You can send a phone’s camera feed to a compatible computer or viewing app over your local network by using a sender app that publishes a format the receiver supports. For iPhone or iPad into OBS Studio, a documented route is Camera for OBS Studio’s NDI output and the DistroAV NDI Source plugin. For Android, Streamlabs documents a separate LAN workflow that sends a URL to Streamlabs Desktop.
Choose a sender and receiver that support the same feed
A phone does not automatically appear as a camera on every computer or network. Install or enable a phone app that publishes a feed, then use receiving software that understands that feed type. NDI and Streamlabs’ URL-based LAN streaming are distinct workflows, not interchangeable protocols.
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- iPhone or iPad to OBS: Camera for OBS Studio can send video and audio over NDI; OBS receives it through DistroAV.
- Android to Streamlabs Desktop: Streamlabs’ documented method uses Streamlabs Mobile’s LAN streaming feature and a URL supplied by the phone.
- NDI Camera: NDI lists its Camera app for Android and iOS. Confirm current app requirements and receiver compatibility for your device before setup.
OBS’s Smartphone Camera Guide also covers smartphone camera workflows, including NDI-based options.
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Install the computer-side components
- Install OBS Studio on the receiving computer.
- Install the DistroAV plugin and the NDI Runtime required by that plugin. The Camera for OBS Studio setup page reports that DistroAV 6.2.1 requires OBS Studio 31.1.1 or newer and NDI Runtime 6.3 or newer. Requirements can change, so check the current release documentation before installing.
- Connect the phone and computer to the same local network. Avoid guest Wi-Fi or access points with client isolation, which can prevent devices from discovering one another.
Turn on NDI output on the phone
- Open Camera for OBS Studio on the iPhone or iPad.
- Open the app’s settings, choose Output, then select NDI. Some app releases may label the option NewTek NDI.
- Confirm the app indicates that it is broadcasting. Keep it open while you use the feed.
Add the phone in OBS
- In OBS, add an NDI Source to the scene.
- Open the source properties and select the phone from the available source list.
- If the phone does not appear immediately, wait briefly and reopen the source properties after checking the network and permissions below.
DistroAV is a third-party OBS integration. Camera for OBS Studio’s documentation says its app sends using NDI 5 and describes backward compatibility with the NDI 6.3 receiver in current DistroAV releases.
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Use the documented Android-to-Streamlabs LAN route
- Install Streamlabs Mobile on the Android phone and Streamlabs Desktop on the receiving computer.
- Connect both devices to the same Ethernet or Wi-Fi network.
- In Streamlabs Mobile, enable LAN streaming and note the URL provided by the phone.
- In Streamlabs Desktop, add a media source and use that URL as the source.
Streamlabs documents this product-specific workflow in its Mobile LAN Streaming Source Guide. It is not a general-purpose substitute for an NDI receiver; use the software pair that supports the feed your phone sends.
Choose settings and network conditions for a stable feed
There is no single resolution, frame rate, or bandwidth setting that is best for every phone and Wi-Fi network. Start with a setting your network can sustain, then raise quality only if the image remains stable. NDI Camera lists high, medium, and low bandwidth modes; it also lists autofocus, zoom, front/rear camera selection, a connection meter, and tally display. App features and availability can vary by platform and release.
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- For stutter or dropped video, lower the sender’s resolution or frame rate.
- Move the phone closer to the wireless access point and reduce competing network traffic where practical.
- Use Ethernet when possible if the phone and adapter support it. Check the phone’s connector and adapter compatibility before buying; an Ethernet adapter is optional, not a universal requirement.
- For NDI over Wi-Fi at higher bitrates or resolutions, NDI recommends Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 equipment. That is guidance, not a guarantee of performance; results depend on the network.
- If the receiver offers a low-bandwidth option, try it when a reduced-quality image is acceptable.
NDI does not provide a controlled head-to-head latency or quality comparison with the Streamlabs LAN method in the cited setup materials. Choose based on supported sender/receiver software, discovery versus URL setup, your network, acceptable image quality and latency, and whether Ethernet is practical.
Troubleshoot when OBS cannot see the phone
The phone is missing from the NDI Source list
- Check the network: Confirm both devices are on the same local network. Guest Wi-Fi, client isolation, separate subnets, or network rules that block discovery can prevent the devices from finding each other.
- Check the phone app: Make sure NDI output is enabled, the app says it is broadcasting, and it remains open.
- Check iOS permission: Allow Camera for OBS Studio to access the local network in iOS privacy settings.
- Check Windows firewall: Use a Private network profile and allow OBS and DistroAV through the firewall.
- Refresh discovery: Wait briefly, reopen the NDI Source properties, and restart the computer after installing or updating receiver components.
- Check mDNS and subnet access: The documented OBS workflow uses mDNS for NDI discovery. If the network blocks mDNS or separates devices into subnets, consult the Camera for OBS Studio NDI setup and troubleshooting guide and your network administrator.
The video stutters or drops
- Lower resolution or frame rate, or use a receiver’s low-bandwidth mode.
- Move closer to the access point or try a wired connection with a compatible phone adapter.
- Check whether network congestion or client isolation is affecting the connection. Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 may suit higher-bandwidth NDI use, but cannot guarantee smooth video in every environment.
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