Webcams have a remarkable ability to make us all look worse than we do in real life. Even the latest laptop's built-in webcam is embarrassingly behind the camera technology sitting in your pocket—your iPhone.

Apple noticed this quality gap and created a solution that transforms your iPhone into the webcam your video calls have been begging for.

It's called Continuity Camera, and it connects your iPhone or iPad to your Mac via WiFi. (Sorry, Windows and Android users—this is an Apple-exclusive feature.) Your phone then functions as a high-definition webcam with any compatible app. Not ready to invest in the expensive setups that YouTubers use? This is an impressive alternative using the device you already own.

Continuity Camera doesn't just provide crystal-clear video for Zoom or FaceTime. Apple packed in genuinely useful features that let you adjust focus on the fly, blur your background (hiding that laundry pile), and even show two angles of your workspace simultaneously. It turns your standard webcam experience into something that might actually impress people—no small achievement in video calls.

Troubleshooting Apple Continuity Camera

Sometimes Continuity Camera doesn't connect automatically, leaving you wondering if your devices are ignoring each other. A quick fix is to double-check that both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on your iPhone and Mac, then confirm both are signed in to the same Apple ID with two-factor authentication enabled (Apple Support). If that doesn’t work, access your iPhone and Mac’s AirPlay & Continuity settings to make sure everything is toggled on (Apple Support). Clean your iPhone camera lens to improve clarity and consider using a wired USB connection if you notice dropped frames. Finally, if all else fails, try a device restart or disabling Low Power Mode on your iPhone, which sometimes interferes with high-bandwidth apps.

How to use iPhone as a Mac webcam

The first step in using your iPhone as a webcam with Apple Continuity Camera is to check your specs. Since this feature requires specific system requirements, you'll need fairly up-to-date operating systems on both your iPhone and your Mac.

Important things to note include:

• Your phone or iPad has to be an iPhone XR, 8, or later, and running iOS 16. Make sure WiFi and Bluetooth are both enabled. You can do all of this in the Settings app on the phone.
• Your Mac device needs to be running macOS Ventura; you can verify its operating system by clicking the apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen and going to About This Mac.
• Double-check that both devices are signed in to the same Apple ID and use two-factor authentication for login.

How to enable Apple Continuity Camera

Once you've confirmed that your Apple devices meet the requirements, you can enable Continuity Camera:

1. Open your iPhone Settings
2. Select General
3. Tap AirPlay & Handoff
4. Toggle Continuity Camera to on

Bring your iPhone near your Mac and launch the app you want to use. Your computer should automatically start using the iPhone's rear camera as the default webcam when it's unlocked and in range. If it doesn't connect automatically, go into the app's Preferences or Settings and select the Continuity Camera option from the camera dropdown menu.

If you don't want to have to hold your phone while you stream or record your content, you'll probably want to invest in a tripod or Continuity Camera mount (such as the Belkin MagSafe Continuity Camera mount, available on Amazon) to keep it where you want it while you work.

If you need to move, though, don't worry—Continuity Camera should be available even if you move your iPhone up to 40 feet away from your Mac, so you can shift positions and still look great on camera.

Advanced usage scenarios for Apple Continuity Camera

Beyond basic video calls, Continuity Camera lets you seamlessly insert sketches or scanned documents into your Mac files using the iPhone’s camera (Apple Support). Simply right-click in Finder and select the option to import from iPhone, turning doodles or notes into on-screen assets. You can also leverage Presenter Overlay in apps like Zoom or Keynote, which places your talking head over your shared content for a more engaging presentation (Apple Support). Studio Light can help you look professional even in dim settings by toning down your background’s brightness. If you’re itching to push boundaries, consider pairing Continuity Camera with an iPad Pencil in Continuity Sketch or scanning physical paperwork directly into your Mac with a few taps.

How Apple Continuity Camera works

Apple Continuity Camera allows you to upgrade your Mac's built-in webcam or microphone using the higher-quality camera and microphone on your iPhone. This feature works with iPhone models running iOS 16 or later when paired with Macs running macOS Ventura or later.

The feature connects both devices using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. When a Mac opens a video app and detects a compatible iPhone nearby, it automatically switches to the iPhone camera and microphone. Both devices must be signed into the same Apple ID with two-factor authentication enabled for this to work.

How to use Apple Continuity Camera

Once you've enabled Continuity Camera on your iPhone, here's how to use it as a webcam on your Mac:

1. Open a video app on your Mac (such as Photobooth or Zoom)
2. Wait for the Mac to recognize the connected iPhone
3. Choose a video effect

There are some great ways to use this feature, beyond the obvious. Let's say, for example, you're accepting a video call on your MacBook Pro. You're in a busy office space, and your laptop's native microphone is picking up extra background noise. Switching to Continuity Camera allows you to use your iPhone microphone and hold the device closer to your mouth. (It'd look strange if you were holding a laptop up by your face to get the same effect.)

Or maybe you're recording a YouTube video on your MacBook Air. Use Continuity Camera to get the best of both worlds: a large Mac screen to view the content you're filming, and a higher quality camera stream—complete with video effects—using your iPhone as a webcam.

4 useful Apple Continuity Camera features

Continuity Camera offers more advanced video features than most built-in webcams. Here are some of the most popular among video creators:

1. Desk View: Desk View takes advantage of the phone's Ultra Wide Camera and allows you to broadcast two angles at once: your face, as well as whatever's sitting in front of you while you work. This makes it great for showing off in-progress projects as you sketch, mold, play with your Ira Glass action figure, and so on. Anything you're doing with your hands can be visible, but the audience will be able to watch your face as you chat, too.
2. Center Stage: This feature is intended for folks who need to move around, but don't want to end up sliding out of frame. Your phone will keep you centered in the image, no matter where you go.
3. Portrait Mode: Continuity Camera's Portrait Mode is similar to the version you're familiar with from taking pictures on your phone: it keeps you in sharp focus, but blurs the background behind you so that any household messes (trust us, we all have them) don't pull focus from your super-professional presentation.
4. Studio Light: Studio Light somehow manages to dim down the background and illuminate your face without needing any ring lights (or even the right window position) for help. Apple says it's great even with backlighting.

To use any of these Continuity Camera features, go to the Control Center on your Mac—it's accessible from the top menu bar, and the icon looks like two toggle bars stacked on top of one another. From there, click on Video Effects and you'll see a list of options including Center Stage, Portrait, Studio Light, and Desk View. Just click whichever one you want to turn on.

How to disconnect Apple Continuity Camera

When you're done using Continuity Camera, you can go back into your iPhone system Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff and toggle off the Continuity Camera option.

You can also go into each app's preferences and manually turn off Continuity Camera as the default option if you want to go back to your Mac webcam at any time. But if you never wanted to go back to your old webcam ever again, we'd understand.

Best video editing software for Continuity Camera

Recording video through a high-resolution camera, like the one on your iPhone, is the first step in producing incredible content. The next step is editing that video. Video editing software puts the finishing touches on your footage to create high-quality, professional videos.

Descript is a firm favorite among video creators—including those who post content on YouTube, produce social media posts, or make video podcasts.

With Descript, you can:

• Automatically transcribe the video
• Rearrange content by editing words in your transcription
• Remove awkward silences and filler words with one click
• Upgrade to professional-grade sound quality with Studio Sound
• Upload videos directly to YouTube and podcasts to podcast hosting platforms

The best part? Descript isn't limited to iOS. Whether you're recording videos using Apple's Continuity Camera, your traditional webcam, or a Samsung device, you can edit it all in Descript. Here's how to use the Descript video editor.

Apple Continuity Camera FAQs

What is Apple Continuity Camera?

Continuity Camera is a feature that allows you to use your iPhone as a webcam on your Mac. Anyone with a Mac computer can improve their camera quality by linking their iPhone and streaming video to their device, instead of using the computer's built-in webcam. This feature works with iPhone models that support iOS 16 or later, including iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15 series.

How do I set up Apple Continuity Camera?

Anyone using Continuity Camera must be signed into the same Apple ID on both their iPhone and Mac or MacBook. From there, go to your iPhone and visit Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff. Toggle the Continuity Camera on. Make sure both devices have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled for the connection to work properly.

Is Apple Continuity Camera only for Mac?

Continuity Camera is available to those with two Apple devices. The Mac must be compatible with macOS Ventura or later; the iPhone must be on version iOS 16 or later. Both devices must also be signed into the same Apple ID account and use two-factor authentication. If you're having trouble with the connection, ensure both devices are within range, have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled, and try restarting both devices.

Why won't my Mac detect my iPhone?

First, ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are active on both devices, and that you’re signed in to the same Apple ID with two-factor authentication enabled (Apple Support). Then, open macOS Settings and confirm AirPlay & Handoff is on. Check your iPhone's screen for any “Trust This Computer?” alerts. Toggling Continuity Camera off and on in the phone’s settings can help if you’re still not seeing any connection. Finally, restart both devices if the issue persists.

Does Center Stage work on all iPhone models?

Center Stage requires an iPhone 11 or later, excluding certain SE models (Apple Support). This feature uses the Ultra Wide camera to keep you in the frame even if you move around. If you’re using an older iPhone or an iPhone SE, Center Stage won’t appear in the available Continuity Camera options. Make sure your apps support it, as not all third-party video apps integrate with Center Stage. Lastly, proper front lighting helps Center Stage track your movements effectively.

How do I reduce echo or feedback when using my iPhone as a microphone?

Activate Voice Isolation in Control Center to filter out ambient noise and echoes (Apple Support). You can also lower the volume on your Mac’s speakers or switch to headphones to minimize feedback loops. If you notice ongoing echo, verify that the phone is listed as your primary input under System Settings > Sound. Position the iPhone’s mic approximately three feet from your mouth and avoid covering the mic grille. A wired USB connection is another option to improve audio stability and reduce latency.