With the release of macOS Sonoma 14.1, some MacBook users have encountered problems with their webcams. This is attributed to Apple‘s removal of support for legacy camera and video extensions. If you’re facing issues with your webcam due to this update, here’s how to restore its functionality.
Apple’s Solution
Apple hasn’t left affected users in the lurch and offers a solution to this predicament. It’s important to note that macOS Sonoma 14.1 introduces a new security measure – a green indicator in the status bar that appears when the webcam is in use. However, this indicator only appears when the latest system extensions are being used. If your webcam relies on legacy extensions due to its age, you won’t see this green indicator.
For those whose webcams are no longer functioning after updating to macOS Sonoma 14.1, there are two options available if you’re using older devices with legacy extensions:
1. Contact the Manufacturer: Reach out to the manufacturer of your webcam and inquire about the availability of an update or any plans to support the new system extensions. Some manufacturers offer software updates that can resolve this issue.
2. Restore Legacy Support: The second option is to restore legacy support on macOS, allowing your older device to function again. However, there is a minor limitation: the green privacy indicator will not appear when using the webcam.
If you’re unfamiliar with restoring legacy support, here are the steps to do so:
- Completely shut down your Mac.
- Turn on your Mac in Recovery Mode. For Macs with Apple Silicon processors, hold down the power button. For Macs with Intel processors, press Command-R while starting up.
- Click the “Options” button and then select “Continue.”
- From the Utilities menu, choose “Terminal.”
- Enter the following command: system-override legacy-camera-plugins-without-sw-camera-indication=on
- Press Enter and follow any additional prompts if necessary.
- Close Terminal.
- Go to the Apple menu and select “Restart.”
After your Mac restarts, you’ll notice a warning in System Settings. Navigate to “Privacy and Security” and select the “Camera” option. If you’ve followed the steps correctly, the restoration process should be successful, with the only drawback being the absence of the green indicator in the menu bar. However, your older webcam should now work on macOS Sonoma 14.1.
We hope this guide has helped you resolve recent webcam issues on your Mac.