How to turn Xiaomi camera into a webcam for your computer: 5 proven ways

The camera of a modern smartphone Xiaomi often surpasses the quality of standard webcams of laptops and cheap USB-Using it to stream, video calls or record content is a logical solution, especially if you don't have professional equipment at hand. However, not everyone knows that you can connect Xiaomi's camera as a webcam to a PC in several ways, each of which has its own nuances.

In this article, we will look at all the current methods, from simple applications to advanced solutions with minimal latency, and learn how to get around common errors (for example, for example, for example, the most common ones, USB-debugging doesn't work or the camera isn't defined, compare the pros and cons of each option, and get recommendations for setting resolution and frame rate. 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12/13 and POCO F5, Where image processing algorithms may differ.

It is important that you use it. MIUI 14+, Some old instructions (such as the DroidCam 2021 app) may not work.

1. Preparation of Xiaomi smartphone for use as a webcam

You have to do basic settings on your phone before you connect, or the PC may not recognize the device, or the camera will work with artifacts. USB-Debugging is a must for most methods.

How to activate the developer mode on Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (you will receive a notification "You became a developer").
3. Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
4. Activate the switches: 🔧 Debugging by USB (necessarily!) 🔄 Unlocking OEM (certain methods) 📱 Do not turn off the screen when charging (so that the camera does not turn off)

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 14+ after-in USB-Debugging will be a request for confirmation RSA-Always press "Allow" or the connection will not be established. If the window does not appear, check the cable (original cable required). USB-C Data-enabled port or port on a computer.

Enable the developer mode|Activate USB-debugging|Permission. RSA-key-in|Use the original cable USB-C|Disable battery optimization for the camera-->

We also recommend disabling Battery Optimization for applications that will use the camera.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like DroidCam or EpocCam).
3. Press Battery Optimization → No restrictions.

2. Method 1: DroidCam application (simple and free)

DroidCam is one of the most popular solutions for turning a smartphone into a webcam. It supports connectivity. USB, Wi-Fi and even Bluetooth, but for minimal latency, it's better to use wire.The app works on all Xiaomi models (including Redmi). 10C and POCO X5 Pro, but has a restriction on the free version - watermark.

Step-by-step:

1. Download DroidCam to your phone from Google Play.
2. Install a client for PC from the official website (there are versions for Windows and Linux).
3. Connect the phone to the computer by USB (data-transmitting).
4. Launch the application on your phone and press Start Server (to USB select the appropriate mode).
5. In the client on the PC, select USB In the Connection Method section and click Start.

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If you have a DSLR image in DroidCam, open the app settings on your phone and activate the Flip Horizontal option, which is especially true for the front camera.

3. Method 2: EpocCam (best quality for streams)

Elgato’s EpocCam is a more advanced DroidCam alternative, optimized for streamers and professional use. 4K (on supported Xiaomi models, has built-in stabilization and minimal latency.The free version is limited to resolution 720p, But that's enough for Zoom or Discord.

How to set up EpocCam:

1. Download the application to your phone (Google Play) and the driver for the PC (official site).
2. Put the phone on. USB Wi-Fi (for Wi-Fi, both devices must be on the same network).
3. Run EpocCam on your phone and wait for the image to appear in the client on the PC.
4. In the settings, select the camera (Primary or Front) and resolution.

The advantages of EpocCam over DroidCam are:

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) EpocCam may not be launched due to conflict with the MIUI Optimization. To fix this, do it:

adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 1

After the phone is restarted, the app should be working.

4. Method 3: Iriun Webcam (for macOS and Windows)

Iriun Webcam is a one-stop solution that supports not only Xiaomi, but other brands as well, and its key advantage is rootless work and minimal PC requirements. USB, The quality of the DroidCam is not inferior.

Instructions for setting:

1. Install Iriun Webcam on your phone (Google Play) and the client on your PC (iriun.com).
2. Connect the phone to the computer by USB (regime PTP or MTP).
3. Launch the app on your phone and select USB Mode.
4. On the PC in the Iriun client will appear the image from the camera.

Iriun features:

• 🎬 Support 1080p@30fps Even on a budget Redmi (like Redmi). 9A).
• 🔗 The ability to use both the main and front camera (in the paid version).
• 🖥️ Compatibility with OBS Studio, Zoom, Microsoft Teams.

5. Method 4: Scrcpy + OBS (for advanced users)

If you want maximum lossless quality, the Scrcpy combination (for screen broadcasting) and OBS Studio (for image capture) will be the best solution, and it requires command line skills, but gives you complete control over the camera settings, including manual focus and white balance.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Scrcpy (download from GitHub).
• 🎥 OBS Studio (to capture the Scrcpy window).
• 📱 On. USB-phone-debugging.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to the PC by USB and check the connection with the command: adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
2. Run Scrcpy with options to capture only the camera: scrcpy --no-display --bit-rate 8M --camera front (replace front with back for the main camera).
3. V OBS Studio Add Windows Capture Source and Select Scrcpy window.
4. Configure the resolution in Scrcpy through the settings --video-size (for example, 1920x1080).

⚠️ Note: Scrcpy will keep your phone’s camera full — other apps (like Instagram) won’t be able to use it, and it puts a lot of strain on your PC processor, so for weak laptops, you’d better choose DroidCam or EpocCam.

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Scrcpy + OBS — The only way to get raw video stream from Xiaomi camera without compression, as with direct connection to the camera. HDMI. This is critical for professional color correction.

Method 5: Built-in function MIUI (new-model)

Starting with MIUI 13, Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Pro, Redmi K50 Ultra) received an integrated function USB-It works without third-party applications, but it has limitations: only Windows is supported. 10/11 permission before 1080p.

How to activate:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. In the notification curtain tap on the option USB-connection.
3. Select the Webcam mode (USB).
4. On PC, the camera will be defined as normal. USB-Video device (e.g. in Zoom or Skype).

Integrated mode limitations:

• 🚫 No support for macOS or Linux.
• 🔇 Phone microphone is not transmitted (you need to use a separate phone).
• ⚙️ No manual exposure or white balance settings.

If the function of the Webcam (USB) It's not on the menu, so your model doesn't support it:

7. Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of method depends on your tasks, the Xiaomi model and the PC operating system. Below is a comparison table with recommendations:

💡 Recommendations for selection:

• 🎮 For streams (Twitch, YouTube): EpocCam or Scrcpy + OBS.
• 💼 For video conferencing (Zoom, Teams): DroidCam or built-in feature MIUI.
• 🍎 For macOS: Iriun or EpocCam.
• 🎥 For post-processing video recording: Scrcpy + OBS (maximum quality).

8.Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the right setup, there can be problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

1. The computer does not see the phone in webcam mode

• 🔌 Check the cable – it should support data transfer (not all) USB-C cables are the same!).
• 🔄 Switch the connection mode in the phone notification curtain to File Transfer (MTP) or PTP.
• 🖥️ Update the drivers ADB On PC (download the latest version).
• 📱 On the phone in Settings → For developers, turn on debugging by USB (safe-haven).

2.The image is lagging or tearing

• 📶 If you use Wi-Fi, switch to Wi-Fi. USB vice versa.
• 🔧 Reduce the resolution in the application settings (for example, with 1080p before 720p).
• 🖥️ Close background programs on PCs that consume resources (for example, a browser with open tabs).
• 🔋 Connect your phone to charge – with a low battery level, camera performance drops.

3.Camera is working, but no sound.

• 🎤 In most applications (except EpocCam Pro), the phone's microphone is not transmitted. Use a separate microphone or set up audio capture via a phone. OBS.
• 🔊 In Windows, check that the correct input device is selected in the sound settings.

4.The app is making an error"USB device not recognized"

• 🔌 Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0).
• 🖥️ Reinstall the drivers ADB via Device Manager (remove the old device and reconnect).
• 📱 Turn it off on the phone and turn it back on. USB-debugging.

adb kill-server && adb start-server

This often helps in conflicts with new versions of the firmware.-->

FAQ: Frequent questions