If you can’t use your camera or video output device after updating to macOS Sonoma 14.1

Starting in macOS Sonoma 14.1, cameras and video output devices that don’t use modern system extensions won’t be available for use unless you restore the legacy settings.

Starting in macOS Sonoma 14.1, only cameras and video output devices that use modern system extensions will be supported on macOS. This modern software provides a more secure and privacy-conscious experience, including support for the camera privacy indicator — a green dot icon that will be displayed in the menu bar when your camera is in use.

If your camera or video output device still uses older software, it won’t appear as an option to be selected and used in apps after you’ve updated to macOS Sonoma 14.1.

Apple has been working with video device makers to update their support software to the modern camera extension replacement, which became available in macOS Monterey 12.3. However, some video device makers haven’t yet updated their devices — so their cameras or video output devices still rely on software that is no longer supported.

If you can’t select and use your camera or video output device because it is still using older software, contact the device maker to find out whether an updated version of their software using camera extensions is available or being planned.

You can also choose to restore the legacy video device support on your Mac to continue using your camera or video output device.

Restore legacy video device support

When you restore these legacy settings, the camera privacy indicator won’t be displayed in the menu bar when a camera with older software is in use.

  1. Restart your Mac into Recovery Mode:

  2. Click the Options button, then click Continue.

  3. From the Utilities menu, choose Terminal.

  4. Enter this command:system-override legacy-camera-plugins-without-sw-camera-indication=on

  5. Press Return. Depending on your system configuration, you may be prompted to complete additional steps.

  6. Quit Terminal.

  7. From the Apple menu, choose Restart.

Find out more about executing commands in Terminal

To change back to the default settings, follow the steps again and enter this command:system-override legacy-camera-plugins-without-sw-camera-indication=off

Check the Privacy & Security settings for Camera

If legacy video device support has been restored on your Mac, a warning will appear in System Settings:

  1. Choose Apple menu  > System Settings.

  2. Scroll down, then click Privacy & Security.

  3. Click Camera. If legacy video support has been restored, you’ll see a warning that the camera privacy indicator won’t appear in the menu bar when a camera or video output device with an unsupported plug-in is in use.

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