If you’re a Windows 11 PC user, you’ll soon be able to use your Android smartphone (or tablet) as a webcam. This feature is currently available to Windows Insiders, Microsoft’s official community for professionals and Windows enthusiasts who would like early access to new Windows versions and features to test and provide feedback before a wider rollout.
In an official post on the Windows Insider blog, Microsoft explains that it has begun rolling out a feature that allows users with an eligible Android device, such as a tablet or phone, to act as a webcam while using any app that includes webcam video functionality on their PCs. . If you’d like to try out this new feature, or get access to anything else Microsoft has up its sleeve that it wants users to test, it’s free to sign up for the Windows Insider Program — just make sure you’ve got the right PC that can run Windows 10 or Windows 11 .
Once you’ve installed the latest preview version, you’ll also need to ensure that the mobile device you want to use as a webcam is running Android 9.0 or higher. You must also install the Link to Windows app on your mobile device.
This is really good news for users who don’t have a dedicated webcam or are unhappy with the quality of their laptop’s built-in webcam. Many modern smartphones come with cameras that can offer better quality than many webcams – and this feature allows them to be used wirelessly, making them far more convenient. In addition to functioning as your own webcam, you can also switch between your phone’s front and rear cameras, pause your webcam broadcast, and activate available camera effects on your mobile device.
How to set up your Android phone as a webcam
Once you’ve made sure you have all the necessary specs, updates, and apps, you’ll need to set up the feature on the device you want to stream to. You can do this by going to the following settings in Windows 11:
settings > Bluetooth and devices > Mobile devices
choose “Device Management” and turn on the setting that allows your computer to access the Android mobile device that you want to use as a webcam. This will then prompt your computer to receive the Cross Device Experience Host update via the Microsoft Store which you should allow as this is necessary to facilitate the feature.
It will likely prove to be very useful, offering users more variety and options for appearing in video calls. With many of us now working from home, either full-time or as part of a hybrid work week, choosing the best webcam for your needs is now more important than ever. This upcoming feature could make that search even easier if all you need is a modern Android smartphone.