iPhone continuity camera not working

iPhone continuity camera appears no longer to work on ios 16.5.1 (c). When I run Facetime on Mac, and choose iPhone camera, the iPhone displays a black screen with only two options PAUSE or DISCONNECT, neither of which buttons does anything. About ten seconds later the link is broken and the iphone returns to the home. I'm on iPhone 13 Pro, and this worked a week or so ago when I first tested it, so it looks as if the latest iOS update has broken the feature.


Any ideas?

Posted on Jul 18, 2023 4:23 AM

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Posted on Jan 8, 2024 9:52 PM

Hello baldoyler,

You're right, there have been reports of iPhone Continuity Camera not working properly on iOS 16.5.1. first Install the latest software updates for both your iPhone and Mac. This includes any macOS updates, iOS updates, facetime app update.


Check for these settings:

iPhone: Go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff. Check if "Continuity Camera" is turned on.

Mac: Go to System Preferences > Bluetooth and check if your iPhone is connected under "Devices.

Both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and have Bluetooth enabled

If your Mac is using AirPlay or Sidecar, Continuity Camera might not work wirelessly


If none of these works try Reset Network Settings On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset. Choose "Reset Network Settings." This will erase saved Wi-Fi passwords and network settings.


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35 replies

Jan 23, 2025 5:02 PM in response to stack-dhruv

First - I would reboot your Mac AND your iphone. When I say reboot your iphone - I mean push volume up (then release) then volume down (then release) and hold the button down on the right side until you see the Apple Logo.


With both devices rebooted. Put your phone in landscape mode (on its side horizontally). Then open Facetime and see if the camera appears. You can click on Video menu at the top of Facetime and see if unchecking automatic camera select on/off does anything.


Otherwise I would:

I would plug your iphone into your Mac using a USB cable. It should then show up in Finder (the little blue/white smiley face). Your see something like "Your Name's Iphone" that way you can verify that it is connected and your mac see's it. Then open Facetime and see if the camera image appears.


Again for this to work your Mac and your iphone should be on the latest release of software. I am running Mac Sequoia 15.2 and my iphone is an Iphone 15 Pro running IOS 18.2. If your not sure your up to date, on your Mac, click Settings, Software update. On your iphone, Goto Settings, General, Software Update. the other thing is that you must be using the same Apple ID on BOTH devices. So if your apple ID is: johnjones@gmail.com you have to use that same account on BOTH your Mac and iphone. They cannot be different or it wont connect.

GoodLuck.


Here is a link that also might help you if you havent seen it yet:

Continuity Camera: Use iPhone as a webcam for Mac - Apple Support


Aug 4, 2024 2:19 PM in response to baldoyler

I had a 2017 MacBook Pro running Ventura and it worked fine even though it's on the black list of non airplay computers, used Streamlabs showed up fine, Now with 2023 M2 MacBook Pro Sonoma it will not work just seeing black screen no VPN, and all device restarted, no sidecar...Desk view not working either...even used the same wifi and still nothing... It seems like Sonoma is having the issues...I had seamless integration with Ventura now lagging and issues with Sonoma Version 14.5 (23F79)

Sep 18, 2024 8:14 AM in response to baldoyler

I have had this issue for a long time. I only just found a solution for it today. The problem I had with it the iPhone not being detected by the Mac when starting Facetime stemmed from the "Privacy & Security" Settings. FaceTime was listed as an approved application under the bluetooth section. However I toggled it on and off and that seems to have resolved the issue. You may even want to try removing FaceTime and then adding it back in to see if that clears on the issue.


I hope this helps.

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iPhone continuity camera not working

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