Connect Your Phone to OBS as a Live Camera Feed
You can use your smartphone as a webcam in OBS Studio by installing a companion app on your phone and connecting it to the same network as your computer. The most common method uses NDI (Network Device Interface) or RTMP streaming, which sends your phone's camera feed directly into OBS without a USB cable. Your phone becomes a wireless camera source that OBS recognizes just like a built-in webcam.
The setup takes about five minutes and works on both Android and iPhone. You will need OBS Studio installed on your computer, a free app on your phone, and both devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Once connected, you can position your phone anywhere in your room and switch between your phone camera and other sources in OBS.
Key Takeaways
- The easiest method uses a free app like EpocCam, Droidcam, or NDI HX Camera, which sends your phone's video to OBS over Wi-Fi without needing a cable.
- Your phone and computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network for the connection to work.
- After installing the app and OBS plugin, you add your phone as a video source in OBS by selecting the app name from the source list.
- Phone-to-OBS connections work best when your phone is within 15 to 20 feet of your router to avoid lag or dropped frames.
Set Up OBS Studio to Receive Phone Video
Start by opening OBS Studio on your computer and creating a new scene if you do not already have one. In the bottom left corner, you will see a Sources panel. Click the + button below it to add a new source. A menu will appear with options like "Video Capture Device," "Image," and others. The exact menu item you select depends on which phone app you choose, but most will appear as a custom source type once the plugin is installed.
Before you add the source, you need to install the companion software on your computer. If you are using Droidcam, read the Windows or Mac client from the Droidcam website and install it like any other program. If you are using NDI HX Camera, install the NDI Tools package from NewTek's website. EpocCam requires installing a plugin directly into OBS. Each app has slightly different installation steps, but all are free and take less than two minutes.
Install the Phone App and Connect Over Wi-Fi
read the companion app to your phone from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). The three most reliable options are Droidcam (works on both platforms), EpocCam (iPhone and Android), and NDI HX Camera (both platforms). Open the app on your phone and look for a button labeled "Start" or "Connect." The app will display your phone's local IP address on the screen — write this down or take a screenshot.
Make sure your phone and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If your home network has a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band, connect both devices to the same band (usually 2.4 GHz is more stable for this purpose). Open the app on your phone and tap the start button. You should see a message saying "Waiting for connection" or "Ready to connect." The app is now broadcasting your phone's camera to your network.
Add Your Phone as a Video Source in OBS
Go back to OBS on your computer. Click the + button in the Sources panel and select the option that matches your phone app. For Droidcam, you will see "Droidcam Source" in the list. For NDI HX Camera, select "NDI Source." For EpocCam, the source type depends on which version you installed, but it will be labeled clearly.
A settings window will open. If the app requires an IP address, paste the address from your phone's screen into the field. If the app auto-detects, it will show your phone's name in a dropdown menu — select it and click OK. OBS will now display your phone's camera feed in the preview window. You can resize and position it like any other source, add filters, or switch between it and other cameras using the scene switcher.
Troubleshoot Connection and Video Quality Issues
If OBS does not detect your phone, first check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open your phone's Wi-Fi settings and your computer's network settings to confirm they show the same network name. If they do not match, disconnect and reconnect both to the same network, then restart the phone app.
If the video feed is choppy or freezes, move your phone closer to your Wi-Fi router. Walls and distance weaken the signal, which causes lag. If lag persists, check OBS's frame rate setting: go to Settings > Video and make sure the FPS (frames per second) is set to 30 or lower. Higher frame rates demand more bandwidth. You can also reduce your phone's camera resolution in the phone app's settings to lighten the load on your network.
If OBS shows a black screen, the phone app may not have permission to access your camera. On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Camera and make sure the app is toggled on. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Permissions and enable Camera. Restart the phone app after granting permission.
Adjust Phone Camera Settings for Better Streaming
Most phone camera apps let you flip between front and rear cameras. The rear camera usually has better quality, but the front camera is easier to position if you are recording yourself. Tap the camera-flip icon in the phone app to switch. You can also adjust brightness and focus by tapping the screen on your phone — the app will lock focus on that spot.
If your phone's camera is too bright or too dark, adjust the exposure slider in the phone app before you start streaming. Some apps also let you turn on a grid overlay to help you frame your shot. These settings are usually found in a gear icon or settings menu within the phone app itself, not in OBS.
Compare Phone Webcam Apps and Their Differences
| App Name | Platforms | Connection Type | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Droidcam | Android, iPhone | Wi-Fi or USB | 2 minutes |
| EpocCam | Android, iPhone | Wi-Fi only | 3 minutes |
| NDI HX Camera | Android, iPhone | Wi-Fi only | 2 minutes |
Droidcam is the most flexible because it supports both Wi-Fi and USB connections — if your Wi-Fi is unreliable, you can plug your phone into your computer with a cable for a stable feed. EpocCam has the cleanest interface and works well for beginners. NDI HX Camera is the fastest to set up and integrates smoothly with OBS if you already use NDI tools for other purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for any of these apps?
Droidcam, EpocCam, and NDI HX Camera all offer free versions that work with OBS. Some apps have paid versions with extra features like higher resolution or audio input, but the free versions are fully functional for streaming and recording.
Can I use my phone's microphone at the same time as the camera?
Yes, but you need to add an audio source separately in OBS. Some apps like Droidcam let you enable audio in the phone app settings, and OBS will pick it up automatically. Others require you to add your phone as an audio input device in OBS's audio settings. Check your app's documentation for the exact steps.
What if my phone keeps disconnecting from OBS?
Disconnections usually happen when your phone goes to sleep or moves out of Wi-Fi range. Go to your phone's battery settings and disable sleep mode while the app is running. You can also move your phone closer to the router or switch to a USB cable connection if your app supports it, like Droidcam does.
Can I use my phone as a webcam without Wi-Fi?
Yes, but only with Droidcam, which supports USB connection. Plug your phone into your computer with a USB cable, open Droidcam on both devices, and select USB mode. This method is more stable than Wi-Fi but limits how far you can position your phone from your computer.
Will using my phone as a webcam drain the battery quickly?
Yes, streaming video uses significant battery power. Keep your phone plugged into a charger while you are streaming or recording. If you are using a USB connection with Droidcam, the cable will charge your phone at the same time.