Look, the situation is simple. The cameras on phones have gotten good. Sometimes very good. However, the quality of the webcams when it comes to laptops is still pretty poor. And you get into Zoom with this weird thing, where you look like you are in 2008, when you could have an incredible camera in your pocket. Feel like fixing it? Then let’s talk about Iriun Webcam.
It is a small free-of-charge application that will allow you to get your phone as a webcam to your computer. It is compatible with windows, macOS, and even Linux. The main thing is to connect everything correctly.
What does Iriun Webcam do?
Simple: it turns your Android or iPhone into a PC webcam. Connect via Wi-Fi or USB. Works with Zoom, OBS Studio, Skype, Discord and others.
You put the app on your phone and the client on your PC. Then you connect them – and that’s it, the camera is ready. In the Zoom settings you select “Iriun Webcam” and instead of a grainy built-in webcam you have a high-quality picture from your phone.
What’s the plus?
The most obvious one is quality. The camera in a smartphone is a head above the usual built-in ones in a laptop. Iriun supports even 4K (if the camera can do it), so you get a clear image without unnecessary investments in equipment.
It doesn’t just work with Wi-Fi – if it suddenly slows down, you can connect your phone to a PC via USB. This is especially helpful in OBS or when recording video, where stability is important.
How do I set it up?
- Download Iriun Webcam to your phone (there are both for Android and iPhone).
- Install the desktop version (there are clients for Windows 10/11, macOS and Linux).
- Launch both apps. They will find each other on their own if they are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Select Iriun as the camera in Zoom or OBS.
If it doesn’t connect, try USB. This often solves problems.
Are there any pitfalls?
Yes. Sometimes there are bugs. As an example, the phone might not be visible to the app to detect it out, particularly in case of an unstable Wi-Fi setting. In other instances you are required to start all over.
The interface is minimalistic. This is a plus and a minus. There are almost no settings. Want to set exposure, focus, white balance manually? No way. It’s all automatic.
Also, the sound from the phone is not transmitted. So you still need a separate option for the microphone. Iriun, just video.
Comparison with alternatives
There are similar apps: DroidCam, Camo, EpocCam. Each has its own features.
- DroidCam is stable, but the video quality is a bit worse.
- Camo – cool, but paid.
- EpocCam is popular, but it doesn’t always work stably on Mac.
Iriun wins because it’s free, simple and doesn’t load the system.
Who’s good for it?
- For those who have a weak webcam on their laptop.
- Those who want to stream or record video in OBS.
- Those who make a lot of video calls – Zoom, Teams, Skype.
Not suitable for those who need fine manual camera settings. Or if you want everything to “start up” the first time on any Wi-Fi – sometimes you’ll have to mess around.
Conclusion
Iriun Webcam is an easy way to turn your phone into a camera for your computer. No fuss, free of charge, and with acceptable quality. It’s not without its faults, but it’s good enough for most tasks.
