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To turn on your Macbook Pro camera, you must open an application or webpage that uses the camera. Depending on the application, you may have to enable the camera through a setting. When your Mac’s camera is in use, it shows a green LED.
I’m Jon, a MacBook Pro expert, and owner of a 2019 16-inch model. I use my MacBook Pro camera in Zoom, Slack, Google Meet, Teams, Skype, and Facetime, and I made this guide to show you how to use yours.
Keep reading to learn how to turn on your MacBook Pro camera.
How to Turn Your Camera On
The first step to turning on your camera is to open whatever app you want to use your camera for. This could be any of the apps mentioned above, including Facetime, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Skype, etc.
When you open some of these apps, such as Facetime, the camera will come on automatically. For the other apps, like Zoom, Slack, and Skype, you might need to click on the video icon to turn the camera on.
You’ll know that your camera is on because there will be a small green light that comes on right next to the camera lens.
You’ll also see the image the camera is capturing displayed within your app’s window.
If Your Camera Doesn’t Turn On
Sometimes you might open up one of these apps, and your MacBook Pro’s camera will not turn on. You can use a few troubleshooting tips to try and fix the problem.
First, ensure that you only have one app that uses the camera open at a time. If you have two apps open and both are trying to use the camera, chances are only one will have access, and the other won’t work.
Close any programs that might be trying to use your camera except the one you want to use.
You can also try restarting your Mac and opening up an app that uses the camera. This usually fixes the problem if you don’t know why your camera is not turning on.
If the restart doesn’t work, you might need to update your operating system or the photo/video app you are trying to use.
Also Read: How to Turn off Camera On MacBook Pro
Reasons for Using Your MacBook Pro Camera
You can use the camera on your MacBook Pro for various reasons.
It is typically not used the same way as a common camera on your phone or other devices. It would look pretty hilarious if you held up your computer for a family photo, wouldn’t it?!
I suppose it would work for this, but most people use the built-in camera on their computer for other reasons than taking photos.
Also Read: Best Webcam for MacBook Pro
1. Video Calls & Chats
One of the most common uses for the built-in camera on your MacBook Pro is for video calls and chats.
Well-known apps such as Facetime and Skype utilize the camera to record your image in real-time and show it to whoever you call.
Since the camera on your laptop is located above your screen, it is easy to adjust the angle to center it on your face or body to make these calls happen. These cameras work well for these calls and chats.
2. Work Meetings
The COVID-19 pandemic piled kindle on the fire of remote work. Now, thousands of employees worldwide are remotely meeting with their managers, coworkers, and customers through video meeting software.
The top video call programs I use with my job and clients are Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Slack.
3. Photo Booth
Although it’s not very common to use your laptop like a regular camera, that doesn’t mean you can’t.
The Photo Booth app on your MacBook Pro allows you to take fun and creative photos. The app operates like an old-school photo booth where you hit a button, hear a countdown, and then takes a photo or two.
Photo Booth can be entertaining, and I’ve had a bunch of laughs using the program.
4. Live Streams
Another thing you can use your built-in camera for is live streaming.
You won’t have the best high-quality using your computer’s camera. Still, you can easily live stream any talking or informative content if you have a YouTube channel or are currently a video blogger or interested in learning how to do so.
Using the camera on your MacBook is an easy way to learn the basics of how to live-stream and video blog – lots of people use it for this reason.
Final Thoughts
Using the camera on your MacBook Pro is easy and can also be a lot of fun. It’s as simple as opening up a video application or website and enabling your camera.
It’s rare that this doesn’t turn your camera on but if so, just follow the troubleshooting steps, and you should be good to go with a quick restart or update.
If you’ve never used your computer’s camera before, give it a shot, and you’ll see how nice it is!
What do you use your MacBook Pro camera for most often?
About Jonathon Jachura
Jerry JF Forrester
How to take a photo with Apple Macpro laptop
Taylor Foy
My Apple MacPro laptop, the camera is not connecting what’s so ever. I have tried all of the tricks your website is talking about and nothing.
Norma Britt
I cannot turn camera on . the led light does not come on. i have it in “photos”
Greg
I would like instructions on how to turn the camera on. Is there a way to do that without using a specific app? How about opening an app and then have an option to turn it on manually to see if it works?