Which camera does the NotchStar mirror use?

Mirror Published 4 November 2026

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The NotchStar mirror uses the default video camera that macOS gives it. NotchStar has no camera picker, so you cannot choose a different camera inside the Mirror tab.

How the default is chosen

When the Mirror tab opens, NotchStar asks macOS for the default camera and shows that one. On most MacBooks that is the built in camera. With an external webcam plugged in, macOS may pick it instead, depending on your system.

How to get the camera you want

Unplug the external camera to get back to the built in one.
Plug in the camera you want and reopen the Mirror tab.
Quit any app that is holding the camera, then reopen the tab.

The camera is chosen again each time the tab opens, so a change shows up the next time you open Mirror.

Call apps choose separately

Zoom, Meet, Teams and FaceTime have their own camera menus. The mirror only shows what the default camera sees, so confirm the device inside your call app too. The camera check guide covers that.

If the tab shows a permission message instead of a picture, see camera access denied. For the whole tool, read the Mirror page.

Quick answers.

Can the mirror use my iPhone as the camera?

It uses whichever camera macOS picks as the default, so that depends on your system. NotchStar does not add its own choice.

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 check your framing before a video call with NotchStar: 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.
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.
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.

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