4 Best Security Camera Apps for 2021

Use your iPhone or Android device as a hidden spy cam with these apps

by
Brad Stephenson - Lifewire Writer
Brad Stephenson
Freelance Contributor
Brad Stephenson is a freelance tech and geek culture writer with 12+ years' experience. He writes about Windows 10, Xbox One, and cryptocurrency.
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Brad Stephenson
Updated on May 08, 2021
reviewed by
Jerrick Leger headshot
Jerrick Leger
Lifewire Tech Review Board Member
Jerrick Leger is a CompTIA-certified IT Specialist with more than 10 years' experience in technical support and IT fields. He is also a systems administrator for an IT firm in Texas serving small businesses.
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Article reviewed on Oct 20, 2020
Jerrick Leger

It's natural to consider installing hidden security cameras in your home, especially if you live in an area with a high crime rate. With both free and paid mobile apps, you can turn an old device into a fully-functional hidden camera.

Here are four high-quality camera apps for creating a cheap security camera in a matter of minutes. All you need is an iOS or Android device and a computer.

01
of 04

Best Hidden Camera App for iOS: AtHome Camera Surveillance App

AtHome camera app My Cameras and Local Album tabs for iPhone

AtHome
What we like

  • Animated GIF notifications are unique to this app.

  • Video streaming is encrypted.

What we don't like

  • Cloud save functionality requires a subscription.

  • Requires a $1.99 in-app payment to remove ads.

The AtHome Camera Surveillance App can transform any old iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad into a hidden security camera as long as it has iOS 7 or above. Like other spycam apps, AtHome begins recording footage from the iOS device's webcam whenever it detects motion.

What sets it apart, though, is the app's facial recognition technology, which begins recording video whenever it identifies a person. The app records the person, generates an animated GIF of the individual, and sends it to you in a push notification.

View all recorded footage on another iOS device or a computer. You can also automatically save recordings to an online cloud account as part of a monthly subscription service.

02
of 04

Best Hidden Spy App for Android: Manything

Manything smartphone app turning a smartphone into a security camera

Manything
What we like

  • Clean app design that's easy to use and navigate.

  • Clips can be downloaded and shared easily.

What we don't like

  • Subscription required to save footage to the cloud.

  • Fee to use more than one device as a spy cam.

Manything is a free spy cam app that lets you turn any device with Android 4.2 or later or iOS 8.0 or later into a security camera. Stream video from the app live on your primary smartphone or tablet and receive alerts when motion is detected.

One particularly useful feature is the ability to talk through the device working as the camera. Use this tool to startle intruders, talk to pets while you're out of the house, or turn the device into a baby cam. You'll pay extra for extras such as cloud storage and using multiples devices as cameras.

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03
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Best Camera App for Gamers: Viewer for Baby Monitor for Kinect

Viewer for Baby Monitor for Kinect turning Xbox One into a security camera or baby cam

Viewer for Baby Monitor for Kinect
What we like

  • Creative use of the Xbox One gaming console accessory.

  • The Kinect camera sees in the dark.

What we don't like

  • The Xbox One console must be turned on for this app to work.

  • You can't use your Xbox One while this app is running.

Viewer for Baby Monitor for Kinect is a rather ingenious app that lets you use the Xbox One's Kinect sensor as a security camera or baby monitor. Traits such as night vision, a motion sensor, and internet-free video make this ideal for keeping an eye on little ones.

One version of the app is installed on the Xbox One console to let it record video, while the other is downloaded onto your Windows 10 device to view the video stream from elsewhere in the house.

The downside is that your Xbox One must be running for the app to work, which could increase electric bills. You also can't use the gaming console while in baby monitor mode.

04
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Best Overall Hidden Camera App: Alfred Home Security Camera

Alfred Security Camera app running on Android and iPhone

Alfred Security
What we like

  • All primary hidden camera functionality is free.

  • Recorded video can also be viewed via the web.

What we don't like

  • Extras like zooming are behind a paywall.

  • The app occasionally crashes on aging hardware.

Alfred Home Security Camera is one of the best hidden spy apps for both iOS and Android devices. The app works by turning one smartphone or tablet into a camera and another as the viewing monitor.

Once set up, the Alfred Home Security Camera begins recording video when motion is detected. The app uploads all footage to a free online cloud account for viewing later. Additional features such as zooming require a paid subscription. You might also experience crashes if you have an older device.

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