how to turn an old iPhone into a Spy Cam

So, you run your own business and you think your staff are stealing from you, or you suspect your babysitter is gulping your Grey Goose when looking after your kid? it’s time for a little detective work. You have an old iPhone, right? Could you turn an old iPhone into a spy cam?

Hell yes, you can!! Im gonna show you how you can take that old faithful that’s sat off in your drawer of tech junk and turn an old iPhone into a spy cam!

Workplace theft is on the rise, check the stats here

Table of Contents

Why would I need to turn an old iPhone into a Spy Cam?

There are so many uses for a CCTV system but a good hd one can run into a world of money and if you’re on a budget you might be tempted to spend £40 on some cheap shite off Alibaba that might last 3 months and the police could laugh at you if your staff are filling their pockets with your stuff as the cheap cameras are about as much use as a chocolate teapot.

Ok, I need to watch my childminder/staff but on the cheap how do I turn an old iPhone into a Spy Cam?

Step 1: Choose an App

There are several apps available that can help you turn your old smartphone into a spy camera. Some of the most popular ones include AlfredCamera, DroidCam, and IP Webcam. Each app has its own set of features and requirements, so it’s important to choose the one that best suits your needs.

AlfredCamera is a free app that is available for both iOS and Android devices. It has excellent user reviews and is simple to use. You can use this service for free, but there are some drawbacks, like advertisements and recording limits. You can unlock everything this service has to offer through a monthly or annual subscription.

DroidCam is another app that can help you turn your old smartphone into a spy camera. It is available for Android devices and is free to use. DroidCam makes it remarkably easy to create a webcam that can be used for many applications (security, monitoring, etc.).

One thing to note is to make sure you don’t use and iPhone that’s too old, as we all know when apple stop supporting a version of iOS it runs like a 3 legged mule. i would also strip the old phone of all apps except the spycam app including any messaging apps, as you don’t want your new covert spycam ( your old iPhone) vibrating with an iMessage, thus bring attention to said phone!!

Step 2: Install the App

Once you have chosen an app, the next step is to install it on your old smartphone. You can download the app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, depending on the app you have chosen.

Step 3: Set Up the Camera

After installing the app, you will need to set up the camera. The process may vary depending on the app you have chosen, but most apps will guide you through the process with step-by-step instructions.

Make sure if you’re using it as a covert spycam that it’s placed in a covert location and it won’t fall down if say you’re keeping an eye on the child minder and you’ve put it on the drawers, if the drawers are moved will your phone fall?

Whats the battery life like on our old phone? as we all know iPhone batteries have a limited life due to bad charging habits (for better battery life check my post here )

For example, if you are using AlfredCamera, you will need to download the app on both your old smartphone and your current smartphone. Once you have done that, you can set up the camera by following these steps:

1. Open the AlfredCamera app on your old smartphone.

2. Sign in with your Google account.

3. Tap on the camera icon to start the camera.

4. Place your old smartphone in the location where you want to monitor.

5. Open the AlfredCamera app on your current smartphone.

6. Sign in with the same Google account.

7. Tap on the viewer icon to start viewing the camera feed.

Step 4: Customise the Settings

Once you have set up the camera, you can customise the settings to suit your needs. For example, you can adjust the video quality, enable motion detection, and set up alerts for when motion is detected. And remove all notifications so your phone doesn’t vibrate or ping

Step 5: Start Monitoring

After customising the settings, you can start monitoring your home or office. You can view the camera feed on your current smartphone or any other device that has internet access.

Apps

There are several apps available that can help you turn your old smartphone into a spy camera. Here are some of the best apps to use for turning an old smartphone into a spy camera:

AlfredCamera:

DroidCam:

SeeCiTV:

SeeCiTV is available on Google Play and claims to make old phones into free security cameras. The big selling point here is bi-directional.

WardenCam:

WardenCam is another app that turns old phones and tablets into security cameras. Expect motion detection, push notifications, low-light filters, and cloud storage via Google Drive or Dropbox.

Manything:

Manything is a solid free choice with an affordable subscription model if you need more features. It offers local streaming, cloud streaming, recording and storing footage locally or remotely, and motion detection and alerts.

Salient Eye:

Salient Eye is another free app that can turn your old smartphone into a spy camera. It offers motion detection, sound detection, and cloud storage.

Presence:

Presence is a free app that can turn your old smartphone into a spy camera. It offers motion detection, two-way audio, and cloud storage.

Haven:

Haven is a feature-packed app that offers motion detection, unlimited cloud storage for 14 days, and 2-minute long video recordings. The free version is filled with ads and even blocks small features like zooming. But for $3.99/month, you get unlimited cloud storage for 14 days, motion detection, 2-minute long video recordings, etc.

Overall, the best app to use for turning an old smartphone into a spy camera depends on your specific needs and preferences. It’s important to choose the one that best suits your needs.

Conclusion

Turning your old smartphone into a spy camera is a great way to repurpose your old device and keep your home or office secure. With the help of a few apps and some simple steps, you can turn your old smartphone into a security camera, baby monitor, or pet camera. We hope this ebook has been helpful in guiding you through the process of turning your old smartphone into a spy camera.

How to turn an old iPhone into a Spy Cam

Why would I need to turn an old iPhone into a Spy Cam?