What to do when your Mac camera light is always on

I'm not using any apps, so why is my camera light on? Sounds familiar? Then, you've landed in the right place. 

We live in a world where apps and websites regularly monitor our online activities, so having control over your camera and microphone permissions feels reassuring. But seeing your Mac's green camera light constantly glowing or appearing unexpectedly can be a little worrying. Don't stress: there's an easy way to check what's happening. In this article, we'll show you how to check your camera settings and get your Mac camera light back to normal. 

Why is my Mac camera light on?

Usually, once you've finished using an app or feature that has access to your camera, the green light indicator and the camera should turn off. 

If you've discovered that your Mac camera light is on continuously or stays on after you've closed an app, it's time to jump into action. But first, here are some reasons why your Mac camera light is on: 

• Malware that has hacked your camera
• An app that's using it in the background
• Software glitches

We'll show you how to address all of these.

How to turn off green camera light on MacBook

1. Control which apps have camera access

Apple is constantly improving security. For example, apps require your permission and approval to use your camera and microphone. When you first install an app, you will need to give permission the first time you open it. 

Here's how to check which apps have camera access on your Mac:

1. Select the main Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security.

2. Under Privacy, locate Camera in the list.

3. You'll see a list of applications that currently have access to your Mac's camera. To revoke permission, simply turn off the toggle next to the app you want to restrict.

Another helpful way to manage your Mac’s permissions and access rights is using CleanMyMac. It's a user-friendly maintenance tool designed to optimize your Mac’s performance, free up storage, and manage your apps. CleanMyMac also helps you review and manage your app permissions, including access to your camera and microphone, so you can be sure no app accesses your camera without your knowledge.

1. Get started with a free CleanMyMac trial.
2. Open CleanMyMac, select Protection from the sidebar, and click Scan.  
3. Click Manage Privacy Items, then choose Application Permissions. Find Camera in the list to see which apps currently have access. To revoke permission, simply select the app and click Revoke.  

We really like this method because, unlike the System Settings way, you get an accurate overview of all your file, system, and folder permissions in one place.

Tip: Is something secretly using your Mac camera?

While seeing your Mac camera light stay on can sometimes hint at a serious issue (like malware), it's always best to first check for simpler causes. Have you recently used FaceTime or Photo Booth? Both of these apps use your camera and might still be running quietly in the background. To quickly check what's active, press Option-Command-Esc. You'll see a list of open apps—just select any that could be using your camera, and then click Force Quit to close them completely.

2. Check your Mac for malware

It's the m-word no Mac user wants to hear. Contrary to a popular belief that MacBooks are immune to threats, malware is still a considerable risk to Mac users. Malware is constantly evolving, and some of the latest threats can turn on Mac cameras and record both video and sound, a pretty scary thought.

If you simply rely on your Mac's built-in XProtect software to keep your Mac safe, you might be alarmed to discover that it's just not powerful enough to keep you shielded against the ever-increasing threats out there. Plus, Apple isn't a dedicated antivirus or security company, so using a third-party expert is highly recommended. 

We use CleanMyMac to protect our Macs. With its real-time malware monitoring and thorough system scans, it helps ensure your Mac stays protected and nothing sneaks into your computer unnoticed. Run a malware scan with CleanMyMac:

1. Open CleanMyMac. 
2. From the sidebar, choose Protection and click Scan.  
3. CleanMyMac will scan every file on your Mac to detect potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), adware, spyware, and all other types of malware. If it identifies anything suspicious, simply click Remove — CleanMyMac will eliminate the threat, leaving your Mac clean and secure.   

It's peace of mind and protection in just a few clicks.

If malware wasn't your issue, then it's likely that an app is using your camera in the background. Jump to the next section for ways to check.

Tip: For more tips on how to tell if your laptop camera is hacked, check out this article. It lists not only signs of Mac camera hacked but also fixes that go beyond malware removal. 

3. Turn off your Mac's camera

It's not unusual for people to ask how to turn on a Mac camera, but there isn't actually an on or off button. Instead, you would need to manage app permissions using the methods above to disable access to the camera.

Here is another alternative for you to check out — go to browser settings and double-check if any websites can access your camera. Follow these steps for your browser:

• Safari: Settings > Websites > Camera
• Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Camera
• Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Scroll down to Permissions > Camera Settings

Many people think, "Easy, I'll just cover the camera with a sticker," but this can actually cause damage to the screen and display when the lid is closed, so although it's tempting, it's not worth the risk.

Tip: As you've started managing app permissions, you may wonder if there is anything else to remove from your Mac. Yes, there is, and these are unnecessary files. Check out this article to learn about all the ways to delete files on Mac.

4. Restart the camera on a Mac

If you're still having camera issues, as another option, you could restart your Mac camera-related processes with Terminal; here's how:

1. Open Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

2. Insert this command followed by Return: sudo killall VDCAssistant; sudo killall AppleCameraAssistant

3. Input your admin password, then press Return to run the command.

5. Update your macOS

Sometimes, your Mac camera light may be on because of a software glitch. Most likely, it would be a bug in your macOS that may have been addressed in a new version. So, it's a good idea to check if your Mac is up to date. Here's a quick reminder of how to do it: 

1. Go to System Settings > General > Software Update. 
2. If an update is available, click Update Now to install it. Also, enable automatic updates. 

After this, all issues with your Mac camera will likely be solved. 

So, we've come to the end of the article, but now you know what to do if your Mac camera light is on. Don't forget to avoid issues with malware; be sure to only download from trusted sources.