitoring of babies, small children or pets, the ideal is to install the old cell phone in a spot where the camera focuses well on the crib, or where the small child who needs to be monitored most often spends time. The location must have access to the home's Wi-Fi network (unless you want to set it to mobile data, which is possible but expensive). Use Wi-Fi extenders if necessary. Another obvious point is to have access to electricity, so that it can be constantly connected to a charger.

To support the device, there are support options made of materials such as plastic and aluminum in official stores. Apple and Android devices. These products are most commonly used for tablets, but a cell phone can often be fitted into these parts in an adapted way. There are mounts that need to be installed by drilling holes in the wall, and there are models that offer more practicality, depending on where the cell phone is best positioned. Options with rubber suction cups where there is a smooth wall are also interesting, as well as magnets to join the mount and some fixed metal point. The use of adhesive tape should not be ruled out when it is necessary to resort to them.

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