How To Access My Laptop Camera From My Android Phone

Can I Command My PC Photographic camera From My Android Phone?

By Danielle Fernandez

i Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images

Several telecommunications and security companies install home security systems featuring camera monitoring that you lot can control from your smartphone, but you tin can configure the aforementioned setup using your PC's webcam and your Android phone. A remote desktop app like Splashtop Remote Desktop or PhoneMyPC presents y'all with a scaled-down version of the computer'south desktop display. Though it tin can be a challenge to navigate on a minor mobile device screen, one of these remote solutions can exist your ticket to spying on any is within view of your PC webcam.

Remote Desktop Apps

Remote desktop applications typically crave 2 components: the streaming software installed on the estimator you wish to command and the remote app installed on the mobile device you lot'll utilise for command purposes. In one case agile, you can command every aspect of your figurer -- launching and using software, irresolute organization preferences, press documents and accessing webcams, for example. Touchscreen commands on the smartphone become the PC'south mouse clicks, and your Android's display becomes a scaled-down version of your PC monitor.

Splashtop Remote Desktop

Splashtop Remote Desktop is well-reviewed by PCWorld -- and MacWorld, for its Mac analogue -- for video and sound capabilities that are oft hard to manage on other remote access apps. Installation is straight-forward, and your smartphone volition automatically recognize all hosts running the Splashtop streaming software. Desktop views are stretched to fit your mobile device screen, though finger swipes and pinches offering simple zooming and panning. Google logins are required for Internet streaming.

Splashtop on the Android

Install the Splashtop Remote Desktop apps on both your Android and PC (see links in Resource). Launch the plan on your computer and set a security countersign when prompted. Next, launch the app on your Android and enter the same security passcode. If y'all are on the same network, your computer'due south desktop will automatically be displayed, simply you can upgrade to the "Anywhere Access Pack" to gain admission over the internet from anywhere in the world. The IP address displayed on your calculator screen will be used in configuring this feature.

PhoneMyPC

In improver to assuasive full remote access to your PC desktop, PhoneMyPC likewise offers a Webcam preview that lets you lot look through a Webcam without opening camera software. When the feature is activated from your mobile device app, PhoneMyPC automatically switches to the camera view. Though PCWorld reports that it performed sluggishly and produced chunky images with slow refresh rates over the remote connexion, it is more than than adequate for its security monitoring features.

PhoneMyPC How-To

PhoneMyPC's developer suggests beginning by installing the PC software from the site (come across link in Resources). Upon launch, create a user ID and countersign and give your computer a name. Install and launch the app on your Android subsequently. Enter your username and password when prompted, and and so select the appropriate computer name from the list of available hosts. From the main card, "WebCam Preview" allows you a view from the attached photographic camera and "Control Mouse & Keys" allows you to control your PC using touchscreen commands.

Kickoff Screen Tile

Because your computer screen is significantly smaller on your smartphone, calculation a tile for your Webcam allows elementary, ane-affect access. Windows 8 automatically creates a Start Screen tile for most application installations, but it isn't difficult to manually create one. From the Start Screen, right-click any empty portion of the screen and select "All Apps" from the lesser. Locate the Webcam app from the list of those installed and correct click its icon. Select "Pin to Start" to add its tile to the First Screen.

References

Writer Bio