MacOS Tahoe’s FaceTime won’t connect to Mac mini’s 3rd party webcam

Since upgrading our Mac mini M4 to Tahoe OS, FaceTime won’t connect/display video from our external webcam device.

  • Worked perfectly using same device on the same Mac mini with previous macOS Sequoia.
  • Video works fine with macOS Tahoe using Apple QuickTime Player, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.
  • FaceTime will use the nearby iPhone’s video if linked, but on switching back, it goes to black again with the external webcam.
  • Have disconnected/reconnected the device several times with no change.
  • Have restarted or shut down the Mac mini several times with no change.


Just seems like an issue with this version of FaceTime on Tahoe. I’ve submitted a feedback report to Apple. Will update here if anything changes.

Mac mini (M4)

Posted on Sep 15, 2025 6:39 PM

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11 replies

Sep 22, 2025 11:56 AM in response to Crozermur

I’ve too have been experiencing significant issues with external cameras on my 2024 Mac Mini running MacOS 26. My Logitech webcam appears very jittery, and when I connect my DJI Osmo Pocket 3 as a webcam, it’s not recognized by any other programs except Safari and Zoom. Other applications don’t detect it until I after I open Photo Booth, which seems to match what others have reported. I hope Apple is able to look into this and release a patch for macOS 26 to improve compatibility and resolve these problems.

Oct 10, 2025 9:45 AM in response to Crozermur

It certainly looks like it is an issue specifically with FaceTime on MacOS26 Tahoe and external cameras.


I'm trying to help a friend in France with the same sort of problem. He has a Mac Mini M2 and a Dell S2422HZ monitor which worked fine with FaceTime before the macOS 26 Tahoe update. He is currently up to date with macOS 26.0.1.


When he calls on FaceTime, he correctly sees the thumbnail of himself in the corner of the FaceTime window and he sees the recipient's image as normal but the recipient of the call sees only a logo with his initials like you see in Contacts.


In the Video menu in FaceTime, the Dell monitor is not listed.


Sound is normal in both directions. PhotoBooth, etc., works as expected. The wiring between the MacMini and the Dell monitor has not been changed.


Any thoughts or suggestions much appreciated.


John

Sep 19, 2025 4:39 PM in response to Crozermur

I'm having a similar problem with a different configuration. FaceTime connects to my OBSBot no problem and works as expected, but when it connects to my iPhone 14 (wireless) I get no video whatsoever. I get the connection sound, I get the confirmation on my iPhone that it's connected to my Mac, but no video is displayed.


iPhone 14 Pro: iOS 26.0

2022 Mac Studio: Tahoe 26.0

MacOS Tahoe’s FaceTime won’t connect to Mac mini’s 3rd party webcam

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