How to Disable Continuity Camera on macOS

Continuity Camera in macOS 13 allows your Mac to automatically use your iPhone as a wireless webcam whenever it is nearby. If you prefer to rely solely on your Mac's built-in FaceTime HD camera, you can prevent your iPhone from automatically connecting by disabling the feature on your iPhone or by manually changing your input preferences within macOS video applications.

Turn Off Continuity Camera on iPhone

Continuity Camera does not have a global off-switch in macOS System Settings. Instead, the feature is controlled directly from your iPhone.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Select AirPlay & Handoff.
  4. Toggle off Continuity Camera.

Once toggled off, your iPhone will no longer broadcast itself as an available webcam, and your Mac will default to its built-in FaceTime HD camera for all video tasks.

Disconnect an Active Continuity Camera Session

If you want to keep the feature enabled for future use but dismiss an active connection:

  • On your iPhone screen, tap Disconnect to end the video stream.
  • Alternatively, swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone screen to unlock it, which automatically pauses the camera feed.

Switch Video Sources in Individual Apps

If you keep Continuity Camera enabled on iOS but want to use the built-in FaceTime HD camera for specific applications, you can switch the input manually within macOS:

  • FaceTime: Open FaceTime, click Video in the top menu bar, and select FaceTime HD Camera under the Camera section.
  • Zoom / Microsoft Teams: Open the app's Settings or Preferences, navigate to the Video section, and select FaceTime HD Camera from the Camera drop-down menu.
  • Photo Booth: Click Camera in the menu bar and choose FaceTime HD Camera.

macOS will remember your selection for each app until the built-in camera is no longer available.