Use Your Android/iPhone as an External Webcam for Mac Using This Technique to Save Yourself from Embarrassment

Reading time: 01:30

Technical Expertise Needed: Knowledge of using a smartphone & laptop

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If you are using the older MacBooks, I understand your pain in using the age-old 720p web camera in-built for your meetings and daily video calls. 

It embarrasses us to have 720p imagery on a 4k screen despite spending a kidney and a liver on a laptop. Let's put an end to the embarrassment through this technique of using a smartphone, be it an android or iPhone, as your external webcam without any more wires plugged in. 

Yes, you need to install an app

Your MacBook is not a magic hat to come with hidden surprises. Neither your android nor iPhone. The magic lies in the software. 

Drumroll!!

Step 1: Go to the Iriun website and download the app for your phone. Don't ask me where to click, on App Store and Play Store button? Trust your instincts here. 

Step 2: Download the Mac version of the software and install it. It's hardly 28MB. Don't be too greedy here for 28MB.

Step 3: Open the app on your phone and the MacBook, at the same time. 

Make sure you have connected the phone and the laptop to the same WiFi connection. That's it! You will be able to see your phone camera showing up video with much better clarity on your laptop.

Hello! How do I use this as a webcam for meetings?

I didn't forget. Calm down!

Open your MS Teams and Zoom > Goto Settings > Change your default FaceShit, I mean Facetime camera with Iriun's Webcam. 

Tadaaa!!

What else? Have some doubts?

Okay, here are a few questions answered. 

Do I have to hold the phone all through the meetings to show up my face?

Of course, darling! You have to. You make your arrangements there. You can hire a kid to hold it for you for a bar of chocolate.

Note: AmfasTech.com is against child labor though.

Or

You can be smart enough to get a tripod for yourself. 

How to save the battery on the phone while the camera is on?

Go to app settings > Turn on 'Dim Screen Automatically' to save power. 

If you have any more questions, drop them in the comments below. I'll try to answer at the best possible time.