Can You Use iPhone as a Camera option with mac Apps?

[lukej22]

I guess the question I'm trying to ask is if you can use your iPhone's camera with macOS desktop apps.

I've done a good amount of research on the web, but can't seem to find a clear answer.


It seems like the only options for using a camera is with a Webcam like a logitech or with a DSLR.

If you can't use your iPhone, does anyone know why?

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Also, is it only available through certain macOSs like Catalina, but not Mojave or High Sierra?

 

[BrianBaughn]

Be more specific…you want to use an iPhone as a webcam?

 

[lukej22]

I want to use it as a camera option in desktop apps like Loom or Prezi Video

I think that might mean I want it as a webcam, but what I really want to be able to do is to use it as the camera source to record videos in the Loom and Prezi Video desktop apps.

 

[BuonHead]

Following.

 

[La BESTIA]

Be more specific…you want to use an iPhone as a webcam?

Is there any app out there that could take full advantage of iPhone camera module (in my case iPhone 11) in order to make iPhone become a high quality webcam on macOS (in my case MBP 13-2020)? It does not have to be gratis, to be frank.

Cheers!

 

[BrianBaughn]

I can't vouch for the paid HD version of EpocCam but the free version works…only not with Facetime due to the third-party drivers involved. I tried it with Zoom.

 

[La BESTIA]

I can't vouch for the paid HD version of EpocCam but the free version works…only not with Facetime due to the third-party drivers involved. I tried it with Zoom.

What camera quality is supported by the said app?

 

[BrianBaughn]

What camera quality is supported by the said app?

EpocCam - Supported resolutions and frame rates

EpocCam supports different resolutions and frame rates depending on which version is installed. These resolutions and frame rates are supported regardless of connection method - WiFi, USB or NDI. ...

help.elgato.com

 

[sevoneone]

EpocCam works well.

The NDI Camera App works incredibly well when paired with their Virtual Input app on the Mac. Will appear as an input for most applications that support a webcam. It's a little trickier to get going, but I find it to be incredible quality. You can find Tutorials online. Just like EpocCam, it does not work in FaceTime or web based video capture in Safari, but works just fine in Chrome and FireFox as well as Zoom and Skype.

NDI Camera App - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ndi-hx-camera/id1477266080
NDI Tools (Includes Virtual Input) - https://ndi.tv/tools/#download-tools


There is free option built into the iPhone/iPad most people don't realize: when you plug your phone into your Mac, trust the computer and unlock your phone, it starts a full-res stream of whatever is on your phone's screen as an input into your Mac. Pop open a camera app that lets you hide onscreen controls like: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/shoot-clean-camera-feed/id964565026 and select your iOS device as your camera input. Downside is that it is video only, no mic input from the phone so you'll need an external Mic. Upside it works very very well for a free solution and the video quality is excellent. Great for screen sharing iOS too.

 

[La BESTIA]

Hey! Skype does not support EpocCam on macOS Big Sur!!! 😪

Skype video & EpocCam with Mac

I am trying to use EpocCam app to connect my iPhone as a webcam with my Macbook, and use Skype as the communication channel so I can record the sessions I have. I go into Audio & Video settings and

answers.microsoft.com

 

[Apple_Robert]

This might be of interest to the OP and others in the thread.

iPhone as a webcam for Mac - Looking for Beta testers

As a side project I have built an app that lets you use your iPhone as a webcam for your Mac. I know that there are similar apps out there, but my plan is to release it for free, so I think it could be useful for people. Features: - Resolutions 1920x1080, 1280x720, and 640x480 - Frame Rates up...

forums.macrumors.com