How your Galaxy phone can become a webcam
Post-release of the upcoming Microsoft update, your Galaxy phone can connect wirelessly to your computer and act as a webcam. You’ll join both devices with the Link to Windows app on the phone and the Microsoft Phone Link app on the laptop.
Afterward, your PC should recognize your phone’s camera as a webcam option in video conferencing or streaming platforms. But it’s only the beginning. You may even use your tablet as a secondary monitor or pair it with Galaxy Buds for superior sound quality.
Your phone’s camera capabilities will also be accessible, as you can apply auto-framing and background blur, among others. It gives you privacy and adds a touch of professionalism, especially if you don’t want people seeing your kids running around or other distracting activities. Also, you can switch instantly between front and rear cameras, which is a lifesaver.
Before the integration, there were annoying limitations. Most laptops had no rear camera, which meant you had to move your PC to show people things around you. Also, if you wanted to eliminate background distractions, you had to use a virtual static background, but frankly, they fell short in terms of realism.
The phone-PC webcam feature is coming to you soon
You may be in a hurry to test-run your phone as your computer’s webcam, but Samsung says that the new Galaxy Book 4 series will receive it first – and it already has. It’s one of many connectivity perks the company introduced on the laptop, including text management from your Galaxy phone through the Microsoft Copilot app on your PC. Gradually, the update will roll out on other PCs.
Earlier, Samsung stated that your smartphone or tablet must have at least One UI 1.0. It wasn’t a problem, considering most recent models run One UI 6.0, with the new Galaxy S24 boasting One UI 6.1. But the Korean product information page says otherwise, as spotted by a Reddit user.
The page suggests that the feature only works with Galaxy smartphones and Book series running One UI version 6.0 or later. It makes more sense, considering that new features often need specific hardware components in newer phone models to function properly.
Likewise, your PC must run on the Windows 11 24H1 operating system, rumored to roll out in April this year. To add, you must use the same Microsoft account and Wi-Fi connection across the PC and phone to ensure compatibility.
Samsung may force you to use alternative webcam methods
Samsung plans to roll out the PC and phone webcam compatibility feature to more Galaxy phone models in the future. However, the One UI 6.0 requirement may cut you off from the experience if you use an older model. Luckily, there are workarounds. You could use third-party software to connect your phone to and PC via Wi-Fi or USB — or if your pocket allows it, buy a webcam.
