How to allow camera access for an app on a Mac
Open System Settings, click Privacy and Security in the sidebar, click Camera, and turn on the switch next to the app. Apple’s guide says to choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Privacy & Security, which you may need to scroll down to find.
Steps
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
- Click Privacy & Security in the sidebar. Scroll if you cannot see it.
- Click Camera.
- Turn access on or off for each app in the list.
Apple adds that you may need to quit and reopen an app for the change to take effect, in its camera troubleshooting article. If your app keeps showing a black screen after you allow it, quit it fully and open it again.
Why an app is not in the list
Apple says the list shows only installed apps that have asked to use the camera. If it is empty, no installed app has requested access yet. Open the app and start its video feature, so that it asks. macOS then shows a prompt, and the app appears in the list afterwards.
Apps that need no permission
FaceTime, Photo Booth and other apps that come with your Mac have automatic access and do not appear in the permission list. That makes them useful for a quick check that the camera works. See how to test your Mac camera.
Websites are separate
A website in Safari is controlled in a different place. See allowing the camera for a website in Safari. Other browsers appear in the Camera list as apps, like any third party app.
Turning access off again
Return to the same list and turn the switch off. Apple says that when you turn off an app’s access, you are asked to turn it on again the next time that app tries to use your camera. If you are unsure which app has the camera right now, see how to see which app is using the camera.
Version note
Apple’s page, checked on 4 November 2026, is shown for macOS 27 and lists no separate steps for older versions. In the troubleshooting article Apple mentions System Preferences and Security and Privacy for older systems. On macOS before the System Settings design, the names differ.
NotchStar
NotchStar’s Mirror tool is the only part of the app that uses the camera. macOS shows its normal permission prompt the first time you open the Mirror tab. If you decline, the tab links to the setting. The picture is never saved or sent anywhere.
