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How to turn an old phone into a baby monitor
The old phone in the drawer already has a camera, a microphone and Wi-Fi. With a baby monitor app, it can watch the nursery while you are in the kitchen. Setup takes an evening. Placement and security are what make it work.
A setup routine, then baby monitor apps. A phone monitor shows sound and video; it is not a medical device and does not track breathing. Follow safe-sleep guidance from your health service and keep cables and devices out of the baby’s reach.
Prepare the old phone
Install the latest updates, sign in to Wi-Fi and remove apps you do not need. Turn off notifications and calls on that phone so nothing wakes the baby.
Place it out of reach
Mount the phone on a shelf or wall with a view of the cot, never inside or on the edge of it. Run the charging cable well away from where the baby can reach.
Lock it down
Use a strong password on the monitor app account and keep it updated. The same rules as any camera at home apply; see how to set up a home security camera.
Test before the first night
Walk to the room where you will be, check the video and sound, and trigger a sound alert. For logging nights and feeds, see how to track newborn feeding and sleep; compare apps in baby monitor apps.
| Step | What you do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Prepare the phone | update it, remove clutter | stable and secure |
| 2. Install on both | old phone and your phone | camera and viewer |
| 3. Place it safely | out of reach, cable away from cot | no hazards |
| 4. Keep it powered | charger plugged in | runs all night |
| 5. Test the alerts | sound alerts from another room | you will hear it |
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an old phone as a baby monitor?
Yes. Install a baby monitor app on the old phone and on your own phone, keep the old one on power and Wi-Fi, and test the alerts.
Is a phone baby monitor safe?
Place it and its cable out of the baby’s reach and secure the app account. It is not a medical device.
Does it work without Wi-Fi?
It depends on the app. Many need both phones online; check before you rely on it.