# How to use your iPhone as a webcam on a Mac > Mount an iPhone near your Mac, open FaceTime or a call app and choose the iPhone from the video menu. Requirements and fixes from Apple. Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/tips/use-iphone-as-webcam-on-mac/ Last updated: 2026-11-04 Published 2026-11-04. Mount your iPhone near the Mac with its rear cameras facing you, open an app such as FaceTime, and choose the iPhone from the app's video or camera menu. Apple calls this Continuity Camera. It needs an iPhone XR or later on iOS 16 or later, and a Mac that runs macOS Ventura 13 or later. ## What Apple requires According to Apple's article, checked on 4 November 2026: - The iPhone and Mac use the same Apple Account, with two factor authentication on. - Continuity Camera is on, in iPhone **Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity** (or **AirPlay & Handoff**). - The devices are near each other, with Bluetooth and WiFi on. - The iPhone is not sharing its cellular connection and the Mac is not sharing its internet connection. - For wireless use, the Mac is not using AirPlay or Sidecar. - For a USB cable, the iPhone is set to trust the Mac. ## Steps 1. Mount the iPhone on a stand or mount near the Mac so the rear cameras face you without anything in the way. Use landscape orientation, so apps can select it automatically. 2. Lock the iPhone and keep it stable. 3. Plug it into your Mac or a USB charger if you want it to stay charged. 4. Open your app, for example FaceTime. 5. If the app does not switch automatically, choose the iPhone from its video or camera menu. In FaceTime, use the **Video** menu. If your Mac has no built in or external microphone, open **System Settings > Sound**, go to the **Input** tab and choose the iPhone. ## If it does not connect Apple suggests confirming the requirements, checking the mount and landscape position, installing the latest updates, and unlocking then locking the iPhone if you have not unlocked it since it last restarted. Plug the iPhone into the Mac, and restart either device if needed. If WiFi drops during wireless use, plug in or turn off cellular data. To pause, use the **Pause** button on the iPhone screen, then **Resume**. **Disconnect** removes the iPhone from the Mac's camera and microphone lists. To disable the feature, turn Continuity Camera off in the iPhone settings. ## Effects With an iPhone camera, some video effects become available on a Mac. See [video effects for calls](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/mac-video-effects-for-calls/). ## And NotchStar NotchStar's [Mirror tool](https://www.notchstar.com/features/mirror/) uses whichever camera macOS picks as the default and has no camera picker, so it may show your iPhone only if macOS has chosen it. For a check that follows the camera in your call app, use that app's own preview. The [camera check guide](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/check-mac-camera-before-video-call/) covers the routine, and [the webcam fix steps](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/fix-mac-webcam-not-working/) help when the picture is missing. ## 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. - [How to fix a Mac webcam that is not working](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/fix-mac-webcam-not-working/): Apple's steps for a built in Mac camera that will not work: update, check Screen Time, allow the app, restart, and when to contact Apple. - [How to use video effects on a Mac video call](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/mac-video-effects-for-calls/): Turn on Portrait, Studio Light, Reactions and other effects from the Video menu during a call. Which Macs and macOS versions Apple says support them. - [How to test your Mac camera](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/test-your-mac-camera/): Open Photo Booth or QuickTime Player to see if your Mac camera works. Look for the green light, pick the right camera, and check app permissions. - [Check your Mac camera before a video call](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/check-mac-camera-before-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. ## More in Camera and calls. - [How to test your Mac camera](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/test-your-mac-camera/): Open Photo Booth or QuickTime Player to see if your Mac camera works. Look for the green light, pick the right camera, and check app permissions. - [How to allow camera access for an app on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/allow-camera-access-for-an-app-on-mac/): Open System Settings, Privacy and Security, Camera, then switch the app on. Which apps are always allowed, and what to do if an app is not in the list. - [How to see which app is using your Mac camera](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/see-which-app-is-using-your-mac-camera/): Look for the green dot in the menu bar and click Control Center to open the privacy window that lists apps using your camera or microphone. - [How to fix a Mac webcam that is not working](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/fix-mac-webcam-not-working/): Apple's steps for a built in Mac camera that will not work: update, check Screen Time, allow the app, restart, and when to contact Apple. - [How to use video effects on a Mac video call](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/mac-video-effects-for-calls/): Turn on Portrait, Studio Light, Reactions and other effects from the Video menu during a call. Which Macs and macOS versions Apple says support them. - [How to allow a website to use your camera in Safari](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/allow-camera-for-websites-in-safari/): Choose Safari, Settings, Websites, Camera to allow or block the camera for each site. Where this differs from the app permission list.