GoKawiilElyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
ZDNET's key takeaways
Repurpose an old Android or iPhone as a low-cost security camera.
Free apps can add live view, alerts, and two-way audio.
Keep the phone on Wi-Fi and plugged in for home monitoring.
I have a bunch of phones that I don't use every day. They all sit in a drawer of aging tech that I don't want to purge just yet, because every now and then, the stuff comes back out and gets used for work or is creatively repurposed, like when I turned an Android phone into a basic Wi-Fi extender. Another example? Turning a phone into a home security camera.
Also: Android phone feeling slow? My refresh routine works wonders
I recently realized that one of my phones can be used to keep an eye on my home and check in on my pets. After all, how are they different from security cameras? Even older models have a decent camera, Wi-Fi, storage, and a built-in battery. The only con I can think of is that they lose security updates over time. Still, for free or cheap, it seems like a fun, easy solution.
Sure, I already own a couple of security cameras, but I really don't want to move them or buy another one. I also dread getting hooked into another subscription. So, I grabbed an old Pixel, made a few adjustments, and, to my surprise, it works pretty well.
... continue reading