Starting with the Problem and Fix – More Info Later
So, I’ll cut right to the chase for the fix because I know how aggravating it can be when someone says they have a solution, but it gets buried in a long post or article – especially when time is a factor. I provide more background, fluff, and my own pontification afterwards.
The Problem
After the initial setup and use of “Apple Continuity Camera,” everything worked as plan. My MacBook could use my iPhone camera wirelessly as its webcam for video conferencing. However, when I had to select the “disconnect” button on my iPhone screen in order to answer a phone call, my iPhone would no longer connect to my MacBook nor show up as a camera option. Then after restarting all devices, it did show up, but there would be no feed – just a black window/screen. Like I said, I’ll get to the fix quickly. For information about the “Apple Continuity Camera” tool, please read on after “The Fix.”
The Fix
So, for the fix, I’ll assume you have used the Apple Continuity Camera successfully initially. Meaning, you’ve done all the necessary settings on the iPhone. The steps below provide the fix if it does break. Follow the steps in order:
- If not already, completely disconnect your iPhone and MacBook (or Mac as I’ll refer to it going further) from each other and restart them (unplug cable or forget the device from System settings).
- Once logged back into your devices, physically connect your iPone to your Mac using the iPhone USB cable.
- On your Mac, open an application that requires a camera – I use either Photo Booth or FaceTime.
- From the menu bar on your Mac, select your iPhone as the “Camera” or “Video” Source for your application. This should “mount” or activate the iPhone Camera for use on your Mac. Test to make sure it works.
- Once connected, then return to the “Camera” or “Video” menu tab of the application on your Mac. In the drop-down menu navigate to and turn off “Automatic Camera Selection” (ensure that the check-mark is no longer visible).
- Continuity Camera should work wirelessly as normal from then on, or at least until you press “disconnect” on the iPhone again and run into the same problem. To test that it works, close the video/camera applications on your Mac, and unplug the iPhone cable. Open the same or similar application on your Mac, and if your iPhone camera doesn’t automatically connect on your Mac wirelessly, select it from the “Camera” or “Video” menu tab.
More Info and Details
Just a quick explanation of this “Apple Continuity Camera” tool thing if it’s not familiar to you. It is a great new tool that, among other things, allows you to use your iPhone as your webcam for your Mac or MacBook computer while using any (as far as I know) application for video conferencing. You might first think, “No big deal. Why would I need to use another camera while I’m video conferencing on my Mac or MacBook?” Well, I’ll give some reasons:
- First, depending on your Mac or MacBook model, the built-in webcam isn’t all that great for video conferencing, especially for older computers.
- Second, it provides a camera if you use multiple external monitors and have the MacBook clamshell shut, which basically fits my need. I’m in IT, and as such, I utilize a couple of different computers at the same time – Personal MacBook and desktop PC; Work Mac Pro 2013 and work PC Laptop; and additional Macs and PCs I happen to be working on. To maximize desk space, I’ve got my MacBook tucked away under a shelf on top of my desk. When I have to use it for video conferencing, it is a little difficult to move my MacBook out far enough to use its camera. So, this tool works well for me. I can keep my MacBook closed while using my iPhone for the webcam.
- Just a follow on to the previous explanation. Yes, you could purchase a standalone webcam and connect that to my computer. I often find that these cameras aren’t that great and become obsolete pretty quickly. It can also be a pain and time consuming to update the camera software and/or firmware.
If you don’t know about the Apple Continuity Camera between iPhone and your Mac, I’ve shared the full explanation/support article from Apple at the end of this post. Like with any new tool, I came across a little problem when utilizing it. To fix it, I first consulted the Apple Support site (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213244#mount), but didn’t find the answer to the specific issue. I then checked Apple Support Community site (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254404216), and saw the question asked. While there were several replies, there were no final solutions, and the original post discussion had been locked due to in action. After checking some other sources and my own trial and error, I was able to work out solution – at least for my situation. I “re-posted” the question on the Apple Support Community site (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254590245), but I thought I would share it here as well to keep the “content” coming on my site. I’ll supply some of the standard setup steps, but for more in-depth directions and background on the tool, you can refer to the article and link at the end.
Quick Steps for the Initial Setup
- Your iPhone and Apple computer must have iOS 16 and macOS Ventura or higher. In your iPhone settings, enable “Continuity Camera” under: Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff > Continuity Camera (switch toggle to show green).
- Ensure your iPhone and Mac are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Then make the initial connection of your iPhone to your MacBook (or Mac) by opening an app on your computer that requires a camera – I use either Photo Booth or FaceTime.
- You likely will get a prompt if you want to use your iPhone as your camera. Select, Yes or allow. If you don’t see a prompt and it doesn’t automatically connect to your iPhone camera, click on the “Camera,” “Video,” or “Source” menu tab – depending on the application you’re using on your Mac. Then select your iPhone Camera.
- If successful, your iPhone will display “Connected to <your computer name here>,” and display options to “Pause” or “Disconnect.”
- You would use “Pause” to actually pause the camera on your iPhone – I guess if you can’t reach the pause option from your video conferencing app.
- You would use “Disconnect” to completely disconnect the iPhone Camera fro your Mac. This is fine if you need to check something on your iPhone or something, but be aware, you might not be able to quickly connect back to your iPhone Camera for use in your Mac video conferencing app. You may come across the problem I did which is why I wrote this post (see “Fix” above).