You’ve noticed you can’t get high-quality shots when using your Windows laptop or PC webcam. In your search for alternatives, however, you’ll have to spend a fortune buying a DLSR. You wonder; how come you’re getting fabulous images from your iPhone yet can’t make it as a webcam for your Windows PC? In this article, you’ll learn how to do just that.
What is ‘Continuity Camera’ and How to Use It?
Apple recently launched new and exciting features on its product lines, which include the operating systems for Macbooks and iPhones. The latest macOS Ventura and iOS 16 added major continuity features. Continuity means you’ll never need to cut a line between your different Apple device sessions.
To start, you’ll be able to use your iPhone as an extension webcam to your Macbooks. With this process, you can get the most stunning shots on your online meetings or video streams, aside from using your Mac’s built-in webcam. The iPhone’s camera and hardware are one of the best in the world; add in the complex software algorithms needed to make those sophisticated and connected shots.
The list features some of the highlights of the Continuity Software:
- Your Macbook will be able to detect nearby iPhones to use as its laptop webcam.
- Be able to switch between your Macbook’s built-in webcam and iPhone camera seamlessly.
- Center Stage – a feature that continually tracks you as you move during webcam sessions. (this feature can be seen in next-generation iPhones already).
- Portrait mode – a feature that focuses on you and blurs your messy background. (this feature can be seen in next-generation iPhones already).
- Studio Light – this feature lights you up and dims your background, just like a studio shot view.
- Desk view is a never-before-seen feature that uses the wide-angle view of the next-generation iPhones. You’ll be able to view both yourself and the things you’re working on your desk simultaneously. The actual developers said this feature uses a lot of processing power.
- Additionally, the Continuity Feature includes Handoff, a unique process in which you can transfer any FaceTime call to and from your Mac, iPhone, or iPad. This process involves getting your Apple devices close to each other to proceed. Upon detecting a nearby Apple device, you’ll be able to transfer the FaceTime call to a bigger screen for a comfy view or keep it secret by moving it to an iPhone to enjoy a personal conversation.
- All these are unique features; however, you’ll only be able to use them in an Apple-based ecosystem. In addition, these features are limited to macOS Ventura and iOS 16 and there are limitations to specific features:
- Center Stage and Desk View are only available on iPhone 11 or later with iOS 16 firmware.
- Studio Light feature is only available for iPhone 12 or later versions with iOS 16 firmware.
Therefore, you’ll mostly have to settle with third-party software if you can’t meet the minimum system requirements or you are using a Windows computer.
How to Get Mac ‘Continuity Camera’ Feature on Windows PC
Actually, Windows developers have been keen on a ‘Continuity Camera’ similar feature for years. Meanwhile, some third-party apps have also reached a “pseudo-continuity” feature on Windows which is able to turn an iPhone into a webcam and has fewer system and hardware limits. In addition, using these apps, you can even mirror, rotate, zoom in & out, and adjust the color and brightness of your iPhone camera from your computer. Below we picked out the top 3 free webcam apps that you can use to achieve the Continuity Camera similar feature on Windows PC.
FineCam
FineCam has a simple yet easy-to-use interface to connect your iPhone as a webcam to your Windows PC or Mac. You’ll be able to choose hundreds of backgrounds, add background blur, or choose different scenes for each iPhone (or even other webcam sources) that you connect. All-in-all, it’s a complete webcam application that can also act as a virtual webcam. An added feature of this app is that you can connect to multiple webcams simultaneously by adding scenes. You can then add different post-processing options to each of the scenes separately. Each scene has a live preview, so you won’t get confused about which to pick. Click here to know more.
EpocCam
EpocCam From the famous company that brought you different series of connected multi-media devices comes to EpocCam from Elgato. EpocCam turns your iPhone into a virtual webcam source. It’s an easy-to-use app. All you need to do is install driver software from their website to your PC. Next, install their EpocCam app on your iPhone. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to set things up. Unfortunately, you’ll need to pay to unlock advanced features such as 1080p mode and remove the watermark. To use multiple iPhones on this software, you’ll have to download another software from them called Stream Deck.
Camo
Camo is an exciting app from Reincubate, UK, that magically transforms your iPhone into a PC webcam on your Mac or PC. It’s easy to use; you only need to adjust specific parameters on the PC app to make it work as you desire. It can use both the Back or Front (Selfie) camera. Unfortunately, you’ll have to buy the Pro version to unlock 1080p mode. Additionally, not all post-processing features are enabled. The biggest drawback of using this app is connecting a USB cable to work. It does not connect through Wi-Fi as of writing this article. Reincuberate’s website says they’re trying to avoid both speed and security issues, so they’ve decided to omit Wi-Fi connection entirely.
Since the Pandemic-19, the webcam becomes essential for remote work and online education. With the high-res camera on your iPhone or iPad, definitely you will get a better and more stunning live video. So why not select one of these webcam apps to start your video presentation or video chats on your computer?
