Mirror ·
Mac notch mirror: fill light, camera order, and privacy
Open Mirror in MyNotchBar for a camera preview. The fill light is a UI glow with an arc slider and does not change system brightness. The camera is used only while the panel is open. One-time price: US$3.99. As of Oct 2026.
Facts
| Price | US$3.99, one-time |
|---|---|
| System | macOS 13 or later |
| When the camera runs | Only while the Mirror panel is open. Closing the panel releases the camera |
| Priority | Default: built-in camera, then an ordinary external camera. iPhone Continuity Camera only if no local camera is available. An explicit choice wins |
| Fill light | A warm-white UI glow at the panel edge, with an arc slider. Strength 0 turns it off. It does not change system brightness and does not depend on Continuity Camera |
| No camera | The panel still opens and says it is temporarily unavailable |
The short answer
Move the pointer to the MacBook notch, open Mirror, and you get a camera preview. The image stays on that Mac. It is not uploaded and it is not recorded.
The fill light does not raise the display brightness. It is a glow drawn at the edge of the panel, which is enough for a quick check before a call.
How to open it
MyNotchBar is built for the MacBook notch. The panel unfolds from the notch and also runs in the menu bar.
- Launch MyNotchBar. If macOS asks for camera access, allow it after you have read what it is for.
- Move the pointer to the notch, or use the shortcut set in the app.
- Open Mirror. The preview appears only while this panel is open.
- Drag the arc slider if you want fill light. Set it to 0 to turn the glow off.
- Leave the panel when you are done. The camera stops with the panel.
Which camera is used
Since version 1.2.1 (2026-09-18), the default order is the built-in camera, then an ordinary external camera. iPhone Continuity Camera is used only when this Mac has no local camera.
If you pick a camera in the menu, that choice wins over the default order.
When there is no camera
Since version 1.3.0, if no camera can be found, the Mirror panel still opens and says it cannot be used right now. The panel is not hidden.
You can turn the permission off in macOS System Settings, under Privacy and Security, then Camera. After that, Mirror cannot show a preview.
Questions
Does the fill light change system brightness?
No. It is a glow at the edge of the panel, adjusted with an arc slider, and strength 0 turns it off. It does not change system brightness and does not depend on Continuity Camera.
Does the camera stay on?
No. The camera is used only while the Mirror panel is open. Closing the panel releases it. The image is not uploaded or recorded.
Can I open Mirror with no camera?
Yes. The panel still opens and says it is temporarily unavailable.
Is there a separate subscription?
No. Mirror is included in the one-time Mac App Store purchase: US$3.99.
Sources
Related pages
The steps follow released changelog notes, as of Oct 2026. Apple and Mac are trademarks of Apple Inc. MyNotchBar is not affiliated with Apple.