If your built-in camera isn’t working on your Mac
- June 7, 2024
- Apple
Table of Contents
If your built-in camera isn’t working on your Mac
Learn what to do if the built-in camera won’t activate or appear in an app on your Mac
Check the camera indicator light
If the camera indicator light next to the camera flashes green on your Mac notebook, contact Apple.
Update your software
Make sure your software is up to date.
Check Screen Time settings
If your Mac is using macOS Catalina and you use Screen Time, make sure your camera is turned on and apps that use the camera have time available.
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Screen Time.
- Click Content & Privacy in the sidebar, then click Apps.
- Make sure the checkbox for Camera is selected.
- Click App Limits in the sidebar. If you need to use your camera with an app in the list, make sure the checkbox for Limits is not selected.
Give apps permission
If your Mac is using macOS Mojave or later, choose which apps can use your built-in camera:
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Security & Privacy.
- Click the Privacy tab, then click Camera in the sidebar.
- Select the checkbox next to the apps that you want to use your camera in. You might be prompted to quit and reopen an app before it can use your camera.
Try another app
Try to use your camera in another app. For example, if you can’t use your camera in FaceTime, open Photo Booth.
Reset the SMC
If you still can’t use the built-in camera and you have an Intel-based Mac, resetting the SMC might help. Learn how to reset the SMC on your Mac.
Learn more
If you can’t connect to FaceTime, learn what to do if FaceTime isn’t working on your Mac.
Published Date: February 13, 2021