We all use Webcam, be it those random video calls, meetings or interviews. And for that, what you have to deal with your crappy little Laptop’s camera. Recently, I was stuck in a meeting with my webcam not working and then the idea struck. What if I could use my phone’s camera as a webcam? For the moment, I found an app but it was a sort of buggy. So, I went in for the search of a good app that could really solve my problem.
1 If you do not have the USB connector, open Smart Switch Mobile in “Settings” on your new phone or download Smart Switch for PC/Mac. For a wire transfer, device must be a Galaxy device with Android™ 4.3 or higher, iOS 5 or higher, or BlackBerry® 7 OS or lower. Other devices are not supported for a wire transfer and must use the Smart. If the android device and MAC OSX share the same Wifi network and you want to use your android device as remote media controller, then MAC remote is the right choice. This app is compatible with a number of media players, including but not limited to: VLC Itunes Iphoto Spotify Quicktime MplayerX Preview. Nox is a simple Android emulator to set up (download the installer, double-click it, drag the app icon into Applications and you're good to go), works fine on Mac, doesn't cost anything and has a. Google's suite of services make it pretty straightforward to fully sync an Android phone and a Mac, but this is still a multistep process. If you just need to connect the two devices and transfer.
Below is the list of apps that could enable your phone to double up as a webcam. These apps are both for Android as well as iOS and works on both Mac and Windows. Let’s begin.
Read: Bridge The Gap Between Windows And Android
Use Phone Camera as Web Camera For PC And Mac
Before we start with the apps, it’s important to know how to connect the phone camera with the client app. These apps mentioned below work on a client-server model. So, connecting them is a standard process. To demonstrate I will be using the IP WebCam mobile app and for testing, we will be using the Skype desktop application.
How to Connect Your Phone Camera
1. Foremost, download and install the IP WebCam app on your mobile phone. Now, open the app and navigate to the bottom of the screen and tap on “Start Server”.
Make sure your phone and PC are on the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Once you start the server on the phone, you will see the URL to connect. In my case, the URL is “http://192.168.1.136:8080” as you can see below.
This URL is used to control the mobile camera through your PC or Mac. You have to enter the URL on the web browser and you will get all the camera controls and settings.
3. Now, to set up your smartphone camera as an IP webcam, you need to download and install the desktop app. Once done, type “Configure IP Camera Adapter” on the start menu and click on it.
4. On the desktop application, type the same URL displayed on the mobile app. Suffix the URL with “/videofeed”. Finally, the URL should look like “http://192.168.1.136:8080/videofeed”.
5. Once you have entered the URL, tap on the “Auto Detect” button to test the connection. If the connection is successful, you will get the following message.
6. In case the connection is successful then click on the “Apply” button to register the changes.
7. Next, we have to set our mobile webcam as the default camera inside Skype. To do that open the Skype Desktop app, and click on the three dots at the top-left corner. From the extended menu, click on Settings.
8. In the Settings menu, go to the “Audio & Video” tab to change the video settings.
9. From the video settings, change the camera from “HD Webcam” to “MJPEG Camera”. This should stream the video feed from your phone. Now, you can use your phone camera as a webcam on Skype.
Apps To Use Phone as WebCam
1. IP Camera Lite
Most of the iOS webcam apps are either paid or just don’t work. IP Camera Lite is an exception among these, it is one of the free webcam apps on iOS which works. The app UI is traditional and you will be greeted with a blank screen. At the bottom of the screen, you have a button named “Turn on IP Camera Server”. Click on it, the phone camera and the webcam server is started with a connection URL on the screen.
Next, you have to connect through the web browser. IP Camera Lite also has a desktop app but we’ll get to that in a bit. Just enter the URL provided on the phone camera app, you will be prompted for credentials. By default, the username and the password is “admin”(configurable in the mobile app). The video stream works fine, however, there is a noticeable lag in the footage. IP Camera Lite works for most of the web-based video calling services like Skype, Team Viewer, Slack, etc.
The IP Camera Lite is the best app you can get for iOS. However, in the free version, you get a watermark at the top right corner. Moreover, the desktop application of the IP Camera Lite just doesn’t work. In my testing, It ended up not responding mostly. So, I wouldn’t recommend using the desktop app which gives rise to 1 major problem. It won’t work with desktop apps like Skype for Desktop.
What’s good?
- The web app works flawlessly with a slight amount of lag
- Option to even share your smartphone’s microphone
What’s not?
- No option to select video camera resolution
- Watermark on the video footage in the free variant
- Desktop app doesn’t work, hence you can only use it with the web-based video conferencing apps
Premium Features ($1.99): No watermark, Video recording upload via FTP or One Drive, Mail notify, port forwarding, etc.
Platform: Windows, iOS, macOS, Android.
Download IP Camera Lite (Android | iOS | Windows | macOS)
2. IP Webcam
IP Webcam is another webcam app for Android and Windows. The interface of the app is fairly orthodox with the settings menu as the home page. You can choose to set a login password for the client app and the preferred port. By default, the port is 8080. The best thing is IP Webcam supports streaming up to maximum camera resolution. So, if your smartphone camera can shoot 4k videos, you can stream in 4k as well.
The setup is similar to IP Camera lite. You can connect to the phone camera via a web browser or desktop application. But thankfully, the desktop application here works flawlessly. You can set the video resolution through the mobile app and the client desktop app. Other features involve using the phone as a CCTV camera, live footage preview, downloading footage, etc.
The connection process on the IP webcam is smooth, however, you don’t get basic features on the smartphone app. Like, you cannot flip between the rear and front camera. You have to instead go to the web portal to do this.
What’s good?
- Options to use your phone camera as a CCTV
- Live preview of footage on the web portal
- Option to download the smartphone camera footage
What’s not?
- Smartphone app doesn’t have basic features like flipping camera, setting resolution
Premium Features ($4): Video footage upload to Dropbox or SFTP server, audio recording and streaming.
Platform: Windows, Android.
Download IP Webcam (Android | Windows)
3. DroidCam
DroidCam is a small webcam utility but with some extra features. Unlike other apps, the interface of DroidCam is pretty basic. As soon as you open the app, you will be greeted with the connection details. Similar to the other apps, you can change the credentials as well as the port number.
You can also connect to the mobile app via the web browser or desktop application. DroidCam also provides additional options for connection via USB or Wi-Fi. It is a great option as the latency when connected through USB is insignificant. The app supports a resolution of only up to 480p in the free version. It also provides an extra option of keeping the camera awake in the background. This really makes the webcam very sneaky and you can use it to monitor kids.
The app connection is one of the best out there but it lacks basic controls. You cannot flip the camera after you have established the connection. The resolution is also limited to 480p in the free version.
![App App](/uploads/1/3/4/3/134381289/967152912.jpg)
What’s good?
- Provides additional connection options like Hotspot and USB
- Smartphone application can also work in the background
What’s not?
- Free variant offers a max resolution of 480p
- Cannot flip camera after the connection is established
Premium Features: No Ads, High-res video support (up to 720p in HD Mode), Experimental ‘FPS Boost’ option for up to 2x the framerates.
Platform: Windows, Linux, Android.
Download DroidCam Wireless Webcam (Windows | Linux | Android)
Read: 7 Best Airdrop Alternatives for Android, iOS, and Windows
4. iVCam
iVCam is the only app in the segment with more of a modern UI. As soon as you open the app, iVCam starts searching for the laptop with the client app in the local network. Once, it detects the app the camera interface opens. iVCam has one of the smoothest connection processes in the list.
The camera interface here is quite unique out of the other 3. It supports swipe gestures. You can swipe left/right to adjust ISO, up/down to adjust the exposure, and pinch to zoom. The gestures come handy and all-in-all the app UI is pretty intuitive. It tells you about the network connectivity and even has an auto-reconnect feature. In addition to it, you can also connect multiple devices to your iPhone. That way, it broadcasts the same video stream to all the devices.
The overall experience of the app is wonderful with just one major complaint. You get full-screen ads between the video streaming. I mean, you can live with banner ads and watermark but full-screen ads are a deal-breaker.
What’s good?
- Smartphone camera app is the most intuitive in this list
- Automatic detection of the smartphone camera in the LAN
- Smartphone app supports touch gestures to change ISO, zoom level, etc
- Option to connect multiple desktops to a single smartphone camera
What’s not?
- Full-screen ads
Premium Features ($7.99): No Ads and watermark.
Platform: Windows, iOS.
Download iVCam (iOS | Windows)
Which one should you choose?
If you are using an iPhone with a PC or Mac, then IP Camera Lite is a good option. In case you have a Windows system and an iPad or iPhone, consider buying the premium version of iVCam. For the Android and Windows combination, IP Webcam works best. You get clear footage at the highest resolution and without any watermark.
For any queries or issues, comment below and let me know.
Also Read: Top 5 Best Screen Recording Software For macOS (Free)
Recently, we had covered some of the best ways to run Windows apps on macOS. The point was to overcome the lack of multi-platform software. This time, however, we have something different. We are going to talk about the ways to run Android apps on Mac. Yes, about using Instagram, playing Asphalt 8, or listening to Audible on Mac.
This time too, we have found multiple ways to run Android apps on macOS. Since different people have their different purposes, we’ve different methods too. In this article, you will find the best methods to run Android apps on Mac for normal users, gaming enthusiasts and developers. Shall we now check out the options?
Run Android Apps on Mac
#1 BlueStacks — Best for Running Apps
BlueStacks (also called BlueStacks App Player) is the oldest and the most popular way of running Android apps for Mac. You will be able to run almost any Android app using this simple emulator. It’s the best choice if you want to run WhatsApp on your Mac or access your Instagram account. You will be able to run your Mac apps and Android apps side by side, which is great.
The BlueStacks interface is equally awesome as well. Apps are opened in individual tabs and you have access to Google Play Store. Depending on the specifications of your Mac, BlueStacks lets you handle multiple apps with ease. Despite the optimizations for running apps, BlueStacks offers a true Android feel as well. You can even make changes from the Settings section.
Installing and using BlueStacks is like a piece of cake! You have to download the free installer from the official site of BlueStacks and run it. If you have previously installed bluestack, do a clean uninstall, before you reinstall it. Once the installation is done, it may take a few seconds for starting up. Before you can install apps, however, you need to sign into a Google account. Altogether, we think it’s really easy to get started with BlueStacks.
As far as running apps is concerned, BlueStacks does the job very well. We were able to install and use apps like WhatsApp and Instagram without any hassle. We also tried playing some Alto’s Odyssey game.
Pros
- BlueStacks is really easy to set up
- It doesn’t involve long installation processes
- Performance is optimized for apps
Cons
- Not much suitable for games or development
Who Is It For
We think BlueStacks is the best option for those who need to use Android apps on Mac. It works fine when it comes to running apps like WhatsApp and Instagram. While the gaming performance is okay, we believe there are better options.
Check Out BlueStacks
#2 VirtualBox — Best for More Control
At the core, Android is also a Linux-based operating system. As it happens, you can install Android on Mac using a tool like VirtualBox. In order to do this, you have to create a virtual machine and install Android in it. Compared to the other options we’ve listed, this VirtualBox method offers better control over the Android device and the apps you install.
Once the installation is done, VirtualBox gives you a pure Android experience. This is because we’re installing the basic Android Operating System on the virtual machine. However, you should not expect an optimized environment for running apps or games. Chances are, there are some bugs too. On the bright side, you can deploy Android v8 Oreo in the virtual machine.
We would not say that Android on VirtualBox is easy to set up. There are some downsides that you will have to tolerate in the long run. In order to do this, you need to download Android x86, a project that ports the popular OS to PCs. Then, as we always do, you can create a virtual machine based on Linux, Android. Once the installation is done, you’ll have a full-screen Android experience.
While apps like WhatsApp and Instagram work fine, the performance isn’t the best. We would not suggest this method if you’re into gaming either.
Pros
- Offers more control over the virtual Android device
- You can run the latest version of Android
- It offers a fully-fledged Android OS experience
Cons
- Installation is somewhat complex
- Lacks performance optimization or customization options
- Chances of bugs
Who Is It For
Running Android on Mac using VirtualBox is best when you need better control over the process. As a virtual machine, you can customize performance too. However, in the long run, you will have to compromise overall performance and gaming controls.
Check Out VirtualBox and Android x86
#3 Nox Player Mac — Best Optimized for Gaming
If you want to play some graphic-rich Android games on Mac, Nox Player Mac is the best option in town. It’s an Android emulator that prioritizes speed and performance. There are also some features such as screen capture, on-screen button mapping etc. Once set up, Nox Player Mac offers a standard Android experience as well.
Nox Player Mac manages to run apps as well. However, we found that things aren’t as smooth as BlueStacks when it comes to app downloads and installs. But, the reason you should install Nox Player Mac should be to play high-quality games like PUBG on Mac.
To install Android apps on your Nox Player, you can either login with your Google account and use the built-in Google Play Store or if you don’t want to go through that hassle, you can download the apk using the browser and install it directly.
Nox Player Mac is the easiest to install. It doesn’t even ask you any questions. Just run the installer and in a few seconds, you will find the fully-fledged Android virtual tablet. It runs Android v4 KitKat — which is a downside when compared to others.
Nox Player Mac is perfect when it comes to handling popular apps. So, if you want to bring some common apps and high-end Android games to Mac, choose this program.
Pros
- Easy to set up and get started
- Optimized performance for games and apps
- Advanced features like keyboard mapping and location manipulation
Cons
- Not suitable for development
- Runs on Android KitKat
- Ships with some bloatware
Who Is It For
![Android Phone App For Mac Android Phone App For Mac](/uploads/1/3/4/3/134381289/933820909.jpg)
Nox Player Mac is the best option if you’re into high-end Android games. Even if you have a mid-end MacBook Air, it should offer the best performance. Also, thanks to the macro and mapping features. We’d also recommend the tool for running WhatsApp and all.
#4 Genymotion — Most Suitable for Developers
Genymotion is an innovative way to run Android apps on Mac — and on Cloud, for that matter. However, it is offering a bunch of different options. If you’re a professional, you can create a virtual Android device on a Mac or in the cloud. Let’s come down to the Desktop version, which is great. You will be able to create a big variety of Android configurations for testing.
For instance, you can change the Android version, device hardware etc. Genymotion is the best option to make sure that your app runs perfectly on all Android devices out there. However, if you are getting started as a developer, you can find standard solutions as well. Genymotion also offers some additional features, for instance, embed your Android app on the website and let people try the app.
There is no necessity that you should install Genymotion on your Mac. As we said earlier, it can be used as a cloud service as well. However, Genymotion Desktop is really easy to install. We used the Personal version of Genymotion as well. It’s more convenient if you just want to try some apps. On the other hand, if you like the fully-fledged Android development experience, Genymotion Desktop is the way to go.
Running apps on Genymotion isn’t as smooth as the other platform. This is because the emulator has a major focus on features that help developers.
Pros
- Awesome features for developers
- Multiple Android configurations
- Better Control over Running Apps
Cons
- Performance Optimization could be better
Android Phone Mac Address
Who Is It For
Genymotion is the best solution for Android developers who want to run their Android apps on a number of virtual devices. It syncs so well with your coding process and customization needs. Thanks to the plug-in, you can integrate this program with Android Studio as well.
Check Out Genymotion (free trial, $136/year)
#5 Andy — a Smoother Workflow
Last but not the least, Andy is another way to run Android apps on Mac. However, compared to all emulators we’ve listed above, Andy offers a smoother workflow. The best part is that you’re getting a 100% full Android experience when you start up. You get built-in apps like Gmail, ES File Explorer and a lot more. It’s running on Android v4.0 KitKat, though.
Because Andy comes with Play Store access, you can easily download and install apps. There are some other important features as well. For instance, you can run the Android emulator in vertical and landscape modes as well. Also, there’s Key Mapping and Location manipulation. These features are awesome when you want a more optimized way to run Android apps.
Andy has one of the easiest installers we’ve seen. It’s an online installer, which would download files over an Internet connection. It needs to be noted that Andy downloads around 500MB of files, the largest on the list. Once the installation is done, Andy will show you the standard Android interface. You can use the mouse and keyboard for managing the virtual Android tablet.
As we said, Andy is the best when it comes to running apps. However, it would not be our go-to choice when it comes to playing Android games.
Pros
- Easy to Install and Manage
- Best optimization for apps
- Offers a standard Android experience
Cons
- Runs on KitKat
- It’s lagging a bit when other apps are running
Who Is It For
Andy offers the perfect level of optimization and a standard Android experience. We’d recommend this tool if you need a real-like virtual Android device on your Mac. Of course, there are some performance lags but you can avoid it by avoiding multitasking.
Check Out Andy (Free)
The best way to Run Android Apps on Mac?
Android Phone App For Mac
So, these are the five different ways to run Android apps on Mac. In a way, you’re creating an Android device within macOS environment as well. As we said earlier, not a single solution is suitable for everyone. We have recommended Nox Player for Mac if you want to play games. On the other hand, if you just want to use apps smoothly, BlueStacks and Andy are the best options. And, for those upcoming developers out there, we will recommend Genymotion, which has a ton of features packed inside.