StreamLive Pro

Use an Android phone as a camera for live streaming

Turn an Android phone into a live camera: scan the studio's QR code, open it in Chrome, confirm, and the phone joins as a tile. No webcam app or cable needed.

Updated November 5, 2026 · 4 min read

An Android phone becomes a camera for the browser studio through a link. In the studio on your computer open Add input, choose Phone, pick landscape or portrait, and scan the QR code with the phone. The link opens in Chrome, you confirm, and the phone's camera appears in the studio as a new tile, let in by itself. You do not install anything on the phone or on the computer.

The StreamLive Pro Android app that you can download today from /app?lang=en does not pair as a camera, so use the link for this. The same link works in the podcast studio.

Before you start

• The studio is open on a computer. Choose Live stream, start a new live and pick Browser Studio. For a podcast, open Podcast: A tour of the podcast studio in your browser.
• Chrome on the phone. Other browsers may work; open the link in a real browser, not inside WhatsApp, Facebook or another app.
• Wi-Fi and power. A phone camera sends video the whole time.
• A stand or clamp for a steady shot.

Steps

1. Open the phone camera window. In the bar under the picture open Add input and choose Phone, or click the Add Phone Cam tile. In the podcast studio, use the phone tile among the inputs.
2. Choose the link and QR code. The window Add smartphone camera lists phones signed in to the app first. There are none for the link path, so press Use a QR code or link instead. If the window suggests installing the app, you can ignore it for this.
3. Pick Landscape or Portrait. The code changes with your choice.
4. Scan the code. Use the phone's camera app or the Google Lens scanner and open the link in Chrome. You can also copy the link from the window and send it to the phone.
5. Confirm on the phone. The page asks Send this camera to this studio? Tap Confirm and send the camera, then allow the camera and microphone in Chrome.
6. Wait for connected. The window on the computer shows the steps. The phone is admitted by itself, with no waiting room.
7. Take it to air. The phone appears as a tile. If something is already on air it waits in Preview; press Take when you want it: Preview, Program, Take and Cut explained.
8. Keep Chrome in front. If the phone locks or you switch apps, the camera pauses and the studio holds its place: My phone camera dropped in the middle of a live.

Webcam apps on the computer: the other way

Apps such as DroidCam (DroidCam by Dev47Apps, checked 5 November 2026) and Iriun Webcam (Iriun, checked 5 November 2026) put a phone's camera on the computer as a webcam, with an app on the phone and a program on the computer. The browser studio recognises these as virtual cameras: you add them in the camera window (Add input, Camera) like any webcam, and the studio never opens them by itself. They are an option if you already use them; the QR link above needs nothing installed.

Getting a good picture

• Use the rear camera; it is usually sharper than the front one.
• Wi-Fi, not mobile data. On a weak signal the phone lowers its quality and raises it again slowly, keeping its frame rate.
• Turn on Do Not Disturb so calls do not take the phone away from the camera page.
• Keep the screen on and the camera page in front for the whole live.
• If the phone's sound runs ahead of the lips, open Camera controls (the sliders button on the phone's tile) and use Audio sync in its Sound section: 0 to 500 ms, with a measured Suggested value you can Apply. It shows when the phone's own sound is in the mix.

What can go wrong

• The link opened inside another app. Open it in Chrome.
• Cannot access camera. The camera permission was refused or another app holds the camera. Allow it in Chrome's site settings, close other camera apps, tap Retry.
• The phone connected but is not on air. It waits in Preview. Take it.
• Reconnecting on the tile. The phone dropped or went to the background: My phone camera dropped in the middle of a live.
• More checks: My phone does not connect as a camera.

To go live from the phone itself instead, see Go live from the StreamLive Pro Android app or Go live from your phone.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need DroidCam to use my Android phone as a webcam?

No. The studio's QR code opens the camera in Chrome, with nothing to install. DroidCam and similar apps also work as a camera on the computer if you prefer them.

Can the StreamLive Pro Android app be the camera?

Not in the version available today. Use the QR code or link in Chrome.

Can I use an old Android phone as a second camera?

Yes, if its Chrome can open the camera page and allow the camera. Put it on power and Wi-Fi.

Does it work over mobile data?

Yes, but the picture adapts to the signal. Wi-Fi gives a steadier picture.

How many phones can I add?

Each phone you scan becomes its own input. Your computer and your network are the practical limit.

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