How to use your iPhone as a webcam for streaming

iPhone 11 Pro Max Source: Windows Cardinal

If you're into streaming and you use an iPhone equally your daily driver, then you might be pleased to know that instead of forking out for a webcam, you can just utilise your phones already excellent photographic camera. And really, what ameliorate time is in that location to get into streaming, and to experiment with different means to do just that, than when you're stuck "working" at habitation?

Products used in this guide

The "webcam": iPhone eleven (From $699 at Apple)
Getting information technology mounted: Elgato Smartphone tripod mount ($xiv at Amazon)
Inexpensive tripod: AmazonBasics mini tripod ($6 at Amazon)
The vital app: EpocCam HD ($eight at Apple tree)

This procedure doesn't require any specific iPhone, only that yous're using iOS 10.3 or later. For this guide, we'll be using OBS Studio, but the steps to add your iPhone equally a webcam to XSplit and Streamlabs OBS are very similar.

How to use your iPhone as a webcam for streaming

iPhone 11 Source: Windows Central

There are two parts to the EpocCam application that nosotros'll be using in this guide. The first is the app y'all download to your iPhone from the App Store. Yous'll want the paid version for the best results and features, but there is a gratis version you lot can try first to get to grips with it and see if you're happy with the results earlier handing over any coin.

The second part is to visit the developer's website and download the drivers for Windows. Once you've installed these, the balance is very straight forward.

Ensure your iPhone is connected to the aforementioned Wi-Fi network as your PC.
Open EpocCam on your iPhone.
Touch the screen to activate.
On your PC, open upwardly your streaming software.
Add new source to your scene.

Source: Windows Central
Cull video capture device.

Source: Windows Central
Name it so it's easy to distinguish from your other sources.
Select EpocCam from the dropdown menu.

OBS Studio Source: Windows Central

You lot tin now position the window every bit you would any other webcam for your stream. The basic setup process, as detailed higher up, is the aforementioned for anybody.

Information technology is worth buying the full version of EpocCam, too. Besides allowing 1080p video, the full version likewise allows you to use any of the cameras on your iPhone. The app gives yous control over focus, will enable you to use your iPhone as a microphone, change your connectedness from Wi-Fi to USB or NDI and importantly, removes the ads and watermark which you don't want to have to deal with. The free version is a good starting indicate to see if you're happy.

There aren't many settings to mess most with, merely you tin can increase or subtract the video bitrate, so if you see whatsoever issues on your network, then you tin can accommodate the bandwidth you need. But well-nigh decent home Wi-Fi networks should be ample for a skillful quality 1080p feed with no noticeable lag.

How to mount your telephone equally a webcam

Elgato Smartphone Holder Source: Elgato

The biggest drawback to using your phone every bit a webcam is having to mount information technology in such a way that you lot would a regular USB webcam.

1 easy and relatively affordable style of doing so is by using a smartphone holder with a tripod mountain and then clipping your smartphone to any tripod with a standard mount. It doesn't have to be huge or flashy, and even a depression-price mini-tripod will do the fob. The more avant-garde setups might appreciate something similar the Elgato Multi Mountain, which is a monopod you lot strap to your desk-bound.

A skillful webcam tin can be expensive, and for the more serious streamer, that's still going to be a better all-around solution. Merely using this method you tin go an excellent event from the phone in your pocket, and in virtually every case, your telephone's photographic camera will produce a meliorate issue. It will handle exposure and dynamic range better, and you could get a much more professional person-looking video.

Our meridian equipment picks

All you really demand to use your iPhone as a webcam is the handy EpocCam awarding that can be institute in the Apple tree App Store.

iPhone webcam

EpocCam

Brand skillful use of your iPhone in your streams

Use your iPhone equally a 1080p webcam wirelessly on your streams and save a bundle over buying a webcam.

It'southward simple to set up, has very little in the manner of settings to configure, and has no noticeable lag. You'll be extremely impressed with the results.

Additional equipment

If you demand a way to mount your phone to apply as a webcam, or even if you're looking for a new phone, check these out.

iPhone 11

iPhone 11 (From $699 at Apple)

Apple's latest-generation iPhone comes with a pair of excellent cameras on the back, including a broad-angle for the offset fourth dimension, as well as a strong front-facing shooter.

Elgato Smartphone Holder

Elgato smartphone tripod mountain ($fourteen at Amazon)

An like shooting fish in a barrel fashion of setting your phone up every bit a webcam is by using a smartphone mount for a tripod. This choice from Elgato is sturdy, from a reputable brand and affordable.

Mini Tripod

AmazonBasics mini tripod ($6 at Amazon)

If you don't have a suitable tripod, in that location's no need to get crazy. This mini tripod from AmazonBasics is affordable and will go the chore washed nicely.

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Richard Devine

Richard Devine is an Editor at Windows Central. A former Project Manager and long-term tech addict, he joined Mobile Nations in 2022 and has been institute on Android Central and iMore likewise as Windows Central. Currently you'll find him covering all mode of PC hardware and gaming, and you can follow him on Twitter and Instagram.