Windows Testing Feature Which Allows Android Phones To Be Used as Webcam

Sometimes it isn’t worth investing in a dedicated webcam, its a bit of added clutter that you rarely use but when you do need to use one, it can be annoying not having one. So naturally you turn towards your mobile phone and download some third party app from the Play Store or App Store just to use your camera as a webcam. Well soon Windows will have this feature natively through the use of the Link to Windows Application.

Android Webcam For Windows

Recently Microsoft rolled out a new update to Windows Insiders which will allow for the use of the camera in an Android phone or tablet. This will work through the Link To Windows application and will allow for the setup of a wireless webcam through your phone, reducing the clutter of a dedicated webcam. It will offer flexibility with the ability to switch between front and back cameras, pausing the stream and enjoying other effects that your phone provides.

This of course requires access to the latest Insider Preview build and should be expected for all users in a future update. The feature requires an android phone on Android 9.0+ and version 1.24012 or greater of the Link to Windows app. To enable this in Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices and choose “Manage devices” and allow your PC to access your Android phone. Your PC will get a Cross Device Experience Host update in the Microsoft Store that is required for this experience to work.

This is a nice addition to Windows, especially compared to all the AI stuff they’ve been churning out.