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

Mac mini M2


macOS Ventura 13.2.1 (22D68)


iPhone SE 2nd Gen


iOS 16.3.1 (20D67)



I put my iPhone SE into a holder in landscape mode next to a new Mac mini and got a notification it could be used as a webcam.


I opened Photo Booth and took a photo.


When I repositioned the iPhone the camera was removed from the camera list.


I turned off Continuity Camera from Settings > General > AirPlay and Handoff and then restarted iPhone and Mac.


I turned Continuity Camera back on and opened FaceTime.


No camera seen by FaceTime. I opened Photo Booth and no camera seen there either.


I then connected the iPhone to the Mac with the cable and tapped “Trust this Computer” and entered the iPhone passcode.


I could now see the iPhone camera in both FaceTime and Photo Booth.


When I disconnected the cable from the iPhone I got a notice this would remove it from the camera list and the video from the camera stopped.


I again toggled Continuity Camera off/on - the issue persists.


Checked on Mac - System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera - no apps listed.


In Photo Booth Camera menu, it displays “No Camera Available”.



In FaceTime Video menu, the only option is to Automatic Camera Selection and there is no camera listed.


Handoff is working just fine, but not Continuity Camera over Wi-Fi. The Mac and iPhone are on the same home network and Bluetooth is enabled on both devices.


What can I do to get my iPhone recognized to be used as a wireless webcam?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Feb 19, 2023 3:26 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 26, 2023 8:39 AM

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

65 replies

Jan 25, 2024 7:52 AM in response to ml5661

I had a Wi-Fi problem before, which I solved by disabling AWDL (I used the script from "Meter" for the daemon).

Immediately after that, "Continuity Camera" stopped working over Wi-Fi (my iPhone would connect, but there was no video, and the iPhone would soon disconnect). I tried to get it back by using another script from "Meter" to disable the daemon and enabling AWDL. But that script doesn't work! You need to disable this daemon in macos Settings>General>Logins Items (look screenshot. Sorry for the Russian interface, but I think you can find it).

Mar 17, 2024 1:52 PM in response to ml5661

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...

Jun 15, 2023 12:25 PM in response to jmart987

Yeah it's great! This now means I can use my new Mac mini for conference calls for work. I'm using an old MacBook Pro, but the camera isn't as good, plus 'm getting thermal throttling problems in this heat while running Zoom etc. Some of these video apps seem to chew up more CPU than others.


I'm really looking forward to FaceTime and Zoom working with Continuity camera with the AppleTV when tvOS 17 is released. I read somewhere that it might not be until September / October though :-o

Jun 21, 2023 9:40 AM in response to ml5661

I've been having the same issue with my iPhone 12 Pro with Ventura on a new M2 Mac mini.


That is, it sometimes works but often does not.


It wasn't working today, then I thought I'd try something. I noticed it was a bit dark in my home office so I turned on the room light and suddenly the continuity camera kicked in and started working.


So, maybe we all just need to turn up our lights??


Jul 27, 2023 3:43 AM in response to ml5661

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.



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

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