Connecting iPohne as Webcam to MacMini fails

Question

Level 1

4 points

Connecting iPohne as Webcam to MacMini fails

I tried to connect my iPhone 13 to my MacMini M2 but having big issues with this. I've updated every OS. followed all the instructions here (Verwenden deines iPhone als Webcam auf dem Mac - Apple Support (DE) even reset my complete system preferences but it still does not work.

Here is what happens

I get zero connection without a cable, the iPhone is not even detected (this works totally fine on my MacBook Pro)
With a cable I get a connection, but once I unplug the cable Facetime gets dark and I need to reboot to get a connection again.

Considering that the MacMini does not have a webcam this is a horrible bug for my worklife.

Mac mini, macOS 13.2

Posted on Feb 22, 2023 12:04 AM

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Answer 1

Grace2211

Community Specialist

Feb 23, 2023 07:30 AM in response to philipp23

Greetings Philipp23,

It appears that you're not able to use Continuity Camera as expected. We'd like to provide you with a few steps that may help resolve this issue:

"Before you can use the Continuity Camera feature, you need to do the following:

Make sure your Mac has the latest version of macOS Ventura and your iPhone has the latest version of iOS 16.
Sign in to both devices with the same Apple ID.
Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices.
Make sure your devices meet system requirements. See the Apple Support article System requirements for Continuity on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
Mount your iPhone. See the Apple Support article Continuity Camera: Use iPhone as a webcam for Mac for more information on mounting your iPhone.

Since your Mac doesn’t have a built-in camera, your iPhone must meet all of the conditions to automatically switch to the iPhone camera in order to be seen as a camera:

Automatically switch to the iPhone camera

Your Mac can automatically switch to using iPhone as a camera input for certain Mac apps, like FaceTime and PhotoBooth. To do this, your iPhone must:

Be close to your Mac
Have its screen locked
Be in landscape orientation
Have its rear camera or cameras facing you and be unobstructed
Not be in a pocket or lying flat on a desk
Be stationary"

This information can be found in the resource you were reviewing: Use your iPhone as a webcam on your Mac

We hope this helps.

Take care.

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Answer 2

philipp23 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 27, 2023 04:47 AM in response to Grace2211

Thank you, I tried all of these tipps, but it still doesn't work. Facetime shows me the camera picture once I connect it with a Thunderbolt to Lightning Cable. But once I unplug this connection Facetime breaks down. A restart of the MacMini M2 is then the only option to proceed.

I get a stable connection with a cable and the external app "EpocCam Webcam for Mac and PC"

(https://apps.apple.com/de/app/epoccam-webcam-for-mac-and-pc/id449133483). It works but I think it is kind of ridiculous that I need an extra app to connect two Apple Devices. Given the amount of money I paid for both devices.... not to mention the time I spent figuring out the Epoc Cam solution ...

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Answer 3

philipp23 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 27, 2023 02:38 PM in response to jdoolitt

Everything works super well on my MacBook. But this is the place where I actually do not really need the option…as the webcam there works just fine..

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Answer 4

jdoolitt

Level 1

45 points

Feb 26, 2023 12:11 AM in response to philipp23

I struggled getting my iPhone to connect via Bluetooth to my new M2 mini. I wanted to use my iPhone camera for FaceTime on the new M2 mini. Tried everything mentioned above, with no joy. Kept getting a Bluetooth failed to connect between the iPhone and mini. After trying all the resets, restarts, updates, etc.. and still getting failures, I found a recommendation online, where someone said to connect the iPhone by USB first. I did that, and FaceTime recognized my iPhone camera. It must have cleared up whatever bits were preventing Bluetooth between these devices.. because, Bluetooth from the iPhone to the m2 mini started working right after that. No issues connecting my iPhone to my new M2 mini since. Anyway.. posting this, in case someone else is struggling,after loading all the latest os releases and trying all the recommended stuff to try.

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Answer 5

jdoolitt

Level 1

45 points

Feb 27, 2023 02:12 PM in response to philipp23

Yeah, sorry philipp23 -

I spoke to soon. Whatever was working between my iPhone and the Mac M2 Mini bluetooth was fleeting. They no longer connect by Bluetooth. What a mess. Frustrating seeing an option (continuity) - not working smoothly. Facetime works with my iPhone, if it is physically connected to the Mini's USB port. Just not optimal for how I want to use it.

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Connecting iPohne as Webcam to MacMini fails

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