With the launch of iOS 16 and macOS 13 Ventura, Apple has added a slew of front-end features to improve the continuity experience on Apple products. Apple has expanded the capabilities of the Continuity Camera with the ability to use your iPhone as a webcam on your Mac. Scroll down to learn how to use an iPhone as a webcam for your Mac.
Here’s how to transform your iPhone into a webcam for your Mac for enhanced video calling quality and more
Continuity camera is not a new feature, but initially debuted with macOS Mojave. It allowed users to take photos on their iPhone or iPad and have them instantly appear on a Mac. This year, the company took it to the next level, expanding the capabilities of the iPhone, which acts like a webcam for your Mac. Compared to the webcams you get with a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and the iMac, the iPhone’s camera is much better. Henceforth, using them instead of the stock options offers a big jump in video quality. Today we will let you know how to use your iPhone as a webcam for Mac. See how Apple describes the Continuity Camera feature in iOS 16 and macOS 13 Ventura.
“With the power of Continuity, Mac can automatically recognize and use the camera on iPhone when it’s nearby — without having to activate or select it — and iPhone can even connect wirelessly to the Mac for greater flexibility. Continuity Camera offers innovative features for all Mac computers, including Center Stage, Portrait mode and the new Studio Light — an effect that beautifully illuminates a user’s face while dimming the background.In addition, Continuity Camera uses the Ultra Wide camera on the iPhone to enable Desk View, which simultaneously shows the user’s face and a top view of their desk – great for creating DIY videos, showing sketches via FaceTime, and more.”
If you are unfamiliar with and want to use your iPhone as a webcam on your Mac, the process of enabling it is very simple. The best part about the operation is that you don’t need any third-party apps to make it happen. However, the functionality is supported by third-party apps such as Zoom for video calls. For your convenience, we’ve put together a list of step-by-step instructions below. Check out how to use your iPhone as a webcam on your Mac below.
Use your iPhone as a webcam on your Mac for enhanced quality via video calls, Desk View and more
Follow the instructions below to transform your iPhone into a high-quality webcam for your Mac.
Step 1: The first thing to do is make sure your iPhone and Mac are running the latest iOS 16 and macOS Ventura update and are signed in with the same Apple ID. For the feature to work, Apple says you should use Apple ID 2FA.
Step 2: Both devices must have Bluetooth turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 3: Continuity camera is enabled by default, but if it doesn’t work for you, just go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff > Continuity Camera. Turn the feature off and then back on.
Step 4: Once you do that, bring your iPhone closer to your Mac and launch FaceTime or any other app that supports Continuity Camera.
Step 5: You will see that your Mac has automatically switched to your iPhone as a webcam for your Mac.
Step 6: If the app is still not using your camera, go to the video preferences of the respective app and select your iPhone as the camera.
This is all you need to do to use your iPhone as a webcam for your Mac. If the function makes it difficult for you, you have to repeat it Step 3. You also have the option to change video effects on your Mac. Simply click the Control Center on your Mac’s menu bar and choose Video Effects. You can choose between Center Stage, Portrait, Studio Light or Desk View. You can check out more details about iOS 16 in our announcement post.
What did you think of the new Continuity Camera functionality? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.