If you want to upgrade your video call setup without buying an external webcam, your iPhone can help. With macOS Ventura or later, Apple’s Continuity Camera feature allows users to turn their iPhone into a high-quality, wireless webcam for Mac. Whether you’re joining a meeting on Zoom, recording a presentation or creating content for YouTube, using your iPhone as a webcam can provide a sharper image, better low-light performance and useful extras like Center Stage and Desk View. Here’s how to set up and use your iPhone as a webcam with your Mac, along with additional tips for microphone-only use, Desk View, Studio Light and more. It works natively in macOS, so it’s easy to set up. All you need to do is mount your phone and start your call.
What you’ll need to use Continuity Camera
You’ll need the following things to use this feature properly:
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An iPhone XR or newer running iOS 16 or later
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A Mac running macOS Ventura or later
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Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled on both devices
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Both devices signed into the same Apple ID with two-factor authentication enabled
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A way to mount your iPhone (Apple sells a , but any secure will work)
Continuity Camera works wirelessly by default, though you can connect your iPhone to your Mac via USB if you prefer a more stable connection.
How to enable Continuity Camera
Continuity Camera is automatically enabled on supported iPhones and Macs. However, it’s worth confirming that the feature is active in your iPhone’s settings:
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Open Settings on your iPhone
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Tap General
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Select AirPlay & Handoff
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Make sure Continuity Camera is toggled on
On your Mac, no additional setup is required, but you’ll want to ensure both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled and that both devices are nearby and awake.
How to use your iPhone as a webcam in macOS apps
Once Continuity Camera is active, your Mac should automatically detect your iPhone as a webcam source in any compatible app. That includes FaceTime, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, QuickTime, Safari and most other video and streaming applications.
To use your iPhone as the camera in a specific app:
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Open the app you want to use (e.g., Zoom or FaceTime)
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Go to the app’s video settings or preferences menu
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Select your iPhone from the list of available camera sources (it may appear as “iPhone Camera”)
Your iPhone will automatically activate its rear camera and stream a live video feed to your Mac. Continuity Camera uses the iPhone’s higher-quality rear camera, but you can leverage the front camera using…