Can I use my iPhone as a webcam for Xbox

As long as the phone you use isn't more than a few years old, image quality should be better than your laptop's default camera, more functional and easier to position so you're not filming your double chin or straight up your nose. 

Here's how to turn your phone into a webcam for free.

You don't even need a webcam app

A dedicated webcam app (more below) has special features, but you don't have to have one to use your phone camera for video chats.

You can also just launch the app of your video chat service of choice, like Zoom, Skype or FaceTime, and chat directly through there. However, there are steps you can take to make sure that your video quality is the best it can be. Read on.

Read more: Best gear for video chats from home: Webcams, lights, mics and more

Find and download the right webcam app for Android or iPhone

There are dozens of free and paid apps that can help you transform your workhorse smartphone into a webcam. 

Webcam apps for Android phones

I tried IP Webcam (free, or $4 for the Pro version), DroidCam (free, or $5 for the Pro version), and EpocCam Webcam (free, or $5 for the Pro version). DroidCam had the most clear instructions within the app, but only works with Windows or Linux machines. The same was true for IP Webcam. 

Because I'm using a Mac, I went with EpocCam Webcam. 

Webcam apps for iPhones

I tried out EpocCam Webcam (free, or $8 or $20 for the professional versions), iCam ($5) and iVCam (free). All were fairly easy to set up, once you find the instructional pages on their websites. EpocCam and iCam work for Windows or MacOS machines, while iVCam works for iPhone ($265 at Amazon) users who have Windows computers, not Macs. (Update: Another option is the NDI HX Camera app -- it costs $20 and allows iPhones to be used as HD webcams.)

For any webcam app

Whatever you download, read the privacy policy, install it and follow the instructions to connect it to your computer (you might have to download a driver, or run it through a browser or other viewer.) You'll be asked to give the app permission to access your camera and microphone. 

Be aware

Running the app frequently may drain your phone battery, so you may want to hook up your phone to an external power bank or position your setup near a wall outlet if you find yourself in need of a charge. 

Read more: Ultimate webcam tips: How to look and sound great online

Use your phone's main camera

Your phone's main camera will produce a higher quality image than the selfie camera, and with more options for zooming and focusing as well. The iPhone 13, Samsung Galaxy S21 and many other premium smartphones have sharper resolution at 1080p than some of the latest MacBook models, which have a 720p webcam built in. For best results for using your phone as a webcam, use that rear camera instead of the front-facing selfie camera. 

The webcam apps and video chatting apps will often allow you to select options like video resolution, quality and orientation, as well as focus, white balance and color effects. 

Read more: How to become a YouTuber: Online classes and equipment to get started

Stabilize your phone

Avoid cramping your arm or hitting an unflattering angle by stabilizing your phone on a tripod, stand or tabletop mount. This will give you the least shaky and most professional-looking results. (CNET recommends this $30 mini-tripod from Manfrotto.)

It’s easy to open Lightstream in your browser and add your computer’s connected webcam, but for those who want to stream without their computer next to them and still benefit from the overlays & notifications of Lightstream Studio, it’s better to connect a webcam directly to your Xbox.

Using a Webcam with Xbox

Using a webcam directly with your Xbox is easy. Just plug in your camera via one of your console’s USB ports, launch the Xbox Twitch app, and enable and set your webcam’s position before streaming. Also, be sure to use a headset and microphone so there’s a voice to go with the face!

Start streaming, and just like that it will appear in your Lightstream Studio project’s Game Source layer! You can’t just use any webcam, however.