THE CAMERA FIELD GUIDE
What is a virtual camera?
A virtual camera supplies a software-selected video feed to an application that expects a camera. The useful question is where that feed needs to go.
Choose your camera setupWhere do you need the picture?
Desktop virtual webcam
Combine a scene, camera or media source on your computer and expose it as a webcam feed. OBS Studio's virtual camera sends a selected scene or source to applications that accept webcam input.
For presentations, scene layouts and video meetings. Check that the receiving app can select the virtual camera; audio routing is a separate setup.
OBS virtual camera guidePhone as a computer webcam
Here the phone's physical camera sends a picture to a computer. Android supports USB webcam functionality on devices that implement it, starting with Android 14 QPR1. Availability depends on the device and its software.
For using a phone camera in a desktop meeting or capture app. This does not replace the camera input inside other apps on the phone.
Android USB webcam documentationAndroid app camera replacement
Selected media becomes camera input within compatible Android apps. DRVCAM uses a rooted Android setup with a supported framework. Test the exact app and mode; it is not a desktop or iOS virtual webcam.
For app testing and controlled demonstrations using your own media. Start with prerequisites, then inspect the captured or received result.
Check Android requirementsThree paths, different requirements
| Question | In a computer app | From a phone to a computer | Inside an Android app |
|---|---|---|---|
| Input | Scenes, cameras or media | Physical phone camera | Selected image or video |
| Destination | Computer webcam input | Computer webcam input | Compatible Android app |
| Platform | Supported desktop OS and software | Supported phone and host computer | Rooted Android with framework |
| Root requirement | Not an Android root setup | Not required for the built-in USB feature | Required for DRVCAM |
| Main check | Receiving app accepts the virtual webcam | Phone offers webcam mode | Exact app and capture mode work |
Before you pick a tool
Do I need DRVCAM for a desktop meeting?
Choose a desktop virtual webcam for composed scenes, or a phone webcam feature for a live phone camera. DRVCAM is the Android app-replacement path, not a requirement for those tasks.
Does a working preview prove the camera works?
No. Check the actual recording or the picture received by the other participant. Video and audio can use different paths.
Which Android app should I choose?
Read the comparison guide for product choices. Use the requirements guide to assess a DRVCAM setup, and the manual for installation and individual controls.
Updated