Continuity Mode makes this possible for users with current iPhones and Mac computers
Best Practices
Make sure your camera lens is clean. Clean off your smartphone camera lens to remove any smudges or dirt that may have collected there.
Make sure your smartphone is connected to power while using it as a webcam.
Put your phone on Do Not Disturb or Flight Mode during the time you will be using it as a webcam
Use a purchasable smartphone mount to attach the smartphone securely to your laptop or desktop screen, such as the Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe for Mac Notebooks ($29.95)
For iPhone users on Mac devices
There are free or paid ways of turning your iPhone into a webcam on your Mac devices. In this article we will be covering the use of the free Continuity Camera feature running on iOS 16 or later and MacOS Ventura
⚠️ Requirements:
A Mac running macOS Ventura or later
An iPhone 8 or XR or later running iOS 16 or later
Logged into the same Apple ID account on the Mac and iPhone
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled on both devices
iPhone 11 or later to use the Center Stage and Desk View features
iPhone 12 or later to use the Studio Light feature
Step One: Activate Continuity Camera
Open the Settings app on your iPhone and then tap General > AirPlay & Handoff, then flip the switch on for the Continuity Camera Webcam setting. Exit Settings.
If possible, mount the iPhone on top of the Mac’s display using a holder or mount, or set it up using a tripod or some other method. You can even hold the iPhone or prop it up on your screen – the phone just needs to be within Bluetooth range of the Mac.
Step Two: Open the video app of your choice on your Mac Device
After launching the app, go to the setting that allows you to select a camera. In zoom, you will be able to find your camera settings next to the camera icon on the lower right hand of your zoom screen.
Your iPhone’s name should now appear in the list of available camera devices. Select it, and you should see your webcam switch over to your iPhone’s camera. If you wish to use the microphone from your iPhone as well, you can do the same selection in your audio settings, selecting it as the microphone option (you can find these settings in the microphone icon next to the camera icon in zoom).
You can disconnect your iPhone camera from your Mac simply by closing the program you are using it with
Extra Settings/Effects
(for iPhone 11 or Later)
A number of video effects can be utilized in Continuity Camera for iPhone models 11 or later. Access these in the video effects section of Continuity Camera on your Mac.
Center Stage:
Center Stage is an effect that keeps you in the center of the frame (iPhone 11 or later required). With Continuity Camera running, open the Control Center in the menu bar and click on the Video Effects button. A Video Effects menu appears and then you select Center Stage.
Portrait Mode:
Portrait mode is an effect that blurs the background. In Control Center in the menu bar, click on the Video Effects button. In the Video Effects menu, select Portrait and the background will blur.
Studio Light:
Studio Light uses the iPhone flash as a light to brighten up your picture (iPhone 12 or later required). With Continuity Camera running, open the Control Center in the menu bar and click on the Video Effects button. Then select Studio Light.
Desk View:
Desk View uses the Ultra Wide camera on the iPhone (iPhone 11 or later required) to shoot a view of your desk. It can also capture you at the same time, so you can do desktop demonstrations. It will however require an additional setup to angle your camera properly above your desk/keyboard
Apple support page: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213244