A compatible iPhone can act as a Mac webcam through Apple’s Continuity Camera. Owl Cam can use a camera macOS recognizes, including a compatible iPhone, to detect and record activity locally on the Mac.
Connect and test
- Use a compatible iPhone XR or newer with iOS 16 or later and a Mac with macOS 14 or later. Sign in to the same Apple Account and enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices.
- Enable Continuity Camera on the iPhone and keep it near the Mac. Apple documents wireless and USB connection options.
- Select and manually enable the iPhone camera in Owl Cam. Position it securely, keep the connection available, and make a test recording.
Add another camera
Owl Cam Pro supports multiple cameras, each with independent detection and recording. One camera remains free after the Pro trial. A spare iPhone can be the one free camera or an additional camera with Pro; confirm the camera is actually available before leaving it unattended.
Limits to plan around
Owl Cam currently cannot select a specific iPhone lens and does not directly support RTSP / ONVIF network cameras. There is no phone app, remote live stream or push notification. The iPhone connection, power, Mac state and lighting can all affect the result; test the complete setup in its intended position.