UVC standard on smartphones: what it is, advantages, how it works, and the latest news

One of the most curious advances in mobile technology in recent years has been the integration of the UVC standard in smartphonesThis feature not only enhances video calls and streaming, but also expands the range of options for those seeking greater visual quality and versatility.

The UVC standard (USB Video Class) is gaining prominence thanks to the fact that it simplifies compatibility between devices, eliminating the need to install additional drivers or software. Connect your mobile phone to your computer, and it will automatically be recognized as a USB camera., facilitating everything from teleworking to creating content on social media and security.

What is the UVC standard and why is it relevant for smartphones?

The UVC standard for smartphones defines a universal protocol for video transmission via the USB interface. Its main objective is to facilitate communication between digital cameras and other devices, eliminating the need to install additional drivers or software.This has revolutionized the interaction between webcams, external cameras, endoscopes, and now smartphones.

UVC was originally developed to address the fragmentation in USB camera compatibility. Since its first version in 2003 (UVC 1.0), it has evolved to incorporate compression formats such as MJPEG and H.264, supporting resolutions up to 8K, higher bandwidth with USB 3.x and USB 4.0, and advanced processing features.

How does UVC work on mobile devices and what does it mean technically?

To understand how the UVC standard works on smartphones, it is important to understand the basic processes of the UVC standard. When a compatible device is connected to a computer via USB, the following actions occur: phases:

1. Connection and identification: The device is connected and recognized by the operating system thanks to the UVC standard.
2. Request and analysis of descriptors: The computer requests information about its capabilities, settings, and functions.
3. Control transmission: Parameters such as resolution, format or frame rate are set through the USB control endpoint.
4. Data transmission: The video stream is sent to the system and processed by the corresponding application.

In practice, This allows the mobile phone to send captured images and videos as if it were an external webcam, with greater quality and flexibility.For this to work, the phone must support UVC and have USB OTG enabled, which allows direct connections without the need for a traditional host computer. Brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, and Sony offer this support on their devices.

 

Main advantages of using UVC on smartphones

The UVC standard on smartphones offers several benefits, especially for converting a mobile phone or external camera into a webcam or capture system:

• True Plug-and-Play: It is automatically recognized on compatible systems, such as Windows, macOS, Linux or Chrome OS, without the need to install drivers.
• universal compatibility: Any camera, including UVC-enabled phones, can be used on multiple platforms without compatibility issues.
• Wide range of formats: Supports formats such as YUV, MJPEG, H.264, allowing better compression and resolution.
• Flexibility and quality: Bandwidth negotiation allows you to adjust resolution and frame rates. Mobile image quality often surpasses that of portable webcams.
• Reduced cost: Taking advantage of your phone's camera is more economical and versatile than purchasing external cameras, since it uses existing hardware.

Recent updates: Android 14, Xiaomi, and the expansion of the UVC standard

This 2025, Xiaomi has announced that its mobiles with Android 14 and MIUI 15 can function as UVC webcams thanks to the DeviceAsWebcam functionThis allows you to connect your phone to your PC and have it detected as a standard USB webcam, without third-party apps or drivers. To use this feature, you need:

• Xiaomi device with Android 14 and MIUI 15: Only models with these updates are supported.
• UVC and USB OTG support: The mobile phone must comply with both standards.
• Good quality USB cable: Although wireless support is expected in the future, it currently requires a physical connection.

The process is simple: connect your phone to your PC, activate the “Device as webcam” option in settings, and select it in your favorite app (Zoom, Teams, OBS). This eliminates the need for additional cameras and allows you to adjust angles and framing according to your needs..

Google is also working on native UVC support integration in Android 14, which will make it easier for any manufacturer to enable DeviceAsWebcam and allow users to transform their smartphone into a high-end webcam easily and securely.

Applications and practical uses of UVC on smartphones

The UVC standard on smartphones has multiple applications in different fields:

• Videoconferencing and teleworking: Turning your mobile phone into a webcam significantly improves the quality of virtual meetings, surpassing the cameras built into laptops.
• Streaming and content creation: Creatives can take advantage of mobile quality when streaming on platforms like Twitch or YouTube.
• Surveillance and monitoring: Turn your mobile phone into a permanent security camera, with alerts and cloud recordings.
• Medical Applications: UVC cameras transmit high-resolution images in endoscopies, operating rooms, and remote monitoring, ensuring reliability and ease of use.
• Access control and biometrics: Integration of facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and eye verification, with high-quality images.

How to connect a UVC camera or mobile phone as a webcam: requirements and steps

To use the UVC standard on smartphones or an external camera, you must meet some requirements:

• Mobile compatible with UVC and USB OTG: Check the specifications to see if your device supports these features.
• Suitable USB cable: The quality of the cable prevents interruptions or degradation in the image.
• Upgrade system: Make sure you have the latest version of Android (preferably 14 or higher on supported models).

The process is simple: Connect your phone to your PC, activate the “Device as webcam” option in settings, and select it in your video calling or capture app.

Current limitations and challenges

Although the trend is positive, The use of UVC on smartphones still has limitations:

• Partial compatibility: Some models do not support UVC or USB OTG, especially in budget or older ranges.
• Wireless connection still limited: Most require a USB cable, although wireless options with Android 15 and manufacturer updates are expected in the near future.
• Update Dependency: Features like Xiaomi's DeviceAsWebcam rely on recent system versions and customization layers.

Progress continues, and UVC adoption on smartphones will grow, expanding its applications and benefits. Universal compatibility and ease of use make the UVC standard a key technology to connect, record, transmit and take advantage of cameras in any situation, from video calls to industrial applications.