One of the most popular features when owning a Mac and iPhone is Apple's Continuity Camera, which works whether or not it is held by a MagSafe dock attached to the computer. 

However, when using the actual MagSafe charger for the iPhone, it would not restore power to the battery despite being plugged in, and this led to discovering Apple documentation that confirms this. 

Continuity Camera is a renowned alternative to a webcam and a powerful tool for those who want to fully utilize the iPhone's HD recording and streaming capabilities.

iPhone Doesn't Charge When Using MagSafe on Continuity Camera

A report from Adam Engst via TidBITS shared a recent discovery on the iPhone's Continuity Camera feature where it will not charge despite being hooked to a plugged-in MagSafe charger when using the feature. Continuity Camera mounts offer one's Apple MagSafe charger to attach to the holder in hopes of charging the device while streaming video. 

However, Engst discovered that despite having a fully-charged device when the meeting started, it dropped to 75 percent after a 90-minute call. Engst hoped that having the MagSafe plugged in would keep the charge level and not damage the iPhone's battery in the process. 

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How to Charge the iPhone While Using a Continuity Camera?

In a support document from Apple, the company said it is possible to charge iPhones while using Continuity Camera, but by plugging it into the Mac's USB-C charging ports, a.k.a. a wired connection. 

Engst further detailed that using Continuity Camera results in the iPhone getting warm, and using MagSafe's wireless charging also leads to heating the device.  Both may lead to a hotter-than-expected encounter, with Apple theorized to prevent MagSafe charging while using it to avoid the iPhone's battery strain.

Apple's Continuity Camera Feature

Since the 2022 release of macOS Ventura, it has introduced the renowned Continuity Camera feature for the Apple ecosystem of devices, powering the Mac with the capabilities to use the iPhone's camera as a webcam. This centers on the rear camera of the Apple smartphone, and holding it near the Mac, both with compatible OS versions, would prompt the use of the iPhone as a recording device. 

However, last year's software releases made the Continuity Camera available elsewhere, not only on Mac devices, further expanding the feature and iPhone's importance when owning other gadgets from Cupertino. Apple brought the Continuity Camera feature to the Apple TV boxes, particularly under tvOS 17's release, allowing FaceTime HD calls  on  big screens.

Continuity Camera's feature has been a powerful tool in improving more of the video conferencing or calling capabilities of the Mac and the Apple TV for a better and clearer picture. However, for those who want to charge via MagSafe and use their iPhones as Continuity Camera, it is not possible, but the alternative is charging it via the port directly to the Mac, as recommended by Apple. 

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