Why can't I connect my iPhone wirelessly to Mac Mini M4?

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Level 1

44 points

Why can't I connect my iPhone wirelessly to Mac Mini M4?

just got the Mac mini m4 so far triple screens works perfectly fine, can set refresh rate and res individually. but I just ran into a problem that I can't wilrelessly connect my iPhone as a webcam which I was able to with my older Macs. I can use a cable to use the camera but can't use them wirelessly. all my older Macs that I tested with are all laptops is this a thing just for Mac mini or there is something wrong with the new m4 Mac mini

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Mac mini (M4)

Posted on Nov 7, 2024 9:51 PM

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Answer 1

Michi74

Level 1

8 points

Dec 20, 2024 12:40 AM in response to dontloveme

This worked for me (iPhone 15 pro max, M4 2024):

In order to use your iPhone as a microphone on a Mac without a built-in microphone, the iPhone must be in landscape orientation and stationary, with its screen turned off.

Use your iPhone as a webcam on Mac – Apple Support (UK)

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Answer 2

dontloveme Author

Level 1

44 points

Nov 11, 2024 9:19 PM in response to tbirdvet

It won’t show up until it plugs in physically with a cable. Then you can disconnect and work wirelessly.

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Answer 3

dontloveme Author

Level 1

44 points

Nov 9, 2024 10:28 PM in response to aldraughan

One stage when my iPhone 14 was just disconnected from the Mac mini it was working wirelessly for a bit. I will give it go tomorrow to see if I can find a solution for it.

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Answer 4

Nov 9, 2024 9:36 PM in response to dontloveme

I was having the same problem. iPhone would not connect wirelessly to M4 Mini. Just by chance I found a fix, hope it works for you. I packed up my MacBook to go and moved it to my bed. I came back to desk and iPhone was working as a webcam for FaceTime wirelessly. It has continued to work just fine as long as my MacBook is not closer to the phone than the Mini. Maybe the antennas in the MacBook are stronger and cause interference, who knows...

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Answer 5

matzebb

Level 1

8 points

Nov 23, 2024 5:38 AM in response to dontloveme

Same issue here. Iphone SE 3rd Gen. Everything works with cable but wireless the Iphone only shows up in Finder. Tried Photobooth, Go2Meeting and Facetime and the camera won't show up. Tried to find a solution with GPT for 3 hours and yes the power is on and the iphone lies down unlocked right next to the mac mini m4. Mac runs on 15.1.1 (24B2091) and Iphone on 18.1.1.

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Answer 6

dontloveme Author

Level 1

44 points

Nov 23, 2024 7:09 AM in response to dontloveme

The only solution at the moment is plug in a cable I used an usb-c to lighting for my iPhone 14 and the Mac mini will recognise it. Then you can discount the cable it will stay connected wirelessly. So I think the Mac mini just can’t recognise an iPhone nearby like MacBooks somehow

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Answer 7

dontloveme Author

Level 1

44 points

Dec 7, 2024 3:32 PM in response to crazybuffon

Seems you just need to hardwire any type of camera to trigger detection of your phone. So if you connect your phone with a cable that would work even you disconnect the cable. I have got a dji camera when I use it as webcam it also starts to detect my iPhone 14.

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Answer 8

matzebb

Level 1

8 points

Dec 8, 2024 4:08 AM in response to crazybuffon

for me it solved itselve the next day or two. I didnt change anything. I just connected my Iphone with the Mac Mini via cable which just worked. Photobooth is the easiest way to test it. And then I restarted my Mac but it still didnt worked wireless. The day or two after I had an online meeting again and all of the sudden my Iphone was connected with the mac.

Maybe try to restart both? I can't say what the problem was but it seems necessary that they know eachother with a cable connection first.

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Answer 9

den.thed

Level 10

89,374 points

Nov 9, 2024 4:37 PM in response to dontloveme

Yes, have a look at > Use Continuity to work across Apple devices - Apple Support

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Answer 10

tbirdvet

Level 6

16,819 points

Nov 12, 2024 4:40 AM in response to dontloveme

Both have to have Bluetooth and wifi on. review these steps:

Use your iPhone as a webcam on Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 11

tbirdvet

Level 6

16,819 points

Nov 24, 2024 5:28 AM in response to dontloveme

My iPhone13 has no issue using wirelessly with my Mini M4 pro. Did you follow all these steps to connect:

Use your iPhone as a webcam on Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 12

dontloveme Author

Level 1

44 points

Nov 7, 2024 9:52 PM in response to dontloveme

forgot to mention that my iPhones are iPhone 14 with iOS 18.1 and iPhone 13 pm with iOS 17.6.1

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Answer 13

MrDuric

Level 1

0 points

Nov 9, 2024 3:56 PM in response to dontloveme

Same exact issue here. Iphone 16 with iOS 18.1. Works fine on my MacBook air m2.

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Answer 14

dontloveme Author

Level 1

44 points

Nov 9, 2024 10:27 PM in response to den.thed

Tried everything on there already.

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Answer 15

tbirdvet

Level 6

16,819 points

Nov 10, 2024 5:38 AM in response to dontloveme

I have the Mini M4 pro. using one display. No issues using my iPhone (13) with IOS 18. Did you open PhotoBooth and in menu select camera? Does your iPhone show as an option?

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Why can't I connect my iPhone wirelessly to Mac Mini M4?

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