How to Add a Phone Camera to OBS

The short answer

OBS cannot reach your phone's camera by itself. You need something in between that makes the phone's live video look like a camera to your computer. Usually that is a webcam bridge app installed on both the phone and the computer. On some newer phones and operating systems, a built-in webcam mode does the same job. Once the computer sees the phone as a camera, you add it in OBS as a Video Capture Device, the same way you would add a USB webcam.

This guide covers live video from the phone. If you only want to use clips you already recorded on the phone, you don't need any of this. Copy the files to your computer and add them in OBS with a Media Source.

Ways to connect the phone

Method | How it reaches OBS | Typical trade-offs

Webcam bridge app over USB | The app's computer-side software creates a virtual camera device. OBS selects it as a Video Capture Device. | Usually the steadiest connection, and the phone can charge while connected. Some Android setups need extra phone settings enabled.

Webcam bridge app over Wi-Fi | Same virtual camera device, but the video travels over your local network. | No cable needed. The phone and computer must be on the same network, and lag or dropped frames depend on network quality.

Built-in phone or OS webcam mode | The phone shows up as a standard camera with no extra computer software. | Not available on every phone or computer. Check your device's settings or documentation.

Network stream into OBS | The phone sends a video stream that OBS receives through a Media Source or a dedicated plugin. | More flexible but more technical to set up. Mainly useful for advanced or multi-camera setups.

Which apps work, which features are free, and the highest resolution and frame rate available all vary by app, phone model and operating system. This guide doesn't recommend specific products or quality settings. Check the app's own documentation for supported resolutions and connection options before you commit to one.

Before you start

• OBS Studio installed and opened at least once.
• A webcam bridge app on the phone, plus its companion software on the computer if it has one. You can skip this if your phone has a built-in webcam mode.
• For USB: a cable that carries data, not only charging power.
• For Wi-Fi: the phone and computer on the same network.
• The phone charged or plugged in, because streaming video drains the battery quickly.
• A way to hold the phone steady, such as a small tripod or stand.

Step-by-step: add the phone camera to OBS

• 1. Install the bridge software on the computer. Restart the computer if the installer asks. Fully close OBS before you install, because OBS usually detects a new virtual camera device only when it starts.
• 2. Open the app on the phone and allow camera access when prompted. If you plan to use the phone's microphone too, allow microphone access as well.
• 3. Connect the phone. For USB, plug it in and follow any prompts on the phone, such as approving the connection or enabling a developer or debugging option if the app requires it. For Wi-Fi, connect from the computer software, often by entering an address or code shown in the phone app.
• 4. Check that the bridge connected. The phone app or the computer software should show a connected status or a live preview. Fix the connection at this step before you open OBS.
• 5. Open OBS. In the Sources panel, click the plus (+) button and choose Video Capture Device. On Linux this may be listed as Video Capture Device (V4L2). Give the source a name and click OK.
• 6. In the properties window, open the Device dropdown and pick the entry that belongs to your phone or the bridge app. Click OK.
• 7. Resize and position the source in the preview. If the image is sideways or mirrored, right-click the source, choose Transform, and use the rotate or flip options.

How to tell it worked

Each of these checks tells you something different, so it helps to see them separately.

• Device listed: the phone or bridge app appears in the Device dropdown. This shows the computer has registered a camera device. It does not show that video is coming through.
• Live picture: the OBS preview shows moving video. Wave your hand in front of the phone and watch the preview. This confirms OBS is actually receiving video.
• Stable over time: leave it running for several minutes and watch for freezing, stutter or disconnections. This matters most over Wi-Fi.
• Works in the destination: if the camera is meant for a call or a stream, run a test call or a private test stream. The checks above don't tell you how the video will look to viewers after compression and network conditions.

Using the phone camera in a video call through OBS

If you want your OBS scene, including the phone camera, to appear in a meeting app, click Start Virtual Camera in OBS's Controls panel. Then choose the OBS virtual camera as the camera in the meeting app. If you only need the phone camera with no OBS overlays or scenes, many bridge apps already provide a camera device that meeting apps can select directly, and you can leave OBS out of it.

Audio from the phone

Video and audio are handled separately. Some bridge apps can also send the phone's microphone, which then shows up as its own audio input. Other apps send video only. To use phone audio, add it in OBS with Audio Input Capture and pick the matching device.

There are three separate things to check:
• The device shows up in the list.
• The level meter in OBS's Audio Mixer moves when you speak.
• A short test recording sounds clear when you play it back.
A moving meter does not guarantee clear speech. This guide doesn't give specific level targets, so judge by the playback.

Common problems and fixes

• Phone doesn't appear in the Device list: confirm the bridge shows connected, then fully restart OBS. If you just installed the computer software, restart the computer.
• Black or frozen preview: another app may be using the camera. On Windows, a camera device can often be used by only one app at a time, so close meeting apps and other camera software. Then open the source's properties and use Deactivate followed by Activate, or pick the device again.
• macOS shows nothing: open System Settings, go to Privacy & Security, then Camera, and make sure OBS is allowed. Restart OBS after changing the setting.
• Phone app can't open the camera: check the phone's app permissions and make sure no other app on the phone is using the camera.
• USB connection not detected: try a different cable or port, approve any prompt on the phone, and check whether the app requires a developer or debugging setting on Android.
• Wi-Fi connection fails or lags: confirm both devices are on the same network, allow the bridge software through the computer's firewall if asked, and move closer to the router. Switch to USB if lag continues.
• Image is rotated, mirrored or cropped: use Transform in OBS, or change the orientation and resolution in the bridge app's settings.
• Phone gets hot or the battery drains: keep it plugged in, take it out of a thick case, and keep it out of direct sun.

What this guide doesn't cover

No tested numbers were available for this guide. That includes resolutions, frame rates, lag figures and price comparisons between apps. Check those details in the documentation for the app and phone you use, and confirm the final quality with a test recording or test call in the app where the video will actually be used.