How to link a phone as a webcam in Windows 11 Mobile Devices settings

Checking System Requirements and Compatibility

Both devices also need Wi-Fi 📶 and Bluetooth 🔷 turned on to communicate properly during the setup process.

Your computer must run Windows 11 version 23H2 or later. Additionally, your mobile device needs to run Android 9.0 or higher, or iOS 17 or higher. Both devices must have Wi-Fi 📶 and Bluetooth 🔷 enabled and remain within close physical proximity during use.

Installing and Updating Link to Windows

Installing 💿 and updating Link to Windows requires you to download the ⬇️ official mobile app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and ensure the Cross Device Experience Host component on your PC is up to date through the Microsoft Store so both devices can pair correctly.

1. Open the Microsoft Store on your computer and search for Cross Device Experience Host. Ensure this application is installed and updated to the latest version.
2. Open the Google Play Store on your Android phone or the Apple App Store on your iPhone.
3. Search for Link to Windows and install the 💿 application on your mobile device.
4. Sign in to the mobile application using the exact same Microsoft account credentials that you use to sign in to your Windows 11 computer.

Configuring Mobile Devices Settings in 🪟 Windows 11

Configuring mobile devices settings in Windows 11 lets you link your phone as a connected camera by opening Settings, selecting Bluetooth 🔷 & devices, clicking Mobile devices, and granting Windows the necessary permissions to manage your phone feed.

1. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and the I key simultaneously on your keyboard.

   

2. Select Bluetooth & devices from the left-hand navigation menu.

   

3. Click on Mobile devices from the main options list.

   

4. Toggle the switch next to your registered phone to the On position. If prompted, click the Manage devices button to give your computer permission to access your phone.
5. Click the Add device button if your phone is not already listed, and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the pairing process via Bluetooth.

Enabling the Connected Camera Feature

Enabling the connected camera feature turns your phone into an active video feed source by opening Settings, going to Bluetooth & devices, selecting Mobile devices, clicking Manage devices, and turning on the camera streaming toggle switch.

1. Open Settings from your Start menu.
2. Navigate to Bluetooth & devices and select Mobile devices.

   

3. Click the Manage devices button to open the control panel for your connected phone.

   

4. Turn on the toggle switch labeled Use as a connected camera. Windows will automatically download and install any required cross-device camera drivers during this initial activation step.
5. Approve any security or permission requests that appear on your mobile device screen to allow the video feed to transmit.

Testing Your Phone Camera in Video Apps

Testing your phone camera in video apps ensures your computer detects the mobile video feed by opening a program like Microsoft Teams or Camera and checking the device selection menu in the app settings.

1. Open your preferred video conferencing or recording application on your Windows 11 computer, such as Microsoft Teams or Camera.
2. Access the application's settings or device selection menu, usually found under a gear icon or audio/video settings tab.
3. Locate the Camera dropdown menu.
4. Select Connected Camera or your phone's specific name from the list of available video input sources.
5. Check the preview window to ensure the video feed displays correctly and switch between your phone's front and rear lenses using the controls on your mobile device screen if needed.

Troubleshooting Common Connection Failures

Troubleshooting common connection failures involves making sure both your Windows 11 computer and your mobile phone connect to the exact same Wi-Fi network band and restarting the Cross Device Experience Host service if the video feed drops.

If your router uses separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz SSIDs, cross-device communication can fail if the devices reside on different bands. Additionally, restart both the Cross Device Experience Host service on your PC and the Link to Windows app on your phone to clear temporary communication caches.

Managing Privacy and Camera Permissions

Managing privacy and camera permissions requires you to open Settings, navigate to Privacy & security, and select Camera to ensure the main access toggle is turned on and individual apps have explicit permission to use your mobile camera feed.

Open Settings, navigate to Privacy & security, and select Camera. Ensure that the main Camera access toggle is turned on, and verify that individual apps have explicit permission to use the camera. You can also use the consent store settings if you need to manage programmatic access via registry paths like HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\CapabilityAccessManager\ConsentStore\microphone or related video authorization keys.

If this didn't work

What to do if this didn't work involves removing your phone entirely from the Mobile devices settings page, checking for pending system updates, and pairing both devices again from scratch so your computer can recognize the camera properly.