How to Make a Phone Camera Into Night Vision

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Here's how to convert you camera phone into a night vision or infrared camera.

1

Get an old mobile phone.

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  1. Remember, this hack isn't really reversible so don't do this on a camera you want to use in the future.
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2

Open the phone and find the camera.

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  1. Once the phone is open, locate the camera inside.
3

Remove the lens.

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  1. Unscrew it and remove the plastic containing the lens. Make sure not to let any dust fall onto the shiny CMOS sensor inside. [1]
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4

Remove the infrared filter.

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  1. This is the infrared filter. You have to remove this by applying some pressure on it sideways till the glue gives way and it comes off. [2]

=== Put the phone back together.

  1. Screw the phone back together securely.
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5

Connect IR LEDs to a battery.

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  1. Connect the LEDs in parallel to a battery of about 3-5 volts. It's better to use more than one in parallel to spread out the current equally. Test the LEDs by looking at them through any a digital camera. [3]
6

Mount the LEDs on a holder and secure the phone inside.

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  1. You're almost done. [4]
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7

Turn on the camera and LEDs.

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  1. You now have an infra-red night vision Camera.

Community Q&A

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  • Question
    If I remove the IR filter in my Canon FS400 vcam, will it convert into a night-vision vcam?
    Pavan Abeysinghe
    Community Answer
    It will not turn into a night-vision camera. The sensor must be sensitive to infrared.
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    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 11
  • Question
    Will the camera still work in daylight?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it will still work in daylight. However, the quality will not be the same as before.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gt_p9loJUO4
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_otDBRFmGI
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUOiz-SXh7o
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay_YDy9X6xU

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