If you have an old phone lying around, you can easily use it by turning it into a mobile security camera. With the help of an app by Edward Snowden, it's super simple. That's how.
Your phone already has the components of a security camera “real”, In other words, a camera lens and an internet connection. You have been able to do this with an android phone for years, but there's a newer way that's even safer.
We are going to use 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 cheap phone from $ 50 the WalMart. As long as your device has a working camera and microphone, you can use it as a security camera. You can install the beta version of Haven from the Google Play Store or compile it yourself from your Github repository.
Haven will work if your phone is connected to Wi-Fi or with a USB to Ethernet adapter. If you follow the wired internet route, make sure you get an adapter that also carries power. The Haven app itself only runs on Android devices, but you can set it to alert your iPhone.
Set up Haven on your old phone
Before configuring the Haven app, make sure your ideal spot has enough space to mount your phone, get power and where you can run an ethernet cable or get Wi-Fi. Once it's resolved, open the haven app. Swipe across the first pair of screens, then select “Set up”.
Touch “Let” in the permission to enter photos indications, media and files, and to take pictures and record videos.
Touch “Let” in the following permission to take pictures and record videos message.
The next screen will be your live camera broadcast. Tap the icon at the bottom left to switch between the front and rear cameras, and use the slider at the bottom of the screen to determine how sensitive you want motion detection to be. You can always go back and increase or decrease the sensitivity to movement to better suit your environment.. Touch “Behind” at the top left to see more options.
Next, accept the request for permission to record audio so that you can hear the surroundings around the camera. Again, use the slider at the bottom of the screen to adjust the detection sensitivity. Touch the button “Behind” at the top left again.
Next, shake your phone or use the slider at the bottom to set motion detection. This will allow your camera to start recording if the phone is physically moved, as if an intruder starts hitting the side of your house. Touch the button “Behind” at the top left once again.
Swipe across the rest of the splash screens. Grant permission to send and view SMS messages if you want SMS alerts sent to your primary phone, then enter your phone number. You must have an active SIM card installed to send SMS messages, or you can configure Signal for alerts in app settings (more on that in a moment) if you are only using an internet connection.
Swipe across one more screen, then tap “Finalize”.
Once this is done, Touch “Start now” to start monitoring your environment. Tap the Settings gear at the bottom right to adjust camera sensitivity, sound and movement, change SMS or Signal messaging settings, and more.
Configure Haven Video Monitoring
Motion and audio detection is excellent, but Haven also allows you to record videos during a certain period. Tap the Settings gear at the bottom right of the main screen, then activate the lever “Video Monitoring”.
Touch “Determine Video Monitoring Extension” to select how long Haven will record the environment.
With that, you have a cheap and reliable security camera! Your events, complete with photos and audio, will be sent automatically via SMS or Signal, and you can always go back and see the events from the old phone. Please note that you will need to activate monitoring manually before exiting, and it will stay on until you manually turn it off again. Even with those little limitations, This is a great way to repurpose an old phone!!
