Last updated: October 2026 · App prices, free limits and features change often. Confirm them in the App Store before you buy or subscribe.
An old iPhone 11 sitting in a drawer can become a perfectly usable baby monitor: one phone stays in the nursery as the camera, and your current phone is the viewer. It costs little or nothing and works over Wi-Fi. But it is not as simple as "plug it in and point it at the crib," and it's not completely free either. This guide walks through the setup, and also the safety points that matter more than the app you choose.
- Free to start: AlfredCamera (free tier with limits).
- Built for babies: Cloud Baby Monitor (paid app; reported one-time price, check the store).
- Safety first: keep the phone and every cord at least 3 feet away from the crib, and never inside it.
- Remember: a monitor doesn't replace supervision and isn't shown to lower SIDS risk.
Safety first (read before you set it up)
- Keep cords at least 3 feet away. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission says to place monitor cords at least three feet from any part of the crib, bassinet, play yard or other safe sleep area, and to keep the monitor itself that far away too, never inside the crib or on its edge. It reports that since 2002, seven infants and toddlers were strangled in monitor cords. A phone charging cable counts as a cord.
- A monitor is not supervision. The American Academy of Pediatrics' site HealthyChildren.org says a monitor should never substitute for direct supervision, and notes no evidence using one lowers the chance of SIDS.
- Battery care. A phone left plugged in around the clock for months is a heat and battery-wear concern. Watch for a swollen battery (a screen lifting or a case that won't sit flat). If you see that, stop using the phone and have it serviced.
- Use a good charger. Use an Apple or MFi-certified cable and adapter, and keep the phone in a ventilated spot, not under a blanket or against bedding.
Is the iPhone 11 still a good choice?
Yes, for this job. AlfredCamera's App Store page says it needs iOS 13 or later, and the iPhone 11 can run current iOS versions. You mainly need a working camera, microphone, speaker and Wi-Fi. A cracked screen or weak battery matters much less because the phone sits on a charger.
Choose an app
| App | Best for | Cost (as reported) | Catches |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlfredCamera | Free start, general home camera | Free with in-app purchases; one review lists Premium at $9.99/month or $59.99/year | Free tier limits, ads, data collection |
| Cloud Baby Monitor | A baby-specific monitor | Paid; a one-time $4.99 was reported on mobile, and the Mac listing shows $7.99 | Needs an account; one reviewer saw lower video quality |
AlfredCamera
Its App Store page lists live video, motion alerts, a low-light filter, two-way audio, sound detection, scheduling and a siren, and says it works over Wi-Fi and mobile data. You install it on two devices, use the old phone as the camera, and pair them by QR code. The old article called it "100% free," and that isn't accurate. A 2026 pricing review says the free tier has limits: live streams that stop after 30 seconds, 12 hours of cloud history, no 24/7 recording, ads, and a cap on devices. Paid plans lift those limits, and prices differ by source, so check the in-app store. Also read the App Privacy section: the developer's own labels list data collection such as location, identifiers and usage data, and some data used for tracking.
Cloud Baby Monitor
This app is aimed at parents. Its App Store listing describes live video and audio, noise and motion alerts, two-way talk, lullabies and white noise, a remotely controlled night light and a connection-quality indicator. It uses an account and a paid license, which is tied to the app store you bought it in. A NextPit review notes it has no recording and lower video quality than some alternatives.
Step-by-step setup
- Update the old iPhone. Go to Settings → General → Software Update and install what's available. Back it up first if it holds anything you want.
- Remove personal data. Sign out of the Apple Account, email and messaging apps you don't need, or erase the phone and set it up as new. A dedicated account is safer than your personal one.
- Install the app on both phones and create the account.
- Pair them using the QR code or code the app shows.
- Allow permissions: camera, microphone and notifications on the camera phone.
- Test in daylight and in a dark room before you rely on it. Check the video, sound and alerts from another room.
- Place it safely (see below), then check the picture again.
Placement, power and Wi-Fi
- Distance: at least 3 feet from the crib, and out of the baby's reach. Mount it on a wall, shelf or stand, not on the crib rail.
- Cable: route the charging cable along the wall, secure it, and keep it more than 3 feet from the sleep area. If the outlet is too close, use a longer cable run, a cord cover or a different position.
- Wi-Fi: keep the camera phone within good range of the router. If the picture drops, restart the app and router first, and consider moving the router or adding an extender.
- Heat: don't cover the phone, and take it out of a thick case if it gets warm.
- Glare: avoid pointing the camera at a window or lamp.
Battery settings for a phone that stays plugged in
The old version told readers to turn off Optimized Battery Charging. Apple warns that turning off charging optimizations can increase battery wear, so that advice was wrong for most people. On an iPhone 11, the toggle is at Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging. Apple says it's on by default, and that Charge Limit (a setting of 80% to 100%) is only on iPhone 15 and later, so an iPhone 11 doesn't have it. Leave Optimized Battery Charging on unless you have a specific reason to change it, check Battery Health from time to time, and replace the battery if its capacity has dropped a lot. I couldn't find Apple guidance written for phones that stay plugged in 24 hours a day, so treat this as a precaution rather than a guarantee.
Privacy and security
- Use a strong, unique password for the app account and your home Wi-Fi. HealthyChildren.org recommends strong passwords for both the monitor and your wireless network.
- Keep the app and iOS updated.
- Don't reuse a password from another service.
- If the app offers two-factor authentication, turn it on.
- Check which cloud features are on. If you don't need recording, don't turn it on.
- Read the privacy policy and App Privacy label before you sign up.
Troubleshooting
- Connection drops: restart the app, then the router, and check Wi-Fi strength near the camera.
- Dark or blurry picture: wipe the lens and add soft room light, such as a night light. The app's low-light filter helps, but it's not a substitute for a dark room.
- Audio delay: pause other heavy Wi-Fi use.
- Phone too warm: remove the case, lower the screen brightness, and move it to a cooler spot.
- Alerts too frequent: lower the sensitivity in the app.
FAQ
Is it safe to use an old phone as a baby monitor?
It can be, if the phone and cord are well out of reach, the phone doesn't overheat, and you keep the app secure. It doesn't replace direct supervision.
Is it really free?
You can start free, but AlfredCamera has a limited free tier and paid plans, and Cloud Baby Monitor is a paid app.
Do I need the old phone's SIM or a phone plan?
No, Wi-Fi is enough. Alfred says it also works over mobile data, but you don't need that for a nursery.
Can I still use the old phone for other things?
Yes, but a dedicated device is simpler and safer.
What if the battery is weak?
Keep it plugged in, and check for swelling. A very weak or damaged battery is a reason to replace it or pick a different device.
My pick
Start with AlfredCamera's free tier to see if the setup works in your home, move to a baby-specific app if you want features like lullabies and a night light, and put safe placement above everything else. For other ways to use a connected phone around the house, see Best Smart Home Devices for iPhone and 10 iPhone Settings You Should Change Right Now.
Sources: CPSC: baby monitor cord safety · HealthyChildren.org (AAP): Monitoring the Situation · Apple Support: Charge Limit and Optimized Battery Charging on iPhone · App Store: AlfredCamera · Surveillance Guides: AlfredCamera pricing (third-party) · NextPit: old phone as a baby monitor · App Store: Cloud Baby Monitor (Mac listing)