With Continuity Camera in macOS, you can use your iPhone or iPad to directly import photos or documents scans into a file on your Mac. It connects your Mac to your iOS device. Let’s look at how to use it in macOS Tahoe.
To use Continuity Camera, you need to be signed into the same Apple ID on both Initial Setup and Requirements
Before connecting, ensure your devices meet the following requirements:
- Your iPhone and Mac are signed into the same Apple Account using two-factor authentication.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on for both devices.
- Neither device is sharing its internet (Personal Hotspot is off).
Enable Continuity Camera
You need to verify the feature is turned on in your iPhone settings:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap General > AirPlay & Continuity (or AirPlay & Handoff).
- Ensure the Continuity Camera toggle is switched ON.
Mount and Connect
To achieve the best camera angles and quality:
- Mount your iPhone securely to the top of your Mac (or place it on a stable surface) in landscape orientation with the rear cameras facing you.
- The iPhone must be locked and stationary for the Mac to detect it as a webcam.
- You can use it wirelessly or physically plugged in via a USB cable.
- Select the Camera on Your Mac
- In your app’s Video or Camera settings menu, select your iPhone from the list of available cameras.
- You will hear a chime on your iPhone indicating it has successfully connected to your Mac.
5. Advanced Video Effects
When using your iPhone as a webcam, you can take advantage of built-in video effects via your Mac’s Control Center or app-specific settings:
- Center Stage: Keeps you perfectly framed as you move around.
- Portrait Mode: Blurs the background so the focus is strictly on you.
- Studio Light: Dims the background while brightly illuminating your face.and ready, open the video app of your choice (mine is FaceTime).
