Use Android phone camera as PC webcam

For a better video call experience, use your phone camera as a webcam or video capture device.

Set up phone as webcam

  1. Pair phone or tablet with PC.
  2. On your phone or tablet, go to Smart Connect > Devices > Webcam, then tap Start webcam.
  3. Configure your video application to use “Smart Connect Video” as the video camera.

During video calls, use controls on the phone screen or on the Webcam window in the app on your PC to switch cameras, pause camera, use subject tracking, and more.

Subject tracking (on Snapdragon-powered Motorola phones) uses facial recognition, tracking, and zoom to keep subjects centered in the frame. When Subject tracking is on, Smart Connect chooses cameras automatically, and the View setting is disabled. When Subject tracking is off, and the front or rear camera has multiple sensors, tap View to choose which sensor you want to use. Subject tracking works best when subjects are within 2m from the phone, and within an angle of view up to 107 degrees (when using rear cameras).

Use mobile device as webcam for video calls

Set up your phone or tablet as a webcam, then use it with popular video calling apps.

In Google Meet on your PC, go to more options icon > Settings > Video, then select “Smart Connect Video” as your camera.

In the Zoom app on your PC, go to Settings > Video, then select “Smart Connect Video” as your camera.

In Teams on your PC, open More > Device settings. Under Video Settings, set Camera to “Smart Connect Video”.

  1. In Skype on your PC, turn video on.
  2. Click Video settings.
  3. Set Camera to “Smart Connect Video”.

Use mobile device as video capture device with live streaming software

Set up your phone or tablet as a webcam, then use it as a video capture device with live streaming apps.

  1. In OBS Studio on your PC, add a new Video Capture Device source.
  2. Set Device to “Smart Connect Video”.
  1. In Streamlabs on your PC, add a new Video Capture Device source.
  2. Set Device to “Smart Connect Video”.

Options during video calls

Options available on all Android phones:

  • While using your rear camera, tap Studio Light to use your phone’s flashlight to improve the video quality.
  • If the active camera supports zooming, tap Zoom or a zoom shortcut at the bottom to zoom the camera.
  • Tap to flip between the front and rear cameras.

Options available on select Snapdragon-powered Motorola phones:

  • Tap the Background Effect to blur your background.
  • Tap Subject tracking to use facial recognition, tracking, and zoom to keep yourself centered in the frame. When Subject tracking is on, Smart Connect chooses cameras automatically. When Subject tracking is off, and the front or rear camera has multiple sensors, tap View to choose which sensor you want to use. Subject tracking works best when subjects are within 2m from the phone, and within an angle of view up to 107 degrees when using rear cameras.

  • When you need privacy or a break, tap Video Mask > Freeze frame to capture a single static image from your video feed and display it as a frozen frame in place of the live video. It's ideal for stepping away during a meeting without others noticing changes in your environment. The frozen image remains visible to participants until you toggle it off, restoring the live feed.

    Or tap Video Mask > Smart loop records a short, seamless video clip of your feed and continuously loops it during the call. It creates the illusion of subtle, natural activity (like a gentle head nod or background motion) while keeping you “off-camera” for privacy.

Fix an issue

If the webcam shows a black screen, check if another video call application is using the Smart Connect Video. If so, end the other video call.