How to allow camera access for the NotchStar mirror

Mirror Published 4 November 2026

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To allow camera access for the NotchStar mirror, hover over the notch, pick the Mirror tab and click Allow when macOS asks. NotchStar does not ask earlier. The prompt appears the first time the Mirror tab opens, and the preview starts as soon as you allow it.

Steps

Hover over the notch to open it, then pick Mirror.
macOS shows its camera prompt for NotchStar. The text reads “NotchStar shows a live mirror preview from your camera. Nothing is recorded.”
Click Allow. The live picture appears in the tab.

If you did not see the prompt

The prompt appears once. If you clicked Don’t Allow, or the Mirror tab shows “NotchStar needs camera access for the mirror”, follow what to do when camera access was denied.

What the permission covers

The camera runs only while the Mirror tab is on screen. The other tools in NotchStar never touch it. Read what the mirror records for the full answer, and the camera check guide for a pre call routine.

Menu names checked against Apple’s page for macOS Sonoma 14 to Tahoe 26. The Camera list sits under Privacy & Security in System Settings.

Quick answers.

Why does NotchStar ask for the camera?

Only the Mirror tab uses it, to show you a live preview. The permission text says nothing is recorded.

Link to this answer

Keep reading.

A quick mirror before every call: Check how you look before a call with a live, mirrored camera preview in the notch. The camera runs only while the Mirror tab is open.
NotchStar mirror says it needs camera access: how to fix it: If the Mirror tab asks for camera access after you clicked Don't Allow, turn NotchStar on under Privacy & Security, Camera, then reopen the tab.
Does the NotchStar mirror record video or take photos?: No. The NotchStar mirror is a live preview only. It does not record, save, send or photograph anything, and the camera stops when you leave the tab.
Check your Mac camera before a video call: Preview your camera, check permissions and confirm the camera selected in your meeting app. Use a mirror preview without mistaking it for a recording test.

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