Mac Mini M4 webcam/Continuity Camera problems

[pja2536]

I have recently returned to the "Mac fold"; I purchased a Mac mini M4. I've just got around to fitting a webcam. Using my iPhone 15 Plus as a Continuity Camera seemed the most logical option. I do have an old webcam from my several years ago that worked on my last Mac mini Intel.

For the record, before I connected a webcam, I checked that:

* Both devices are on the same Wifi, with bluetooth enabled
* Both devices are signed into my iCloud account
* Both devices were signed out, then back into my iCloud account
* Both devices had their network settings reset
* Both devices restarted

Neither the old webcam nor the iPad 15 Plus could be recognised as a camera by the Mac. The iPhone was tried wirelessly AND with a USB-C cable. The webcam has a USB-A connector to which I added a USB-A to USB-C connector.

I used both FaceTime and Photo Booth for testing.

I have done hours of searching and had a really long Apple Support session; all with no solution.

Does anybody have any ideas on how this issue might be fixed.

Regards,
Peter

 

[chabig]

On your Mac mini, navigate to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Bluetooth.

• Locate FaceTime (or Photo Booth) in the list and ensure it is toggled “On” to allow Bluetooth access. If already enabled, toggle it off, restart the Mac mini, then toggle it back on and restart again.

• Similarly, in Privacy & Security > Camera, confirm FaceTime and Photo Booth have access.

 

[pja2536]

Thanks for your very quick reply.

I've added FaceTime and Photo Booth into the Bluetooth access list. However; there does not seem to be anyway of adding them to "Camera". I updated to Tahoe 26.2 this morning. There are no "+" or "-" buttons.

 

[chabig]

I don’t have FaceTime set up. I found those instructions. My Mini also has no add button in the Privacy > camera settings. But it says that apps will appear there when they ask for camera permissions. Maybe you need to start a FaceTime call first.

 

[pja2536]

Maybe you need to start a FaceTime call first.

Thanks for the suggestion.

I used Photo Booth app instead of FaceTime (it's a bit late at night here to be using FaceTime) and ran it in split screen with System Settings. There is no request to use a camera.

See the following screenshot

 

[chabig]

I run my Mini headless, and I'm getting the same behavior as you, exactly.

I found online that sometimes headless Macs doesn't register the iPhone as an available camera until another camera is detected first. So I plugged in my iphone with a USB cable. That still didn't work. Then I restarted the Mac. That didn't work.

I have read that a frequent workaround for Mac minis is to temporarily connect any cheap USB webcam (even a $10–20 basic one) to "wake up" the camera system. This isn't an official Apple requirement, but it's been a consistent quirk reported in forums, and apparently it still happens on M-series Mac minis.

 

[pja2536]

I have recently returned to the "Mac fold"; I purchased a Mac mini M4. I've just got around to fitting a webcam. Using my iPhone 15 Plus as a Continuity Camera seemed the most logical option. I do have an old webcam from my several years ago that worked on my last Mac mini Intel.

Well I fixed the problem! (With some help.) Here's the solution for posterity.

- - -

Mac Mini M4 "no camera available" Problem

This problem happens when a webcam or iPhone as a Continuity Camera is attached to the Mac but won't work.

This solution resolved the problem for me.

See "Check Mac Camera Restriction" at a website named 14 Fixes Mac Camera Not Working after macOS 26 Update

Open the Mac's System Settings

Search for "Screen Time"

From the search results click on "Screen Time"

In the Screen Time panel look for "Restrictions" and click on "Content & Privacy"

In the Content & Privacy panel click on "App & Feature Restrictions"

Ensure that the "Allow Camera" option is enabled

Click "Done" at the bottom of the panel.

Your Mac should now support a webcam and/or Continuity Camera

- - -

I hope that helps somebody in the future.

Regards,
Peter