Here is How to Turn OFF or Disable Camera on Mac, in case you do not use the FaceTime Camera on your MacBook or want to disable the Camera on Mac for security reasons.
MacOS: Using OBS as a Virtual Webcam Update June 2020: There's now a MacOS version of OBS VirtualCam. This can be downloaded here.The process to use the software is basically the same as the Windows method listed above. Check for applications using the camera. Typically, only a single Mac app can utilize the camera at a time. Typically, only a single Mac app can utilize the camera at a time. Ensure the application you're trying to use isn't being denied access to the camera because something else is utilizing it at the present moment. Mactaris is an independent Mac OS software developer for more then 20 years and has four apps on the Mac App Store. Webcam Settings - Quickly customize your webcam's settings while using FaceTime, Photo Booth or Skype on your Mac. Sight Control - A simple and user-friendly OS X application that will give you total control of your Mac's built-in. If you're tunning OSX 10.7+ and own a more recent Logitech HD camera like the 930e, 922 or ConferenceCam, you should download a newer Logitech Camera Settings app at Logi's support site for image control and camera pan, zoom and tilt and image adjustment functions in any video-aware Mac app. It now works with a much wider range of Logitech.
Disable Camera on Mac
The built-in Camera on MacBook cannot be physically disconnected because it uses the same bus that connects the MacBook's screen with the motherboard.
Plugging OFF or physically disconnecting the Camera from MacBook will turn off both camera and the screen of the MacBook.
Hence, the only way to physically disable camera on Mac would be to cover the camera with a sticker, duct tape or by using camera covers as available on Amazon.
If you are looking for a software based solution, you can use any of the methods as provided below to disable the iSight or the built-in Camera on your Mac.
1. Prevent Apps from Using Camera on Mac
If you have a reason to believe that the Camera on your MacBook is being secretly used, you can prevent Apps from using the Camera on your Mac.
1. Click on the Apple logo in top menu bar and click on System Preferences in the drop-down menu.
2. On the System Preferences screen, click on the Security & Privacy tab.
3. On security & Privacy screen, click on Camera in the left pane. In the right-pane, uncheck the Apps having access to the Camera on your Mac.
After this, your Mac will automatically prevent the unchecked Apps from accessing the built-in iSight Camera.
2. Prevent Websites from Accessing Camera on Mac
Depending on your Safari settings, the websites that you visit may gain access to the Camera on your MacBook.
Macbook Air Webcam Settings
Hence, follow the steps below to disable Camera Access to all websites.
Macos Webcam Settings
1. Open the Safari browser on your Mac.
2. Next, click on the Safari tab in top menu bar and select Preferences… in the drop-down menu.
3. On the next screen, click on the Websites tab > click on Camera in the left pane and select either Ask or Deny option for Websites listed under 'Allow websites to access the Camera'.
Also, select Deny or Ask option for 'While visiting other websites' option.
Choosing Deny option will prevent websites from accessing the Camera on your Mac, while selecting the 'Ask' option will make the websites to prompt you to either Allow or Deny access to Camera.
3. Disable Camera on Mac Using Parental Controls
The parental Controls feature on Mac provides an easy way to Turn OFF the camera on your Mac.
This feature allows you to Turn OFF the Camera for any of the User Accounts on your Mac, while allowing the Camera to work normally on other User Accounts.
1. Open System Preferences on your Mac > click on Parental Controls.
Camera Settings On Mac
2. On the next screen, click on Enable Parental Controls button.
Note: You may have to click on the Lock Icon and enter your Admin Password to gain access to this setting.
3. On Parental Controls screen, select the User Account in the left pane. In the right pane, click on the Apps tab and uncheck Allow Use of Camera option.
This will prevent all the Apps on your Mac from using the built-in Camera on Mac and also the plugin Webcam (if any).
Why Some Users Disable Camera on Mac
The built-in Camera on MacBook is commonly referred to as the FaceTime Camera, while officially it is known as iSight Camera.
The Camera on MacBook can be used to make FaceTime calls to family/friends and also to conduct online business meetings using Skype.
However, some users want to disable the Camera on Mac to prevent the possibility of malware abusing the video capability of the MacBook to secretly record video sessions.
OSX/FruitFly, OSX/Crisis, OSX/Mokes are some of the known Mac Malware programs that are known to spy on unsuspecting Mac users.
Note: If you are concerned about your privacy, using third-party apps to block the webcam on your Mac is not a good idea.
Mac Osx Camera Settings
Boot Camp Control Panel User Guide
If your Intel-based Mac or Apple display has a built-in camera, you can use it for video chatting and with other apps that use video when you're using Windows.
If the camera isn't working, make sure you have the latest Windows support software installed. See the Apple Support article Download and install Windows support software on your Mac.
Note: Windows doesn't support external iSight cameras.
This feature allows you to Turn OFF the Camera for any of the User Accounts on your Mac, while allowing the Camera to work normally on other User Accounts.
1. Open System Preferences on your Mac > click on Parental Controls.
Camera Settings On Mac
2. On the next screen, click on Enable Parental Controls button.
Note: You may have to click on the Lock Icon and enter your Admin Password to gain access to this setting.
3. On Parental Controls screen, select the User Account in the left pane. In the right pane, click on the Apps tab and uncheck Allow Use of Camera option.
This will prevent all the Apps on your Mac from using the built-in Camera on Mac and also the plugin Webcam (if any).
Why Some Users Disable Camera on Mac
The built-in Camera on MacBook is commonly referred to as the FaceTime Camera, while officially it is known as iSight Camera.
The Camera on MacBook can be used to make FaceTime calls to family/friends and also to conduct online business meetings using Skype.
However, some users want to disable the Camera on Mac to prevent the possibility of malware abusing the video capability of the MacBook to secretly record video sessions.
OSX/FruitFly, OSX/Crisis, OSX/Mokes are some of the known Mac Malware programs that are known to spy on unsuspecting Mac users.
Note: If you are concerned about your privacy, using third-party apps to block the webcam on your Mac is not a good idea.
Mac Osx Camera Settings
Boot Camp Control Panel User Guide
If your Intel-based Mac or Apple display has a built-in camera, you can use it for video chatting and with other apps that use video when you're using Windows.
If the camera isn't working, make sure you have the latest Windows support software installed. See the Apple Support article Download and install Windows support software on your Mac.
Note: Windows doesn't support external iSight cameras.
