Apple’s latest version of macOS (Mojave) comes with many new features, including the Continuity Camera. The feature allows users to share documents and images between their iOS device and Mac. Though it has proven to be a useful feature, like any other software, it is not perfect. Users have often reported that the feature stops working midway or does not work at all. If you have also faced a similar issue, or if you use the feature often, then you should know that there are a few tricks that could help you to fix the issue of Mac’s Continuity Camera not working.
Continuity Camera: what is it?
Apple’s Continuity Camera on macOS and iOS allows users to open their iOS device’s camera using their Mac. Not only this, it also immediately transfers the photo taken from your iOS device to the document you are working with on the Mac. Basically, it does away with the need of taking a picture from the iOS device and then transferring it manually to the computer, i.e., no waiting for Airdrop, email, or sync via iCloud.
You can use this feature straight from the Finder or any apps, such as KeyNote. Using the feature is also easy, but there are a few basic requirements, such as your MacBook must have macOS Mojave and the iOS device must be on iOS 12 or higher. Also, both of the devices must have the same Apple ID and have 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) enabled. Additionally, the feature also requires Bluetooth to be working on both Apple devices.
Although using the feature is simple, there could be times (as said above) when the Continuity Camera feature malfunctions. Since the release of the feature, there have been a few complaints of the feature not working. You can, however, fix the issue easily using a few tricks.
How to fix Mac’s Continuity Camera not working issue
Knowing how the feature works and the tech it uses for working can give some idea of the tricks that could help fix Mac’s Continuity Camera not working. The following are the potential reasons why the Continuity Camera stops working and fixing them could help resolve the issue:
Check Apple ID on connected devices – the feature will work only if both of the devices are using the same Apple ID. So, you must ensure that both Apple devices are on the same Apple ID. To check this, follow the below steps:
Step 1: Open the App Store app on your Mac.
Step 2: Click on Store (on top menu) and then select “View My Account.”
Step 3: Your Apple ID will be mentioned here.
Step 4: Now check the Apple ID on the iPhone by going to Settings > Account name.
Step 4: Ensure that both the Apple IDs are the same.
Check Wi-Fi connection – for the smooth functioning of the Continuity Camera, make sure that both the devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Also, ensure that Wi-Fi is enabled on both devices. On the iOS device, you can check for Wi-Fi by swiping down from the top right-hand of the screen. To check Wi-Fi on Mac, open System Preferences from the Apple menu bar icon and then select the Network button.
Check Handoff feature – it has often been seen that turning the Handoff feature off and then on fixes the issue with Continuity Camera. To do so, follow the below steps:
Step 1: On the Mac, go to System Preferences > General.
Step 2: Now enable Handoff between Mac and Connected iCloud devices.
Step 3: Now turn the Handoff off and on again and check if the Continuity Camera is working or not.
A point to note is that Handoff is not a mandatory requirement for the Continuity Camera feature to work.
Check Bluetooth Setting – Continuity Camera requires Bluetooth for its functioning, so ensure that Bluetooth is enabled on both devices. To check Bluetooth on your iOS device, swipe down from the top right-hand of the screen and ensure the Bluetooth icon is in blue. On the Mac, go to System Preferences to check if Bluetooth is enabled or not. Also, try to fix the issue by resetting Bluetooth on both devices and turning Bluetooth Off/On a few times.
Check for update – it is important that both your Apple devices run on the latest version of their respective OS. As said above, your Mac needs to be on the latest macOS Mojave version, while the iOS device needs at least iOS 12.
If after trying the above tricks, you are still unable to fix Mac’s Continuity Camera not working issue, then your only option is to contact Apple Support for assistance.
