How to use your iPhone as a webcam with Continuity Camera for macOS
Apple has long sought to blur the lines between its operating systems, and in recent years the move to Apple silicon on the Mac (and iPad) has arguably meant that macOS and iPadOS are closer than ever.
That’s not to say there isn’t a lot of overlap between the iPhone and the Mac, though, as Apple’s most popular line and longest-running line do indeed get along very well. From spreading messages across both devices to using Handoff to pick up where you left off on either device, the pair have been working on advanced continuity features for years.
Things get even more useful in macOS Ventura, however, thanks to the ability to use your iPhone as a webcam on your Mac, as well as a new Desk View mode, ideal for showing what you’re working on.
Disclaimer: We’re currently testing both Continuity Camera and Desk View in beta, and while the former works well, the latter crashes nine times out of ten. These are things that will no doubt be ironed out to the public by the time macOS Ventura and iOS 16 fully launch, but don’t expect flawless support with the current beta. As always, back up important files before installing beta builds.
What is a walkthrough camera?
Essentially, Continuity Camera is a collection of features packed together that leverage your iPhone’s camera in conjunction with your Mac. It’s been around for a while and is supported in numerous macOS applications including Pages, Mail and Keynote.
Before macOS Ventura, it was used to import images on the fly, so you could, for example, choose the option to attach something to an email before taking a photo there and then.
You can also use the Continuity Camera as a document scanner, and it works well for full pages, letters, and more, while Live Text can also be used to pull text out of an image itself.
What’s new in iOS 16 and macOS Ventura?
The changes in macOS Ventura and iOS 16 are twofold. The first is relatively easy to explain, but it’s perhaps surprising that it’s taken so long – Mac users will soon be able to use their iPhone’s rear camera as a webcam.
If you’re the owner of the latest 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro or the older M1 MacBook Air, that’s a nice bonus, as these devices still rock the 720p camera of yesteryear. It’s worth noting that the new feature uses the rear camera, however. So don’t expect to use your best iPhone at the same time because you won’t be able to see the screen.
The second part of the new additions is a very impressive Desk View. As mentioned, it’s a little buggy in the current beta, but it will essentially allow users to share what’s going on with their physical desk space.
This saves building full camera montage setups and means you could theoretically teach someone the piano remotely or show off your keyboard presses during an intense game or practice tutorial.
Walkthrough camera webcam requirements
To use the walkthrough camera’s webcam feature, you must be running iOS 16 on your iPhone and macOS 13 Ventura on your Mac.
However, if you’re still using anything pre-iPhone 7, you’re out of luck – you won’t get an iOS 16 update this year, and the same goes for the first iPhone SE.
How to use walkthrough camera webcam
It’s worth noting that the Walkthrough Camera’s webcam API is supported by both Apple’s own apps and third-party options that use your webcam.
That means you can use it with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, and more, just as easily as you can during FaceTime. It also works in web browsers, so if you’re using Chrome for Google Meets, you shouldn’t have any problems.
It’s also incredibly easy to set up and use:
- Make sure both your Mac and iPhone are signed in to the same Apple ID.
- Check that both WiFi and Bluetooth are turned on. They must be activated on your Mac and iPhone.
- Open your video messaging platform of choice and your phone should become your default camera. If it’s not, make sure the application isn’t still using your default Mac camera.
In our example here, we used Photo Booth. While the application still attempts to connect to the MacBook Pro’s built-in camera, using the Camera section in the menu bar allows switching to the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
If you’re having trouble, you can find the pass-through webcam switch in iPhone settings under General, then AirPlay & Handoff.
Keep in mind that while Apple works with manufacturers to produce stands and clips that can hold your iPhone steady while plugged into your Mac or monitor, things can feel a little strained for now unless You have a stable place – don’t drop your iPhone!
While on a call, you can use Control Center to optimize your camera output. Click on the “Video Effects” option and you’ll find the option to turn on center stage (to keep you in focus), portrait mode (to blur your background), or studio light. You can also access the desktop view.
How to use the Continuity Camera Desk View
While the Desk View option can be found in the Control Center, as we mentioned earlier, it’s a bit undercooked and often crashes.
Oddly enough, while you can use the Continuity Camera webcam in your other apps, Desk View has its own application that’s not easy to find by default.
It’s buried deep in the library, but it’s discoverable with Spotlight and sits alongside things like screen sharing, the DVD player app (remember those?), and more. We’ll learn more about using Desk View when the feature stabilizes, but for now it’s great to play with to record all the desk activities you’re working on. It’s handy to use the camera’s wide-angle capabilities to capture what’s happening underneath where it’s placed.
Handoff’s remarkable upgrade
When Handoff first launched in 2014, it was undoubtedly impressive. Apple users were given the ability to easily transfer certain files and apps between their Macs and iPhones. Whether it was opening a Safari webpage on your Mac after viewing it on your phone, or continuing to type a message on your best MacBook after launching it on your iPhone, it was an essential feature.
Now, Handoff has been taken to the next level with Continuity Camera. Macs have never been known for their cameras, the quality of which is often grainy, so this new feature opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Stay tuned for more updates when the feature officially releases alongside iOS 16 and macOS Ventura this fall!