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– How to use mobile as webcam in zoom Click here to ENTERIf you’re looking for a simple, cost-effective way to upgrade your work-from-home setup, you can use your phone to improve the video quality on video chat apps such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet. Here’s how.
Alison was previously an editor at TechRepublic. Though coronavirus vaccines are still rolling out, the spread of the delta and omicron variants means it may still be a while before we all return to our offices and social gatherings in the same way we used to. That means you’re probably still spending a lot of time talking with colleagues, family and friends through video-chat and conferencing apps such as Zoom , Microsoft Teams and FaceTime.
If you’re using Zoom, here are 20 top Zoom tips , including how to change your Zoom background. If the webcams you’ve been eyeing are still out of stock or you just don’t want to buy a new one, you can easily use your phone’s camera and create one for yourself. As long as the phone you use isn’t more than a few years old, image quality should be better than your laptop’s default camera, more functional and easier to position so you’re not filming your double chin or straight up your nose.
A dedicated webcam app more below has special features, but you don’t have to have one to use your phone camera for video chats. You can also just launch the app of your video chat service of choice, like Zoom, Skype or FaceTime , and chat directly through there. However, there are steps you can take to make sure that your video quality is the best it can be.
Read on. Read more: Best gear for video chats from home: Webcams, lights, mics and more. There are dozens of free and paid apps that can help you transform your workhorse smartphone into a webcam.
DroidCam had the most clear instructions within the app, but only works with Windows or Linux machines. The same was true for IP Webcam. All were fairly easy to set up, once you find the instructional pages on their websites. Whatever you download, read the privacy policy, install it and follow the instructions to connect it to your computer you might have to download a driver, or run it through a browser or other viewer.
You’ll be asked to give the app permission to access your camera and microphone. Running the app frequently may drain your phone battery, so you may want to hook up your phone to an external power bank or position your setup near a wall outlet if you find yourself in need of a charge.
Read more: Ultimate webcam tips: How to look and sound great online. Your phone’s main camera will produce a higher quality image than the selfie camera, and with more options for zooming and focusing as well. The iPhone 13 , Samsung Galaxy S21 and many other premium smartphones have sharper resolution at p than some of the latest MacBook models , which have a p webcam built in. For best results for using your phone as a webcam, use that rear camera instead of the front-facing selfie camera.
The webcam apps and video chatting apps will often allow you to select options like video resolution, quality and orientation, as well as focus, white balance and color effects.
Read more: How to become a YouTuber: Online classes and equipment to get started. Avoid cramping your arm or hitting an unflattering angle by stabilizing your phone on a tripod, stand or tabletop mount. This will give you the least shaky and most professional-looking results. Whether you’re working in a home office, at your kitchen table or on your bed , you’ll need some good lighting to make your face look bright, eliminate shadows and maybe hide a wrinkle or two.
Consider buying a ring light. These tips should help you create a better home office and video conferencing setup, now that just about every meeting is a video meeting — and potentially help you find a new use for your old phone as well. For more ways to repurpose your older phones, check out how to turn your old phone into a home security camera for free , and how to find new uses for that old Android phone or iPhone.
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Alison DeNisco Rayome. Your phone can easily become a webcam for video meetings. Here’s how to turn your phone into a webcam for free. You don’t even need a webcam app A dedicated webcam app more below has special features, but you don’t have to have one to use your phone camera for video chats.
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