Test your Mac camera
- Click Test my camera and choose Allow.
- The green light next to the camera turns on and you see yourself.
- Check the resolution and frame rate. Recent MacBooks show 1280×720 or 1920×1080; pick 1080p in the quality menu to see the maximum.
Test your Mac microphone
- Click Test my microphone, allow access and talk.
- Record 5 seconds and play it back to hear how you sound.
- macOS can also show the input level: System Settings → Sound → Input.
Camera or mic blocked on macOS
macOS gives each app its own camera and microphone permission. If the test says access was blocked:
- Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera and switch on your browser (macOS Monterey and earlier: System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Privacy).
- Do the same under Microphone.
- Quit the browser completely (Cmd+Q) and open it again.
- In the browser, click the camera icon in the address bar and choose Allow for this site.
- Safari isn't listed in Privacy & Security — it keeps its own list: Safari → Settings → Websites → Camera and Microphone, set this site to Allow.
Choosing the right mic on a Mac
If you use AirPods or a headset, the Mac may switch the input automatically. Pick the input you want in the test's device menu and in System Settings → Sound → Input. Over Bluetooth, the AirPods mic uses a low-bandwidth "hands-free" profile, so on recent MacBooks the built-in mics often sound clearer. You can keep the AirPods for listening — macOS and most call apps handle echo cancellation either way.
Other ways to test on a Mac
- Photo Booth or FaceTime show the camera; QuickTime Player → New Movie Recording shows both camera and mic level.
- Continuity Camera: on macOS Ventura or later you can use your iPhone as the webcam — it appears as a camera in the device menu above when both are signed in to the same Apple ID and close together.
Problems?
Camera "in use", not found or showing a black screen, or a mic that doesn't pick up? See camera not working and microphone not working.