How to use your phone as a webcam on Mac

Complete guide with multiple methods and troubleshooting

7-10 min read
Expert Verified
Last Updated: August 2025

Quick Answer

Using your phone as a webcam on a Mac can enhance video quality for streaming or video calls. This can be achieved through various applications and methods that connect your phone to your Mac, either via USB or wirelessly.

Medium⏱ 7-10 min read

Prerequisites & Requirements

Before starting, ensure you have the following:
  • •A Mac running macOS Mojave (10.14) or later.
  • •A smartphone with a camera (iOS or Android).
  • •USB cable for wired connection or a stable Wi-Fi network for wireless connection.
  • •The appropriate application installed on both your Mac and smartphone (e.g., EpocCam, iVCam, or DroidCam).
  • •Permissions to access the camera and microphone on your smartphone.

Method 1: Using EpocCam

EpocCam is a popular application that allows you to use your smartphone as a webcam for your Mac. This method is straightforward and works well for both iOS and Android devices.
  • •Step 1: Download EpocCam from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
  • •Step 2: Install the EpocCam driver on your Mac from the official website: https://www.kinoni.com/epoccam.
  • •Step 3: Connect your smartphone to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac or use a USB cable for a wired connection.
  • •Step 4: Open the EpocCam app on your smartphone. You should see a message indicating that the app is ready.
  • •Step 5: Open your video conferencing application (Zoom, Skype, etc.) on your Mac and select 'EpocCam' as your video source.
  • •Step 6: To verify it worked, you should see the video feed from your smartphone in the application.
  • •Step 7: If it doesn't work, check your firewall settings on your Mac to ensure EpocCam is allowed to communicate.

For Windows 11

Windows 11 users can follow similar steps, ensuring they download the correct version of the EpocCam driver compatible with Windows.
  • •Win11 specific step 1: Ensure you have the latest Windows updates installed.
  • •Win11 specific step 2: Check if EpocCam is set as the default camera in Windows settings.

For Windows 10

Windows 10 users should also ensure they have the latest drivers for EpocCam.
  • •Win10 specific step 1: Go to Settings > Privacy > Camera and ensure that apps are allowed to use the camera.
  • •Win10 specific step 2: Restart the application if the camera feed does not appear.

Method 2: Using iVCam

iVCam is another versatile app that allows you to use your phone as a webcam. It supports both wired and wireless connections.
  • •Step 1: Download iVCam from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
  • •Step 2: Install the iVCam client on your Mac from the official website: https://www.e2esoft.com/ivcam.
  • •Step 3: Connect your smartphone to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac or use a USB cable.
  • •Step 4: Open the iVCam app on your smartphone, and it should automatically detect your Mac.
  • •Step 5: Open your video conferencing application on your Mac and select 'iVCam' as your video source.
  • •Step 6: To verify it worked, you should see the video feed from your smartphone in the application.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues while setting up your phone as a webcam, consider the following solutions:
  • •Error: 'Camera not found' - Solution: Ensure the app is open on your smartphone and that both devices are on the same network.
  • •Issue: 'No video feed' - Fix: Restart both the smartphone app and the video conferencing application on your Mac.
  • •Problem: 'Lag or poor quality' - Workaround: Switch to a wired connection if using Wi-Fi or ensure no other devices are consuming bandwidth.

Advanced Tips & Shortcuts

For power users looking to optimize their setup:
  • •Keyboard shortcut: Command + Space - Opens Spotlight for quick app search.
  • •Command line: 'sudo killall VDCAssistant' - Resets the camera service on your Mac if the camera is not recognized.
  • •Hidden feature: Adjust video resolution settings in the app for better quality by accessing the settings menu.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common pitfalls:

Expert Tips

For the best video quality, ensure your smartphone is positioned on a stable surface and at eye level.