How to Allow OBS Camera, Mic and Screen Access on Mac
macOS controls whether OBS can use the camera, microphone, and screen-capture features. If a source is missing or silent, review the relevant permission before rebuilding your scene.
Allow only the access needed for the features you intend to use.
Review permissions from OBS
- 1.Open OBS.
- 2.Choose OBS Studio → Review App Permissions.
- 3.Inspect Camera, Microphone, Screen Recording, and Accessibility as relevant.
- 4.Follow the prompts to grant the required access.
- 5.Reopen OBS if the system requests it.
Camera access concerns physical video devices. Microphone access concerns audio inputs. Screen or system-audio recording controls capture of computer content. Accessibility can be needed for shortcuts used when OBS is not the focused app.
Check Mac privacy settings manually
Open Apple menu → System Settings → Privacy & Security.
Review Camera and Microphone for device access. For screen and computer-audio capture, look for Screen & System Audio Recording or the corresponding Screen Recording category on your macOS version.
Enable OBS for the needed category, follow the system prompt, and test again after reopening the app. Labels vary across macOS releases, so use the category corresponding to the source you are trying to capture.
Test each feature separately
For a camera, open the video source's properties and select the correct device. For a microphone, speak and look for its Audio Mixer meter. For screen capture, select a specific display, window, or app using the supported macOS capture source.
Permission does not choose the correct source for you. A fully authorized OBS installation can still be capturing the wrong microphone or window.
Keep Virtual Camera separate
The OBS virtual-camera extension makes an OBS picture available to another app. Approval for that extension is separate from permission to use your physical camera.
If a calling app cannot see OBS Virtual Camera, check the virtual-camera installation and extension instructions for your macOS version instead of repeatedly toggling microphone permission.
If a permission remains unavailable
Record the exact message and check whether the Mac is managed by an employer or another administrator. Device policies can limit what you can change.
Avoid deleting system permission databases or running broad reset commands as a first fix. Use the supported OBS and Apple instructions for the specific missing permission.