If you’re a parent with a spare iPhone sitting in a drawer, it’s natural to wonder, “Can you use iPhone as a camera monitor for baby?” After all, a video baby monitor is really just a camera that streams live feeds to another device. And surely your old iPhone can do that, right?
The short answer is yes. Many parents already use an iPhone this way, sometimes as a quick stop-gap, sometimes as a longer-term setup. There are a few reliable ways to make it work, too, depending on whether you want audio, video, or both.
This guide shows you how to use iPhone as a baby monitor, using both dedicated apps and built-in Apple features. You’ll see what each option does well, where the limits are, and how to set things up so it works smoothly in everyday life.
How to Turn Your iPhone into a Baby Monitor (Step by Step)
You can use an iPhone as a baby monitor in a few different ways. With a dedicated app or a couple of built-in iPhone features, you can set up something that lets you hear (and often see) your baby from another room, and in some cases, when you’re out of the house too.
The right method depends on what matters most to you: audio-only, video, or alerts when your baby makes noise. Here are the main options:
Method 1: Use a dedicated baby monitor app (audio, video & alerts)
If you want the closest thing to a proper video baby monitor, a dedicated app is usually the best route. You run the same app on two iPhones: one (your old device) stays in the baby’s room as the “baby” unit (camera + microphone), and the other is your “parent” unit.
Most baby monitor apps are built for this job, so you often get live video, background audio, sound or motion alerts, and two-way talk.
What you need:
- Two devices (often two iPhones, or an iPhone and iPad)
- A stable internet connection on both devices
- A charger for the baby-room iPhone (keep it plugged in)
- A safe stand or mount to keep the iPhone well out of reach
- A reliable baby monitor app (popular options include Cloud Baby Monitor, Bibino, and Annie Baby Monitor)
How to set it up:
- Install the same baby monitor app on both devices, then follow the pairing steps (this is usually a code, QR scan, or login).
- Using a stand or mount, place the baby-room iPhone in a secure spot with a clear view of the cot. Plug it into power.
- If the app needs to stay open for video, adjust your settings so the phone doesn’t lock:
- Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock and choose Never.
- If you don’t want little taps to exit the app, use Guided Access to lock the phone to one app: Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access.
- In the app, switch on the features you want (video, audio, sound alerts, motion alerts). Set sensitivity so you don’t get notified by every tiny rustle.
- On the parent iPhone, allow notifications so alerts come through even when your screen is locked.
- Do a quick test: move to another room, lock your phone, and check you still get sound and alerts.
Pros:
- The most complete setup: audio + video + alerts in one place, ideal for both short-term and long-term monitoring.
- Works beyond the house. You can monitor your baby from anywhere, as long as both devices have solid internet connection.
- Often includes useful controls like sensitivity settings, two-way talk, and extra monitoring features.
Cons:
- Performance depends on your Wi-Fi and the app’s reliability (some are great; some are glitchy).
- Video + alerts can be battery-hungry on both devices.
- Some apps charge up front or keep key features behind a subscription.
- You’re giving a third-party app access to your camera and mic, so it’s worth checking permissions and privacy settings
Method 2: Use FaceTime as a free baby monitor (audio & video)
FaceTime, built into every iPhone, offers a quick and free way to monitor your baby without downloading extra apps.
You place one Apple device in the baby’s room, keep another with you, and run a FaceTime call between them. As long as the call stays connected, you can hear and see what’s going on.
This approach is best for short naps, travel, or temporary setups, rather than all-night monitoring.
What you need:
- Two Apple devices that support FaceTime (iPhone, iPad, or Mac)
- Reliable Wi-Fi or mobile data on both devices
- A stand or stable surface to place the baby-room device safely
- Charger for the baby-side device to prevent battery drain.
How to set it up:
- Make sure FaceTime is turned on in Settings on both devices.
- Place the baby-room device in a safe spot with a clear view of the cot, then plug it into power.
- Start a FaceTime call from your parent device to the baby-room device. You can use video, or switch to FaceTime audio if you prefer.
- If you’re using your own phone as the parent screen, you probably won’t want a FaceTime call running constantly. Auto-Answer helps with that. You can hang up, use your phone normally, then call back when you want to check in and have the baby-room iPhone answer on its own.
You’ll find it under Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Call Audio Routing. Turn on Auto-Answer Calls and set a delay.
- Lower the screen brightness on the baby-room device to reduce light in the room.
- Mute your microphone on the parent device so background noise doesn’t travel back into the nursery.
Pros:
- Free, and very quick to set up using tools you already have.
- No extra apps to install or accounts to create.
- Clear audio and usable video for monitoring, even when you’re out of the house.
- FaceTime audio and video are end-to-end encrypted, so the call content isn’t accessible to anyone outside the call.
Cons:
- No sound or motion alerts if your baby cries.
- If your internet is patchy, FaceTime can freeze or drop.
- If you’re using your everyday phone as your parent device, a FaceTime call running in the background can get in the way. Calls, videos, or even switching apps can interrupt or end the feed.
- A long FaceTime video call drains battery quickly and can cause the phone to heat up. While the baby-room phone is plugged in, the phone you carry often isn’t.
Method 3: Use Live Listen with AirPods (audio-only)
Live Listen offers a lightweight, audio-only solution to use an iPhone as a monitor for your little one. It turns your iPhone into a remote microphone and sends the sound straight to your AirPods.
For baby monitoring, you leave the iPhone near your baby and listen through your AirPods while you move around the house. This method is discreet, requires minimal setup, and works well for short naps.
What you need:
- Your iPhone
- A pair of AirPods or other compatible Made for iPhone hearing devices, like Beats headphones
How to set it up:
- Connect your AirPods to your iPhone.
- Add Live Listen to Control Centre if it’s not already there.
You can add it via Settings > Control Centre > Hearing (looks like an ear).
Or you can swipe down from the top-right corner, press and hold anywhere in Control Centre, then tap Add a Control and choose Hearing.
- Place the iPhone near the cot, safely out of reach, with the microphone facing the baby.
- Open Control Centre and tap Hearing, then turn on Live Listen.
- Walk around your home to check how far the signal reaches before audio cuts out. Adjust the volume if needed.
Pros:
- Simple and free. No third-party apps, second phone, or internet connection needed.
- Audio goes directly to your ears, so you can move around and still hear your baby’s crying or small fussing sounds.
- Useful for quick, daytime listening while you’re doing chores or resting nearby.
Cons:
- Range is limited by Bluetooth (typically around 10-15 metres). Once you wander too far, the audio will cut out.
- Audio only, no video or alerts. You have to be actively listening.
- You’ll be tied to wearing AirPods, which some parents find annoying for long sessions.
Method 4: Use Apple Watch Camera Remote (video-only)
If you have an Apple Watch, you can use it to check the iPhone camera remotely. The watch shows a live view of whatever your iPhone camera sees, which can be handy for quick visual checks without going back into the nursery.
This method works more as a spot check than a baby monitor.
What you need:
- Your iPhone
- An Apple Watch paired with that iPhone
How to set it up:
- Position the iPhone in the baby’s room with a stable, safe view of the cot.
- Open the Camera app on the iPhone.
- On your Apple Watch, open Camera Remote. You should see a live preview.
- Use the watch screen to check the view or start a short recording by holding the Shutter button if you want to review it later.
Pros:
- Handy if you’re already wearing an Apple Watch and just want a quick visual look when moving around the house.
- Quick and free. No extra apps or setup required.
Cons:
- Video-only: no audio feed and no alerts.
- Short Bluetooth range by design (about 10 metres).
- Not designed for continuous or overnight monitoring.
Tips for Success When Using Your iPhone as a Baby Monitor
Using an iPhone as a baby monitor can work well, but it needs a bit of thought. Small details like placement, power, and settings make a big difference to how reliable it feels.
Put safety first with placement
- Keep the phone well out of reach. Assume a baby will grab anything they can reach, especially once they start rolling, sitting, or standing.
- Don’t put it in the cot or on bedding. Soft surfaces can block the microphone and trap heat.
- Aim for a stable, wide view. A high shelf or secure stand usually works best. You want to see the cot clearly without balancing the phone on something wobbly.
- Avoid pointing it directly at a bright lamp or window. Glare makes video harder to read, especially at night.
Keep it powered, but manage heat
- Plug in the “baby” phone. Video streaming can drain a battery fast.
- Use a safe cable route. Keep charging cables out of reach and not dangling near the cot.
- Give the phone airflow. Don’t cover it, and don’t wedge it between cushions. If it feels hot, move it to a cooler spot.
Reduce distractions and accidental interruptions
- Turn on Do Not Disturb / Focus on the nursery phone so calls and notifications don’t blast through and interfere with the streaming.
- Lock the phone into the monitoring app if you’re worried about accidental taps ending the feed (Guided Access is useful for this on iPhone).
Make the connection more reliable
- Use Wi-Fi when you can. It’s usually steadier than mobile data at home and avoids chewing through your allowance.
- Do a two-minute test before you rely on it. Walk to the furthest room you’ll be in. Check audio delay. Trigger an alert if you’re using one. If it struggles, adjust now rather than later.
Tune your alerts so they help rather than annoy you
If you use a baby monitor app with sound or motion alerts:
- Start with medium sensitivity. Too high and you’ll get notifications for every rustle.
- Check what counts as “noise”. Some apps react to white noise machines, humidifiers, or traffic outside.
Why You Might Still Want a Traditional Baby Monitor
An iPhone can work well as a baby monitor, especially for naps, travel, or short-term use. But there are still good reasons many parents choose a dedicated monitor once they start using it every day.
It’s designed for long, uninterrupted use
Traditional baby monitors are built to run for hours or overnight without attention. You don’t have to worry about apps closing, calls interrupting the feed, or the phone dying or overheating. An iPhone setup can be stable, but it usually needs more checking.
More reliable range and fewer connection issues
Many dedicated monitors avoid home Wi-Fi altogether. Instead, they use local radio signals to send sound and video straight from the camera to the parent unit. This creates a secure, direct connection and often allows for a much longer range, around 150 to 300 metres in open spaces.
That can make a real difference if:
- your Wi-Fi is patchy upstairs,
- you live in a house with thick walls,
- or your network gets congested in the evening.
A monitor that works the same way every night can feel like a relief.
Your phone stays free
When your phone is the monitor, it’s also your messaging device, camera, and payment method. Using a separate parent unit means you can use your phone normally without muting audio or breaking the connection by mistake.
Purpose-built features that save effort
Dedicated baby monitors often include things that just work without tweaking:
- Reliable background audio without fiddly settings
- Clear video, excellent night vision, and pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) functions for detailed views day and night
- Parent units designed for all-night use, with battery life that holds up during long monitoring sessions
- Two-way talk that’s easy to use one-handed
- Multiple camera support if you have more than one child
- Specialized features like crying detection, sound or motion alerts, room temperature and humidity readings, and sleep tracking
If you like the idea of a dedicated home baby monitor but still want the flexibility of remote app access, hybrid systems can strike a good balance.
The eufy Baby Monitor E21 suits parents who want very clear detail and fewer guesswork moments. The camera records and streams in 4K UHD to your phone app, so you can spot small movements without leaning in or walking back into the room. You also get a 5” parent unit with simple controls and a handy charging base, which works well for overnight monitoring.
In everyday use, the parent unit connects straight to the camera using local FHSS signals. If that signal weakens, Smart Connect steps in and routes the feed through your home router instead. The video stream is protected with RSA-1024 and AES-128 encryption, so it stays private and secure. If you’d rather avoid Wi-Fi altogether, you can switch it off directly on the camera for local-only monitoring.
The camera itself is flexible and easy to adjust. It can pan 330°, tilt 60°, and zoom up to 8×, making it simple to cover the whole cot and zoom in when something doesn’t look quite right. At night, infrared night vision keeps the image clear, while an auto mode turns off visible camera lights to avoid lighting up the room.
Smart alerts for crying, loud noise, and room temperature help you stay aware without constantly watching the screen. And with a 5,000mAh battery, the palm-sized camera is easy to move around the house or take with you, whether that’s a weekend away, a hotel stay, or time at a summer cabin.
The eufy Baby Monitor E20 is a solid choice if you want a dedicated monitor without stepping up to 4K video.
It streams in 2K HD, which is clear enough to see your baby’s position and movements at a glance. When you’re at work or away from home, the app keeps you connected and lets you share access with up to five family members, so support is easy to loop in when you need it.
Like the E21, it includes a 5-inch parent unit for dependable, at-home monitoring without relying on Wi-Fi. The camera can pan 330°, tilt 60°, and zoom up to 4×, making it easy to scan the room or adjust the view without going back in.
For night-time use, infrared night vision keeps the image clear without disturbing sleep. Alerts for crying, loud noise, and room temperature help you respond when something changes, rather than watching the screen constantly.
Active noise reduction (20 dB) also cuts through background sounds like white noise or fans, so important noises come through more clearly.
Conclusion
Learning how to use iPhone as baby monitor gives you more options, especially if you already have spare devices at home. For short naps, travel, or backup use, an iPhone setup can be practical and convenient. But if monitoring is part of your everyday routine, a dedicated baby monitor often brings more reliability, range, and peace of mind. The best choice is the one that fits how you live, how your home is laid out, and how much checking you really want to do.
FAQs
Can I turn my iPhone into a baby monitor?
Yes. You can turn an iPhone into a baby monitor in a few different ways. A dedicated baby monitor app, such as Annie Baby Monitor, gives you video, audio, and alerts, making it the most complete option. FaceTime also works well for quick audio and video. Just place one iPhone in the nursery and keep another with you.
For audio only, Live Listen with AirPods is a simple choice. If you wear an Apple Watch, Camera Remote lets you do quick video check-ins, as long as you stay within Bluetooth range.
How do I use two iPhones as a baby monitor?
Use one iPhone as the “baby” phone and keep it near the cot, plugged in and safely out of reach. Use the second iPhone as the “parent” phone. The simplest (and free) approach is FaceTime for live audio and video. If you want alerts for noise or motion, install a dedicated baby monitor app on both phones and pair them inside the app. Test your setup before you rely on it.
Is there a baby monitor app for iPhone?
Yes. There are baby monitor apps for iPhone that let one device stream video and audio while the other receives the feed, often with noise and motion alerts. Popular options include Annie Baby Monitor, Cloud Baby Monitor, and Bibino. Some apps also support extra devices like iPad, Mac, Apple TV, or Apple Watch, which can be handy if you switch rooms or want different screens.
How can I use my iPhone as a monitor?
You can use your iPhone as a monitor in several simple ways, depending on what you need. For audio and video, FaceTime is the quickest option if you have two Apple devices. If you want alerts and more control, a baby monitor app works better for longer use. For audio-only monitoring, Live Listen lets you hear sounds through AirPods. If you wear an Apple Watch, Camera Remote allows quick video check-ins within Bluetooth range.
