You can do that officially without installing a third-party camera app or virtual driver. Microsoft lets you use the camera on your Android phone to improve your appearance during video calls on your Windows 11 PC. The best part is that you can wirelessly use your Android phone’s camera as a webcam to join video calls on apps like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, etc. But first, you’ll need to link your Android phone with a Windows 11 PC. Here’s how you can do that.
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Check the Requirements
Microsoft made this feature available to all Windows 11 Insider channel users starting in February 2024. So, ensure your Windows PC runs the latest Windows 11 Insider channel build. Also, your Windows 11 PC needs to run the latest version of the Phone Link app. Get it from the Microsoft Store.
Download: Phone Link (Windows)
This feature works on smartphones running Android 9.0 or higher. You’ll need to install the Link to Windows app (v1.24012 or higher) on your Android phone.
Download: Link to Windows (Android)
Link Your Android Phone With Windows 11
You can skip this section if you already use your Android phone with the Phone Link app on a Windows 11 PC. However, if you’re not, link or pair your Android phone with Windows 11. Here’s a guide on how to do it.
1. Open the Phone Link app on your Windows 11 PC. If you’re opening the app for the first time, you might need to sign in with your Microsoft account. Click on the Android button.
2. The Phone Link app will generate a QR code.
3. Open the Link to Windows app on your Android phone and tap on Sign in using the QR code on your PC option under the Sign in button.
4. After that, enter a 6-letter alpha-numeric code that appears in the Link to Windows app on your Android phone. Next, enter your Microsoft account password to link your Android phone with Windows 11 computer.
Alternatively, you can link your Android phone using the Settings app on Windows 11 PC. For that, you’ll need to follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows + I keyboard shortcut to open the Settings app. Click on Bluetooth & Devices from the left sidebar and select Mobile Devices from the right pane.
2. Turn on the toggle next to Allow this PC to access your mobile devices. Click on the Manage Devices button under it.
3. Click the Add Device button.
4. The app will generate a QR code that you need to scan on your Android phone. Open the Link to Windows app on your Android phone and tap on Sign in using the QR code on your PC option under the Sign in button.
5. Next, enter a 6-letter alpha-numeric code that appears. After that, you’ll get a confirmation that your Android is linked to your Windows PC.
Then, your Android phone will link to the Windows 11 PC. Next, you can use your Android phone as a webcam with different video calling apps on your Windows 11 PC.
Also Read: Microsoft Phone Link Tips and Tricks You Need to Use
Use Your Android Phone as a Webcam in Microsoft Teams
You can turn your Android phone into a webcam and use it with the Teams app on Windows 11 – whether you’re using a desktop or a laptop. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Launch the Phone Link app on your Windows 11 PC and ensure it is linked to your Android phone.
2. Open Microsoft Teams in a web browser or Teams app on your computer.
Visit: Microsoft Teams
3. Click the Video icon in the top-left corner and choose Start Meeting.
4. In a meeting interface, turn on the toggle next to the Camera icon in the Teams meeting interface. That’ll send a notification to your linked Android phone.
5. Tap the Allow button on the pop-up to let Teams use your Android phone as a camera.
6. On your Android phone, select the Tap to start camera stream notification to begin using its camera as a webcam.
Use Your Android Phone as a Webcam in Google Meet
While using Google Meet in a browser, you can make it choose your Android phone as a webcam from your Windows computer.
1. Open the Phone Link app on your Windows 11 PC and ensure it is linked to your Android phone.
2. Open Google Meet in a web browser, click the New Meeting button and start an instant meeting.
Visit: Google Meet
3. Click the Camera icon with the orange counter on the bottom bar in the Google Meet interface.
4. Click the Allow button on the pop-up under the address bar to let Google Meet access the camera through the browser. That’ll send a notification to your linked Android phone.
5. Select the Tap to start camera stream notification on your Android phone to begin using its camera as a webcam.
Use Your Android Phone as a Webcam in Zoom
If your Android phone is paired with the Phone Link app and is on the same network, then you can use its camera as webcam with the Zoom app.
Download: Zoom for Windows
1. Ensure the Phone Link app is open on your Windows 11 PC and your Android phone is linked.
2. Open the Zoom app and click on New Meeting or Join button.
3. When the Zoom meeting interface opens, you’ll get a notification to start the camera stream on your Android phone. Select the Tap to start camera stream notification to use your Android phone’s camera as a webcam with Zoom.
Note These Things About Link to Windows and Phone Link
The new Windows feature turns your Android phone into a Windows Virtual Camera so you can use it with Windows. It also appears as one of the default Connected cameras (Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Cameras) on your Windows 11 PC. You can always change the default camera settings from there. You need to remember these things while using your Android phone as a webcam on Windows 11.
- You’ll need to use the same Microsoft account on Windows 11 PC and the Android phone.
- Connect your Android phone and Windows 11 PC to the same network. If you use a LAN connection with Windows 11, connect the Android to the Wi-Fi network using the same internet service.
- To allow the Link to Windows app to use your mobile connection, turn on the toggle next to Sync over mobile data in the Settings (top-right corner).
- Camera stream lets you pick the front or rear camera as a webcam on your Android phone.
Make the Best of Your Android Phone
The only gripe I have with this feature is that it doesn’t utilize the Android phone’s microphones for audio in a video call. You’ll still need to rely on your computer’s built-in microphone or plug in your headphones.
In addition to video calls, you can stream live videos on your Android phone from your Windows 11 PC. Expect this feature to arrive through Windows Update in the coming few months.
