Continuity Camera

[gavspen]

I was trying to get this up and running the other day on my Mac mini. Nothing doing.

On the phone with Apple I find out that to get it going on a Mac mini or Mac studio (which dont have built in cameras, obviously) you must first connect using a cable. Then you can disconnect the cable and it will keep working until you shut whatever app you using (say, Zoom) and then next time you have to do the same thing again. Wireless doesnt work. But guess what? It does work wirelessly on either an iMac, or a laptop, which do have built in cameras, of course.

"What?", I ask. "You're saying it only works as advertised if you dont actually need it? If you have a Mac that has a camera? If you do need it (on a mini or studio), then it doesnt work?

"That's right"

[mikehalloran]

Are you talking about an iPhone? If not, what?

USB web cams are inexpensive. Many also have mics and speakers built in if you need them.

[gavspen]

Yes. "Continuity Camera" is a feature that's supposed to allow you to use your iPhone wirelessly as a camera for you Mac. (for Zoom, etc.) Only works if you dont need it.

[bayswater]

Could it be that you are interpreting it backwards? Is the process there to share the camera that is on an iMac, rather than share another camera with the iMac?

[gavspen]

Could it be that you are interpreting it backwards? Is the process there to share the camera that is on an iMac, rather than share another camera with the iMac?

No:

"Continuity Camera: Use iPhone as a webcam for Mac"

https://support.apple.com/en-us/102546

It's not that important fellas. I just thought it was funny.

[bayswater]

It's not that important fellas. I just thought it was funny.

It is. It’s like people at Apple don’t talk to each other.

[gavspen]

It is.

Funny? Or important? Or both??

[Michael Canavan]

I was trying to get this up and running the other day on my Mac mini. Nothing doing.

On the phone with Apple I find out that to get it going on a Mac mini or Mac studio (which dont have built in cameras, obviously) you must first connect using a cable. Then you can disconnect the cable and it will keep working until you shut whatever app you using (say, Zoom) and then next time you have to do the same thing again. Wireless doesnt work. But guess what? It does work wirelessly on either an iMac, or a laptop, which do have built in cameras, of course.

"What?", I ask. "You're saying it only works as advertised if you dont actually need it? If you have a Mac that has a camera? If you do need it (on a mini or studio), then it doesnt work?

"That's right"

Forgot to hit send, but yes Continuity Camera is hit or miss. I use it for Zoom meetings, but about half the time it doesn't work. It only works plugged into the computer, I've never had it work wirelessly. iPhone 12 and M2 Mac Studio here. I don't know why they haven't figured it out.

[gavspen]

I was trying to get this up and running the other day on my Mac mini. Nothing doing.

On the phone with Apple I find out that to get it going on a Mac mini or Mac studio (which dont have built in cameras, obviously) you must first connect using a cable. Then you can disconnect the cable and it will keep working until you shut whatever app you using (say, Zoom) and then next time you have to do the same thing again. Wireless doesnt work. But guess what? It does work wirelessly on either an iMac, or a laptop, which do have built in cameras, of course.

"What?", I ask. "You're saying it only works as advertised if you dont actually need it? If you have a Mac that has a camera? If you do need it (on a mini or studio), then it doesnt work?

"That's right"

Forgot to hit send, but yes Continuity Camera is hit or miss. I use it for Zoom meetings, but about half the time it doesn't work. It only works plugged into the computer, I've never had it work wirelessly. iPhone 12 and M2 Mac Studio here. I don't know why they haven't figured it out.

As I say, I find that after you've gotten it going plugged in, you can disconnect, and it stays operable for that Zoom session. Once you close Zoom (or whatever app, FaceTime etc.) you have to start all over again. Not so for you?

[mikehalloran]

Maybe today’s iOS 17.4.1 update will affect this.

[gavspen]

Maybe today’s iOS 17.4.1 update will affect this.

Probably. After I sent feedback to whatever department it is (as suggested by the phone support guy "They take that stuff very seriously, you know".) they must have sprung into action!

[mikehalloran]

Maybe today’s iOS 17.4.1 update will affect this.

Probably. After I sent feedback to whatever department it is (as suggested by the phone support guy "They take that stuff very seriously, you know".) they must have sprung into action!

Is there a 2 drink minimum where you are working?

[James Steele]

It’s Continuity right? Not Community? I may go through this thread and fix all of those as the subject header was confusing.

[Michael Canavan]

As I say, I find that after you've gotten it going plugged in, you can disconnect, and it stays operable for that Zoom session. Once you close Zoom (or whatever app, FaceTime etc.) you have to start all over again. Not so for you?

Nope more often than not it would lose connection as soon as I unplugged the phone.

[cuttime]

My experience with Continuity has been spotty as well. I found after a bit of experimentation that it was very sensitive to the position of the phone and that the phone needed to be in landscape and vertically oriented to get it to connect and hold a connection.