Pausing Continuity Camera From Within macOS?

[iStorm]

I just installed the RC and started playing around with the new continuity camera feature (using Microsoft Teams). On the screen of my iPhone, there is a button to pause it, which is pretty cool. It freezes the video feed and blurs it. I’d totally do this during my meetings when I have to step away for a few mins.

But there’s a problem…it’s on the screen of my phone which would be facing away from me since the continuity camera feature only uses the rear cameras. It also pauses if I unlock my phone, but again, can’t see the screen. I guess I could just grab my phone, flip it around, and pause the image of my desk or something. I might as well just continue to turn the camera off within the app. Is there no way to pause it from within macOS? I didn’t see anything in the Control Center where the other camera controls are.

 

[uspino]

@iStorm Are you able to use Continuity Camera (iPhone as a webcam) over WiFi or only when plugged in with a cable? It only works for me when wired, although it used to work wireless. Not many people are complaining about it, si I’m starting to think it might be due to some router setting…

 

[mattfro]

Is continuity camera working otherwise ok for you guys? For me it's very slow and choppy.

 

[iStorm]

@iStorm Are you able to use Continuity Camera (iPhone as a webcam) over WiFi or only when plugged in with a cable? It only works for me when wired, although it used to work wireless. Not many people are complaining about it, si I’m starting to think it might be due to some router setting…

You aren't tapping 'Disconnect' on the iPhone, are you? If so, that removes the iPhone from the camera list, forcing you to plug it in to get it added back to the camera list again. Instead, just turn the camera/webcam off as you normally would through whatever app you're using. Also, make sure it's turned on in the 'AirPlay & Handoff' settings on the iPhone.

Is continuity camera working otherwise ok for you guys? For me it's very slow and choppy.

It was a bit slow and choppy at first, but has smoothed out and is now working fine for me.

 

[uspino]

You aren't tapping 'Disconnect' on the iPhone, are you? If so, that removes the iPhone from the camera list, forcing you to plug it in to get it added back to the camera list again. Instead, just turn the camera/webcam off as you normally would through whatever app you're using. Also, make sure it's turned on in the 'AirPlay & Handoff' settings on the iPhone.

I think at some point during the Beta I might have hit Disconnect, but I've plugged it in lots of times since them (and it works as a webcam when plugged, but disappears when unplugged). Airplay and Handoff are checked. I assume Handoff is working fine because 'Import from iPhone' + 'Take Photo' works fine... Any suggestion? Thanks.

 

[galad]

Doesn't your meeting app already have a button di disable the camera?

 

[uspino]

I think I found an explanation for my issue. It's an undocumented requirement from Apple (I guess it will be explained once Ventura comes out officially next Monday). The iPhone needs to be in what they call a 'magic pose' for WiFi continuity camera webcam to start, that is: landscape, screen off, locked, motionless (not handheld), and unobstructed camera. Otherwise it won't start. It has to do with privacy concerns, as explained here. If the iPhone is plugged in those requirements are not enforced.

 

[iStorm]

Doesn't your meeting app already have a button di disable the camera?

Yes, I even mentioned that. I'm asking if I can pause and blur the camera from the Mac like you can do on the iPhone when I have to step out for a few mins. Then people would know that I'm still in the meeting, but not present at the time. Most of the time, people just turn their camera off, but others think they're still there when they're not.

I think I found an explanation for my issue. It's an undocumented requirement from Apple (I guess it will be explained once Ventura comes out officially next Monday). The iPhone needs to be in what they call a 'magic pose' for WiFi continuity camera webcam to start, that is: landscape, screen off, locked, motionless (not handheld), and unobstructed camera. Otherwise it won't start. It has to do with privacy concerns, as explained here. If the iPhone is plugged in those requirements are not enforced.

Interesting, nice find. I was definitely handling my camera wirelessly when trying it out though since I don't have a mount yet...holding it landscape, portrait mode, flat on my desk. Even when unlocked, it'd lock the phone and turn the camera on. Maybe it's a bug on my end. The 'Magic Pose' does sound nice, it'd help prevent awkwardly turning on the wrong camera.