That old phone in your drawer? It’s a capable security camera waiting to happen. With a free IP camera app and Home Assistant, you can stream local video to your dashboard — no cloud fees, no subscriptions, full control. Here’s how I did it with an iPhone (Android works too).
Why Bother?
- Zero recurring cost — no cloud storage fees, no subscription
- Local-only — video never leaves your network unless you configure remote access
- Repurposes e-waste — that drawer phone gets a second life
- Integrates with everything — Home Assistant dashboards, automations, HomeKit Secure Video (via Scrypted), local NVR (Frigate)
Hardware Prep
- Old smartphone (iOS or Android)
- Charging cable + power brick (phone must stay plugged in)
- Small tripod or mount for positioning
- Static IP assignment on your router (recommended for reliability)
Step 1: Pick an IP Camera App
iOS: IP Camera Lite (Free) / IP Camera Pro ($2.99)
Free version includes a small watermark and full-screen ads (not on the feed). Pro removes restrictions. Supports MJPEG/RTSP streams.
Android: IP Webcam (Free, 10M+ downloads)
MJPEG stream + native Home Assistant integration. Highly reviewed.
Step 2: Configure the Phone
- Assign static IP via router admin (prevents stream URL changes after reboot)
- Disable auto-lock: Settings → Display & Brightness → Auto-Lock → Never (iOS) / Settings → Display → Screen timeout → Never (Android)
- Launch app, change default password, start server
- Note the stream URLs (HTTP/RTSP) and port displayed on screen
Reliability tip: Phone camera apps can crash. On iOS, create a Shortcuts automation that re-launches the app hourly (if the app auto-starts its server on launch).
Step 3: Add to Home Assistant
Settings → Devices & Services → Add Integration → Search “Generic Camera” (iOS) or “Android IP Webcam” (Android) → Enter stream URL, username, password → Wait for preview → Name it → Done.
The camera appears under “Security” on your Overview dashboard. Add to any custom dashboard as needed.
Step 4: Go Further (Optional)
- HomeKit Secure Video: Use Scrypted to bridge the RTSP/MJPEG stream → HomeKit → free iCloud+ clip storage
- Local NVR: Point Frigate at the stream for 24/7 local recording on your server
- Remote access: Set up Home Assistant remote access (Cloud, Tailscale, or Cloudflare Tunnel) to view feeds away from home
Caveats
- This is a temporary solution — phone cameras aren’t built for 24/7 operation long-term
- App crashes = feed dies (mitigate with auto-restart automation)
- Battery health degrades if kept plugged in constantly (consider a smart plug with schedule)
- No night vision / weatherproofing / motion detection built-in (Home Assistant handles motion via CV)
For a permanent outdoor camera, look at offline video doorbells or PoE cameras with local storage. But for a quick indoor camera, baby monitor, or “check the front door” view — this works surprisingly well for free.
Originally reported by How-To Geek.
