Apple's new continuity camera feature in iOS 16.1

UPDATED - September 27th, 2024: The following steps are confirmed for the most current iOS release, iOS 17.6.

Not every one has a webcam, especially if you are running a desktop computer and a separate screen, but most of us have a phone. So, how is it possible to use your mobile phone as a webcam. Well, read on and I will show you.

If, like me, you have struggled to get your iPhone to connect with MS Teams or Zoom in preparation for a meeting, then chances are that the following settings or steps are not in place. For you to have a consistent experience and enjoy the benefits of using your iPhone instead of the webcam on your laptop, or in my case a Mac Mini that doesn't have a webcam at all, then this checklist will be of great use for you.

Step 1 : Well before your meeting, ensure that the Bluetooth settings on your Mac computer are checked for the application that you want to use, i.e., MS Teams or Zoom. To do this go to the following area in your Settings -> Bluetooth -> you will see a list of applications with access to your Bluetooth . Ensure the service you want to use is with the blue sliding button in place (See below). If it isn't you will have to slide it to green and then the application will likely want to restart. This is why you should do this ahead of your meeting. Let the application restart.
Step 2 : Put your iPhone onto a mini-tripod, or stand or holder and point the back of the phone up towards your face. The Continuity Camera makes use of the rear lens, not the front.
Step 3 : Rotate the iPhone to the horizontal (Landscape) and press the large button to go to the lock screen.
Step 4: Ensure that your iPhone is on the same Wifi network as your Mac computer
Step 5: Ensure that your Mac computer and iPhone is on the same Apple Id
Step 6 : Ensure that your iPhone is fully charged because using the Continuity Camera feature uses up a lot of battery, especially in long meetings. Or, ensure that your iPhone is plugged into a power cable
Step 7 : Switch on the application that you're going to use. Or, you can switch on either Photo Booth or Quick Time Video to do a basic check that your iPhone is ready to be used as a Continuity Camera. Also check that these applications have access to your Bluetooth settings in the above Step 2.
Step 8 : When the Mac connects to the iPhone you will here an alert and a message on the front side of the screen saying that, "Connected to James's Mac Mini". Simply replace the name and Mac computer that you're using. It also states that, "You can disconnect to remove this iPhone from the Mac camera list". With 2 x options to either, "Pause", or, "Disconnect".

And that's it. You should be connected now. For subsequent connections make sure that you've got all the steps above checked off. To be honest, in my opinion, Apple has made something very simple seem extremely complicated. I guess they have their reasons, but when you have issues connecting 2 x products from the same company, then these steps should be replaced with a simple dialogue box asking if you want to use the iPhone as a camera, and then all the behind the scenes stuff be automatically updated for you. You shouldn't have to go under the bonnet (hood in the US) like this to do something so basic.

Features of using the Apple iPhone Continuity Camera

The continuity camera feature arrived on the iOS release, iOS 16.1

When using the iPhone continuity camera feature, prepare to have better work face times or MS Team meetings. Gone are the wishy-washy poor, quality images and sounds of yesteryear. Instead, the images are crisp, and the sound is sharp.

To get this feature, firstly, this is for an iPhone, so if you don't have one, I would imagine Android already has a workaround. But for iPhone users, you only need to get into the settings.

For MS Teams - open Teams, head to the '***' 3 dots at the top right corner, and get into 'Settings -> Devices -> scroll down to Camera -> select your iPhone. If your phone is not in the drop-down list, check your phone is connected to the same wifi as your computer. '

If you've successfully connected MS Teams to your iPhone, then the camera will default to your iPhone when you join a call in Teams.

Facetime is easier. Open ' Facetime -> Video -> Camera' (your phone should be on the list. If so, select it).

Now all you need do is position the phone on a tripod, like a mini Manfrotto, so that you can set the camera to film at whichever angle you'd like it to be. But ensure you stay in the wifi range to keep the connection. Or search for a 'continuity camera mount', which will bring up a list of accessories to hold the camera at screen level. Some use a MagSafe bracket, but this might only work on Apple Macs or MacBook Pros as they have a metal case. My HP monitor may not work as the rear case is plastic. I'll have to check.

For those using a Sony system, like the Alpha A7 camera series, here is a similar post on using the Sony Imaging Edge Viewer . However, as there is more complexity in the set-up, this might be worth doing if it is for TV broadcast purposes.

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