Skip to main content

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

2 ways your iPhone can become a vital home security tool

iPhone mounted on a wall
Jack Skeens/Shutterstock

There was a time when you could go away for the day and leave your front door unlocked without a second thought. Nowadays, more and more Americans rely on the peace of mind provided by home security systems. Those who opt for professionally installed and monitored systems pay between $100 and $250 for installation and $25 to $70 per month for monthly equipment charges and monitoring. Smartphone loyalists can do much better.

Using smartphones for home security can be a great way to gain peace of mind, cut costs, and make more efficient use of something you already own. Following are two of the best ways to integrate your current or older iPhone into a home security camera network, with no (or nominal) additional monthly costs.

Related Videos
smartphone security monitoring system
Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock

iPhone Home security tape

With the Home app that comes free with your iPhone, you can view video that your home security cameras collect when they sense a human, animal, or vehicle. To make it work, you’ll need a 200 GB iCloud storage plan for a single camera or a 2 TB plan for up to five cameras. Video files are encrypted on your personal phone, then securely uploaded and stored on the cloud for ten days. Only you and those you share with can view the video.

Select a Home compatible security camera

To set up a monitoring system, choose a Home compatible camera, and add it to the Home app. You will be prompted to set up recording and streaming options and assign the camera to a room. The camera will default as a favorite and appear in the Home tab.

To edit settings later, just touch and hold the camera button and tap the film reel icon. Select from room, notifications, streaming and recording, and recording options.

Create activity zones

Focus the camera on the most important areas within their field of view by creating activity zones. Tap the Home tab, then hold the camera button and tap the film reel icon. Select “Activity Zones,” draw or tap on the video to define a zone, and tap “Add Zone.” If you prefer to detect motion only outside the defined zone, tap “Invert Zone.” Create any additional activity zones within this camera’s field of view in the same way. Tap “Done” when finished.

View security video

You can access live and recorded video from the Home app on your iOS device or Mac with macOS 10.15.1 or higher. To review recorded security footage, tap the Home tab and select the camera. Live video will play immediately. Use the timeline that appears at the bottom of the screen to browse the recorded video. Select any clip to play it. 

iPhone resting on laptop keyboard
sdx15/Shutterstock

Turn an old iPhone into a security camera

Most of us have an old phone or two that will sit around collecting dust until we finally decide to recycle them. What a waste! These expensive communication devices may have worn out their usefulness in one way, but they are still highly sensitive and capable computers. 

Stripped down to their core, an old iPhone offers connectivity, processing power, and a high-quality camera perfect for integration with home security monitoring. Whether you are concerned about porch pirates lifting packages from your front entry, or if you just want a backup baby monitor, an iPhone could be just the thing. 

Choose an app

You’ll have to choose an app that will convert the old phone to a security cam and give control access to your current phone. Dozens of great options are available. Depending on which generation iPhone you are working with, some of the apps offer highly advanced sensing tech, as well as peripheral amenities like a walkie-talkie feature, motion or vibration detection, multiple phone/camera linking, and more.

For the best functionality, plan on mounting the camera phone on a wall near an electrical outlet. A smartphone security camera is great for indoor use but not suitable for exposure to all weather conditions.

The old Apple ad line, “There’s an app for that!” still rings true. Incorporating your current and outdated iPhones into a two-or-more smartphones home security system is a simple matter of using the included Home app or downloading one of many phone-to-security-camera third-party apps. These are smart, secure ways to get the most functionality over the lifetime of your devices.

Editors' Recommendations

Good, better, best: DIY home security systems worth your money
SimpliSafe home security components

Reliable home security doesn’t have to break the bank. Current technology makes security cameras, motion sensors, communication hubs, and mobile apps more accessible than ever. If you’re looking for a new and affordable way to keep an eye on the home while you’re away, these DIY home security systems are worth a look.
Good: Kangaroo Front Door Security Kit
The Kangaroo Front Door Security Kit with professional monitoring includes a doorbell camera, two motion/entry sensors, a siren/keypad, two Roo tags (keys to arm and disarm the system), a yard sign, five window decals, and a year of paid-up professional monitoring. The Kangaroo mobile app is included so you can monitor on the go, and the system is voice control compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Kangaroo security devices use WiFi connectivity to communicate with the Kangaroo security app, and the wireless installation is fast and easy. One of the monitoring options, the Porch Plan ($1.99 per month, billed annually) covers all doorbell cameras at your location, includes 365 days of cloud storage, and reimburses up to two package theft claims of up to $150 each. Under the Kangaroo Complete Plan ($8.25 per month, billed annually), you get 24/7 monitoring of all devices with 365 days of included cloud storage for all doorbell cameras and 30 days of storage for any added privacy cameras, additional premium camera features, text and call notifications, and more.  
Pros

Read more
8 ways to keep your house safe from a fire
brick fireplace with fire burning

Fire Prevention Week runs from October 3-9, 2021, so take this time to learn everything you can to protect your family from house fires. A fire can engulf a home in a matter of minutes, and many fires are preventable, so be sure to keep these home fire safety tips in mind and share them with friends and family.
Pay attention when cooking
When you’re preparing a meal, minimize distractions.

Kids: Have someone keep an eye on young kids if they're in another room, or have them sit at the kitchen table with an activity that will keep them engaged while you cook.
Pets: Keep pets out of the kitchen if you can, and turn off your cellphone or leave it in another room.
Turn off the stove: If you must leave the kitchen for any reason, even if it’s just for a few seconds, turn off the stove. If there’s a chance that food in a pan could burn while you’re out of the kitchen, remove it from the burner.

Read more
What Amazon’s latest offerings tell us about the future of home security
person holding phone and viewing home security footage

Amazon recently hosted its annual fall event, launching new and innovative tech that may transform your approach to home security. The latest offerings include new devices, updates for Echo, Ring, and Blink, and enhanced automation to improve your home’s security.

As more households search for security solutions to keep their families safe, automation has allowed for not only increased peace of mind but also for more ease and accessibility. To gain a better perspective about what these new home security features could provide for your home — and where security tech is going — we gathered all of the details.

Read more