Your Mac has a webcam ready to use without setup

Your Mac's built-in camera — called the FaceTime camera on most models — works when ready in any app that needs video. You do not need to install drivers or buy software. Open an app like FaceTime, Zoom, Google Meet, or Photo Booth, and the camera turns on when you select it. The app controls what the camera does: whether it records, streams, or takes a still image.

The camera sits in a small notch or bezel at the top of your screen. A green light next to the camera turns on whenever any app is using it, so you always know when you are being recorded or seen. If you do not see the green light, the camera is off.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Mac's camera works in any app that supports video without any setup — just open the app and select the camera as your video source.
  • A green light appears next to the camera lens whenever it is active, so you can see at a glance when the camera is in use.
  • You can adjust camera settings like brightness and exposure in most video apps through their preferences or settings menu.
  • If an app cannot find your camera, check System Settings to see whether that app has permission to use it.

How to start a video call using FaceTime

FaceTime is Apple's built-in video calling app and the simplest way to test your camera. Open FaceTime from your Applications folder or by pressing Command+Space, typing "FaceTime", and pressing Enter. Sign in with your Apple ID if you are not already signed in.

Click the compose button (the pencil and square icon in the top left), type the name or phone number of the person you want to call, and press Enter. Your camera turns on automatically, and you see yourself in a preview window. When the other person answers, you see their video and they see yours. The green light next to your camera confirms it is active.

Using your camera in Zoom, Google Meet, and other video apps

Most video conferencing apps work the same way. Open the app, sign in, and start or join a meeting. Before you enter, you usually see a preview screen that shows your camera feed. Look for a camera icon or a settings button — this is where you choose which camera to use if your Mac has more than one.

Once you join the call, your camera stays on until you click the camera icon again to turn it off. The app's menu bar or control panel shows you whether your camera is active. If the camera does not appear in the preview, the app may not have permission to use it — see the permissions section below.

Taking photos and videos with Photo Booth

Photo Booth is a straightforward app built into every Mac for taking pictures and short videos with your camera. Open it from Applications > Utilities or by searching for "Photo Booth". You see a live preview of what your camera sees.

At the bottom of the window, choose between photo mode (the camera icon), video mode (the film icon), or photo booth mode (the four-square icon). Click the red button to take a photo or start recording a video. Your photos and videos save to the Photo Booth library, which you can open in Photos or export to another folder.

Checking and changing camera permissions

If an app says it cannot find your camera or the camera is not working, the app may not have permission to use it. Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu and selecting System Settings. Click Privacy & Security in the sidebar, then select Camera.

You see a list of apps that have asked for camera access. If the app you want to use is not listed, it has never asked for permission — open that app again and it should prompt you to allow camera access. If the app is listed but the toggle is off, click the toggle to turn it on. After you change the setting, close and reopen the app.

Adjusting brightness, exposure, and other camera settings

Most Mac apps do not have separate camera settings — they control brightness and exposure through the app itself. In FaceTime, open the app menu and look for Preferences or Settings. Some apps let you adjust lighting, blur the background, or explore filters directly in the call.

If you want to adjust your camera at the system level, you have fewer options on Mac than on Windows. The camera app itself (if your Mac has one) may offer basic adjustments. For most users, adjusting the lighting in your room — moving closer to a window or adding a desk lamp — makes a bigger difference than any software setting.

Troubleshooting when your camera does not work

If your camera is not working, start by checking the green light. If the light is off, no app is using the camera. Open FaceTime or Photo Booth to test whether the camera works at all. If you see a live preview, your camera is working and the problem is with the app you were trying to use.

If you do not see a preview in any app, restart your Mac. Shut down completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. After restart, try FaceTime or Photo Booth again. If the camera still does not work, check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera to see whether the app has permission. If you see a message that says the camera is in use by another app, close all other apps and try again.

On older Macs, the camera may be disabled in the BIOS or firmware. Restart your Mac and hold Command+R during startup to enter Recovery Mode. Open Utilities > Firmware Password Utility and check whether camera access is restricted. If you do not know the firmware password, you will need to contact Apple Support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an external USB camera instead of the built-in one?

Yes. Plug a USB camera into your Mac and most apps will detect it automatically. In FaceTime, Zoom, or other video apps, look for a camera selection menu — usually a dropdown or settings icon — and choose the external camera from the list. Your Mac will use whichever camera you select.

Why is my camera showing a mirror image of me?

Video apps flip the image so it looks like you are looking in a mirror — this is normal and expected. The person on the other end sees you the right way around. If you want to record a video that is not flipped, use Photo Booth's video mode instead of a video call app.

Is the green light always accurate?

Yes. The green light is controlled by the Mac's hardware and cannot be overridden by software. If you see the green light, an app is actively using your camera. If the light is off, no app is accessing the camera.

Can I cover my camera for privacy?

Yes, and many people do. A small piece of tape, a sliding cover, or a webcam shutter will block the lens. This does not affect the green light — the light will still turn on when an app tries to use the camera, but the app will see a black screen instead of video.

What if my Mac is too old to have a built-in camera?

Older Mac models do not have built-in cameras. You can buy an external USB webcam — any standard USB camera will work with your Mac. Plug it in, open FaceTime or another video app, and select it from the camera menu.