macOS Ventura: How to use your iPhone as a Mac webcam with Continuity Camera

The new version of macOS has a nifty feature that lets you use your iPhone to run Zoom and FaceTime calls.

- ROMAN LOYOLA

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.