Home » Get Support » Student Support » Proctoring Resources for Students at UCF » Use a Phone or Tablet as a Webcam Use a Phone or Tablet as a Webcam If you do not have a webcam, you can use a smartphone or tablet — including a spare device — as an alternative webcam on a Windows PC or a Mac. The options on this page are recommended as an alternative when a dedicated webcam is not available.Start with the native Windows or Mac option that matches your devices. If that does not fit your setup, use a free third-party app. Paid or freemium upgrades are optional if you need higher quality or extra features. Borrow a Webcam on CampusCampus-based students who need a webcam can borrow equipment through UCF IT Technology Lending and Support. Walk-up locations are in the John C. Hitt Library on the main campus and in the Dr. Philips Academic Commons (DPAC) at UCF Downtown.UCF IT Technology Lending and Support (opens in a new window)How These Tools WorkNative options use software already on your computer and phone or tablet. Third-party apps need a matching app on the phone or tablet and software on the computer. Connect over the same Wi-Fi network or with a USB cable, then choose that camera in Zoom, Webcourses@UCF, or your browser.1Use your smartphone or tablet, including a spare device, as the camera.2Connect it to a Windows PC or a Mac over Wi-Fi or USB.3Select that camera in your video app or browser.Start with the Native Option for Windows or MacThese are the cleanest paths: native tools already on Windows or Mac, with no extra webcam app.Continuity Camera Mac iPhoneUse a compatible iPhone as the webcam for a Mac. Apple includes this in macOS and iOS. Connect wirelessly or with a USB cable, then select the iPhone camera in your video app.Apple Continuity Camera guide (opens in a new window)Connected Camera Windows AndroidUse a compatible Android phone as the webcam for a Windows 11 PC. Pair the phone in Windows mobile device settings, turn on connected camera, then select that camera in your video app.Microsoft connected camera guide (opens in a new window)Phone Link setup (opens in a new window)Free Third-Party AppsIf the native Windows or Mac option does not fit your devices, these apps can turn a smartphone or tablet into a virtual webcam. Install the mobile app and the computer software, then select that camera in Zoom or your browser.Iriun Webcam Windows Mac Android iPhoneA straightforward free option for Windows and Mac. A Linux client is also available. Connect over Wi-Fi or USB. The free version is enough for most class sessions; a paid upgrade is optional.Iriun Webcam (opens in a new window)Camo Windows Mac Android iPhoneA polished free option for Windows and Mac, with no ads. Install Camo Studio on the computer and Camo Camera on the phone, then connect over Wi-Fi or USB. Higher resolutions and extra controls are part of the paid upgrade.Camo (opens in a new window)Getting started with Camo (opens in a new window)DroidCam Windows Mac via OBS Android iPhoneA long-standing free option with a Windows client. A Linux client is also available. Mac users can connect through the DroidCam plugin for OBS Studio rather than a standalone webcam app. The free version covers standard-definition video.DroidCam (opens in a new window)Windows setup guide (opens in a new window)OBS plugin for Mac (opens in a new window)iVCam Windows Android iPhoneA Windows-only client that works with iPhone and Android. There is no native Mac webcam client. The free download includes a watermark and ads; a paid license removes those limits.iVCam (opens in a new window)iVCam setup guide (opens in a new window)Paid or Freemium UpgradesYou do not need to pay to use a phone as a webcam. Upgrades are optional if you want higher resolution, extra camera controls, or an ad-free picture. Check the vendor’s site for current plans.Camo Pro Windows MacUnlocks higher resolution, additional phone lenses, and extra image tools on top of the free Camo app. Education pricing may be available from the vendor.Camo pricing (opens in a new window)Iriun Pro Windows MacAn in-app upgrade that removes the free-version watermark and adds higher resolution and extra camera controls. Purchase it from the Iriun phone app after you confirm the free version works for you.Iriun Webcam (opens in a new window)DroidCam Pro Windows Mac via OBSUnlocks HD video, additional lenses, and extra controls in the DroidCam phone app. The Windows client and OBS plugin stay free to download. Compare free and Pro features on the DroidCam site.DroidCam Pro features (opens in a new window)iVCam Paid License WindowsRemoves ads and the watermark and restores higher-quality video after the free trial. iVCam remains Windows-only. Review current license options on the vendor site.iVCam plans (opens in a new window)Choose the Phone Camera in ChromeAfter a virtual webcam is connected, some browsers still use the computer’s built-in camera until you change it. Review Google’s camera and microphone settings for Chrome (opens in a new window) if you need to select the phone camera.Get HelpWebcourses@UCF Support can help with Webcourses@UCF, Zoom, Panopto, and institutionally licensed e-learning tools. Contact the team at 407-823-0407 or webcourses@ucf.edu. Support for third-party tools may be limited.For online proctored exams, including whether a webcam is required, see Proctoring Resources for Students at UCF.
Continuity Camera Mac iPhoneUse a compatible iPhone as the webcam for a Mac. Apple includes this in macOS and iOS. Connect wirelessly or with a USB cable, then select the iPhone camera in your video app.Apple Continuity Camera guide (opens in a new window)
Connected Camera Windows AndroidUse a compatible Android phone as the webcam for a Windows 11 PC. Pair the phone in Windows mobile device settings, turn on connected camera, then select that camera in your video app.Microsoft connected camera guide (opens in a new window)Phone Link setup (opens in a new window)
Iriun Webcam Windows Mac Android iPhoneA straightforward free option for Windows and Mac. A Linux client is also available. Connect over Wi-Fi or USB. The free version is enough for most class sessions; a paid upgrade is optional.Iriun Webcam (opens in a new window)
Camo Windows Mac Android iPhoneA polished free option for Windows and Mac, with no ads. Install Camo Studio on the computer and Camo Camera on the phone, then connect over Wi-Fi or USB. Higher resolutions and extra controls are part of the paid upgrade.Camo (opens in a new window)Getting started with Camo (opens in a new window)
DroidCam Windows Mac via OBS Android iPhoneA long-standing free option with a Windows client. A Linux client is also available. Mac users can connect through the DroidCam plugin for OBS Studio rather than a standalone webcam app. The free version covers standard-definition video.DroidCam (opens in a new window)Windows setup guide (opens in a new window)OBS plugin for Mac (opens in a new window)
iVCam Windows Android iPhoneA Windows-only client that works with iPhone and Android. There is no native Mac webcam client. The free download includes a watermark and ads; a paid license removes those limits.iVCam (opens in a new window)iVCam setup guide (opens in a new window)
Camo Pro Windows MacUnlocks higher resolution, additional phone lenses, and extra image tools on top of the free Camo app. Education pricing may be available from the vendor.Camo pricing (opens in a new window)
Iriun Pro Windows MacAn in-app upgrade that removes the free-version watermark and adds higher resolution and extra camera controls. Purchase it from the Iriun phone app after you confirm the free version works for you.Iriun Webcam (opens in a new window)
DroidCam Pro Windows Mac via OBSUnlocks HD video, additional lenses, and extra controls in the DroidCam phone app. The Windows client and OBS plugin stay free to download. Compare free and Pro features on the DroidCam site.DroidCam Pro features (opens in a new window)
iVCam Paid License WindowsRemoves ads and the watermark and restores higher-quality video after the free trial. iVCam remains Windows-only. Review current license options on the vendor site.iVCam plans (opens in a new window)
