Alfred: Home Security Camera

AlfredCamera turns a spare phone into a home security camera you can watch live from anywhere, so you can keep an eye on your home, your cottage, your dog and your family while you're away. It has more than 90 million downloads and a 4.7-star rating from over 1 million reviews on Google Play, and Google Play named it one of the most innovative apps (2016) and one of the most popular utility apps (2019).

It stands on a shelf: no drilling, no wiring and nothing new to buy, which suits condos and rentals too.

■ HOME SECURITY CAMERA FROM YOUR OLD PHONE
Put your old phone on a shelf facing your hallway, front door or living room and it becomes an indoor camera and a home security camera app in one. Motion detection sends an alert to your phone the moment something moves and records a short clip, so you can check what happened while you're at work. With winter darkness falling by 4:30, the low-light filter keeps the picture clearer after the lights go off.

■ DOG CAMERA AND PET CAM
Is your dog home alone while you're at work? Use the app as a dog camera and see whether your dog is asleep on the couch or waiting by the door. Use two-way talk so your dog hears a familiar voice. It also works as a cat camera.

■ AWAY FOR THE WINTER
Heading south for a few weeks or visiting family over the holidays? Check on the empty house from anywhere. On Wi-Fi or cell data, the live view of your home is one tap away.

■ THE COTTAGE IN THE OFF-SEASON
Leave a spare phone at the cottage, plugged in and on Wi-Fi, and keep an eye on it while it's closed up, even hours away.

■ PACKAGES AT THE DOOR
Expecting deliveries before the holidays? Point the camera from inside at your own front door and get a motion alert when a parcel arrives. Keep the view on your own property, not the street or your neighbour's.

■ BABY MONITOR APP
Two phones make a baby monitor with live video and sound. Cook or work in the next room and still see your baby asleep in the crib. Keep the phone and charger at least one metre from the crib.

■ CHECK IN ON MOM AND DAD
Do your parents live on their own? Set up a camera together in their living room, with their agreement, and check in whenever you like.

■ PRIVATE BY DESIGN
- End-to-end encrypted live video and recordings
- Only you and the people you invite can see your cameras
- No one at Alfred can view your video
- An alert when your account signs in on a new device

■ FEATURES
- Live HD video from anywhere
- Motion alerts and short recordings
- Two-way talk
- Low-light filter for dark rooms
- Several cameras on one screen
- Share access with family you trust
- Works on Wi-Fi and cell data (4G, 5G); no SIM card needed on Wi-Fi, so it's a Wi-Fi camera
- Works on Android and iOS, or a mix of both

■ WHERE TO PLACE IT
- Hallway facing the front door: a motion sensor camera
- Living room: a home camera and pet cam
- Cottage: a remote camera
- Nursery: a baby monitor and video monitor
- Your parents' place: daily check-ins

■ FAQ
Q: How do I turn my old phone into a security camera?
A: Install AlfredCamera on both phones and sign in with the same account. The old phone becomes the camera; your current phone is the viewer.

Q: Can I use it in a condo or rental?
A: Yes. Stand the phone on a shelf inside and watch live from your phone. Nothing is fixed to the wall.

Q: Can I use it as a dog monitor all day?
A: Yes. Keep the camera phone plugged in and watch whenever you like.

Q: Is it a good baby monitor?
A: Many parents use it as a baby monitor app with live video and sound, as an extra pair of eyes, not a medical device.

Premium adds cloud recording and higher video quality; you can see what's included before you subscribe.

Please use cameras responsibly: keep them inside your home or on your own property, tell people in your home that a camera is on, and don't point them at bathrooms, the street or your neighbours. Don't record other people's conversations.

This app uses the Device Administrator permission for some features.