How to use your iPhone as a webcam with your Mac
If you want to upgrade your video call setup without buying an external webcam, your iPhone can help. With macOS Ventura or later, Apple’s Continuity Camera feature allows users to turn their iPhone into a high-quality, wireless webcam for Mac. Whether you’re 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. Here’s 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 it’s easy to set up. All you need to do is mount your phone and start your call.
What you’ll need to use Continuity Camera
You’ll 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, it’s worth confirming that the feature is active in your iPhone’s 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 you’ll 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 app’s 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 iPhone’s 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
You’re 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 Mac’s built-in camera or another webcam but still want the clarity of the iPhone’s 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 iPhone’s 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.
It’s 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 Mac’s menu bar
Select Video Effects
Choose from the following options:
Center Stage: Uses the iPhone’s 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 you’re 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 you’re using a MacBook, the Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe is designed to clip directly onto your Mac’s 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.
Here’s 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 Mac’s built-in webcam or switch to another device, simply change the input source in your app’s 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. You’ll have to do this for every app you’ve used. If you want a systemwide change or if you’d 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 Mac’s privacy permissions for camera and microphone access may help. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and Microphone, and verify that the apps you’re 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 it’s in use.
Apple includes privacy protections when using Continuity Camera. A green LED will appear next to your iPhone’s camera lens to indicate it’s 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/how-to-use-your-iphone-as-a-webcam-with-your-mac-164248242.html?src=rss