# 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.

Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/help/does-notchstar-mirror-record-video/
Last updated: 2026-11-04

Published 2026-11-04.

No. The NotchStar mirror does not record video and does not take photos. It shows a live preview of your camera inside the notch, and that picture is never saved or sent anywhere. The camera permission text says the same: "Nothing is recorded."

## What the code does

The mirror starts a camera session and draws it on screen with a preview layer. It has no movie output and no photo output, so there is nothing to write to disk. When you leave the tab the session stops.

## What it does not do

- It does not save frames, clips or screenshots of the preview.
- It does not upload the picture. NotchStar has no account and sends nothing unless you opt in to anonymous version info.
- It does not apply filters or effects.

## How to check for yourself

macOS shows a green light beside the camera whenever an app is using it. [Open the Mirror tab](https://www.notchstar.com/features/mirror/), watch the light come on, then switch tabs and watch it go off. Details are in [the camera light page](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-mirror-camera-light/).

If you want a wider look at what the app touches, read [is NotchStar safe](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/is-notchstar-safe/) and the [privacy checklist for notch apps](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/notch-app-privacy-checklist/).

## Quick answers.

### Can I take a photo of myself with it?

No. It shows a live preview and has no photo, recording or filter controls.

## Keep reading.

- [A quick mirror before every call](https://www.notchstar.com/features/mirror/): 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.
- [Is NotchStar safe? Signing, permissions and what it sends](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/is-notchstar-safe/): NotchStar is signed and notarized by Apple, needs no account and sends nothing unless you opt in. See every permission it asks for and how to check it yourself.
- [A privacy checklist for any Mac notch app](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/notch-app-privacy-checklist/): Seven checks to make before you install a notch app: permissions, notarization, network use, data storage and what to do if something looks off.
- [When is the camera light on with the NotchStar mirror?](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-mirror-camera-light/): The green camera light comes on when the NotchStar Mirror tab is open on screen and goes off when you switch tabs or close the notch.

## More in Mirror.

- [How to allow camera access for the NotchStar mirror](https://www.notchstar.com/help/allow-camera-access-notchstar-mirror/): Open the Mirror tab and click Allow when macOS asks for the camera. NotchStar only shows a live preview and never records. Steps if you missed it.
- [NotchStar mirror says it needs camera access: how to fix it](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-mirror-camera-permission-denied/): 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.
- [How to check your framing before a video call with NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/check-framing-before-a-video-call-notch/): Hover over the notch, pick Mirror and check your framing, lighting and background in two seconds before you join a call. The camera stops when you leave.
- [When is the camera light on with the NotchStar mirror?](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-mirror-camera-light/): The green camera light comes on when the NotchStar Mirror tab is open on screen and goes off when you switch tabs or close the notch.
- [Why the NotchStar mirror preview is flipped](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-mirror-image-flipped/): The NotchStar mirror flips the picture like a real mirror, so moving left looks like moving left. There is no switch, and only the preview is affected.
- [Which camera does the NotchStar mirror use?](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-mirror-which-camera/): The NotchStar mirror uses the default camera macOS picks. There is no camera picker in the app, so choose the camera in macOS or unplug the one you do not want.