Turning camera off: when on Facetime

I don't think there is a way to turn the camera off when you start FaceTime.

You may want to let Apple know of your wishes using the feedback page.

https://www.apple.com/feedback

To add to previous suggestion

Get Support Choose a product and we’ll find you the best solution.Start now and open an Apple Support Ticket as they are Apple Employees to deal will these types of issues . 

FWIW, if you don't ever want to make calls with the camera you can make FaceTime Audio calls from Messages.

Make a FaceTime audio call using Messages on Mac - Apple Support

P. Phillips wrote:

To add to previous suggestion

Get Support Choose a product and we’ll find you the best solution.Start now and open an Apple Support Ticket as they are Apple Employees to deal will these types of issues . 

FWIW, FaceTime is not broken or in need of Apple Support. It's how it's designed.

There's nothing in the link I posted that indicates a recipient has to be in Contacts.

In or not in your Contact Application is less important than the Other Person using an Apple Device that supports FaceTime

Thank you for making as Helpful

sagimoses wrote:

Including to a number which is not in my contacts?

I am not sure what you mean by this. When you start FaceTime, it is showing what the camera captures only to YOU, not anyone else. Only if you start or respond to a video call will your image be shown to others. Just because you start the FaceTime application, nobody can see you.

If someone not in your contacts tries to reach you, you do just as you'd do with an unwanted phone call...

I dont want facetime to use my camera starting up until I am ready. I dont care if the app launches on my Mac, I dont want the camera on - it makes me feel insecure and possibly being recorded by spyware.

(I assume malware has not bypassed the light on the mac, but if its using my iPhone not sure if I will be aware its on).

This behaviour discourages me from using it.

Maybe I should create a non-functional camera device and set that to the default?

It would be easier just to put a piece of paper over the camera "until you are ready".

You can just use a small folded piece paper to place on the top of the screen. It doesn't need to be applied.

sagimoses wrote:

don't like the idea of aplying it on my computer but you also have the option of getting a camera lens cover which you can buy online for a dollar or two.

Just stick a post-it over it.