LightAtom

Continuity Camera Not Working: Fixes

Using your iPhone as a Mac webcam needs compatible devices, the same Apple Account, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and the feature turned on in iPhone settings.

Your iPhone doesn't appear as a camera option on your Mac, or it connects and drops.

  • The iPhone isn't listed as a camera in FaceTime, Zoom or other apps.
  • The video freezes or disconnects.

Quick fix

On the iPhone, open Settings › General › AirPlay & Continuity and turn on Continuity Camera. Make sure both devices use the same Apple Account, have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on, and are near each other. Then choose the iPhone in the app's camera menu.

Why it happens

Continuity Camera turned off on the iPhone.Most likely
Different Apple Accounts or two-factor authentication off.Sometimes
Unsupported devices or outdated software (needs macOS Ventura and iOS 16 or later).Sometimes
Personal Hotspot or Mac internet sharing on.Sometimes
Wi-Fi or Bluetooth off, or devices far apart.Sometimes

Fixes

  1. Check the requirements

    1. Mac on macOS Ventura or later, iPhone XR or later on iOS 16 or later.
    2. Same Apple Account on both, with two-factor authentication.

  2. Turn the feature on

    1. iPhone: Settings › General › AirPlay & Continuity › Continuity Camera.

  3. Fix the connection

    1. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on for both; turn off Personal Hotspot on the iPhone and Internet Sharing on the Mac.
    2. Connect with a USB cable for a more stable link.

  4. Restart

    1. Restart both devices and reopen the video app.

Still not working?

If the iPhone never appears, sign out of the Apple Account on one device and back in, then retry. Continuity features rely on the rapportd service to find nearby devices.

See it in the app

LightAtom's connections view shows local connections between your Mac and iPhone.

Frequently asked questions

Why isn't my iPhone showing up as a webcam on my Mac?

Check that Continuity Camera is on in iPhone Settings › General › AirPlay & Continuity, both devices use the same Apple Account, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on.

Does Continuity Camera need Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be turned on, but you don't have to be connected to the same network. A USB cable also works.

Which iPhones support Continuity Camera?

iPhone XR and later on iOS 16 or later. Some effects, like Desk View, need newer models.

Related

LightAtom team

The people who build LightAtom, a network monitor for macOS.