The latest Windows 11 update, 24H2, introduces a new feature known as Connected Camera, allowing users to transform their smartphones into webcams. A recent test by PCWorld showcases the ease of using this feature, although it requires an Android phone for compatibility.
While using a phone as a webcam is not a new concept, native support has been inconsistent in the past. Initially, users had to rely on third-party apps for this functionality, until Apple introduced Continuity Camera for its devices, followed by a similar feature for Android 14 users a few years later.
Windows has now caught up with the trend, offering users more options to upgrade from their laptop’s built-in webcam to the superior cameras found on their smartphones. To utilize this feature, users need a Windows 11 24H2 PC with Bluetooth connectivity and an Android device running OS version 8.0 or later.
To begin, connect your phone to the PC using Phone Link or the Manage mobile devices controls. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and users will need to grant necessary permissions for the PC to access the phone’s camera.
Once the phone is visible under the My devices menu in the Manage mobile devices section, toggle the Use as a connected camera option. Your phone should then be recognized as a webcam device in popular video call applications like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.
You can choose between using the front or rear camera on your phone for video capture, and the camera feed will automatically adjust between vertical and landscape orientation based on how you hold your device. Even Windows Studio Effects will function while using the phone camera.
However, as with any new Windows feature, there may be some limitations. PCWorld observed that using this feature on a laptop resulted in a 720p resolution feed, despite the native webcam supporting 1080p. Microsoft is likely addressing this among other issues in Windows 11 24H2.
