How to use your iPhone as a camera on your Mac (Continuity Camera)
To use your iPhone as your Mac’s camera, sign in to the same Apple Account on both, turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and keep the iPhone near the Mac, locked and still. Then choose the iPhone in the camera menu of the app you use. This is called Continuity Camera and needs an iPhone XR or later with iOS 16 and macOS Ventura or later.
Requirements
- iPhone XR or later with iOS 16 or later.
- A Mac with macOS Ventura or later.
- The same Apple Account on both, with two-factor authentication.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on on both devices.
Set it up
- On the iPhone, open Settings › General › AirPlay & Continuity and turn on Continuity Camera.
- Mount the iPhone above or next to the display, screen facing away from you, and lock it.
- In your Mac app, open the camera menu and choose your iPhone.
A simple clip or stand keeps the iPhone still; if it moves, macOS may stop using it as the camera.
Easier with MacCam
Use your iPhone in MacCam
- Open MacCam with your iPhone nearby and locked.
- Choose the iPhone in the camera menu in the toolbar.
- Take photos and videos with the iPhone’s camera – they go into Apple Photos on your Mac and sync back to the iPhone.
Questions
Why doesn’t my iPhone show up?
Check that both devices use the same Apple Account, that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on, and that Continuity Camera is enabled on the iPhone. Restarting both often helps.
Does it work over a cable?
Yes, you can also connect the iPhone with a USB cable.
Can I use Desk View?
Desk View needs an iPhone 11 or later. It opens as its own app on the Mac.