You’ve got an old phone gathering dust in a drawer. Your baby monitor is either too expensive, too bulky, or just doesn’t do what you want. So you ask: Can I connect my phone to my baby monitor? The answer isn’t just yes-it’s easier than you think, and it might be the smartest move you make as a new parent.

You Don’t Need a Baby Monitor Anymore (Really)

Most people assume you need a dedicated baby monitor. That box with the screen and the creepy infrared glow. But here’s the truth: your smartphone is already better than most of them. It has a high-res camera, a loud speaker, motion sensors, and Wi-Fi. All you need is an app to turn it into a full baby monitor.

Apps like Bibino and a free app that turns any Android or iOS device into a baby monitor with live video, motion alerts, and two-way audio let you do exactly that. You install it on two devices-one in the nursery, one in your hand. That’s it. No extra hardware. No monthly fees (unless you want premium features).

How It Works (No Tech Degree Required)

Setting this up takes less than 10 minutes. Here’s how:

  1. Grab two devices: one old phone or tablet for the nursery, one you carry around.
  2. Download Bibino or BabyCam from the App Store or Google Play.
  3. Open the app on both devices and tap "Pair" or "Connect."
  4. Place the nursery device on a stable surface-use a phone stand or a cheap tripod.
  5. Plug it in. Seriously. Don’t let it run on battery.
That’s it. You’re watching your baby in HD, from anywhere in the house. You can even speak to them through the app-perfect for soothing them without walking in.

What You Get That a Regular Baby Monitor Doesn’t

Dedicated monitors are simple. They show video. Maybe they have a temperature sensor. That’s it. Your phone? It’s a powerhouse.

  • HD video-1080p, no compression. You’ll see every tiny movement.
  • Motion alerts-Get a push notification when your baby stirs. Adjust sensitivity so you don’t get woken up by a curtain blowing.
  • Two-way audio-Talk to your baby, play lullabies, or just whisper "I’m here." Bibino has over 20 built-in sounds.
  • Multiple rooms-Set up three or four phones in different rooms. Monitor twins, a toddler, and a newborn-all from one device.
  • Chromecast support-With BabyCam, you can cast the feed to your TV. Watch your baby while you’re cooking dinner.
A parent watching their baby’s live feed on an iPad while another phone charges nearby, with the feed also displayed on a TV.

What You Lose (And How to Fix It)

It’s not all perfect. There are real downsides.

Battery drain-If you forget to plug in the nursery device, it dies. Solution? Always use a charger. Keep a spare cable nearby.

Wi-Fi problems-If your house is big or has thick walls, the signal might drop. BabyCam fixes this with WiFi Direct and a feature that lets you use mobile data to connect remotely. Bibino requires both devices on the same network, so it’s less flexible.

Phone compatibility-Some older Android phones can’t record video and stream at the same time. ArjonaSoftware, the maker of BabyCam, says this depends on the manufacturer. If your phone won’t let you do both, try a different one. An iPhone 8 or older Samsung Galaxy S9 still works fine.

No dedicated monitor base-Phones don’t sit like monitors. Use a Joby GorillaPod or a simple phone stand. You can get one for under $15.

Free vs Paid: What’s Worth It?

BabyCam is free. Full stop. You get HD video, motion alerts, two-way audio, and remote access over mobile data. The $1.99 upgrade removes ads and unlocks picture-in-picture mode. That’s it.

Bibino costs $1.99 per year. You get more features: monitor up to four babies at once, multiple parent stations (so both you and your partner can watch), and lullaby library. If you’ve got twins or plan to, it’s worth it.

FaceTime? Apple users sometimes try this. But it’s clunky. You have to manually start the call. No motion alerts. No audio monitoring in the background. It’s a band-aid, not a solution.

Security: Is It Safe?

Yes-if you do it right.

These apps use end-to-end encryption. That means no one can hack into your feed. But you still need to be smart:

  • Use a strong password on your phone.
  • Don’t use public Wi-Fi to access your baby feed.
  • Keep your phone’s OS updated.
  • Turn off the app when you’re not using it.
There’s no evidence of widespread hacking with these apps. But there have been cases with cheap, no-name baby monitors that connect to the internet. Don’t buy those. Stick with Bibino or BabyCam. They’re built by developers who care about privacy.

A comparison of an old baby monitor and two smartphones connected via app, symbolizing the upgrade to modern baby monitoring.

Who Should Use This?

This setup works best for:

  • Parents in apartments or small homes with strong Wi-Fi.
  • People who already have an old phone lying around.
  • Those who want more features than a basic monitor offers.
  • Tech-savvy parents who don’t want to buy another gadget.
It’s not ideal if:

  • You live in a large house with weak Wi-Fi coverage.
  • You want a monitor with a temperature sensor or breathing monitor.
  • You’re not comfortable using apps or setting up tech.

What’s Next? The Future of Baby Monitoring

The baby monitor market is shifting. In 2025, more than 40% of new parents in the U.S. and New Zealand are using smartphone apps instead of hardware monitors. Why? Because phones keep getting better, and dedicated monitors haven’t changed much in 10 years.

Soon, these apps will integrate with smart speakers. Imagine asking Alexa, "How’s my baby sleeping?" and hearing a voice reply: "She’s been quiet for 2 hours. No movement detected."

AI might soon detect if your baby is in distress based on breathing patterns or crying tone. That’s not science fiction-it’s already in testing.

But for now? You don’t need to wait. You’ve got the tools right in your pocket.

Final Verdict

Yes, you can connect your phone to your baby monitor. And you should. It’s cheaper, more powerful, and more flexible than buying a dedicated unit. You’re not replacing your baby monitor-you’re upgrading it with tech you already own.

Grab an old phone. Install BabyCam or Bibino. Plug it in. Watch your baby sleep. It’s that simple.

Can I use my iPhone as a baby monitor?

Yes. Both Bibino and BabyCam work on iPhones. You’ll need a second device-either another iPhone, iPad, or Android phone-to act as the nursery camera. Just install the app on both, pair them over Wi-Fi, and you’re good to go. No extra hardware needed.

Do I need Wi-Fi to use a phone as a baby monitor?

For most apps, yes-Wi-Fi is required for live streaming. But BabyCam added a feature in 2020 that lets you use mobile data to connect remotely, so you can check on your baby even when you’re away from home. Bibino only works on the same Wi-Fi network, so it’s limited to your house.

Is it safe to leave my phone charging all night near my baby?

Yes, as long as you use a certified charger and keep the phone away from the crib. Place it at least 3 feet from the baby, on a stable surface. Avoid using cheap, unbranded chargers-they can overheat. Many parents use a phone stand or mount on a dresser to keep it secure and out of reach.

Can I use one phone for two babies?

You can’t use one phone to monitor two rooms at once. But you can use one phone as the parent station and two separate phones as nursery cameras. Bibino supports up to four nursery devices at once, so you can monitor twins, a toddler, and a newborn-all from one screen.

What’s better: Bibino or BabyCam?

BabyCam is free and works over mobile data, making it better for travel or larger homes. Bibino offers more features-like lullabies, motion sensitivity controls, and multi-baby support-but costs $1.99/year. If you want simplicity and no cost, go with BabyCam. If you need advanced tools and have a stable Wi-Fi network, Bibino is the better choice.

Will this work if my Wi-Fi goes out?

If your Wi-Fi goes down, the connection between the two phones will break. BabyCam can switch to mobile data if you’ve enabled it, but Bibino won’t work at all without Wi-Fi. For reliability, consider keeping a basic audio-only monitor as a backup, just in case.

Can I record video with these apps?

BabyCam lets you record video clips directly to your phone’s storage. Bibino does not offer recording-only live streaming. If you want to save moments like your baby’s first smile, BabyCam is the better pick. Just make sure you have enough storage space.

Do I need two phones, or can I use a tablet?

You can use any device with a camera and internet-phones, tablets, even old laptops. Many parents use an old iPad as the nursery camera and their iPhone as the parent station. The app works the same on all supported devices.