# Best way to turn old Android phone into a secure surveillance Camera?

**URL:** https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/best-way-to-turn-old-android-phone-into-a-secure-surveillance-camera/33240
**Category:** Questions
**Tags:** software
**Created:** 2025-11-24T15:38:23Z
**Posts:** 4

## Post 1 by @fenasiabi — 2025-11-24T15:38:23Z

Ive got some old Android phones laying around and I was wondering, if there is an open-source way of turning a old phone into a IP-Camera, that I can access from everywhere.

I couldnt find any relevant softwate besides Haven, which is not actively developed as of now. (and no commits since 2021)

And also, you cannot do a live-view afaik, only when the phone detects movement.

I could only find this closed-source software: [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pas.webcam](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pas.webcam) (IP Webcam)

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## Post 2 by @kissu — 2025-11-24T18:03:30Z

Oh, thanks for [Haven](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haven_(software))! Never heard about it before! :star_struck:

I think that this Github issue is quite relevant: [If someone was to restart Haven in 2025... · Issue #465 · guardianproject/haven · GitHub](https://github.com/guardianproject/haven/issues/465)

There are plenty of options here I do think, most of them would plug themselves to OBS. For example this one: [Turn Your Android Phone into a Virtual Webcam for OBS on Linux (Without DroidCam) - DEV Community](https://dev.to/chami/turn-android-phones-camera-into-a-virtual-webcam-for-obs-in-linux-pop-os-without-droidcam-app--45hc)

It of course depends on your setup, the phone, how you want to handle the battery, the kind of software you want to run on it (blueiris, frigate?) etc.

* * *

Otherwise, if you want something more powerful (referring to the “that I can access from everywhere” part here), I could recommend all the camera integrations from HomeAssistant: [Integrations - Home Assistant](https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/?cat=camera)

There are plenty of such questions on their forum/reddit too.  
There is a popular and cheap IP camera, the TP-Link Tapo C200 that quite some people do buy and then restrict any access to the Internet thanks to their firewall rules.  
It’s actually even a well-known challenge to buy the most shady camera and turn it into the most inoffensive self-hosted owned IP camera. :hugs:

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## Post 3 by @kezaruru — 2025-12-02T07:51:43Z

Get a DynDNS like [dynv6.com](http://dynv6.com) and Spydroid, connect the DynDNS to your device and you are ready to stream.

> **[Spydroid | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/net.majorkernelpanic.spydroid/)**
>
> Stream camera to desktop

You could also use Endoscope for sharing your stream between Android devices. Should also work with DynDNS.

> **[Endoscope | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/pl.hypeapp.endoscope/)**
>
> Live video streaming between android devices over Wi-Fi

Both apps require at least Android 4.0.

_Other app recommendations_

> **[Remote Video Camera | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.avmedia.remotevideocam/)**
>
> Stream video/audio between two phones. Zero configuration.

Requires Android 7 or higher.

> **[Remote Droid | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/in.umairkhan.remotedroid/)**
>
> Remote control your device

Requires Android 4.3 or higher.

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## Post 4 by @kissu — 2025-12-18T21:04:39Z

Okay nvm, I totally forgot about this one: [Use cases | Ninja Docs](https://docs.vdo.ninja/readme/use-cases)

It can be used with a website directly, with a native mobile app, self-hosted and the quality looks quite good. Overall a very solid choice and super easy to use.