# Security Camera: Watchful Cam — Home, nanny, pet, baby monitor

> Repurposes Apple devices as a secure, remote-access security camera. (iPhone/iPad app by Anthony R. DePasquale.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/security-camera-watchful-cam/id6451049580 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Anthony R. DePasquale](https://appshunter.io/developer/1696305034)
- Category: Lifestyle, Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 153 App Store ratings · 19 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 21 MB
- Languages: American English, Arabic, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French (France), German (Germany) and 23 more
- Released: 2023-07-13
- Data updated: 2026-08-14
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/security-camera-watchful-cam/id6451049580/reviews.md

## What is Security Camera?

Watchful turns your iPhone, iPad, or Mac into a security camera. Your footage is securely stored on your device or in your private iCloud storage, allowing you to view it remotely on your other devices. No account setup is necessary if you already use iCloud.

In addition to recording videos and taking snapshots at an adjustable interval, Watchful makes time-lapse videos to give you a convenient overview. There's also a live video feed that you can access from your other devices via iCloud.

With motion detection, you can choose to record videos only when movement is detected and receive notifications on your other devices.

You can configure how long you want to keep your security camera footage, according to your needs and available storage. You'll see an estimate of the storage you need so that you can stay within your limits or increase your available storage.

Whether you want to use your devices as a home security camera, a nanny cam, a baby monitor, or a pet monitor, Watchful can cover all your surveillance needs.

Key features

- Live video feed
- Video or snapshot mode
- Time-lapse videos
- Motion detection with notifications
- Adjustable storage duration
- Videos and photos securely saved in your private iCloud storage

---

Privacy policy: watchful.cam/privacy
Terms of use: apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

## Key features

- Live video feed
- Video and snapshot recording
- Time-lapse videos
- Motion detection with notifications
- Adjustable storage duration
- Secure iCloud storage

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Watchful Pro (annual) | $39.99 | per year |
| Watchful Pro (monthly) | $8.99 | per month |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Watchful Pro (lifetime) | $99.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 19)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/security-camera-watchful-cam/id6451049580/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Watchful design problems

*2026-05-15*

Spent a half day setting this app up and tested it overnight with the settings only record video when motion is detected and motion detection on.  Left my iphone in a dark room and went to bed.   When I woke up, the application had created countless videos and photos of the black darkness with zero motion occurring.  So happy I used apple pay so that I could get my money back.  There is no free trial.  Be aware that you will need to leave your lockscreen unlocked because by design apple does not allow the camera to run when the lock screen is protecting the phone.  When the lockscreen is off your phone will show the video on your phone and green camera light for everyone to see.  Just buy a security camera compatible with an app from app store.

**Developer response:** You can adjust the motion detection sensitivity in the settings, but naturally this feature works best when the room is lit, since motion can't be accurately detected in the dark. iPhone cameras need light to produce an image, and in the dark they produce visual artifacts. Also, it is not true that there is no free trial. There's a free tier and a 3-day free trial for the annual subscription, which can be canceled at any time. I'm always available to help at support@watchful.cam, and I'll do whatever I can to make the app work well for you. Please consider updating your review accordingly.

### 4/5 — Camara luz mola 1615

*2025-12-10*

Abigail1615

### 5/5 — Useful

*2025-10-26, version 2025.8*

the app covers my needs! thank you 🙌

### 1/5 — booooo

*2025-07-04*

doesnt seem to seamlessly work and i dont have the time for it,and its just another trac ker anyways

**Developer response:** I've spent the past three years working full-time on Watchful. I care a lot about privacy, which is why I designed Watchful to collect as little data as possible and to store your data in your private iCloud storage. You can verify this in the privacy policy at watchful.cam/privacy.

I've also put a huge amount of effort into ensuring that Watchful works seamlessly. If you encounter any problems, please let me know at support@watchful.cam, and I'll be happy to help you resolve them.

If this response has been helpful to you, I would appreciate it if you could revise your review and rating, since your current review doesn't reflect how Watchful works, and unfair reviews like this negatively impact my income as an independent developer.

### 5/5 — Coole App

*2025-02-13, version 2025.2*

Sehr coole App und einfach zu verstehen. Der Support auch richtig schnell. Mir wurde bei meinem Problem noch ganz spät abends geholfen

### 3/5 — Limited time recordings in free version

*2024-11-17*

Even with paid version, maximum video storage length.  Also no ability to only record when there’s movement.

**Developer response:** Watchful now has motion detection, with the ability to save videos only when movement is detected. You can export your videos and photos directly from the app. Videos and photos are deleted after the maximum storage period that you set, because otherwise your iCloud or device storage would fill up. Please contact me at feedback@watchful.cam, and I'll be happy to resolve any other issues.

### 1/5 — Barebones

*2024-11-13*

Settings are basically not there. Can't do photos in less than a 10s interval (e.g. no 5s or 1s), and doesn't seem to store media anywhere accessible to the user (e.g. not in ~/Movies, etc), so they're trying to force you to keep a subscription to access any recordings. Overall, feels like something someone built in a day, threw it on the Mac store and thought they could just make some passive income with it? Good idea, might work for some folks' needs, but IMO: pass.

**Developer response:** There are some technical reasons related to iCloud for why the recording intervals start at 10 seconds. If you need a shorter interval, you can achieve the same result by setting the app to record videos. Watchful now also has motion detection and notifications. What settings or features do you find are missing? Your media is accessible to you in ~/Library/Group Containers/group.co.superabundant.Watchful, regardless of whether or not you have a subscription. You can also export individual videos and photos directly from the app. I've spent the past three years working full time on Watchful. I truly care about making a great app, and negative reviews have a major impact on my livelihood. I'm always available for support and feedback at support@watchful.cam. If you find this response helpful, please consider changing your rating.

### 5/5 — Ghost

*2024-09-16*

I set cameras up at night to catch ghosts on camera and they always turn off but this one doesn’t turn off

**Developer response:** Happy to help!

### 1/5 — Pricey

*2024-07-12*

Apps that immediately ask for payment when they start should say so in their description.

**Developer response:** Watchful's product page on the App Store prominently displays the subscription options. Watchful is free with basic features, with the option to subscribe to unlock premium features. I'm an independent developer, and subscriptions make it possible for people to support my work on this app, which is my full-time job. If this explanation has been helpful, please consider changing your rating, since negative reviews impact my ability to earn a living from my work.

### 5/5 — Cool

*2024-04-25*

Works as advertised. I like that it’s private.

## Frequently asked questions about Security Camera

### What does Watchful Cam do?

Watchful Cam transforms your iPhone, iPad, or Mac into a functional security camera. It allows you to stream live video, record footage, take snapshots, and receive motion detection alerts remotely on your other devices.

### How is my footage stored?

Footage is securely stored either directly on your device or within your private iCloud storage. This ensures your recordings are kept safe and accessible only to you.

### Is there a cost to use Watchful Cam?

The app is free to download and use, with options for in-app purchases. Specific features or expanded functionality may require these purchases.

### What devices is Watchful Cam compatible with?

The application is designed to work with Apple devices, specifically iPhones, iPads, and Macs, turning them into surveillance cameras.

### What are the common use cases for Watchful Cam?

Common uses include setting up a home security camera, monitoring a baby or pet, or using it as a nanny cam. It's versatile for various surveillance needs.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2026.3 — 2026-07-29

This update includes performance improvements. We’d love to hear your feedback at feedback@watchful.cam.

### 2026.2 — 2026-04-30

This update includes performance improvements. We’d love to hear your feedback at feedback@watchful.cam.

### 2026.1 — 2026-02-11

This update includes performance improvements. We’d love to hear your feedback at feedback@watchful.cam.

### 2025.8 — 2025-09-15

This update includes performance improvements. We’d love to hear your feedback at feedback@watchful.cam.

### 2025.7 — 2025-07-14

This update includes performance improvements. We’d love to hear your feedback at feedback@watchful.cam.

## Apps similar to Security Camera

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Alfred Camera: Home Security](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alfred-camera-home-security/id966460837) | 4.8 (110,441) | Free | Lifestyle |
| [Home Security Camera - Visory](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/home-security-camera-visory/id1601861377) | 4.6 (3,184) | Free | Lifestyle |
| [Annie Baby Monitor: Nanny Cam](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/annie-baby-monitor-nanny-cam/id944269894) | 4.4 (2,493) | Free | Lifestyle |
| [Homam* Security & Baby Monitor](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/homam-security-and-baby-monitor/id1443566721) | 4.3 (13) | Free | Lifestyle |
| [HOME Security Camera & Monitor](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/home-security-camera-and-monitor/id1097819311) | 4.2 (42) | $9.99 | Lifestyle |
| [AiCam AI Smart Security Camera](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aicam-ai-smart-security-camera/id1550773622) | 4.4 (114) | Free | Lifestyle |

## More apps by Anthony R. DePasquale

- [Local Chat: Private AI Chatbot](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/local-chat-private-ai-chatbot/id6504043428)

All apps by Anthony R. DePasquale: https://appshunter.io/developer/1696305034

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*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 2026-08-14.*