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As a parent, there are many things you have to worry about. One of those things is making sure your baby is safe and sound when you can’t be with them. This is why so many parents turn to baby monitors to give them peace of mind. The problem is that these devices can be expensive.
But what if we told you that you could repurpose your smartphone into a baby monitor? Now you may be wondering how to use a phone as a baby monitor. Using a phone as a baby monitor is relatively easy. In this blog article, you’ll learn how you can DIY a baby monitor using your phone. So, if you’re looking for an affordable way to keep an eye on your little one, read on!
What Are Baby Monitors?
A baby monitor is a device that allows you to hear, see, and/or talk to your baby from another room. But how do baby monitors work?
Most baby monitors transmit the audio and video signal from the baby’s room to another receiver. Click here to check out some of the best baby monitors on the market.
Why Use a Phone as a Baby Monitors?
There are several reasons why you might want to use your phone as a baby monitor. One reason is that you can do-it-yourself (DIY).
Another reason is that you can take your baby monitor with you wherever you go and always have a way to check on your little one.
Advantages of Using Your Phone as a Baby Monitor
There are several advantages of using your phone as a baby monitor. Some of those baby monitor benefits are mentioned as follows:
It’s an Economical Choice
One of the main advantages of using your phone as a baby monitor is that it’s less expensive than purchasing a dedicated device since the majority of people now own a smartphone.
It’s Easy and Convenient to Use
Another advantage of using your phone as a baby monitor is that you can quickly turn it into a baby monitor if you have a functional camera and an active internet connection.
You’ll Only Need Wi-Fi for Ubiquitous Accessibility
If you use your phone as a baby monitor, you’ll only need a Wi-Fi for ubiquitous accessibility.
Disadvantages of Using Your Phone as a Baby Monitor
Here are some disadvantages of using your phone as a baby monitor:
It Lacks Proper Night Vision
One of the main disadvantages of using your phone as a baby monitor is that it doesn’t have proper night vision like some dedicated devices do.
It Might Lack a Few Essential Features
Another disadvantage of using your phone as a baby monitor is that it might lack a few essential features that some dedicated devices have. For example, a heartbeat or a movement monitoring feature.
It Might be Vulnerable to Hacking
A horrific disadvantage of using your phone as a baby monitor is that it might be vulnerable to hacking. This is because your phone will be connected to the internet, allowing someone to access your camera and spy on you and your family.
How to Use Your Android Phone as a Baby Monitor
Let’s take a look at how to use your Android phone as a baby monitor.
Using Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts is a free messaging app that you can use to make video calls. To use it as a baby monitor on your phone, follow these steps:
Step 1: Set up two devices and make sure both are connected to Wi-Fi. The primary device should be your smartphone, and the secondary device can be another phone or computer.
Step 2: Download and Install the Google Hangouts app from Google Play Store on both devices.
Step 3: Open the app and sign in with different Google accounts on both devices.
Step 4: Tap the tiny camera symbol on the app screen to send a video chat request from your phone.
Step 5: Accept the video chat request from the secondary device
Step 6: Place the secondary device in your child’s bedroom and you should be able to observe them.
Using Skype
Skype is another free messaging app that you can use to make video calls. To use Skype as a baby monitor on your phone, follow these steps:
Step 1: Follow “Step 1” from the preceding Heading.
Step 2: On both devices, download and install the Skype app from the Play Store.
Step 3: Open the Skype app and Click on Settings on both devices.
Step 4: Under the voice and video call section, tick the followings:
- Allow Skype to use your device’s microphone.
- Automatically answer video calls in Full-Screen mode.
Step 5: Return to the main Skype screen and click on the video call icon to start a video call.
Step 6: You can now leave the secondary device in your child’s room while they sleep and use your phone to watch and listen.
Using Android Baby Monitor Apps
If you want to use your phone as a baby monitor and have more control over the features, then you can use an Android Baby Monitor app.
There are many different Android Baby Monitor apps available on the Google Play Store. However, unlike the aforementioned choices, they are not free to use. Here are some examples of the low-cost ones:
- Dormi
- BabyCam
- Wifi Baby Monitor
How to Use Your iPhone as a Baby Monitor
To use your iPhone as a baby monitor, you can use either of the following options:
Using FaceTime
If you have an iPhone, you can use the FaceTime app to video call another iOS device. To do this:
Step 1: Make sure you have two iOS devices on hand. One with you (primary device) and one in your baby’s room (secondary device).
Step 2: Open the FaceTime app and sign in with your Apple ID on both devices.
Step 3: Put the secondary device in your baby’s room and dim the lights.
Step 4: Click on the camera icon of the FaceTime app to initiate the video call.
Step 5: Accept the video call on your secondary device to see your kid on the screen.
Using iOS Baby Monitor Apps
There are several iOS Baby Monitor apps available on the App Store. They, too, are not free to use, just like the Android versions. Here are some iOS baby monitors apps we recommend:
Conclusion
Regardless of what you accomplish or how much you work; your kid should always come first. And let’s be honest here, baby monitors are incredibly useful in keeping an eye on your kid. On the other hand, these are typically expensive and require regular replacement.
That’s why, in this post, we have discussed some DIY methods for using inexpensive alternatives to these gadgets. You may now use the acquired information to effectively watch your baby without a dedicated baby monitor because you know how to use a phone as a baby monitor. We hope this article was helpful. Thanks for reading!
