DroidCam lets you use an Android phone, iPhone or other compatible mobile device as a webcam on a Linux computer. It offers an alternative to purchasing a dedicated webcam, particularly when a smartphone has a better camera than the computer’s built-in device.
The system consists of a mobile application that captures video and a desktop client that receives the camera feed. The Linux client can expose the incoming stream as a webcam device for use in video conferencing, recording and other applications.
Connections can be established over a local wireless network or through USB, depending on the mobile device and available connection methods.
The Linux client is free and open source software. The companion mobile applications are distributed separately and are not covered by the client’s open-source licence.
Key Features
- Turns compatible Android and iOS devices into webcam sources for Linux.
- Connects mobile cameras to a computer over Wi-Fi or USB.
- GTK graphical interface for selecting connection methods and managing the camera.
- Command-line client provides an alternative to the graphical interface.
- Creates a virtual video device that can be accessed by compatible desktop applications.
- Supports video conferencing, recording and other applications that accept webcam input.
- Provides video mirroring and vertical flipping controls.
- Supports portrait camera orientation for vertical video.
- Exposure and white-balance controls are available where supported by the mobile application.
- Can transfer audio from the mobile device using supported Linux audio loopback facilities.
- Allows supported Android devices to continue running the camera application in the background.
- Offers a practical way to reuse an existing smartphone camera rather than buying another peripheral.
Website: github.com/dev47apps/droidcam
Support:
Developer: Dev47Apps
License: GNU General Public License v2.0
DroidCam is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Webcam Tools | |
|---|---|
| Webcamoid | Full featured and multi-platform webcam suite with a simple interface |
| ZoneMinder | All-in-one security camera solution |
| Motion | V4L capture program supporting motion detection |
| DroidCam | Turn a mobile device into a network-attached IP camera |
| Kerberos.io | Video surveillance solution |
| Clight | Webcam becomes light sensor |
| webcamize | Use your camera as a webcam |
| Guvcview | Full-featured video grabber |
| Cheese | Take pictures and videos from your webcam |
| Kamoso | Qt-based webcam utility |
| Ekiga | VoIP and video conferencing application |
| camera-streamer | Low-latency camera streaming project for Raspberry Pi systems |
| WebCamControl | GUI app for controlling properties of a webcam |
| Photobooth | Photobooth software for the Raspberry Pi and PC |
| HasciiCam | Live ascii video on the web for the masses |
| camorama | View, alter and save images from a webcam |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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