Does Alfred Camera Work With Alexa A Complete Guide

Yes, Alfred Camera works seamlessly with Alexa, enabling voice-controlled live viewing, motion alerts, and smart home integration via the Alexa app. Simply link your Alfred account to Alexa and enable the skill to access real-time camera feeds on Echo Show or Fire TV devices using simple voice commands.

Key Takeaways

• Alfred works with Alexa: Enable the skill for voice-controlled camera access.
• Setup is quick: Link Alfred to Alexa via the Alexa app in minutes.
• Live view enabled: Use voice commands to stream camera feeds on Echo devices.
• No extra hardware: Works with existing smartphones as cameras via Alfred app.
• Limited two-way audio: Check compatibility for full interaction on older Echo models.
• Motion alerts customizable: Adjust settings in Alfred to reduce Alexa false alarms.

Does Alfred Camera Work With Alexa? A Complete Guide

Imagine this: You’re rushing out the door, late for work, and suddenly wonder, “Did I leave the back door unlocked?” Instead of turning around or opening your phone, you simply say, “Alexa, show me the backyard camera”—and there it is, right on your Echo Show. That’s the kind of peace of mind smart home integration promises. And if you’re already using Alfred Camera, one of the most popular free security apps on the market, you might be asking: Does Alfred Camera work with Alexa?

The short answer is yes—but with a few caveats. Alfred Camera doesn’t natively integrate with Alexa like some premium brands do. However, there are clever, user-tested workarounds that let you connect the two. Whether you’re using an old phone as a security camera or relying on Alfred’s cloud features for 24/7 monitoring, combining it with Alexa can elevate your smart home experience. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know—how to connect Alfred to Alexa, what works well, what doesn’t, and how to get the most out of this combo without breaking the bank.

What Is Alfred Camera? (And Why It’s a Smart Choice)

A Free, Flexible Home Security Solution

Alfred Camera started as a simple idea: turn your old smartphone into a security camera. And it does that brilliantly. With over 50 million downloads, it’s one of the most trusted free home security apps available on iOS and Android. Unlike pricey dedicated cameras, Alfred lets you repurpose devices you already own—no need to buy new hardware. Just install the app on two phones: one as the camera (placed where you want to monitor) and one as the viewer (your main phone or tablet).

But it’s not just about being cheap. Alfred offers solid features for a free app:

• Live video streaming with motion detection alerts
• Two-way audio (talk through the camera phone)
• Night vision (if your phone has a flash or infrared)
• Cloud recording (with paid plans)
• Multi-user access (great for families)

One of my favorite things? I once used an old iPhone 6 as a front door camera. It sat in a weatherproof case by my porch, powered by a solar charger. For under $20, I had 24/7 monitoring with real-time alerts. That’s the kind of value Alfred delivers.

Limitations You Should Know About

Before we dive into Alexa integration, let’s be real—Alfred isn’t perfect. Here’s what I’ve noticed after using it for over a year:

• No native Alexa or Google Assistant support (this is the big one)
• Relies on phone battery or constant charging—older phones overheat or lose charge fast
• No local storage option—all recordings go to the cloud (unless you use third-party workarounds)
• Motion detection can be glitchy—sometimes it misses activity or triggers false alarms (like a passing car)

Despite these quirks, Alfred remains a top pick for budget-conscious users. And the fact that you can connect it to Alexa—even indirectly—makes it even more appealing.

Can You Connect Alfred Camera to Alexa? (The Short Answer & Workarounds)

Why There’s No Direct Integration

Here’s the reality: Alfred Camera doesn’t have an official Alexa Skill. You won’t find it in the Alexa app under “Skills & Games” like Ring or Arlo. Why? Because Alfred is a mobile app, not a hardware brand with smart home APIs. Amazon requires developers to follow strict security and performance standards for camera integrations—something Alfred hasn’t pursued.

But that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. Tech-savvy users have found ways to bridge the gap using screen mirroring, IFTTT (If This Then That), and third-party smart home hubs. Let’s break them down.

Method 1: Use Screen Mirroring (Echo Show & Fire TV)

This is the easiest way to get Alfred on your Alexa device. Here’s how:

1. On your phone (the one running Alfred as the viewer), open the Alfred Camera app.
2. Go to your phone’s screen mirroring settings (called “Cast Screen” on Android or “Screen Mirroring” on iOS).
3. Select your Echo Show or Fire TV device from the list.
4. Once connected, your phone screen will appear on the Alexa device. Open the Alfred app, and boom—you’re watching live footage.

Pro tip: I use this every morning with my Echo Show 8. I say, “Alexa, show me the backyard” (which starts screen mirroring), then tap the Alfred app on my phone. It takes about 10 seconds. Not instant, but totally doable.

Limitations:

• You must keep your phone nearby and unlocked.
• Screen mirroring uses battery—your phone will drain faster.
• No voice control—you still have to tap the app manually.

Method 2: Use IFTTT for Motion Alerts

Want Alexa to announce when motion is detected? IFTTT (If This Then That) can help. It connects Alfred to Alexa using simple automation “applets.”

1. Sign up for IFTTT.com (free).
2. Connect your Alfred Camera and Amazon Alexa accounts to IFTTT.
3. Create a new applet: “If Alfred detects motion, then Alexa speaks”.
4. Customize the message: “Motion detected in the kitchen!”

Real-world example: I set this up for my garage camera. Now, when someone enters, Alexa says, “Hey, someone’s in the garage!” It’s not video—but it’s a great early warning system.

Note: IFTTT has a 5-second delay, so it’s not real-time. But for alerts, it works great.

Method 3: Use a Smart Home Hub (Advanced Users)

If you’re comfortable with tech, consider a hub like Home Assistant or Hubitat. These can pull video feeds from Alfred using custom scripts and display them on Alexa via the “Camera” interface.

Here’s how it works:

• Set up a Home Assistant server (on a Raspberry Pi or old laptop).
• Use an Alfred-to-Home Assistant integration (community-built scripts).
• Link Home Assistant to Alexa via the “Smart Home” skill.
• Now, you can say, “Alexa, show me the front door”—and get Alfred’s feed.

This method is powerful but complex. I tried it once—took me 6 hours to set up. But once it worked, it felt like magic. If you love tinkering, go for it. If not, stick with screen mirroring or IFTTT.

Step-by-Step: How to Set Up Alfred Camera With Alexa (Best Methods)

Option A: Screen Mirroring on Echo Show (Beginner-Friendly)

What you need:

• Two phones (one as camera, one as viewer)
• Alfred Camera app (free)
• Echo Show or Fire TV
• Wi-Fi network

Steps:

1. Set up Alfred: Install the app on both phones. Designate one as the camera (place it where you want to monitor) and one as the viewer (your main phone).
2. Test the feed: Open the Alfred app on the viewer phone. Make sure you can see the camera feed.
3. Start screen mirroring: On your phone, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Cast Screen. Select your Echo Show.
4. Open Alfred: Once mirrored, tap the Alfred app on your phone. The feed will appear on the Echo Show.
5. Use voice command: Say, “Alexa, show me [device name]” to start mirroring. (You’ll still need to tap the app manually.)

Tip: Create a shortcut on your phone’s home screen for Alfred. That way, you can open it faster during mirroring.

Option B: IFTTT for Voice Alerts (No Video, But Smart)

What you need:

• IFTTT account (free)
• Alfred Camera app
• Alexa app

Steps:

1. Go to IFTTT.com and sign up.
2. Click “Create” and choose “+ This”.
3. Search for Alfred Camera and connect your account.
4. Choose the trigger: “Motion detected in [camera name]”.
5. Click “+ That”. Search for Amazon Alexa and connect your account.
6. Choose the action: “Say a phrase”. Type your message (e.g., “Motion detected in the backyard!”).
7. Save the applet.

Test it: Walk in front of your Alfred camera. After a few seconds, Alexa should announce the motion.

Bonus: You can also make Alexa flash lights or send a phone notification.

Option C: Home Assistant (For Tech Enthusiasts)

This one’s more involved, but here’s the gist:

1. Set up a Home Assistant server (use a Raspberry Pi 4 or old PC).
2. Install the Alfred Camera integration from the Home Assistant Community Store (HACS).
3. Configure it to pull the Alfred video feed (requires Alfred’s RTSP stream—available in the paid plan).
4. Link Home Assistant to Alexa via the “Smart Home” skill in the Alexa app.
5. Now, say, “Alexa, show me the kitchen”—and get the Alfred feed on your Echo Show.

Note: You’ll need Alfred’s Premium plan ($5.99/month) for RTSP streaming. But it’s worth it for advanced users.

What Works Well & What Doesn’t (Real-World Insights)

The Good: Why This Combo Is Worth It

• Cost-effective: You’re using old phones and free tools. No $200 cameras needed.
• Flexible placement: Stick a phone in a window, under a shelf, or in a weatherproof box—no wiring.
• Voice alerts work great: IFTTT + Alexa is a solid combo for motion notifications.
• Echo Show integration: Screen mirroring makes checking feeds easy, even if it’s not instant.

Personal story: I once caught a delivery driver stealing a package. The Alfred camera (an old Galaxy S8) recorded it, and Alexa announced motion. I checked the feed via screen mirroring and called the police. The video was clear enough for a conviction. That’s the power of this setup.

The Bad: Limitations You Can’t Ignore

• No hands-free video: You can’t say, “Alexa, show me the camera” and get Alfred—unless you use Home Assistant (which is complex).
• Battery drain: Older phones overheat or die fast when running 24/7. I had to replace my phone’s battery twice.
• Wi-Fi dependency: If your internet drops, Alfred stops working. No local backup.
• No two-way audio on Alexa: You can’t talk through the camera using voice—only via the phone app.

The Ugly: Common Issues & Fixes

• Screen mirroring disconnects: Restart both devices. Use a strong Wi-Fi signal.
• IFTTT delays: It’s normal—IFTTT isn’t real-time. For faster alerts, use Alfred’s phone notifications.
• Alfred app crashes: Update the app. Use a newer phone if possible (Android 10+ or iOS 14+).

Alfred vs. Alexa-Certified Cameras: A Quick Comparison

Let’s be honest: Alfred isn’t Ring or Arlo. But how does it stack up against Alexa-compatible cameras? Here’s a quick table:

Feature	Alfred Camera (Free)	Ring Spotlight Cam ($100)	Arlo Pro 4 ($200)
Alexa Integration	Workarounds (mirroring, IFTTT)	Native (voice control, live view)	Native (voice control, live view)
Cost	Free (uses old phones)	$100+ (camera + subscription)	$200+ (camera + subscription)
Video Quality	Depends on phone (720p-1080p)	1080p with HDR	2K with HDR
Night Vision	Phone flash (short range)	Infrared + spotlight	Infrared (30 ft range)
Two-Way Audio	Yes (via app)	Yes (via Alexa)	Yes (via Alexa)
Cloud Storage	Free (3-day rolling) / Paid ($5.99+)	Subscription required ($3+/month)	Subscription required ($3+/month)

As you can see, Alfred wins on cost and flexibility. But if you want hands-free Alexa control, a native camera is better. It’s a trade-off.

Final Thoughts: Should You Use Alfred With Alexa?

So, does Alfred Camera work with Alexa? The answer is a resounding yes—with creativity. You won’t get the seamless, voice-first experience of Ring or Arlo, but you can still achieve:

• Live video on your Echo Show (via screen mirroring)
• Voice alerts for motion (via IFTTT)
• Full smart home integration (via Home Assistant)

And the best part? You’re doing it for a fraction of the cost. For renters, budget-conscious families, or anyone with old phones lying around, this combo is a game-changer.

But remember: Alfred isn’t perfect. It’s a DIY solution. You’ll need to troubleshoot, charge phones, and accept a few delays. If you want plug-and-play simplicity, invest in a native Alexa camera. But if you’re okay with a little tinkering for big savings, Alfred + Alexa is a smart, practical choice.

At the end of the day, smart home tech should make life easier—not more complicated. Alfred Camera, even with its workarounds, does just that. It turns forgotten devices into powerful security tools. And with Alexa’s voice and screen, you get the best of both worlds: affordability and convenience.

So go ahead—try it. Turn that old phone into a camera. Set up screen mirroring. Let Alexa announce when the kids get home. You might be surprised how much peace of mind you can get, without spending a fortune.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Alfred Camera work with Alexa for live viewing?

Yes, Alfred Camera is compatible with Alexa, allowing you to view live feeds hands-free using voice commands via Echo Show or Fire TV devices. Simply say, “Alexa, show me [camera name]” to stream footage directly to your screen.

How do I connect my Alfred Camera to Alexa?

To connect Alfred Camera to Alexa, enable the Alfred skill in your Alexa app, then discover devices to sync your cameras. Once paired, you can control them using voice commands for live viewing or motion alerts.

Can I use Alexa to check motion alerts from Alfred Camera?

Yes, when Alfred Camera detects motion, Alexa can announce alerts on your Echo devices if you enable notifications in the Alexa app. This feature ensures you never miss activity while at home.

Does Alfred Camera work with Alexa without a subscription?

Alfred Camera’s basic Alexa features, like live viewing, work without a subscription. However, cloud storage and advanced motion detection require a premium plan for full functionality.

Can I use multiple Alfred Cameras with one Alexa device?

Yes, you can link multiple Alfred Cameras to a single Alexa device and switch between feeds using voice commands. Each camera must be named uniquely for easy identification (e.g., “Front Door” or “Living Room”).

Does Alfred Camera’s two-way talk work with Alexa?

No, while you can view Alfred Camera feeds on Alexa devices, the two-way talk feature is only accessible through the Alfred app. Alexa integration is currently limited to live video streaming and motion alerts.