SpareCamDownload
Old phone, useful job

Turn an old phone into a security camera.

SpareCam gives a spare Android phone a clear second life: watch live from your everyday phone, get motion alerts, and keep event recordings on the Camera phone. No ads in between.

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Read the setup guide
Android closed betaLocal event recordingsOptional LAN-only mode
Camera phoneOn
Camera mode is on

Keep this phone powered and pointed at the room.

Motion on Charging
OnlineHallway
Events Settings
The short answer

Yes. Two phones are enough to start.

Put SpareCam on the phone you want to leave in the room and on the phone you carry. Choose which one is the Camera, pair the two, then give the Camera phone steady power and a stable view.

The standard setup is built for remote viewing across different networks. If you prefer a no-account setup that stays inside your home network, choose LAN-only mode instead. That local mode keeps working without internet access, but it does not provide cross-network viewing.

How SpareCam works

One phone watches. One phone checks in.

No extra camera body or hub is required. The two phones take on different roles, and you can reset the setup later if their jobs need to change.

  1. 01

    Prepare the Camera phone

    Install SpareCam, choose Camera, grant camera and notification permissions, and connect a dependable charger.

  2. 02

    Pair it with your Viewer

    Sign in for the remote path, or choose LAN-only on both phones. Pair with a QR code or manual code.

  3. 03

    Place it and check the view

    Aim at a useful area, avoid windows and heat, and confirm the connection from the Viewer before walking away.

Read the full setup guide →
What you can do

The useful parts of a home camera, without the clutter.

Remote view

Open the room from your everyday phone.

Cloud-Assisted setup lets the Camera and Viewer connect from different networks. WebRTC attempts a direct connection first and can use an encrypted TURN relay when direct routing is not possible.

Motion events

Know when the picture changes.

Basic on-device motion detection creates an event and can notify the Viewer. It is designed for useful movement alerts, not object classification.

How motion detection works
Local recording

Record events on the Camera phone.

Motion-triggered video segments stay in the Camera phone's app storage. Play them from the Viewer while the Camera is reachable, or export a copy you want to keep.

Old-phone reliability

Built for a phone that stays behind.

Camera mode uses an Android foreground service and includes network recovery, battery guidance, and thermal safeguards. The phone still needs healthy hardware, airflow, and reliable power.

Two connection paths

Remote by default. Local when you want it.

Choose the path that matches where the two phones will be. The difference is about connectivity, not a hidden quality tier.

Everyday setup

Cloud-Assisted

Best when you want to check the Camera phone while away from home. It uses an account for device discovery, signaling, and motion notifications.

  • Camera and Viewer may use different networks
  • P2P first, with encrypted relay fallback
  • Push notifications for motion events
Power-user option

LAN-only

Best when both phones stay on the same usable Wi-Fi or local network. It does not require an account or internet access.

  • Traffic remains on the available local network
  • No cross-network remote view
  • Router isolation can prevent device discovery
Understand offline use
Before you leave it running

An old phone still needs a safe setup.

  • Use a charger and cable that do not run hot.
  • Replace a swollen, damaged, or unstable battery first.
  • Keep the phone out of direct sun and away from fabric.
  • Use a stand that does not block airflow or the camera.
  • Disable aggressive battery optimization for SpareCam.
  • Test the live view and one motion event before relying on it.
See placement and power tips
A good fit when

Reuse is more important than buying another device.

SpareCam makes sense for

  • Checking an entry, room, printer, or temporary space
  • Reusing a phone with a working camera and Wi-Fi radio
  • People who prefer an ad-free Camera and Viewer app
  • Situations where local event storage is enough

Dedicated hardware may be better for

  • Outdoor weather exposure or wide temperature swings
  • Guaranteed night vision in complete darkness
  • Long power outages without a battery backup
  • Certified alarm monitoring or a multi-camera building
Questions before you start

Old-phone camera FAQ

Can I really use an old phone as a security camera?

Yes. SpareCam gives one Android phone the Camera role and another the Viewer role. The Camera phone captures the room; the Viewer phone opens the live view, receives motion alerts, and plays event recordings.

Do both phones need to stay on the same Wi-Fi?

Not in the standard Cloud-Assisted setup. The phones can be on different networks, and SpareCam uses WebRTC with a relay fallback when a direct connection is unavailable. LAN-only mode is separate and requires both phones to remain on the same usable local network.

Where are recordings stored?

Event recordings are written to the Camera phone's local storage. The Viewer can request playback and export a recording when the Camera is reachable. Storage limits and retention are controlled on the Camera phone.

Will an old phone run all day?

It can, but setup matters. Use a healthy charger, keep the phone ventilated, turn off aggressive battery restrictions for SpareCam, and avoid placing the phone in direct sun. Very old or damaged batteries should not be left charging unattended.

Is SpareCam available for iPhone?

Not yet. The closed beta is Android-first. iOS is planned after the Android release path is stable.

Android closed beta

Give the spare phone a useful view.

Ask about beta access now, or read the setup guide first to check whether your two phones and network are a good fit.

Android closed betaAsk about beta access