Is PrivCam really free?

Yes. PrivCam is a free online security camera with no subscription or hidden fees. Person detection, clip recording, and photo capture run in your browser at no cost.

Does PrivCam upload my camera video to a server?

No. Your live feed, recordings, and photos never leave your device. There is no backend storage for your media—everything stays in browser IndexedDB until you delete it.

Do I need to create an account?

No account, email, or phone number is required. Open the site, allow camera access, and start monitoring.

Can I use an old phone as a security camera?

Yes. Any phone or tablet with a modern browser and a working camera can run PrivCam—ideal for repurposing older hardware without installing apps from a store.

Can I get Telegram alerts when someone is detected?

Yes. Enable Telegram notifications in Settings, add your bot token and chat ID, and customize the alert message. Photos are sent only when you opt in; your token is stored locally on your device.

What browsers are supported?

Chrome and Edge on desktop and Android work best with WebGPU acceleration. Safari on iOS and macOS is supported; performance varies by device age.

Where is my data stored?

Clips, photos, and settings are stored locally in IndexedDB and localStorage on the device you used. They are not synced to our servers.

How do I delete everything?

Open Settings in the camera view and tap Clear all browser data. This removes all clips, photos, events, and app settings from that browser.

Does PrivCam work offline?

After the page loads once, detection and local recording can continue without sending data online. You need network only for the initial visit to open the app.

Is this a replacement for professional CCTV?

PrivCam is a lightweight, privacy-first browser tool for home monitoring and spare devices—not a certified commercial surveillance system.

Free private security camera — no cloud upload

JavaScript is required for the live camera. PrivCam is a free browser security camera with on-device person detection. Clips and photos stay on your device—no server uploads.