


Introduced in OS X El Capitan, System Integrity Protection, or SIP, is also called rootless mode. First, Disable System Integrity Protection If, however, you aren’t comfortable modifying system files using the command line with super user privileges, you should keep going the tape-over-the-lens route. I’ll also show you how to enable the camera again when you need it. When you follow these steps, you’ll prevent the camera from being used by any of the applications on your Mac. Just to make sure you understand, this is an advanced tip that will fully disable the software components behind your Mac’s front-facing camera. From Safari’s preferences, you can control which websites have access to your camera For Earlier Versions of macOS, a Word of Warning Once again, you’ll find similar controls here for your microphone. In the bottom right of the preferences pane, locate the dropdown labeled “When visiting other websites.” You can choose from Ask, Deny, or Allow. You can change the settings, disable the camera for the sites you wish, and configure how Safari will react when other sites try accessing your FaceTime or other camera. If you’ve already granted access to the camera to any websites, they’ll appear in this menu. From Safari, click Safari in the menu bar, then Preferences. Next, you’ll want to pay a visit to similar settings in Safari. From System Preferences > Security & Privacy, you can control which apps have access to your camera Note that you can configure your microphone’s privacy settings the same way. Simply check or uncheck which apps you want to access or be blocked from using the camera. Launch System Preferences, click on Security & Privacy, then Privacy. First, you can control which third-party apps have access to your camera.

There are two steps to this method of disabling webcam. Security professionals, system administrators, and similar folks can benefit from this procedure. It’s definitely for anybody who wants the privacy of having their cameras turned off. This process isn’t for the average Mac user, but perhaps it should be. If your Mac is still running a version of macOS or OS X earlier than 10.15.1, the solution involves the Terminal, some caution, and perhaps nerves of steel.

The first method, which works on macOS Catalina, is simple and straightforward. There are actually a couple of ways to disable your Mac’s front-facing camera altogether, and they won’t leave sticky residue on the component. (Hint: Apple says don’t do that.) Perhaps you use an app like Oversight, instead, so you can detect camera activity. If you worry about your privacy, you might be the type to disable webcam by putting tape over your iSight or FaceTime camera.
