Adjust Continuity Camera Mic Settings in macOS 13

Apple’s Continuity Camera feature in macOS 13 Ventura allows you to use your iPhone as a high-quality webcam and microphone. While the system automatically detects your device, you may want to change the input volume or switch audio modes to filter out background noise. This guide covers how to select your iPhone as the audio input, adjust its volume, and configure advanced mic modes like Voice Isolation.

Selecting the iPhone as Your Audio Input

By default, some video apps may keep your Mac’s built-in microphone active even when using your iPhone for video. To ensure the iPhone microphone is being used:

  1. Open the video conferencing application you are using (such as FaceTime, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams).
  2. Go to the app’s audio settings and choose your iPhone as the Microphone or Audio Input.
  3. Alternatively, set it system-wide by clicking the Apple menu > System Settings > Sound.
  4. Click the Input tab and select your iPhone from the list of available devices.

Enabling Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum

macOS 13 includes built-in microphone modes that change how your iPhone captures your voice:

  1. Start your video call or open an application that actively uses the microphone.
  2. Click the Control Center icon (the two sliders) in the menu bar at the top-right corner of your screen.
  3. Click on Mic Mode at the top of the Control Center menu.
  4. Select one of the available options:
    • Standard: Standard audio capture with standard filtering.
    • Voice Isolation: Prioritizes your voice and actively blocks out ambient background noise, such as dogs barking or keyboard typing.
    • Wide Spectrum: Disables noise filtering so all background sounds and music in your environment can be heard.

Adjusting the Microphone Input Volume

If your voice is too quiet or distorted:

  1. Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
  2. Select Sound from the sidebar.
  3. Under the Input section, select your iPhone.
  4. Speak at a normal volume and drag the Input volume slider until the Input level meter lights up consistently around the halfway mark.