Using iPhone As A Wireless Webcam For MacPro 2019 Desktop Bug

I noticed an issue when using my iPhone 13 Pro Max as a wireless webcam on my MacPro 2019 Desktop (running Ventura 13.5.2). I know I've seen similar issues posted on here with regards to people using their iPhone's as a wireless webcam.

The issue is, on my MacPro 2019 desktop, Photo Booth, Zoom, and FaceTime won't recognize my iPhone without it being plugged in and some people have also reported that the iPhone still didn't work without them having to reset their Mac's. I was having similar issues using my iPhone 13 Pro Max as a wireless and wired webcam. In the beginning it worked great, but then all of a sudden I started having issues on Zoom, FaceTime and Photo Booth where my iPhone was not being recognized at all. Resetting my Mac and even trying a slew of other things that I found online did not resolve the issue.

Then one day, I decided to plug my webcam back into the USB Port because I was so frustrated with what was happening. I logged onto Zoom (for a meeting) and viola, my iPhone 13 Pro Max was recognized as a wireless webcam. I selected the device and everything worked just as before. I checked FaceTime and PhotoBooth as well, and sure enough it was available as an option there too. I unplugged the webcam and the issue came right back. Once I plugged the webcam into the USB port again my iPhone showed up as an option to be used as a webcam again.

So it would seem you need the webcam plugged in, in order for the desktop Mac to recognize your iPhone. Hopefully this helps others who are experiencing similar problems with their iPhones being used as a wireless webcam on their desktop Macs. The issue might be similar on laptops, but they have a webcam built in, so in those instances resetting the laptop might be the only option (for now) or possibly re-enabling the webcam if you had disabled from select or all applications (in the system preferences under security and privacy).