Turn a spare iPhone into a motion detector
A spare iPhone can watch a small area while you do something else. Snitch combines on-device motion detection with an AI check of a condition you describe, so the setup starts with what you actually want to know.
Start with the device and the view
Check that the iPhone supports iOS 26.5 or later. Place it on a stable mount where the subject will be large enough to see. For longer sessions, connect power and keep the phone ventilated. Avoid direct sun, glare through windows, and spots where a pet could knock it over.
Give it one clear job
Open Snitch, choose Camera mode, and draw a box around the relevant area. Try “a package is on the doormat” instead of “something happens.” Keep moving trees, passing traffic, and unrelated activity outside the selected box when possible. A smaller useful area gives the AI less irrelevant context to evaluate.
Test before leaving the scene
Keep the monitoring device awake with Snitch open and an internet connection. Recreate the event, check the alert, and review the result. Test a normal scene too. If you pair a receiver, verify an alert on that device. Repeat the test when lighting or camera position changes.
Understand what the setup does
This is event monitoring, not a continuous cloud video feed. Camera checks send your selected crop for AI analysis, and detection depends on motion, image quality, connectivity, and your condition. Review scan limits and current purchase options in the app. Do not use this setup as a replacement for a security or safety system.