macOS · Devices
Use your iPhone or iPad as a Mac webcam or display
Continuity Camera lets your iPhone act as a high-quality webcam or document scanner for your Mac, while Sidecar turns a nearby iPad into a wired or wireless second display or graphics tablet.
How to open Continuity Camera & Sidecar
- Ensure both devices are signed into the same Apple ID with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff on
- For Continuity Camera, select your iPhone as the camera source in a video app
- For Sidecar, click the Screen Mirroring icon in Control Center and choose your iPad
- Adjust display arrangement for Sidecar under System Settings → Displays
What you should know
- Automatically use a nearby iPhone as the default webcam in video call apps
- Enable Desk View to show an overhead view of your desk during calls
- Extend or mirror your Mac's display onto an iPad with Sidecar
- Use an Apple Pencil on the iPad as a pressure-sensitive input for Mac apps like Preview or Photoshop
Both features require the devices to be signed into the same Apple ID and have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff enabled.
Why it matters
Continuity Camera gives Mac users access to a phone-quality camera sensor without buying a separate webcam, a meaningful upgrade for anyone doing frequent video calls on a laptop with a mediocre built-in camera. Sidecar effectively adds a second, pressure-sensitive display for the cost of an iPad the user may already own, which is valuable for designers and anyone who benefits from extra screen real estate on the go. Both lean on Apple's ecosystem integration to avoid extra cables or third-party software for common creative and communication needs.
Best practices
- Mount the iPhone with a stand or clip made for Continuity Camera for a stable, elevated angle.
- Use Sidecar wired via USB-C for the lowest input latency when drawing with Apple Pencil.
- Close Sidecar when not needed since it keeps the iPad's screen active and draining battery.
Common problems and fixes
- The iPhone doesn't appear as a camera option in a video call app.
- Confirm both devices are on the same Apple ID, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on, and the iPhone is unlocked and nearby.
- Sidecar shows the iPad as unavailable.
- Check that Handoff is enabled on both devices under General settings and that the iPad supports Sidecar (Apple Pencil-compatible models from recent years).
Tips and tricks
- Use Desk View alongside your normal camera feed during calls to show physical documents or sketches in real time.
Frequently asked questions
Does Continuity Camera work wirelessly?
Yes, though a wired USB connection is also supported and offers a more stable connection.
Can I use a non-Apple Pencil with Sidecar?
No, Sidecar's pressure-sensitive input specifically requires an Apple Pencil.
Related settings
- AirDrop & HandoffAirDrop lets you wirelessly send files, photos, and links directly to nearby Apple devices without email or messaging apps, while Handoff lets you start something on one Apple device — like a browser tab or email draft — and pick it up instantly on your Mac.
- Displays SettingsDisplays settings let you change resolution, brightness, arrangement of multiple monitors, and features like Night Shift and True Tone for more comfortable viewing.
- Bluetooth DevicesBluetooth settings let you pair and manage wireless accessories such as keyboards, trackpads, mice, headphones, and speakers with your Mac.
More Devices guides for macOS
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- MouseMouse settings control tracking speed, scrolling direction, and secondary-click behavior for any connected mouse, including Apple's Magic Mouse, which also supports its own set of swipe gestures.
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