Android 14 Adds Support for Using Smartphones as Webcams

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the surge in popularity of video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Google Meet, exposing the limitations of the webcam market due to high demand and limited supply. Smartphone cameras, generally offering better image quality than webcams, prompted users to utilize third-party software to convert their phones into webcams. With Android 14, Google introduces a native feature to transform smartphones into USB webcams without third-party apps, leveraging the UVC (USB Video Class) mode. This functionality requires a specific Linux kernel configuration, updated USB HAL, and a new system app called "Webcam Service," which is included in Android 14's source code. Although not enabled by default, this feature, when configured correctly, allows Android devices to function as USB webcams across various platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux. The implementation is reminiscent of Apple's "Continuity Camera" but offers broader platform compatibility, potentially increasing accessibility for Android users pending device support and OEM implementation.