MacOS Ventura: How to use your iPhone as a webcam with Continuity Camera - ZDNet

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An iPhone mounted connected  a laptop for usage  arsenic  a webcam
Jason Cipriani/ZDNET

With the merchandise of MacOS Ventura, the Mac is getting respective caller features and improvements. 

You'll beryllium capable to edit and delete iMessages successful the Messages app, portion Stage Manager brings a caller mode of multitasking to the Mac, and there's adjacent a caller diagnostic that allows you to use your iPhone arsenic a webcam during video calls. 

For those who aren't definite if they person a Mac that's compatible with MacOS Ventura, I've included a afloat database of Macs that volition person the escaped update. 

Continuity Camera is casual to usage and instantly turns what is apt a mediocre laptop webcam provender into a high-quality camera provender -- if lone we'd had this diagnostic successful the signifier of the pandemic erstwhile video calls were the bulk of a day's work

Also: The champion MagSafe powerfulness slope for the iPhone (Hint: It's not Apple's)

Here's what you request to cognize astir Continuity Camera, including however to usage it and set its settings, and a mates of recommendations for mounts.   

MacOS Ventura: How to usage your iPhone arsenic a webcam with Continuity Camera

Before you usage Continuity Camera, determination are a fewer things to check. Make definite your Mac and iPhone person Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on. You'll besides request some devices to beryllium connected to the aforesaid Wi-Fi network. 

Both devices volition request to beryllium signed successful to the aforesaid Apple ID account, and you'll request to person two-factor authorization enabled. 

Finally, connected your iPhone spell to Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff and marque definite the power adjacent to Continuity Camera is turned On.

Zoom settings unfastened  to Camera section.
Screenshots by Jason Cipriani/ZDNET

Really, it's that simple. All you person to bash is commencement a video telephone successful immoderate video calling app -- Zoom, FaceTime, Meet, WebEx, you sanction it -- erstwhile your iPhone is adjacent to your Mac. If you don't privation to trial Continuity Camera retired connected an existent video call, unfastened the Photo Booth app. 

You should perceive your iPhone beep a mates of times and past spot a video provender from your iPhone's camera. If that doesn't happen, you tin spell into the app's settings and power the camera to your iPhone. 

Also: The implicit Zoom guide: From basal to precocious tips and tricks

Alternatively, you tin effort waking your telephone by pressing the broadside fastener oregon a measurement button, which has prompted it to link connected a fewer occasions during my use.

There are a fewer antithetic settings you tin tweak to get the nonstop look you want. To set the camera settings, click connected the Control Center icon successful your Mac's paper bar, past click the Video Effects tile. 

There, you'll spot a fistful of options you tin crook connected oregon off, including utilizing Center Stage to perpetually support you centered successful the shot, adjacent if you determination around. Portrait Mode is besides an enactment to adhd immoderate blurriness to your background. And, finally, there's Studio Light -- a diagnostic that mimics workplace lighting to marque you look similar you're successful a well-lit environment. 

Also included successful the database of options is Desk View. When enabled, Desk View uses the iPhone's ultra-wide camera to make a top-down presumption of your desk, a diagnostic that's useful if you're often doing demonstrations during your video calls. 

Continuity Camera Video Effects.
Screenshots by Jason Cipriani/ZDNET

When utilizing your iPhone arsenic a webcam, you don't person to plug your telephone into your Mac, oregon adjacent into a charger. However, it's astir apt a bully thought to link it to a charger if you're going to usage the diagnostic for an extended magnitude of time, truthful your artillery doesn't extremity up going bare connected you aboriginal successful the day. 

If you person a telephone connected your iPhone portion it's being utilized arsenic your webcam, you'll spot a notification connected your Mac letting you cognize who is calling you. It's up to you, then, if you privation to drawback your telephone and reply the telephone oregon fto it support ringing -- which, by the way, it does silently and without vibrating arsenic to not disturb the call. 

Continuity Camera receiving a telephone  call
Screenshots by Jason Cipriani/ZDNET

5. How bash I equine my iPhone?

Apple and Belkin partnered to make the iPhone Mount with MagSafe for Mac laptops, which costs $29.95 and works with each MagSafe-compatible phones. It sits connected the articulator of your MacBook's display, holding the iPhone successful place. I've been utilizing a precise aboriginal prototype since July and haven't had immoderate issues. 

Alternatively, immoderate benignant of tiny tripod oregon adjacent lawsuit with a kickstand volition get the occupation done. 

Also: Belkin's iPhone-as-a-Mac-webcam accessory is present available

Which Macs volition tally MacOS Ventura?

Here's the authoritative database for Macs that volition person the Ventura update: 

  • iMac: 2017 and later
  • Mac Pro: 2019 and later
  • iMac Pro: 2017
  • Mac Studio: 2022
  • MacBook Air: 2018 and later
  • Mac Mini: 2018 and later
  • MacBook Pro: 2017 and later
  • MacBook: 2017
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