We do not recommend Zoom Meeting with a webcam connected to a smartphone, as Zoom does not guarantee the quality.

Neither Zoom nor Skype support external webcams on Android devices. However, you can use a workaround that allows you to use an Android USB webcam app concurrently with Zoom, sharing the screen to display the webcam video instead of the phone camera video. This method requires a few settings changes on your phone, which are detailed below. This guide is based on using a Pixel 6a with Android 14, but should work on other OTG-compatible Android devices.

Using an External Webcam with Zoom on Android: A Workaround

Requirements

• Phone: An Android phone (e.g., Pixel 6a with Android 14)
• Webcam: Any PC webcam, including inspection cameras
• Adapter: USB-A to USB-C OTG-compatible adapter (if the webcam doesn’t have a USB-C connector)
• USB Webcam App: Choose one from the Google Play Store (e.g., ‘USB Camera Standard’)

Steps to Set Up

1. Check USB OTG Compatibility

Ensure your phone supports USB OTG. Most recent Android phones do, but you can verify using an app from the Google Play Store.

2. Change Phone Settings

1. Enable Developer Options:
   • Go to Settings > System > Developer options.
   • Toggle Use developer options to ON.
2. Set Default USB Configuration:
   • In Developer Options, find Default USB configuration.
   • Select Webcam from the USB menu.

3. Connect the Webcam

1. Connect Webcam to Phone:
   • Use the USB-A to USB-C adapter if needed.
2. Launch USB Camera App:
   • Verify that the webcam video is displayed on the screen.

4. Adjust Audio Settings (Optional)

• If the webcam has a microphone and you experience echo, turn down or mute the phone speaker, or use Bluetooth earphones.

5. Share Webcam Video in Zoom

1. Minimize the Webcam App.
2. Open Zoom:
   • Start or join a meeting.
3. Share Screen:
   • Tap Share at the bottom of the Zoom screen.
   • Select Screen and tap Start now when prompted.
4. Switch to the Webcam App:
   • Reopen the webcam app to display the external camera video.
   • Switch to full screen mode to ensure the webcam image fills the Zoom windows for participants.

6. End the Meeting

• When the meeting ends, make sure to also close the webcam app to prevent it from running in the background.

Additional Tips

• Participant Experience: Meeting participants will see the webcam video as if it were the phone’s camera. If the host permits it, they can also share their screen using the same procedure.
• Reclaim Host: If prompted, it’s best to click ‘Stay co-host’ to maintain control of the meeting.

Using this method, you can effectively utilize an external webcam for hands-on remote teaching or live sharing from a bodycam via your Android phone. This setup bypasses the current limitations of Zoom and Skype on Android, providing a versatile solution for various use cases.