Microsoft is working to will let you use your Android smartphone (or a spare) rather than a webcam, presumably permitting shoppers entry to high-quality webcams without spending a dime.

That functionality isn’t fairly right here but; Microsoft disclosed the upcoming function within the context of its March 2024 “moment” update for Windows 11. But the corporate then put out a blog post noting that the potential was being examined in “all” Windows Insider channels. That’s uncommon, because it implies that it’s being examined within the Release Preview channel as nicely — which signifies that we might even see it quickly.

It’s a fairly huge deal. Webcams had been largely ignored till 2020, when the work-from-home motion throughout the pandemic made Zoom and Microsoft Teams video chats a precedence. That meant that laptop computer makers started enhancing the standard of their webcams, and high quality 1080p and 4K webcams started hitting the market. (Here are PCWorld’s picks for the best webcams.)

Presumably, nevertheless, you personal multiple smartphone, assuming that you just haven’t discarded an older mannequin. Most smartphones dramatically outclass the cameras discovered on laptops, and even standalone webcams, whether or not they be front- or rear-facing.

“We are gradually rolling out the ability to use your Android phone or tablet camera in any video application on your Windows 11 PC to Windows Insiders across all Insider Channels,” Microsoft stated. “With this feature, you’ll be able to wirelessly enjoy the high quality of your mobile device’s camera on your PC with flexibility and ease. Some of the abilities include being able to switch between front and back camera, pausing the stream during interruptions, and enjoying effects provided by your mobile model.”

That signifies that you’ll have the ability to use your telephone’s webcam on Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, and nearly the rest, with any filters or different modes out there to your telephone’s digital camera presumably out there on Windows, too. That may have an unlimited affect on webcam gross sales, and on a (forthcoming?) marketplace for laptop computer mounts for smartphones.

What we don’t know is whether or not smartphones just like the Samsung Galaxy S24 or Google Pixel 4 or 7, or the Pixel Fold, will have the ability to use their Face Unlock capabilities to interchange PCWorld’s picks for the best Windows Hello webcam. That will surely be one thing.

Is there a catch to all of this? Just the standard: You’ll want (clearly) an Android telephone operating Android 9 or increased, with the Link to Windows app (model 1.24012 or larger) as a substitute. The latter is the app that connects Android to Windows.

“To enable this experience, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mobile devices and choose “Manage devices” and permit your PC to entry your Android telephone,” Microsoft says. “Your PC will get a Cross Device Experience Host update in the Microsoft Store that is required for this experience to work.”

Granted, the flexibility to make use of a telephone as a webcam in Windows isn’t new, as our earlier tutorial on how to convert a smartphone to a webcam explains. With a Windows setting in place, nevertheless, it seems to be like Microsoft simply casually upended the webcam market.