Security Camera User Reviews

Customer Experience

Positive experience73.7% of reviews
Neutral10.5% of reviews
Negative experience15.8% of reviews

~ Based on 19 written reviews from the US App Store.

Is Security Camera Safe?

Security Camera: Watchful Cam appears safe based on user ratings. AppsHunter Safety Score for Security Camera is 88/100.

This assessment is based on 152 user ratings, with an App Store average of 4.5/5.

Safety Analysis

88.8% of ratings point to a safe experience
3.9% of ratings suggest some concerns
7.2% of ratings point to a risky experience

~ Based on 152 App Store ratings for Security Camera.

Is Security Camera Legit?

Security Camera: Watchful Cam appears legitimate, with a few gaps. AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Security Camera is 73/100.

Based on 73 of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data.

Top reviews

Watchful design problems

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.
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Response from developer

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.

Camara luz mola 1615

Abigail1615

Useful

the app covers my needs! thank you 🙌

booooo

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

Response from developer

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.

Coole App

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

Limited time recordings in free version

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

Response from developer

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.

Barebones

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.
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Response from developer

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.

Ghost

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

Response from developer

Happy to help!

Pricey

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

Response from developer

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.

Cool

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

A well-made app

This app is a great way to use your computer as a security camera or view footage from your other devices. I like the fact that the videos are stored in iCloud. It gives me peace of mind to be able to check in on my home while I'm away. The time lapse videos are also a nice feature.

Watchful-Great Features plus Ease of Use

Need to monitor the baby while working from home? Wondering if the cats do get on the tables when you’re out? Need 24/7 security when away for a few days or for that long needed vacation? Watchful is the Swiss army knife of security apps that checks all the boxes and then some. And guess what, you don’t have to pay a security company $40 or $50 a month to get this kind of peace of mind.

Watchful turns your iPhone, iPad, iMac, etc. into a security camera with images you can access from any other Apple device. A great feature set lets you record in real time, as photos, video and even a time lapse option.

You can easily configure the resolution and recording interval to your liking. Images can be stored on the recording device or in iCloud, and you can choose how long those images are stored. Also, using iCloud storage enables you to erase images with just a few clicks from any of your devices, from anywhere.

With no pets and being fully retired, we now travel often and sometimes for extended periods of time. My 70 year old eyes appreciate checking email and watching videos on the iPad, so I take the ipad along on trips and use my iMac as the Watchful recording device at home.

I optimize the iMac for Watchful recording with the following settings: In the “Displays” section of System Settings, clicking the “Advanced” tab brings up an “Energy” option, “Prevent automatic sleeping when display is off.” I click this option On. When leaving for a trip I launch Watchful and start recording. Then I choose “Lock Screen” from the Apple menu before going out the door. After a few seconds the screen goes black, with Watchful recording in the background.

These settings enable Watchful to provide continuous security to our home and deny access to the computer while preserving energy. An intruder caught by the camera would not even know they were being recorded, with these images stored off site in iCloud. Upon returning, my personal password unlocks the screen.

As a “mature” gentleman, ease of use is as important to me as having robust features in any app. Watchful knocks it out of the park for both considerations, and I have to believe the developer paid close attention to the actual end user experience in designing the app. I look forward to exploring other apps that this developer puts out in the future.
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Genial opción

Buena alternativa

So Far So Good

Just downloaded it and installed on iPad in kitchen. We are heading out of town for a few weeks. We will see how it does. Was very easy to set up.

Response from developer

Thanks for your review! We recently launched a live video feature, and we have more new features on our roadmap for the coming months. We'd love to hear more about your experience and any feedback you have at feedback@watchful.cam.

Mega App

Super App!! Nur zu empfehlen!! Einfache Bedienung!! Mega

Trying to link iPad with iPhone

I just downloaded the app for my iPad and iPhone and was hoping I could use one as a recording device and the other for watching the the live recording but I don’t see anything that would let me do just. This app looks like it’s a still working progress and I hope that it will all come together as a perfect app I’m gonna stay and see that come together. 🤙👍🏼🤟🏽💯
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Response from developer

Thanks for your review! We recently added a live video feature to the app. If you get a chance to try it out, let us know what you think at feedback@watchful.cam.

A Simple and Elegant Security Camera App

So far I’ve been very impressed with the UI and ease of use of Watchful. The app offers a lot of convenient features for a free app and has given new life to my old iPhone. Great job!

Intuitive and secure

I've always wanted to use my old iPhone as a security camera, and this app is the perfect solution for me. I like the fact that the videos are stored in iCloud. It gives me peace of mind to be able to check in on my home while I'm away. The time lapse videos are also a nice feature.

Security made simple

Terrific app for home security. Ease of use, feature set and flexibility make this a real winner.