Mirage CaptureHow to use your iPhone as a webcam on a Mac
Mirage for Mac turns an iPhone’s Camera into Mirage Camera, a virtual camera that any Mac app can choose. A group of several iPhones can be that one camera.
What you need
- An iPhone or iPad with iOS 17 or later
- A Mac with macOS 26 or later, with Mirage for Mac in Applications (included in the same purchase)
- Both on the same local network
Steps
Broadcast from Camera
On the iPhone: Camera › Camera Settings › Outputs › Mirage Broadcast. Allow camera, microphone, and Local Network access when iOS asks.
Pair on the Mac
The iPhone appears under Devices in Mirage for Mac. Pair with the six-digit code the iPhone shows. With Remember this device, it reconnects without the code next time.
Turn on Virtual Camera
Select the iPhone and turn on Virtual Camera. The first time, macOS needs the camera extension allowed in System Settings › General › Login Items & Extensions › Camera Extensions.
Choose Mirage Camera
Pick “Mirage Camera” as the camera in Zoom, Google Meet, FaceTime, Teams, Discord, or OBS (Video Capture Device).
If it doesn’t work
- Mirage Camera isn’t in an app’s camera list: quit and reopen that app. Apps that were open when the extension was installed may not list it until they restart.
- Mirage for Mac says to open it from Applications: the camera extension installs only from a copy of Mirage in the Applications folder.
- It asks for a restart to finish installing the virtual camera: restart the Mac.
- No sound from Mirage Camera: it is video only. Choose a microphone in the call app.
- The iPhone isn’t under Devices: see Devices can’t see each other.
More
With the iPhone’s permission (Settings › Mac Access), the Mac controls its zoom, framing, focus, exposure, white balance, lenses, torch, recording, and screen lock.
Drag a second iPhone onto the first to make a group; Mirage Camera then shows the whole group.
Questions
Is this the same as Continuity Camera?
No. Continuity Camera is built into macOS and uses one iPhone signed in to the same Apple Account. Mirage Capture works with several iPhones and iPads at once, on any account, and adds groups, recording, and NDI. See Mirage Capture vs Continuity Camera.
Does it work over Wi-Fi?
Yes. The iPhone and the Mac connect over your local network. No cable or internet connection is needed.
Can I use an older iPhone?
Yes, any iPhone with iOS 17 or later.