Using iPhone as a camera for SoundSplore/ TotalVU livestreaming

Using Your iPhone as a Webcam Video Source on a Mac

with Chrome for SoundSplore/TotalVU Livestreaming

You can use your iPhone as a webcam for your MacBook Pro or Mac Studio directly within Google Chrome for your Chrome livestreaming on the SoundSplore website. Apple has a built-in feature called Continuity Camera that makes this process seamless, requiring no third-party applications.

This feature allows your Mac to recognize and use your iPhone's powerful camera system as a webcam or microphone for any application, including Chrome.

How to Use Your iPhone as a Webcam Video Source with Continuity Camera

Here is a step-by-step guide to get your iPhone's camera working in Chrome on your Mac.

1. System Requirements & Initial Setup

First, ensure your devices are compatible and properly configured:

  • iPhone: Must be an iPhone XR or later, running iOS 16 or newer.

  • Mac: Must be running macOS Ventura (13.0) or newer.

  • Wi-Fi & Bluetooth: Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be enabled on both your iPhone and your Mac.

  • Apple ID: Both devices must be signed in to the same Apple ID with two-factor authentication enabled.

  • Positioning: For the best results, mount your iPhone on your Mac using a stand or clip. The system works best when the iPhone is stable, horizontal, and has its rear camera facing you.

2. Enabling Continuity Camera

By default, Continuity Camera is already enabled. If you have turned it off, you can re-enable it on your iPhone by going to Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff and ensuring the Continuity Camera Webcam toggle is on.

3. Connecting the iPhone Camera to Chrome

Once your devices are set up, your iPhone will automatically be available as a camera source for your Mac.

  • Launch Chrome on Your Mac: Open the Google Chrome browser.

  • Navigate to Your SoundSplore performer URL: Go to https://soundsplore.com/live-performer.

  • Initiate Video: When the page shows the Settings panel for camera and microphone access, a camera selection menu appears.

  • Select Your iPhone: In the dropdown list of available cameras, you will see your iPhone listed by name (e.g., "John's iPhone Camera"). Select your iPhone from this list.

Your Mac will now automatically use the camera from your iPhone.

4. Using Video Effects and Controls

Once your iPhone is connected as a webcam, you can control it directly from your Mac's desktop:

  • Control Center: Click the Control Center icon (the two toggles) in the top-right of your Mac's menu bar.

  • Video Effects: Click on the "Video Effects" button. Here you will find powerful features like:

    • Center Stage: Keeps you in the frame as you move around.

    • Portrait Mode: Blurs your background to keep the focus on you.

    • Studio Light: Dims the background and illuminates your face for a professional look.

    • Desk View: An impressive feature that uses the iPhone's Ultra-Wide lens to show both your face and a top-down view of your desk simultaneously.

By following these steps, you can leverage your iPhone's superior camera quality for a professional-looking livestream on your SoundSplore performance directly through Chrome on either your MacBook Pro or Mac Studio.


If You Cannot Sign In to the Same Apple ID on the iPhone and the MacBookPro


The Solution: Using a Third-Party App

Fortunately, there is a reliable and widely used workaround for your situation. When the iPhone owner and the Mac owner are different, you can use a third-party application to bridge the two devices. These apps function similarly to how you would connect an iPhone to a Windows PC.

You will need to install a specific application on both the iPhone and the MacBook Pro. These apps are designed to send the camera feed from the phone to the computer over Wi-Fi or a USB connection, where it is then recognized as a virtual webcam.

Here are some of the most reputable apps for this purpose, for these instructions we will go with Camo:

  • Camo: Highly regarded for its performance, stability, and extensive features. It offers a free version with good functionality and a pro version for higher resolutions and more granular control.

  • EpocCam: A long-standing and popular option that is easy to set up. It also has a free tier that may include a watermark.

  • Iriun: Often praised for its simplicity and for being a completely free option.

Step-by-Step Guide for Connecting an iPhone and Mac with Different Apple IDs

Here’s how you can set this up so the MacBook Pro owner can use the iPhone's camera for their SoundSplore livestream in Chrome.

1. On the iPhone (Owned by Person A):

  • Download the Camo App: The iPhone owner needs to go to the App Store, search for Camo, and download it. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/camo-camera/id1514199064

  • Grant Permissions: After installation, open the app. It is crucial to grant it permission to access the iPhone's Camera and Microphone when prompted.

2. On the MacBook Pro (Owned by Person B):

  • Download the Desktop Client: The Mac owner should open a web browser and navigate to the official website for the same app https://reincubate.com/support/camo/camo-getting-started/#installing-camo-studio

  • Install the Mac Software: Download the macOS version of the application and install it on the MacBook Pro. This installation includes a plugin that allows the system to see the app as a camera source.

3. Connect the iPhone to the MacBook Pro

You have two options for connecting the devices:

  • Recommended Method (USB Cable): For the most stable and high-quality connection, use a Lightning-to-USB cable or USB-C to USB to connect the iPhone directly to the MacBook Pro. Open the Camo app (or your chosen alternative) on both the Mac and the iPhone, and they should automatically connect.

  • Wireless Method (Wi-Fi): Ensure both the iPhone and the MacBook Pro are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Launch the app on both devices, and they should find each other. Note that wireless connections can sometimes be less stable than a direct USB connection.

4. Select the iPhone as the Camera in Chrome for SoundSplore/TotalVU

Now that the connection is established, the final step is to tell Chrome to use this new video source:

  • Launch Chrome: The Mac owner should open Google Chrome.

  • Go to the Agora Livestreaming App: Navigate to the performer page https://soundsplore/live-performer

  • Choose the Camera Source: In the page’s settings where you select your camera, click the dropdown menu. Instead of "FaceTime HD Camera," you will now see the third-party app listed as an option (e.g., "Camo Camera").

  • Select the App: Choose this new camera source.

The video feed from the iPhone's camera will now appear in the SoundSplore livestreaming window on the MacBook Pro, ready for broadcast. You can use a tripod to position the iPhone to get the perfect shot for your stream.