Set up a phone webcam over Wi-Fi
- Start Camlora on your Android phone and connect it to the same trusted local network as your Windows PC.
- Install the Windows companion. First camera setup needs administrator approval.
- Select the discovered phone or enter its IP address and port. Confirm the live preview.
- Start the virtual webcam, then select Camlora from the camera choices in your receiving app.
- Keep your headset or computer microphone selected for the call.
Video calls, OBS and recordings
Use the virtual camera in an application that supports compatible Windows camera devices. OBS documents camera selection through its Video Capture Device source. Check that Camlora appears in your installed app and test a short session; compatibility varies by application and version.
For an overhead presentation, place the phone above your desk and follow the document camera guide. Any video recording is performed by your receiving app, not a Camlora recording archive.
Why use Camlora if Windows already supports phone cameras?
If you only need a camera for a Windows call, a built-in option may already meet your needs. Microsoft’s connected-camera feature currently requires Windows 11 or later, Android 10 or later and Link to Windows 1.24022.0 or later. Android also supports USB webcam mode from Android 14 QPR1 on devices that implement the feature; it is not available on every Android phone.
Camlora adds a different workflow: a phone-hosted IP camera with a browser address, MJPEG stream and JPEG snapshots. Browser viewing needs no Windows companion or Camlora account. Android 7+ support also makes older compatible spare phones candidates for reuse. Camera hardware and performance still vary by device.
Choose Camlora when you want to move between local browser viewing, an overhead desk view and Windows virtual-camera output. Choose a built-in option if a single USB or linked Windows camera already does the job. These are workflow differences, not a claim that Camlora has better image quality or lower latency.
Picture and sound are separate
The companion can preview live phone audio, but this release does not create a Windows microphone device for meeting apps. Choose an existing microphone in the receiving app. The virtual webcam supplies the picture.
Choose a good starting setup
Mount the phone securely near eye level, use light in front of your subject and start with moderate resolution and frame rate. If the view stalls, reduce quality or resolution and check Wi-Fi strength. Higher camera settings do not guarantee better results on a congested network.
Requirements and alternatives
The camera phone needs Android 7.0 or later. Native virtual-camera output targets Windows 11 x64; there is no native macOS, iOS or Windows 10 companion in this release. For local viewing without a Windows camera device, use the browser IP camera mode.
Explore Camlora use cases · IP camera guide · Windows webcam guide · Document camera guide