How to fix iPhone SE not recognized as Webcam on Mac mini M2

If you tried everything here and it still doesnt work then try following.

Turn off your VPN on mac mini and iphone.

NordVPN on mac has this extra option for threats which usually causes this problem.

If everything works with both VPNs turned off then you need to seek deeper and find out which option in VPN causes it.

FIXED!!

For the security-minded peeps out there that still don't have a working Continuity Camera after reading hundreds of the same answers online:

It finally works for me by turning off `Block all incoming connections` which I turned on to increase my Mac's overall security posture. The firewall feature works as intended, LOL.

However, @apple could've probably told me what was wrong when I could not use my iPhone as a camera for Facetime and MS Teams, because Apple Music showed me it was incapable of connecting to my Homepod Mini while that setting was turned on...

I have been suffering with this issue for weeks and gave up until I found the most ridiculous solution. I know what it sounds like but give it a try..

Just wanted to share this since i saw another post where no one found a solution. I’ve got this to work on my mac mini wirelessly. For some reason, it will only work when your iphone is nearby your mac mini, locked, in landscape mode and not moving. The moment it connects as a camera, you can set it any place and angle you want. But initially it has to be close to the mac, locked, straight, landscape and still. Id suggest keep it on tripod is better. Additionally, if you just finished using it and then want to use it again in a different session, you have to unlock the phone and then lock it again and then repeat the steps above.

It literally worked for me

Got it working when I turned off wireless sync of iPhone on Finder

I had almost abandoned the idea of using the iPhone as a continuity camera since it only worked at random with Zoom. I found that for some reason the iPhone gets "disconnected" from the Mac, and that the only way to connect it back is to use a cable (in my case a USB-C to Lightning cable) to connect it physically to the Mac. Then the iPhone will ask if you want to connect to that Mac, and after you answer yes you disconnect the cable and the continuity camera works. I did not find this step in any of the many guides around, but it seems to solve the problem.

I found that the iPhone must be horizontal (landscape) and screen off when trying to use as Continuity Camera wireless. Quirky. (Also I believe (need to confirm) that the rear camera's must be positioned in upper right corner).

I was sooo frustrated not getting this to work even seeing post like this. What I finally tried was lock and in landscape mode like apples continuity page shows, camera on the right, and it instantly showed up 😑😑😑

I don't know who did this but this is stupid. I should be able to connect in any orientation. After you connect you can even move it around! This needs to change and as evedent by so many others this is currently not a good solution. I should be able to see my phone or ipad and just connect. Especially with a Mac mini or Studio that has no built in camera.

I've been plagued by this issue and finally figured the source of my experience with this problem

Use Case:

• If it's connected via usb, it always works. But its such a hassle to setup the camera cable where I want
• If it's wireless, it sometimes works. It could see my phone, but video would be black (useless)

Cause of flakey behavior:

Continuity camera does not work if my laptop is connected to VPN. If I disable VPN, connect camera then re-connect to VPN it remains working.

I sporadically connect to VPN so didn't think to consider it as a potential issue until I started realizing when this issue occurs throughout the day.

UPD My previous message was somewhat premature, here is the final version ;)

Here is what helped me to rectify this issue. It worked for me over Wi-Fi without a hiss since I've installed Ventura this past winter while my MBP M1 had an old Dell P2416D monitor hooked to it via USB-C.

However, I've bought a Dell P2723QE a couple of weeks ago and was so happy to have a single USB-C cable to provide a 90 W power delivery, external 4k video output and gigabit Ethernet networking. But Continuity camera stopped working, i.e., when I selected it in the list, the phone displayed its standard "Connected to…" screen for a while and then closed it shortly afterwards with standard Continuity sound. Camera preview window has been remaining black.

However, today I've found out that this issue can be reproduced only if Ethernet cable is connected to the monitor. Once I've disconnected it, Continuity camera started connecting over Wi-Fi properly again.

So, I recommend to check your display and try other options for video output, if possible.

I had the same problem with many months ago. I had updated iPhone to latest iOS and connect via cable to my Mac Studio. It hadn't work at all. I had contact Mac support today and went through every options.. finally given up until I come across this support group. Someone mention putting the phone closer to Mac e.g. 10-15cm while in landscape. Not connect via cable but notice green light showing on top taskbar near the clock. I quickly look at my FaceTime which I had left it on and it is working for first time.

Trying again after closing FaceTime. It doesn't work but I decided to try put the phone back to where it should be and leave it in position. It working now.

Think it all do the position of your iPhone. Put the phone on landscape. Move into 10 degree in angle and leave it in sable position. Make sure it is closer to your computer. Wait for a min or two. It will start showing. That is via wireless.. I going to try cable later on.. Don't want to jink it.

My had stopped working and I followed all the troubleshooting instructions, and nothing. I even went as far as turning my lights on as one commenter suggested, and then it dawned on me that my VPN was on both my computer and phone. So I disconnected both and it worked.

Turning Bluetooth off & back on.

It helped me on macOS Ventura 13.3

Hi ml5661,

Thanks for contacting Apple Support Communities!

We understand that your Mac doesn't see your iPhone is connected to use Continuity Camera from your iPhone SE.

If you haven't done so already, we'd suggest that you restart both your Mac and iPhone and set up Continuity Camera again. If you need help to restart your devices, you can follow the steps in the articles below:

Restart your iPhone - Apple Support

Shut down or restart your Mac - Apple Support

If you're still not able to see that your iPhone is connected, check out the additional troubleshooting steps outlined here: Continuity Camera: Use iPhone as a webcam for Mac - Apple Support

"If you need help

If Continuity Camera isn't working as expected or your iPhone disconnects from Wi-Fi to optimize Continuity Camera, try these solutions.

If Continuity Camera isn't working as expected

• Make sure that your iPhone and Mac meet the system requirements.
• Make sure that your iPhone is properly mounted.
• Install the latest macOS updates, iOS updates, and updates for your video app.
• If you haven't unlocked your iPhone since it last restarted, unlock it, then lock it again.
• Plug your iPhone into your Mac.
• Restart your iPhone or Mac.

If you get a notification that iPhone Wi-Fi disconnected

While using Continuity Camera wirelessly, you might be notified that your iPhone has disconnected from Wi-Fi to optimize Continuity Camera. Your iPhone then uses its cellular data connection for background networking tasks like email and messages. To stop or prevent this rare occurrence while using Continuity Camera, plug your iPhone into your Mac or turn off cellular data on your iPhone.

System requirements

This Continuity Camera feature works with the following devices and operating systems, using one iPhone and one Mac at a time. The Continuity Camera feature for scanning documents or taking a picture has different requirements.

iOS 16 or later

• iPhone XR or later
• (All iPhone models introduced in 2018 or later)
• iPhone 11 or later for Center Stage
• iPhone 11 or later (excluding iPhone SE) for Desk View
• iPhone 12 or later for Studio Light
•   

macOS Ventura or later

• Any Mac compatible with macOS Ventura or later

Additional requirements

• Your iPhone and Mac must be signed in with the same Apple ID using two-factor authentication. Continuity Camera does not support Managed Apple IDs. 
• Your iPhone must have Continuity Camera turned on in Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff. It's turned on by default.
• Your iPhone and Mac must be near each other and have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on.
• Your iPhone must not be sharing its cellular connection and your Mac must not be sharing its internet connection.
• To use Continuity Camera wirelessly, your Mac must not be using AirPlay or Sidecar.
• To use Continuity Camera over USB, your iPhone must be set to trust your Mac."

We hope this helps.

Take care!

Here is what helped me to rectify this issue. It worked for me over Wi-Fi without a hiss since I've installed Ventura this past winter while my MBP M1 was connected to its power supply (this is important) and had an old Dell P2416D monitor hooked to it via USB-C.

However, I've bought a Dell P2723QE a couple of weeks ago and was so happy to have a single USB-C cable to provide a power delivery, external video output and Ethernet networking. But Continuity camera stopped working, i.e., when I selected it in the list, the phone displayed its standard "Connected to…" screen for a while and then closed it shortly afterwards with standard Continuity sound. Camera preview window has been remaining black.

However, today I've decided to disconnect my new monitor and connect MBP's 140W power supply. And Continuity camera has started right away.

I found that the iPhone must be horizontal (landscape) and screen off when trying to use as Continuity Camera wireless. Quirky.