- To connect the Android phone camera to Windows 11, open Settings> Bluetooth & devices> Mobile devices, turn on “Allow this PC to access your mobile devices,” click “Manage devices,” click “Add devices,” connect your phone using the “Link to Windows” app on your Android phone, and turn on “Use a connected camera.”
- You will have to be running the latest Insider preview build of Windows 11, and the “Link to Windows” app has to be version 1.24012* or higher.
- Microsoft is also gradually rolling out this feature, meaning that not everyone will get it immediately.
On Windows 11, you can connect the camera on your Android mobile phone (or tablet) to your computer and then use it as a wireless webcam natively.
The new experience is possible through the “Mobile devices” feature and the “Link to Windows” apps for Android devices, and it allows you to access the high-quality camera on your mobile device wirelessly. You can even switch between the front and back cameras and pause the stream. If available, you can even use the HDR capabilities of the camera on Windows 11.
At the time of this writing, the feature is available as a preview in the Release Preview, Dev, and Canary Channels of the Windows Insider Program. You will need an Android phone or tablet running version 9 or higher release. The mobile device will also need the Link to Windows app version 1.24012* or higher release, which may require you to sign up for the beta version of the app.
In this guide, I will show you the steps to set up your Android mobile device camera as a webcam for Windows 11.
Connect mobile phone camera to Windows 11
To use your Android phone or tablet camera as a webcam on Windows 11, use these steps:
Open Settings on Windows 11.
Click on Bluetooth & devices.
Click the Mobile devices page.
Turn on the “Allow this PC to access your mobile devices” toggle switch.
Click the Manage devices button.
Quick note: If this is the first time setting up the feature, click the “Install” button to download the required components.
Click the Add device button from the “Manage mobile devices” app.
Scan the barcode with your Android phone and complete the connection.
Quick tip: On your phone, you must install the Link to Windows app and ensure you’re signed in with the Microsoft account associated with your Windows 11 installation. You can find the option to join the beta program on the app download page from the Google Play Store.
Turn on the phone toggle switch (if applicable).
Turn on the “Use a connected camera” toggle switch (if applicable).
Once you complete the steps, you will be able to wirelessly access your phone’s camera from your Windows 11 computer. Furthermore, you will find the option to switch between the front and back cameras, and the experience allows you to pause the stream as necessary.
Windows 11 phone camera controls / Image: Microsoft
It’s important to note that Microsoft is gradually rolling out this feature, so even if you have all the updates, it may take some time until you can use the feature.
Source: Pureinfotech