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iPhone as a webcam for Mac - Looking for Beta testers

KeepOnKeepinOn

KeepOnKeepinOn

macrumors newbie
Jan 20, 2020
18
8
I've just been researching a way to use my iPhone as a webcam and have come across this thread so keen to give this a go. I have an M1 Mac Mini and am using Google Classrooms to study online & we have to use Google Meet, is there any reason why this wouldn't work with Google Meet via Firefox?

On another note, does anyone have a recommendation for a device to attach your iPhone as a webcam on top of a monitor? TIA

edit: well, I've got it working and it appears to work with Google Meet, just waiting on my partner to join but... the Mac Mini doesn't have a mic so... no sound! Is there anyway this app could enable the use of the mic on the iPhone as well?

edit2: actually, you would probably be using this with a headset which would include the mic, I think I have one somewhere which hopefully I can dig out. That said though, would enabling an audio input from the mic on the iPhone be a possibility?
 
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A

antomeie

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 30, 2020
45
9
Sweden
KeepOnKeepinOn said:
I've just been researching a way to use my iPhone as a webcam and have come across this thread so keen to give this a go. I have an M1 Mac Mini and am using Google Classrooms to study online & we have to use Google Meet, is there any reason why this wouldn't work with Google Meet via Firefox?

On another note, does anyone have a recommendation for a device to attach your iPhone as a webcam on top of a monitor? TIA

edit: well, I've got it working and it appears to work with Google Meet, just waiting on my partner to join but... the Mac Mini doesn't have a mic so... no sound! Is there anyway this app could enable the use of the mic on the iPhone as well?

edit2: actually, you would probably be using this with a headset which would include the mic, I think I have one somewhere which hopefully I can dig out. That said though, would enabling an audio input from the mic on the iPhone be a possibility?
Click to expand...
Hello. The app works on M1 Mac with google meet on Firefox, but you figured that out already :)

Regarding microphone, at the moment my app does not support Microphone input via the app. However, this is something that a lot of people have requested, so I will be looking into it. Hopefully I'll be able to add support for it in the coming months. But, I understand how that is not any help to you at this time.
 
KeepOnKeepinOn

KeepOnKeepinOn

macrumors newbie
Jan 20, 2020
18
8
Thanks for your reply.

Yes, that would be useful in so far as, like the camera, the mic on an iPhone is quite superior to a lot of other mics. Anyway, ? I can find my headset somewhere in the loft today and I should be set to go this evening thanks to your app, so thanks again.

As a matter of interest and this is directed at anyone who can answer, how much would you have to spend on a separate webcam to get a picture with the quality of using an iPhone as one?
 
A

antomeie

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 30, 2020
45
9
Sweden
Hello guys! I'm back again with some updates to this project.

I have added settings for 4K resolution (2160p), Focus, Exposure, and LED control. I am starting a new beta round for these features.

Keep in mind that 4K is not recommended for Video calls. If you run 4K during a video call, it is likely that the video will be downscaled resulting in a worse quality, higher latency, and unnecessary performance stain. So, make sure that 4K actually makes sense for the software that you intend to use (such as OBS).

For Focus and Exposure I have added 3 options:

- Auto
- Auto at Point
- Once at Point

The coordinates for the points can be set via the Mac's preview window for now.

Signup via: - LINK REMOVED -

Screenshot 2022-01-07 at 20.52.29.png
 
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antomeie

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 30, 2020
45
9
Sweden
BrianBaughn said:
What's supposed to happen after filling out the Google form and submitting?
Click to expand...
You will eventually get an email from Apple with instructions on how to install the iOS app via TestFlight. In the email there will also be a link to download the Mac app.
 
A

antomeie

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 30, 2020
45
9
Sweden
tosbsas said:
I cannot download the MacApp - google is complaining - wierd
Click to expand...
Ok, usually Google says something about "We can not scan for viruses" and then there is a button below saying "download anyways". But perhaps it is related to the fact that I put it in a ZIP archive. I have messaged you a new link directly to the installer. See if that works better. Otherwise I'll upload the file to some other service instead.

Thank you for your patience!
 
BrianBaughn

BrianBaughn

macrumors G3
Feb 13, 2011
9,852
2,506
Baltimore, Maryland
So I've confirmed that I can join a FaceTime call on my Mac (This one's a Hackintosh running Monterey) using Webcam Plus via the Google Chrome browser.

Permissions have to be given to allow Chrome to access a camera and microphone both in Security & Privacy and in Chromes preferences.

You can also use the iPhone's microphone in this scenario. It has to be plugged in, of course, and enabled in Audio Midi Setup on the Mac. To get the iPhone's mic active you have to run another app on the iPhone. In my case, I used the "Microphone Live" app by Von Bruno.

This mic trick also works for Zoom calls. I haven't tested anything else.

I'm wondering if the live mic thing could be added to Webcam Plus to eliminate the need for a second app running.
 
A

antomeie

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 30, 2020
45
9
Sweden
BrianBaughn said:
So I've confirmed that I can join a FaceTime call on my Mac (This one's a Hackintosh running Monterey) using Webcam Plus via the Google Chrome browser.

Permissions have to be given to allow Chrome to access a camera and microphone both in Security & Privacy and in Chromes preferences.

You can also use the iPhone's microphone in this scenario. It has to be plugged in, of course, and enabled in Audio Midi Setup on the Mac. To get the iPhone's mic active you have to run another app on the iPhone. In my case, I used the "Microphone Live" app by Von Bruno.

This mic trick also works for Zoom calls. I haven't tested anything else.

I'm wondering if the live mic thing could be added to Webcam Plus to eliminate the need for a second app running.
Click to expand...
That is great to hear! Thank you for verifying, gives me more confidence to hear that it is running on your setup.

The mic trick you mentioned is clever. Regarding adding mic input via the Webcam Plus app itself, this is something that I have looked into a recently and it should be doable. I have it on my todo list, but it is a relatively large task, so I'll probably want to get to some other features first. But at some point I want to implement it!
 
A

antomeie

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 30, 2020
45
9
Sweden
de Spin said:
like to be beta tester - MacBook Pro M1 Max on its way

thanks, Korneel
Click to expand...
Glad you are interested! I saw your email, I'll answer it tomorrow. In the meantime, you may remove the email address from your forum post. Unnecessary to let it stay spelled out :)
 
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