The Mac's FaceTime camera sucks-720p or 1080p, it doesn't matter. But Apple does make great cameras, like those in the iPhone, and with macOS Ventura and iOS 16, Apple is leveraging its iPhone cameras so they can be used as a webcam through a new enhancement to macOS's Continuity Camera feature.
If you're sick of being embarrassed by your Mac camera's image quality during videoconferences, or you demand better quality for video recordings of yourself that you want to use, Continuity Camera is a godsend. And fortunately, it's so easy to set up and use, that you'll come to rely on it and only use the Mac's built-in camera in emergencies.
Here's how to set up and use Continuity Camera. But first, here are the requirements:
> A Mac running macOS Ventura (fave.co/3zodJII)
> An iPhone 8 or XR or later running iOS 16 (fave.co/3LYVRSK)
> Logged into the same Apple ID account on the Mac and iPhone
> Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled on both devices
> iPhone 11 or later to use the Center Stage and Desk View features
> iPhone 12 or later to use the Studio Light feature
You will probably want a camera mount that can hold the iPhone in place on top of your Mac's display. In this article, I use the Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe for Mac Notebooks ($29.95, fave.co/3gSfsQ0). If you don't have a mount, you can get use a tripod with a phone attachment.
HOW TO USE AN IPHONE AS A WEBCAM
1. Turn on Continuity Camera on the iPhone
Open the Settings app on your iPhone and then tap General → AirPlay & Handoff, then flip the switch on for the Continuity Camera Webcam setting. Exit Settings.
Mount the iPhone on top of the Mac's display using a holder or mount, or set it up using a tripod or some other method. You can even hold the iPhone-the phone just needs to be within Bluetooth range of the Mac.
This story is from the December 2022 edition of Macworld.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2022 edition of Macworld.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
If your Apple TV aerial screensavers stopped working, here's why
The YouTube app is hijacking the default Apple TV's screensaver.
Apple TV deserves a better operating system than tvOS
With WWDC approaching, here are some ways Apple's least-loved platform can get a much-needed upgrade.
Intego Mac Internet Security X9
Intego's combination of malware detection and eradication plus active network monitoring and reporting makes it an effective solution for the latest threats.
How to take advantage of Preview's form-filling helper in macOS
macOS added an option to try to identify fields in a PDF form so you can easily enter text or check boxes.
HOW THE VISION PRO CAN REPLACE EVERY APPLE DEVICE (ONE DAY)
APPLE'S MIXED-REALITY HEADSET CAN BECOME THE ONE UNIFYING PLATFORM...PROVIDED IT MAKES A FEW CHANGES.
VISION PRO VS META QUEST 3
DOES APPLE REALLY HAVE THE BEST HEADSET?
ONEADAPTR ONEGO: 3-IN-1 CHARGER AND MAGSAFE POWER BANK
We have tested a lot of great portable MagSafe wireless chargers, but this compact two-part charger is unique in its support for simultaneous iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods charging with a detachable high-capacity power bank (10,000mAh).
Vision Pro is Apple's weirdest and riskiest product in years-and it shouldn't stop there
When Apple says yes instead of no, great things can happen.
Apple's approach to opening up the iPhone is causing nothing but problems
The response to the Digital Markets Act isn't working well for consumers, developers, the EU, or Apple.
We haven't seen the last of the Apple Car
From AI to CarPlay, Apple's efforts weren't for naught.
