CamPhone
Help and support
CamPhone turns one phone into a camera and another into a viewer, linked with a code. The developer runs no video server: video goes straight from one phone to the other and, if the network does not allow it, through a relay that only forwards encrypted packets. The camera detects motion and records on its own; the viewer can get an alert when it saves a clip (if you switch it on). Something not working? Write to gabrielmicovictoria@gmail.com.
How to pair the camera and the viewer
- On the phone that will be the camera, open CamPhone and tap “Use this phone as the camera”. Accept the camera and microphone permissions. You will see a 10-character link code of letters and numbers (format XXXXX-XXXXX); you can copy it.
- On the other phone, open CamPhone and tap “Use this phone as the viewer”. Type the code and tap “Connect”.
- The viewer remembers the code: next time it connects by itself. To watch another camera, use “Change camera”.
- The camera starts watching on its own (“Watching”). You can change the sensitivity (low, medium, high) or turn motion watch off on its screen. On iPhones and iPads with LiDAR you will also see “LiDAR detection” (off by default) and, on iPhone and iPad, “Ignore pets” (on by default).
- On the viewer, the “Motion watch” switch turns the camera's motion watch on and off without touching it; the viewer shows the camera's real state, not the last command. If the camera has “LiDAR detection” and “Ignore pets”, the viewer shows and changes them too. For alerts, switch on “Notify me when the camera records” and allow iOS notifications.
Only one viewer at a time can watch a camera; if another one is connected, you will see “Camera in use”.
Requirements
- The camera: leave the iPhone or iPad plugged into the charger with CamPhone open in the foreground: iOS doesn't allow using the camera in the background, so if you leave the app or lock the device, the camera stops watching. With motion watch on, the camera is on all the time and iOS shows its indicator; the device runs warmer and uses more battery than at rest. The microphone is only used while recording or watching live. The app keeps the screen on (it turns off Auto-Lock while the camera is active). The camera screen never turns off: after 20 seconds without a touch it drops to a low but visible brightness, and a touch brings it back. The camera's banner always stays in view, even with “No Banner”.
- Internet: both phones need Wi-Fi or mobile data (4G and 5G); the camera only needs a phone with a SIM, no Wi-Fi. On mobile data the video uses your plan's data; the “Low” quality saves data.
- Some networks (company wifi, hotels, some 4G connections) block direct connections. CamPhone uses an encrypted Cloudflare relay when needed, but if it still does not connect, try another wifi or mobile data on one of the two phones.
Frequently asked questions
The viewer says “no connection” or “Camera not on”
Check that the camera has CamPhone open in camera mode (the screen shows “Watching” or “Motion watch turned off…”), that it is plugged in and online, and that the viewer's code is the one the camera shows now. If it says “No direct connection”, try another wifi or mobile data. The viewer keeps trying by itself.
I get no alerts on the viewer
Check you've switched on “Notify me when the camera records” on the viewer, that iOS allows CamPhone notifications (Settings → Notifications), that the viewer is online and that the camera has motion watch on and the app open. At most one alert per 30 seconds per camera is sent; alerts depend on iOS and can be delayed. Open the viewer and check “Recordings”.
The camera records too much or alerts on shadows or light changes
Lower the sensitivity on the camera's screen and avoid pointing at windows, fans or screens. Light changes across the whole image are ignored, but moving shadows can count as motion.
It didn't detect something that moved
Detection compares reduced images and may miss slow, distant or low-light movement. CamPhone doesn't replace an alarm or a person's supervision. Raise the sensitivity or move the camera closer.
What does “Ignore pets” do?
It is on by default on iPhone and iPad. When the camera notices motion, it looks at images with Vision, Apple's image-recognition framework. If it recognizes a dog or a cat and no person, it doesn't save the clip or alert the viewer, and adds one to the “pet motions ignored today” counter shown on the camera and on the viewer. If a person appears, or it isn't clear what it is, it records and alerts as usual. It is switched off on the camera or from the viewer. It can be wrong: if you need no motion to be missed, switch it off.
What is “LiDAR detection” and why don't I see the switch?
It is an optional way to watch with the depth sensor instead of comparing images. It only exists on iPhones and iPads with a LiDAR sensor (such as the iPhone Pro from the 12 Pro on): on the others the switch doesn't appear. It is off by default. It watches with the back camera and with no viewer watching; when it detects motion, or if a viewer connects, the regular camera turns on and the clip is recorded. If the phone gets hot, it drops to one measurement per second and, if it stays hot, it pauses and the regular camera watches until it cools. The device should still be plugged in.
Are the images Vision looks at or the LiDAR maps stored or sent?
No. They are analyzed in the camera phone's memory, with no servers, and are neither stored nor sent. The only thing kept is a counter of the pet motions ignored each day. More details in the privacy policy.
How do I turn motion watch off without going to the camera?
On the viewer, use the “Motion watch” switch. The camera stays open and connected; the viewer waits for the camera to confirm (“Waiting for the camera to confirm…”) and says so if it doesn't answer. You can also turn it off on the camera itself.
The viewer says it can't tell how the camera is
The camera isn't connected right now: check it is open in camera mode, plugged in and online.
Where do I see what motion watch recorded?
On the viewer, “Recordings”: motion clips are marked “By motion” alongside the others and play from the camera.
What happens to recordings when the library is full?
6 GB cap: the oldest are deleted, motion clips included.
I want to stop alerts
Switch off “Notify me when the camera records” on the viewer (your token is deleted from the server) or use iOS Settings → Notifications → CamPhone.
Does it work on mobile data? Does it use data?
Yes, it works on Wi-Fi and on mobile data (4G and 5G); the camera only needs a phone with a SIM, no Wi-Fi. On mobile data the video uses your plan's data: pick the “Low” quality to save. If the network doesn't allow a direct connection, the video goes encrypted through a Cloudflare relay server (for example, with the camera on 5G and the viewer on Wi-Fi).
How do I change the code?
On the camera, tap “Change code”. A new code is generated and the current viewer is cut off immediately; it will have to type the new code. Use it if you think someone who should not has the code.
Where are the recordings saved?
Always on the camera phone, in the app's library, never on the viewer. From the viewer tap “Recordings” to see the list and play one: the camera plays it and sends it over the direct connection. On the camera, “Recordings” lets you watch them, “Save to the phone’s photo library” (that copies them to Photos) or delete them.
How do I delete recordings?
On the camera phone: “Recordings” → “Delete” on each one. They are also deleted if you uninstall the app. The library has a 6 GB limit: when it fills up, the oldest are deleted. If a viewer is watching a recording, it cannot be deleted at that moment.
I start a recording from the viewer and it stops
A recording started from the viewer ends when the viewer disconnects (with a few seconds' grace in case it reconnects). If you want it to keep going without a viewer, start the recording from the camera; that one runs until you stop it.
How do I remove the banner? How do I restore the purchase?
On the home screen tap “No Banner” (or go to Settings → “No Banner”): a one-time €1.99 purchase, no subscription. It removes the banner in the viewer and on the home screen; the camera's banner and the ad shown when you stop a recording in the viewer remain. If you change phones or reinstall, tap “Restore Purchases” on that same screen, with the same store account.
I paid and the banner still shows
Payment is confirmed with the store and sometimes takes a few minutes. Tap “Restore Purchases”. If nothing changes, write to us with your phone model and the purchase date.
Why does an ad appear when I stop a recording?
It is the viewer's full-screen ad: it shows while the camera saves the video, after a notice, and at most one every 90 seconds. It helps keep the app free.
The viewer has no sound
On the viewer tap “Turn sound on”. The camera must have microphone permission granted.
The camera does not turn on
Close other apps that use the camera and check in the phone's settings that CamPhone has camera and microphone permission.
Privacy and responsible use
Video is not stored on any server. The camera always shows that it is in use (fixed notice and on-screen state); if motion watch records other people, let them know. Use the camera only to watch your home, your business or your pets, with the knowledge of anyone who may appear. More details in the privacy policy.
Contact
Questions, bugs or suggestions: gabrielmicovictoria@gmail.com. Tell us which phone is the camera and which the viewer (model and iOS version), and what message you see on screen.