iPhone as a webcam or second display: the options, and who each one suits
What you want is simple — a decent camera for meetings, or one more screen. There are a few ways to get there, at different costs. Sorted by who needs it, not by who is best.
What ships with the system
A Mac, with an iPhone on the same Apple ID.
- Nothing to install — bring it close
- Pick it in any meeting app
- Free
- Mac only; Windows gets nothing
- Covers the camera and microphone only
- No trackpad, keyboard or second display
- Does not work across networks
Camera-only apps
People who only want a camera.
- Purpose-built, lots of settings
- Some support Windows
- Usually a yearly subscription
- Second display, trackpad, notifications, remote are separate purchases
- Chinese input rarely reaches the computer
Remote desktop
People who need to operate an office computer from outside.
- See and drive the whole remote computer
- Files and windows included
- Visible latency
- Resolution follows the other screen
- A poor fit as a camera
RemoteCrabThis one
People who want one phone as the whole peripheral set, on Mac and Windows.
- Camera, mic, second display, trackpad, keyboard, notifications and AI in one app
- Free on your own Wi-Fi; no account, nothing uploaded
- Mac and Windows both
- Mac side needs macOS 26+ on M1 or newer
- A camera add-on and one permission (the only way macOS allows it)
- Remote access is a subscription ($3.99/month)
What each one does
| Built in | Camera apps | RemoteCrab | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webcam | Yes, Mac only | Yes | Yes, Mac and Windows |
| Second display | Needs an iPad | Rarely | iPhone and iPad |
| Trackpad and keyboard | No | No | Yes, with Chinese IME |
| Mac notifications on the phone | No | No | Yes |
| Windows PC | No | Some | Yes |
| Different networks | No | Rarely | Yes (subscription) |
| Price | Free | Usually yearly | Free on your LAN |
FAQ
Does an iPhone need a driver to work as a webcam?
On a Mac, yes — a small camera component, because macOS only lets system-level cameras appear in every app. Install once, then Zoom, Teams, FaceTime and OBS all list it. On Windows there is no driver.
Can I use an iPhone as a webcam on Windows?
Yes. The Windows app supports camera, second display, trackpad and keyboard; the virtual microphone is not on Windows yet.
Can an iPad be the second display?
Yes, and it is the better fit — bigger screen. RemoteCrab registers it as a real display in the system, not a mirror.
Do both devices need the same Apple ID?
No. RemoteCrab pairs over your own network and does not depend on iCloud or a shared account — an office computer and a family computer both work.
One route takes all of it
Download the desktop app and the phone app; same Wi-Fi is all it needs.