How to Switch iPhones in Continuity Camera macOS 13

Apple’s macOS 13 (Ventura) allows you to use an iPhone as a wireless webcam through Continuity Camera. If you have multiple iPhones connected to the same Apple ID and on the same network, macOS automatically recognizes them as available video sources. This guide explains how to switch between multiple connected iPhones directly within your video applications and system settings.

Prerequisites for Multiple Devices

Before switching between devices, ensure each iPhone meets the Continuity Camera requirements:

  • Signed in with the same Apple ID using two-factor authentication.
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on.
  • Continuity Camera is enabled on both phones (Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff > Continuity Camera).
  • The iPhones are placed near your Mac with their screens locked and held horizontally (landscape mode).

Switch iPhones in FaceTime

  1. Open the FaceTime app on your Mac.
  2. In the top menu bar, click on Video.
  3. Under the Camera section of the dropdown menu, you will see a list of available cameras, including all connected iPhones.
  4. Click on the name of the iPhone you want to use. The video feed will switch immediately.

Switch iPhones in Third-Party Apps (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Web Browsers)

Third-party video conferencing apps manage video inputs through their respective in-app settings rather than a global macOS toggle.

  1. Open the application (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet in a browser, or Microsoft Teams).
  2. Navigate to the app's Settings or Preferences, then select the Video tab.
  3. Locate the Camera dropdown menu.
  4. Select the specific iPhone you wish to switch to from the list of available devices.

Troubleshooting and Managing Active Devices

If a secondary iPhone does not appear in the camera list:

  • Disconnect the Active iPhone: On the currently active iPhone's screen, tap Disconnect or Pause to release the stream, prompting macOS to look for the next available Continuity Camera device.
  • Toggle Continuity Camera: On the iPhone you do not want to use, temporarily disable Continuity Camera via Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff to force macOS to default to your preferred device.
  • Mounting Orientation: Ensure the target iPhone is stationary and locked in landscape orientation, as macOS may not detect the device if it is moving or held vertically.