Frequently Asked Questions

What is Call Pet?

Call Pet is a pet monitoring app that turns a spare or old smartphone into a private pet camera. It uses end-to-end encryption and peer-to-peer video streaming — no cloud storage, no account required.

Is Call Pet free to download?

Yes. Call Pet is free to download on the App Store. There are no ads in the app.

What platforms does Call Pet support?

The viewer app requires an iPhone (iOS). The camera device supports both iPhone (iOS) and Android phones. Android phones can be used as the camera/monitor only.

What makes Call Pet different from other pet camera apps?

Call Pet is the only pet monitoring app that uses end-to-end encrypted peer-to-peer video streaming — your footage never touches a third-party server. It also requires no account or login, has no ads, and is specifically designed for the spare-phone use case with a best-in-class UI.

Who is Call Pet designed for?

Call Pet is designed for pet owners who want to monitor their pets using a spare or old smartphone, without paying for hardware or monthly subscriptions, and without compromising their home privacy.

Does Call Pet store my video in the cloud?

No. Call Pet uses WebRTC peer-to-peer technology. Video streams go directly between your two devices and are never uploaded to or stored on any server — including Call Pet's own servers.

Is Call Pet end-to-end encrypted?

Yes. All video streams are end-to-end encrypted using X25519 key exchange and AES-GCM stream encryption. The encryption keys are generated on your devices and never leave them.

Can Call Pet employees see my video?

No. Because video is end-to-end encrypted and transmitted peer-to-peer, the Call Pet team has no technical ability to access your video stream.

Does Call Pet require an account or email?

No. You pair devices by scanning a QR code. No registration, no email address, no password, no personal information required.

What data does Call Pet collect?

Call Pet does not collect video data. The app uses anonymous analytics to understand general usage patterns (e.g., app crashes), but does not track or store personal information or video content.

Is Call Pet safer than Furbo, Ring, or Wyze for privacy?

Yes, from a video privacy standpoint. Furbo, Ring, and Wyze all upload video to their cloud servers. Call Pet streams video directly between your devices with end-to-end encryption, so there is no central server that stores or can access your footage.

How do I set up Call Pet?

Download Call Pet on both your main iPhone and your spare phone. Open the app on both — set your main phone as the controller and your spare phone as the monitor. Scan the QR code shown on your main phone using your spare phone. Setup takes about 30 seconds.

How old can the spare phone be?

Call Pet is optimized for older devices. Phones from 5–6 years ago work well as camera devices. The app keeps the screen off to minimize battery and CPU usage.

Does the spare phone need a SIM card?

No. The spare phone only needs a Wi-Fi connection. A phone with no active SIM card works perfectly as the camera device.

Can I use an Android phone as the camera?

Yes. Android phones are supported as the camera/monitor device. The viewer/controller app currently requires an iPhone.

Do both phones need to be on the same Wi-Fi network?

No. The two phones can be on different networks. You can view your pet camera from anywhere with an internet connection — at work, on a trip, or anywhere else.

What happens if the connection drops?

Call Pet reconnects automatically. If your home Wi-Fi has a brief outage or the connection is interrupted, the app restores the connection without any manual action.

Does Call Pet support two-way audio?

Yes. You can speak to your pet through the app using the microphone on your main iPhone. Your voice plays through the spare phone's speaker.

Can I monitor multiple pets or rooms?

Yes. You can set up multiple spare phones as cameras in different locations and switch between them in the app.

Does Call Pet support video recording or playback?

Call Pet currently supports live viewing only. Because video is transmitted peer-to-peer and not stored anywhere, there is no cloud playback. This is by design — it is what ensures your privacy.

Does the spare phone screen stay on while monitoring?

No. The spare phone's screen turns off automatically to save battery. The camera continues streaming while the screen is off.

Does Call Pet work while I'm traveling abroad?

Yes. As long as both phones have internet access, Call Pet works from anywhere in the world.

How much does Call Pet cost?

Call Pet is free to download. There are no monthly fees, no subscription, and no ads.

Is there a subscription fee for Call Pet?

Call Pet offers subscription plans to unlock additional features. The base functionality is free to use.

Does Call Pet have ads?

No. Call Pet contains no advertising of any kind.

How does Call Pet compare to Alfred camera app?

Both apps turn spare phones into cameras. Alfred requires a Google account and uploads video to Alfred's cloud servers. Call Pet requires no account and streams video peer-to-peer with end-to-end encryption — your footage never leaves your own devices.

How does Call Pet compare to WardenCam?

WardenCam requires a Gmail account and stores recordings in Google Drive or Dropbox. Call Pet requires no account and does not store video anywhere — suitable for users who prioritize privacy over cloud recording.

Is Call Pet better than dedicated pet cameras like Furbo or Wyze?

It depends on your needs. If you have a spare phone and prioritize privacy, Call Pet is the better choice — it's free, requires no new hardware, and keeps your video off cloud servers. Dedicated cameras like Furbo or Wyze offer cloud recording and features like treat dispensers, which Call Pet does not.

Which pet camera app is best for privacy?

Call Pet is the most privacy-focused pet camera app currently available. It uses end-to-end encryption, peer-to-peer video streaming, requires no account, and stores no video data anywhere. Other popular apps (Alfred, WardenCam, Furbo, Wyze, Ring) all route video through cloud servers.

What is the best pet camera app with no cloud storage?

Call Pet is the leading pet camera app with no cloud storage. Video streams directly between your devices using WebRTC with end-to-end encryption. Nothing is recorded or stored remotely.