Windows 11 is introducing a feature that allows users to use their Android phones as webcams for video conferencing, similar to Apple's Continuity Camera feature for Mac. The Phone Link system in Windows 11 will enable access to recent photos and the use of a phone as a webcam on video conferencing apps, with support for Android 9 or newer. The feature also extends to Android tablets and includes additional tweaks such as the ability to switch between front and back cameras, pause the stream during interruptions, and use effects provided by the mobile device.
Microsoft is rolling out a new feature for Windows Insiders that allows Android phones running Android 9.0 or newer and the Link to Windows app version 1.24012* or later to be used as webcams for Windows 11 PCs, enabling wireless use for any video application. The feature is currently only available to Windows Insiders and needs to be enabled in settings.
Samsung and Microsoft announced at CES that the new Galaxy Book 4 series will allow users to use their Galaxy phones as webcams for their Windows computers, with the ability to switch between front and rear cameras, change frames, add background blur, and more. The feature will work on any Galaxy phone running One UI 1.0 or higher, and users will need to download the Link to Windows app on both their mobile phone and PC to set it up.
The Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 update for Pixel devices introduces a new native webcam feature that allows users to use their phones as webcams. Unlike third-party apps, this feature requires a physical USB connection between the phone and a computer. It offers on-screen instructions to configure the webcam video feed, with options to zoom and switch between front and rear cameras. While currently limited to Pixel devices, it is expected to be available on other Android phones when Android 14 is released. The feature aims to provide a convenient and free way to improve the quality of video streams and meetings.
