How to turn an old Android phone into a security camera

If you have an old phone lying around, you can easily put it to good use by turning it into a mobile security camera. With the help of an app from Edward Snowden, it's super simple. Here's how.

Your phone already has the components of a "real" security camera, namely a camera lens and an internet connection.

doing this with android phone for years

, but there is a new, even safer way.

We're going to be using an app called Haven, which was created by NSA leaker Edward Snowden. You can use the app on almost any Android phone or tablet, from your old spare in your drawer to a good phone. $50 market from WalMart. As long as your device has a working camera and microphone, you can use it as a security camera. You can install the Haven beta from the

Google Play Store

or compile it yourself

from its Github repository

Haven will work whether your phone is connected to Wi-Fi or with a USB to Ethernet adapter. If you opt for wired internet, make sure you have

an adapter that also carries power

.The Haven app itself only works on Android devices, but you can configure it to alert your iPhone.

Set up Haven on your old phone

Before setting up the Haven app, make sure your ideal location has enough space for your phone to be installed, powered, and where you can run an Ethernet cable or get a Wi-Fi connection. is set, open the Haven app. Scroll through the first two screens, then select “Configure”.

Tap "Allow" on the permission prompts for access to photos, media, and files, and to take photos and record videos.

Tap “Allow” on the next permission prompt to take photos and record video.

The next screen will be your live camera feed. Tap the icon at the bottom left to switch between front and rear facing cameras, and use the slider at the bottom of the screen to set the desired sensitivity for motion detection. You can always go back and increase or decrease the motion sensitivity to better match your surroundings. Tap "Back" at the top left to see more options.

Next, accept the permission prompt to record audio so you can hear the environment around the camera. Again, use the slider at the bottom of the screen to adjust the detection sensitivity. Tap again on the “Back” button at the top left.

How to turn an old Android phone into a security camera

Then shake the phone or use the slider at the bottom to adjust motion detection. This will allow your camera to start recording if the phone physically moves, such as an intruder starting knocking on the side of your house. Tap once moreover on the "Back" button at the top left.

Swipe through the rest of the intro screens. Grant permission to send and view SMS messages if you want to receive SMS alerts on your primary phone, then enter your phone number. You will need to have an installed active SIM card to send SMS messages, or you can set up Signal for alerts in the app settings (more on that in a moment) if you're just using an internet connection.

Scroll down another screen, then tap "Finish."

Once done, tap “Start Now” to begin monitoring your surroundings. Tap the Settings gear in the bottom right to adjust camera, sound and motion sensitivity, change your SMS messaging or Signal settings , and more.

Configure Haven Video Surveillance

Motion and audio detection are great, but Haven also lets you record videos for a set period of time. Tap the Settings cog in the bottom right of the main screen, then toggle the "Video Monitoring" button on.

Tap “Set Video Surveillance Duration” to choose how long Haven will record the surroundings.

With this, you have a cheap and reliable security camera! Your events, with photos and audio, will be automatically sent by SMS or Signal, and you can always go back and see the events from the old phone itself. same. Keep in mind that you'll have to trigger the watch manually before you leave, and it will stay on until you manually turn it off. Even with these minor limitations, it's a great way to reuse an old phone !