Questions

Frequently asked questions

Everything you might wonder before and after installing TapCam.

Does it work without internet?+

Yes. TapCam connects your phone and PC directly over your local Wi-Fi, with no cloud and no account, so it keeps working even when your internet is down. The one requirement is that both devices sit on the same Wi-Fi network.

Which apps can use it?+

Any Windows app that lists a camera: Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, OBS, Discord, browsers and more. TapCam appears as a normal webcam.

Is it really free?+

Yes. TapCam is free to download and use, with no account and no subscription. An optional one-time PRO upgrade unlocks the full experience.

Do I need to install an app on my phone?+

Yes, a small free TapCam app (App Store / Google Play). It captures the camera and sends it to your PC over Wi-Fi.

Is the video quality good?+

Yes. Modern phone cameras beat most laptop webcams, and TapCam streams in HD over your local network.

Can I use more than one phone?+

Yes. Link several phones and switch which one feeds the camera with a tap, from a single virtual camera.

Does it drain my phone battery?+

Streaming uses the camera and Wi-Fi, so keep the phone plugged in for long sessions.

My phone will not connect to the PC. What should I check?+

Four things, in this order. 1. Windows may be blocking TapCam, by far the most common cause: see the question further down. 2. The phone and the PC must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Turn mobile data off on the phone, and beware of guest networks or a router that splits 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz into two separate network names. 3. A VPN active on either device cuts the local connection: switch it off and try again. 4. Some routers enable "client isolation" (also called "AP isolation"), which stops two devices on the same Wi-Fi from reaching each other. Disable it in the router settings.

Can I use a USB cable instead of Wi-Fi?+

Yes. Plug your phone in and open the TapCam app: the PC connects over the cable automatically. This needs iTunes (or the Apple Devices app) installed, because Windows talks to iPhones through Apple's device service. If USB still shows as unavailable, open iTunes once and set the "Apple Mobile Device Service" Windows service to start automatically.

Windows is blocking TapCam. How do I allow it?+

The first time TapCam runs, Windows asks whether to allow it on your network. If that prompt was closed or refused, Windows keeps a rule that stops your phone from reaching the PC, and pairing then fails without any explanation. Two things to check. Set your home Wi-Fi as a private network: Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > your network > Private network. Then open Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall, and tick both Private and Public for TapCam. If a blocking entry for TapCam appears there, remove it: on Windows, a block rule always beats an allow rule.