# Phonitor: DIY Security Camera — Spare iPhone as security cam > Repurpose old Apple devices into a secure, ad-free DIY security camera system. (iPhone/iPad app by 弛 张.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonitor-diy-security-camera/id6648756122 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [弛 张](https://appshunter.io/developer/1498872554) - Category: Photo & Video, Utilities - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.30/5 from 16 App Store ratings · 5 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 15.0 · 29 MB - Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Chinese (Simplified, China), European Spanish, Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan) - Released: 2024-09-02 - Data updated: 2026-08-20 - Monetization: freemium - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonitor-diy-security-camera/id6648756122/reviews.md ## What is Phonitor? Ever thought your old iPhone or iPad could do more? Phonitor turns your unused devices into a smart monitoring camera — no extra hardware, no extra cost. Simply use your spare iPhone, iPad, or Mac as the camera, and view the live or playback on your everyday device. Place it wherever you need — a shelf, windowsill, the crib, even outside for an afternoon. No mounts, no drilling: run on the built-in battery for short stints, or plug in for the long haul. Easily keep an eye on your home, yard, office, or stay connected with your baby, pets, and loved ones. Built with privacy at its core, Phonitor is completely ad-free and collects no data. Designed exclusively for the Apple ecosystem, it harnesses Apple’s native technologies for seamless performance — now with a fresh look on iOS 26. Here are the key benefits: REAL-TIME MONITORING: Watch your camera’s live stream anytime, anywhere, on any of your Apple devices. INSTANT PLAYBACK: Replay any moment from the recordings stored on your camera device. EXPORT CLIPS: Trim and save the moments that matter — locally or remotely — and share them anywhere. (Pro) TWO-WAY AUDIO: Hear what’s happening and talk as if you’re there. (Pro) NIGHT VISION: Cleaner, steadier video in low light, with anti-flicker tuning that keeps the picture calm even under dim bulbs. CRISP VIDEO: Up to 2K at 60fps, with multiple resolutions and frame rates to fit your scene. LOW LATENCY: Experience minimal delay powered by the device-to-device direct connection. ULTRA-WIDE CAMERA: Capture a broader view with the ultra-wide lens on compatible devices. LONG-TERM OPTIMIZATION: Smart battery use and reduced heat on the camera device — built for stable, long-running streaming. BACKGROUND PLAY: Continue monitoring while using other apps, or even with the screen locked. (Pro) PRIVATE: Video streams go directly device-to-device via P2P — never through or stored on third-party servers. Recordings stay on your camera. Only you can access them. SECURE: Phonitor uses iCloud to securely sync your critical data across devices. Your Apple ID is all you need — no extra accounts required. Upgrade to Phonitor Pro for unlimited monitoring and exclusive features with a 7-day free trial. More exciting features are coming soon with regular updates! Reusing old devices isn’t just about saving money — it’s a more sustainable, mindful lifestyle. Repurpose your old hardware in a simple, secure, and practical way, rather than letting it gather dust when it’s still fully capable. Terms of Use: https://phonitor.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://phonitor.app/privacy ## Key features - Repurpose old Apple devices as cameras - Secure iCloud data sync - Private P2P video streaming - Two-way audio communication - Instant playback of recordings - High-quality video up to 2K 60fps - Battery saver mode ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Pro | $2.49 | per 7 days | | Pro | $4.99 | per month | | Pro | $35.99 | per year | ## Recent user reviews (5 of 5) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonitor-diy-security-camera/id6648756122/reviews.md ### 3/5 — Keep up the good work *2026-05-15, version 2.0.1* Easy to use. Difficult to navigate to a set time period, but then easy once you have found the period and zoomed in. The sound quality on both the live feed and the recording is of poor quality. Volume levels keep changing also ### 1/5 — Not on an old iPhone.. poor execution *2025-12-24* Touted as a use for “old” iPhones.. not quite correct. No place does it state you must use iOS 15 or higher. Cant update older phones to that iOS so it’s useless. It’s somewhat difficult to get them paired and working. Not intuitive, menus are marginal at best. Nothing is explained or defined. Finally did get a phone connected to an iPad but took a while and some experimenting. Not worth the subscription price. Works so so for the free version. Better off just getting a blink or ring. Phone need to be continuously plugged in so it WILL destroy the battery. Great idea but poor execution. ### 5/5 — Impressive *2024-09-21* The video quality is excellent, comparable to like watching YouTube, also the lag is minimal. Great job ### 5/5 — 安全的端对端通信 *2024-09-18* 很棒的产品，不用再担心视频存储在第三方服务器中的安全问题。 **Developer response:** Thanks, Kylo! Yes sure! All footage stays local! 🙌 ### 1/5 — app say live monitoring and recording free and doesn't asks for a subscription *2024-09-10, version 1.0.2* app asks for subscription for live monitoring and recording when app say is free this app accounts and language i dont think accurate to the infomation advertised ## Frequently asked questions about Phonitor ### What is Phonitor? Phonitor transforms your unused Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, or Macs into a secure, ad-free security camera. It allows you to monitor your home, pets, or baby with features like live streaming, two-way audio, and instant playback. ### Does Phonitor have ads? No, Phonitor is completely ad-free. The app prioritizes user privacy and does not display any advertisements, ensuring an uninterrupted monitoring experience. ### How much does Phonitor cost? Phonitor offers 30 minutes of free real-time monitoring each month. For unlimited access and advanced features, you can upgrade to Phonitor Premium, with subscription options starting at $2.49 for 7 days. ### What devices does Phonitor support? Phonitor is designed specifically for the Apple ecosystem and supports iPhones, iPads, and iPods. It leverages Apple's technologies for seamless performance across these devices. ### Is my data secure with Phonitor? Yes, Phonitor is built with privacy at its core. It uses iCloud for secure data syncing and P2P connections for direct, unmonitored video streams between your devices. Recordings are saved locally. ### How often is Phonitor updated? Phonitor receives regular updates with new features and improvements. The latest version is 1.4.1, last updated on June 26, 2025, indicating a commitment to ongoing development. ### Can I use Phonitor for long-term monitoring? Phonitor includes a Battery Saver Mode to optimize power usage on the camera device for stable, long-term streaming. The Premium version also offers background play for continuous monitoring. ### What is the age rating for Phonitor? Phonitor has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. This rating suggests that the content and features are appropriate for children and adults. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.0.1 — 2026-05-09 Phonitor 2.0 — our biggest update yet. • Export Clips: trim and share the moments that matter, from local or remote recordings (Pro) • Improved Night Vision: cleaner low-light video with anti-flicker tuning that stays calm under dim bulbs • A fresh look for iOS 26 with Liquid Glass nav bars • More reliable streaming worldwide • Plus dozens of fixes for overall stability Thanks for using Phonitor! ### 2.0 — 2026-05-04 Phonitor 2.0 — our biggest update yet. • Export Clips: trim and share the moments that matter, from local or remote recordings (Pro) • Improved Night Vision: cleaner low-light video with anti-flicker tuning that stays calm under dim bulbs • A fresh look for iOS 26 with Liquid Glass nav bars • More reliable streaming worldwide • Plus dozens of fixes for overall stability Thanks for using Phonitor! ### 1.4.1 — 2025-06-26 This version brings stability improvements and bug fixes. ### 1.4.0 — 2025-06-11 Added Low Light Boost for brighter video in dark environments. ### 1.3.10 — 2025-02-02 This update includes some small improvements. ## Apps similar to Phonitor | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Faceter Video Surveillance](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/faceter-video-surveillance/id1458596215) | 4.6 (341) | Free | Photo & Video | | [Night Vision - LiDAR Camera](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/night-vision-lidar-camera/id1668629667) | 4.1 (504) | Free | Photo & Video | | [InviCam: Black Screen Camera](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/invicam-black-screen-camera/id1583792417) | 4.5 (248) | Free | Photo & Video | | [Video Surveillance Ivideon](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/video-surveillance-ivideon/id464234175) | 4.1 (536) | Free | Photo & Video | | [Heden VisionCam: IP Camera](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heden-visioncam-ip-camera/id566067357) | 4.2 (103) | Free | Photo & Video | | [Homy: Security Camera](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/homy-security-camera/id6746756466) | 4.7 (48) | Free | Photo & Video | ## More apps by 弛 张 - [WhatsThis: Snap to Learn Words](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whatsthis-snap-to-learn-words/id6737052050) - [Dogmon - Dog Breed Identifier](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dogmon-dog-breed-identifier/id6740138007) All apps by 弛 张: https://appshunter.io/developer/1498872554 ## Related topics [manything](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/manything) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-20.*