NotchStar mirror says it needs camera access: how to fix it

Mirror Published 4 November 2026

All of help center Try NotchStar in the browser Buy for $4

If the Mirror tab shows “NotchStar needs camera access for the mirror”, macOS has the camera switched off for NotchStar. Open System Settings, go to Privacy & Security, click Camera and turn NotchStar on. Then reopen the Mirror tab. The tab also has a button that jumps straight to that pane.

Steps

Choose the Apple menu, then System Settings.
Click Privacy & Security in the sidebar. You may need to scroll down.
Click Camera.
Turn the switch next to NotchStar on.
Close the notch, open it again and pick Mirror.

If NotchStar is not in the list

Apple says the list shows apps that have asked to use the camera. If NotchStar is missing, open the Mirror tab once so it can ask, then check the list again.

If the switch is on and the picture is still black

NotchStar uses the default camera that macOS picks. Another app may be holding it, or a different camera may be the default. See which camera the mirror uses.

The permission only affects Mirror. Read how to allow camera access the first time if you want the normal route. Apple’s page was checked on 4 November 2026 for macOS Sonoma 14 to Tahoe 26.

Quick answers.

Will the prompt come back by itself?

No. macOS asks once. After that the switch under Privacy & Security, Camera is the only place to change the answer.

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.
How to allow camera access for the 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.
Which camera does the NotchStar mirror use?: 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.
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.

Put your notch to work.

Buy it once for $4, activate it in a minute, and keep it. Not sure yet? Try every tool in the browser on the home page, or install the 7 day trial.

Buy NotchStar for $4 Try it in the browser