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

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...

Great answer !

However I'm in the same wifi network both Macmini and iPhone it didn't work. BUT doing this procedure and using a cable connecting iphone and Macmini, now the camera works.

At least from now I can use my iPhone as camera in my meetings.

Thank you.

Not sure since I don't have a MBP. I experienced not being able to see or find my iPhone 12 Pro unless I used USB until I tried positioning it like it was attached to the back of a MacBook screen. Apple might know the answer.

Dude you know what? You're absolutely right. first time it's worked on my Mac Studio. Definitely NOT the case on my MBP. This this will go off in my pocket, on the table, or in vertical mode all the time LOLL.

Thanks so much, now I can do this on my Mac Studio!

Ive just wasted an hour with a clueless support agent, Im sure it was a bot.

Asking to check the obvious,after I told it that I' done all the checks. continuity camera works when wired but not wirelessly.

After 1 hour with the bot/agent still at square one

I agree. I've managed to get my iPhone 12 working without using USB only once. I need to do it wirelessly as I need to plug my wired earbuds into the Lightning port (one day I will buy some AirPods).

Does the iPhone detect if it's being held in a clasp as opposed to simply leaning up against a solid object?

Thanks.

I actually don't know. I think it depends on the angle, but my guess is that it would. Theres nothing special about it being I a clasp. I actually use a MagSafe stand and there is no clasp so again I think it would work without issues.

OMG. I managed to find an old smartphone tripod and fixed my iPhone 12 into that, and when I tried FaceTime again it picked up the camera straight away. Great, but Apple need to be clearer about this.

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

If it worked once then it means it works.

make sure that the phone is in landscape mode. leave it for a few seconds, it should work.

No it doesn't need to be in a holder. I propped mine against something and it worked.

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??

I was having the same issue too. Apple doesn't tell you the full story. For this to work you also need to make sure the iPhone is set to landscape and that there is lighting in the room. If its dark it won't work.

It is soooo TRUE. Worked for my MBA, not for my Mac mini. They both are M2 chips. My best guest is that your iphone would first pair with the device that either already has a camera or you previously connected. I tried putting my iphone landscape as mentioned above, but not working for me. Tell me if your case is solved!

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.

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.