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Title: How to use your iPhone as a webcam with your Mac

Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2025 16:42:48 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/h...

If you want to upgrade your video call setup without buying an external
webcam, your iPhone can help. With macOS Ventura or later, AppleΓÇÖs
Continuity Camera feature allows users to turn their iPhone into a high-
quality, wireless webcam for Mac. Whether youΓÇÖre joining a meeting on Zoom,
recording a presentation or creating content for YouTube, using your iPhone
as a webcam can provide a sharper image, better low-light performance and
useful extras like Center Stage and Desk View. HereΓÇÖs how to set up and use
your iPhone as a webcam with your Mac, along with additional tips for
microphone-only use, Desk View, Studio Light and more. It works natively in
macOS, so itΓÇÖs easy to set up. All you need to do is mount your phone and
start your call.

What youΓÇÖll need to use Continuity Camera

YouΓÇÖll need the following things to use this feature properly:

An iPhone XR or newer running iOS 16 or later

A Mac running macOS Ventura or later

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled on both devices

Both devices signed into the same Apple ID with two-factor authentication
enabled

A way to mount your iPhone (Apple sells a MagSafe-compatible Belkin mount,
but any secure mount or tripod will work)

Continuity Camera works wirelessly by default, though you can connect your
iPhone to your Mac via USB if you prefer a more stable connection.

How to enable Continuity Camera

Continuity Camera is automatically enabled on supported iPhones and Macs.
However, itΓÇÖs worth confirming that the feature is active in your
iPhoneΓÇÖs settings:

Open Settings on your iPhone

Tap General

Select AirPlay & Handoff

Make sure Continuity Camera is toggled on

On your Mac, no additional setup is required, but youΓÇÖll want to ensure
both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled and that both devices are nearby and
awake.

How to use your iPhone as a webcam in macOS apps

Once Continuity Camera is active, your Mac should automatically detect your
iPhone as a webcam source in any compatible app. That includes FaceTime,
Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, QuickTime, Safari and most other video
and streaming applications.

To use your iPhone as the camera in a specific app:

Open the app you want to use (e.g., Zoom or FaceTime)

Go to the appΓÇÖs video settings or preferences menu

Select your iPhone from the list of available camera sources (it may appear
as "iPhone Camera"

Your iPhone will automatically activate its rear camera and stream a live
video feed to your Mac. Continuity Camera uses the iPhoneΓÇÖs higher-quality
rear camera, but you can leverage the front camera using third-party apps
such as EpocCam, iVCam or DroidCam.

If nothing happens, make sure:

Both devices are unlocked and on the same Wi-Fi network

Continuity Camera is enabled on your iPhone

YouΓÇÖre signed into the same Apple ID on both devices

How to use microphone-only mode

In addition to camera input, Continuity Camera lets you use your iPhone as a
high-quality microphone source. This is handy if you prefer to use your
MacΓÇÖs built-in camera or another webcam but still want the clarity of the
iPhoneΓÇÖs microphone.

To use your iPhone as a mic:

Open System Settings on your Mac

Go to Sound > Input

Select your iPhone from the list of available input devices

You can also choose the iPhone microphone directly from within most video
apps under their audio settings or microphone input menus.

How to use Desk View

Desk View is a unique feature of Continuity Camera that uses the iPhoneΓÇÖs
ultrawide lens to simulate a top-down camera angle. It creates a second video
feed showing your desk or workspace, which is useful for demos, unboxings, or
sketching on paper.

ItΓÇÖs worth mentioning that Desk View is only available on Macs with the
12MP Center Stage camera, and with iPhone 11 or later (excluding iPhone 16e
and iPhone SE, as these models do not meet the hardware requirements for this
feature).

To use Desk View:

Position your iPhone horizontally in a mount at the top of your display

Open the Desk View app on your Mac (found in Applications or Launchpad)

The app will generate a simulated overhead view of your desk

You can share this view in apps like Zoom by selecting Desk View as the video
source

Some third-party apps (such as FaceTime and Camo) also support displaying
both your face and the Desk View simultaneously using picture-in-picture.

How to adjust Continuity Camera effects

MacOS allows you to enable various video effects in the Control Center when
using your iPhone as a webcam. These features enhance your appearance and
help you stay centered on screen, though you need to be on a video call to
use them.

To access these effects:

While using a video conferencing app (such as FaceTime) on your Mac, click
the Control Center icon in the top-right of your MacΓÇÖs menu bar

Select Video Effects

Choose from the following options:

Center Stage: Uses the iPhoneΓÇÖs ultrawide lens to keep you centered as you
move

Portrait: Adds a soft background blur similar to Portrait Mode in the Camera
app

Studio Light: Brightens your face and dims the background to mimic
professional lighting

Desk View: Activates the Desk View camera feed

You can toggle these effects on or off at any time during a call or recording
session, or even when youΓÇÖre outside of a video call.

Tips for mounting and positioning your iPhone

To get the best results, use a secure mount that keeps your iPhone stable and
aligned with your face. Apple recommends positioning the iPhone horizontally
with the rear camera facing you and the screen facing away.

If youΓÇÖre using a MacBook, the Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe is designed
to clip directly onto your MacΓÇÖs display. For desktop Macs, any tripod or
adjustable mount that aligns the phone at eye level will work.

Avoid placing the iPhone too close to your face and ensure the camera lens is
unobstructed. You will be able to see yourself during the call, so you can
adjust to your preference. The rear camera is used for higher video quality
(though like I mentioned you can use the front camera with compatible third-
party apps). Make sure the iPhone is not in low-power mode, as it may affect
performance.

Using Continuity Camera with third-party apps

Most popular video conferencing and streaming apps on macOS support
Continuity Camera without any extra setup. However, some apps may require
manual input selection.

HereΓÇÖs how to change the camera on a few commonly used platforms:

Zoom: Go to Preferences > Video and select "iPhone Camera."

Google Meet (in Safari or Chrome): Click the gear icon before joining a call
and select your iPhone under Camera

OBS Studio: Add a new video capture device source and select your iPhone as
the input

QuickTime: Open QuickTime Player, choose New Movie Recording, click the arrow
next to the record button, and select your iPhone

Continuity Camera works with most macOS-native and browser-based platforms as
long as permissions for camera and microphone access are enabled.

How to switch between camera modes or devices

If you want to return to using your MacΓÇÖs built-in webcam or switch to
another device, simply change the input source in your appΓÇÖs settings.
Continuity Camera only takes over as the default when an iPhone is detected
and selected.

To switch back:

Open the video or audio settings in your app

Select a different camera or microphone input

Your Mac will revert to using the built-in hardware or another connected
device

You can also disconnect your iPhone from the mount or place it out of range
to stop Continuity Camera from activating. YouΓÇÖll have to do this for every
app youΓÇÖve used. If you want a systemwide change or if youΓÇÖd rather not
dismount or unplug your iPhone, you can switch off Continuity Camera by doing
the following on your phone:

Go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity (or AirPlay & Handoff)

Turn off Continuity Camera.

Troubleshooting Continuity Camera issues

If your iPhone is not showing up as an available webcam, try the following:

Ensure both devices are running the latest versions of iOS and macOS

Confirm that both devices are signed into the same Apple ID

Restart both the Mac and iPhone

Toggle Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off and on again on both devices

Make sure no other app is already using the iPhone camera

Try using a wired USB connection instead

For persistent issues, resetting your MacΓÇÖs privacy permissions for camera
and microphone access may help. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security >
Camera and Microphone, and verify that the apps youΓÇÖre using have access.

Battery use and privacy

Using your iPhone as a webcam over an extended period can guzzle its battery
quickly, especially with effects like Studio Light or Center Stage enabled.
To avoid interruptions during longer calls or recordings, consider connecting
the iPhone to power while itΓÇÖs in use.

Apple includes privacy protections when using Continuity Camera. A green LED
will appear next to your iPhoneΓÇÖs camera lens to indicate itΓÇÖs active,
and the screen will show a message confirming that the camera is in use. No
video or audio is transmitted unless you have explicitly selected the iPhone
as a source in your Mac app.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/h...
webcam-with-your-mac-164248242.html?src=rss

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