An old smartphone that you no longer use can easily be used for security. This is how you make a security camera from an old iPhone.
Making an iPhone security camera
An old iPhone often disappears somewhere in a drawer or box. That’s a shame. Because although such a device may no longer be fast enough to be able to use in daily life, the hardware is sufficient to perform one task well.
For example, it is possible to use your old iPhone as a game console. Are you looking for something more practical? Then it is simple to turn your iPhone into a security camera. It is then possible to monitor your home or other location from anywhere.
This can be useful for a variety of reasons. For example, to make sure that no thieves are coming in, or to check how your baby or pet is doing.
What do I need in terms of hardware?
There are just a few things you need to get this done. First of all, an iPhone that still works. This means that the device must at least turn on, install apps and that the camera on the back still functions. Is the device a bit slow? Or are there cracks in the screen? That does not matter.
It may be smart to free up some space on your iPhone or perhaps even restore the factory settings. This way, your old iPhone is as smooth as possible.
You also need a charging cable, of course. The iPhone will use a lot of power during filming. That is why it is wise to plug it into the socket, otherwise you will not see anything when the battery is empty.
You also need a way to mount the camera somewhere. This is possible with a simple tripod of a few euros. However, if you want to hide the device properly, you have to be more creative.
Which app do I need?
There are several apps in the App Store that make it possible to turn your old iPhone into a security camera. Most of these apps offer the same functions. Think of streaming, recording and registering movements.
As far as we are concerned, the best app is Alfred. This app is free and offers everything you could want from a security camera app. You can watch from a distance, if something moves you will receive a notification and you even have the option to communicate with your pets at home. The app is also safe, with strong encryption.
Of course the makers also have to earn money. That’s why you can pay for more features. For 18.99 euros you get Alfred Plus, which removes advertisements from the app. If you take out a subscription to Alfred Premium, for 4.49 per month or 33.99 per year, you also get the option to see HD images, record in HD and zoom in, among other things.
The app works with iOS 8 and higher and can be downloaded from the App Store via the button below. You connect to the security camera by downloading the app on your new device and logging in on both devices via a Google account.
Where do I position the camera?
Make sure the camera is in a place where you can see as much as possible and that the device does not get in the way. As we said, a simple tripod is the cheapest way to position your iPhone. With such a tripod you clamp the iPhone and place your new security camera on the floor or a table.
There are also tripods on the market with flexible legs, such as the one from GorillaPod. You can wind these legs around objects, making it possible to hang the camera. Of course you can also DIY something yourself if you are handy and you really want to hide the iPhone in a corner of a room.
Keep in mind that the camera must be located near an electrical outlet. Fortunately, there are long charging cables for sale, so that you can cover a distance.
What am I allowed to film according to the law?
You can’t just point the camera everywhere to film. It is important to keep in mind that you violate the privacy of other people as little as possible. So do not aim the camera at the neighbor’s house, for example, but also not at the public road.
Make sure you only film your own stuff as much as possible, then you are safe. Also, do not save images unnecessarily and do not post them online. Use the camera purely to keep an eye on your belongings. You can of course also go for a more professional security camera, as you can read in our Nest Cam IQ review. However, you do pay for that.
More articles in our monthly theme Security
- Apple gives hackers special iPhones to check iOS security (23-12-2020)
- Tip: recognize and prevent WhatsApp fraud in 6 steps (12-10-2020)
- Secure your Twitter account with two-factor authentication: that’s how it works (7/26/2020)
- Tip: Make your Mac’s hard drive (Book) more secure with FileVault (7/19/2020)
- Make your Apple device more secure with two-factor authentication – that’s how it works (6/27/2020)