How to Set Up Camo to Use Your iPhone as a Webcam on a PC

The short answer

Camo works in two parts. An app runs on your iPhone, and a companion desktop app, Camo Studio, runs on your computer. Once the phone and computer are connected, Camo Studio creates a virtual camera named Camo. You then choose that camera inside Zoom, Teams, OBS, a browser or any other video app. Your iPhone's camera now acts as the webcam.

Three conditions affect how setup goes. The first is your connection type, because a cable and Wi-Fi behave differently. The second is your operating system, because Windows may need extra Apple device software for a USB connection. The third is whether your video app was already open when Camo was installed, since many apps only list cameras at launch.

Setup steps

• 1. Install the Camo app on your iPhone from the App Store.
• 2. Install Camo Studio on your Windows PC or Mac using Reincubate's official installer.
• 3. Open both apps. On the iPhone, allow camera access when prompted. Allow microphone access too if you plan to use the phone for audio.
• 4. Connect the phone. For the most stable result, use a cable plugged into the computer. Camo also offers a wireless option when both devices are on the same network.
• 5. If the iPhone asks whether to trust this computer, tap Trust and enter your passcode.
• 6. Confirm that Camo Studio shows a live preview from the phone. If it does, the phone has been detected and is sending video.
• 7. In your video app, open the video or camera settings and select Camo as the camera. Restart the app if Camo is not listed.

Video and audio are set up separately

Choosing Camo as your camera only changes the video. Your video app chooses its microphone in a separate setting. If you want the iPhone's microphone, it has to be enabled as an audio source in Camo Studio. You then pick the matching Camo audio device in your video app's microphone setting, provided your version of Camo offers this option. Otherwise, you can keep using a headset or your computer's built-in microphone while Camo handles video.

If it doesn't work, check in this order

Camo has to clear three stages: detection, permission and selection. A failure at any one stage can look the same, such as a black screen or a missing camera. Checking the stages in order helps you find which one failed.

Stage | What to check | Typical sign of a problem

Detection | Camo Studio sees the iPhone. The cable is data-capable, the phone is unlocked and trusted, and for wireless, both devices share a network. On Windows, Apple's device support software is installed if Camo Studio asks for it. | Camo Studio shows no device or no preview

Permission | The Camo iPhone app has camera access, and microphone access if needed, in iPhone settings. On the computer, the video app or browser is allowed to use the camera and microphone in the operating system's privacy settings and in the browser's site permissions. | Preview works in Camo Studio but the video app shows black or is blocked

Selection | Camo is chosen as the active camera, and the right Camo audio device or another microphone is chosen as the active mic, in the video app. | Video app uses the built-in webcam or wrong microphone

A few more causes are worth ruling out. Only one app may be using the phone's camera at a time, so close other camera apps on the iPhone. A browser tab that was open before installation may need a full browser restart before it lists the Camo camera.

Mac users have another option

On a Mac, Apple's built-in Continuity Camera can also turn an iPhone into a webcam without third-party software, if your Mac and iPhone support it. Camo remains the relevant choice on Windows PCs. Mac users may also prefer it for its desktop controls.

What this guide doesn't cover

No confirmed details were available for minimum iOS, Windows or macOS versions, supported iPhone models, or which features are free versus paid. Menu names and options can also change between Camo releases. Check the current requirements and feature list in the App Store listing and in Camo Studio itself before relying on a specific feature.