How to use your camera & microphone in Chrome

You can use use your camera & microphone in Chrome.  You can use Google Chrome to control which websites have access to your webcam and microphone. For example, you can allow YouTube to use your computer’s mic while blocking Skype from doing the same. The same goes for your computer’s camera. When you allow or block a website from accessing the webcam or microphone, Chrome stores that website in a setting that you can change whenever you’d like.

Chrome Camera and Mic Settings

If you want to block a website from accessing your mic or camera, or if you want to allow a website to access them, you can do so under Chrome’s settings menu.

• Open Chrome and select the Chrome menu, represented by three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
• Select Settings.
• You can use a keyboard shortcut shortcut to access the Settings menu. On Windows, press Alt+F or Alt+E, or F10 followed by the Spacebar. On a Mac, press Command+,.
• Scroll down and select Advanced.
• Under the Privacy and security section, select Site settings.
• Select either Camera or Microphone to access either setting.

Turn on permissions in computer settings

If you use MacOS Mojave and your camera or microphone isn’t on in your system preferences, Chrome may ask permission to use your camera or microphone. To use your camera or microphone in Chrome:

1. In the dialogue, select Open preferences. 
2. To enable camera or mic permissions: 
   • Camera: Click Camera  Select the checkbox next to “Google Chrome.” 
   • Microphone: Click Microphone  Select the checkbox next to “Google Chrome.” 
3. Your computer may ask if you want to quit to save changes. To save changes, click Quit now. 

Change Adobe Flash camera and microphone access

If you visit a site using Adobe Flash Player, it can also ask to use your microphone and camera.

You can Allow or Deny Flash’s use of your camera and microphone.

• Microphone : Pick which microphone to use and adjust the volume.
• Camera : Pick which camera to use.

When you’re using a Chrome device at work or school, your network administrator can set camera and microphone settings for you. In that case, you can’t change them here. Learn about using a managed Chrome device.

Fix problems with your mic

If your microphone isn’t working, try these steps:

Step 1: Make sure you aren’t muted

If you’re using a headset, make sure the mute switch on the cord is off. Also, make sure you aren’t muted on the website (like Google Hangouts or Skype).

Step 2: Check your system settings

Make sure your microphone is the default recording device, and that recording levels are correct:

• Windows
• Mac

Step 3: Contact your manufacturer

If you’re still having problems, contact your microphone’s manufacturer.

Fix problems with your camera

Step 1: Check your site permissions in Chrome 

Make sure you allow camera access on the site you want to use. You can allow all sites to use your camera, or just the specific site you’re on. 

Learn more about site permissions.  

Step 2: Check your system settings

Make sure to select the camera you want to use and that levels are correct:

• Windows
• Mac 

Step 3: Troubleshoot issues with Hangouts Meet

If you have trouble, learn how to troubleshoot issues with Hangouts Meet.

Step 4: Restart your call and computer

1. Exit and rejoin the video call.
2. Restart your computer.

Step 5: Contact your manufacturer

Contact your camera’s manufacturer.

On Android

1. On your Android device, open the Chrome app  .
2. Go to a site that wants to use your microphone and camera.
3. When prompted, tap Allow or Block.
   • Allowed sites: Sites can start to record when you’re on the site. If you’re using a different Chrome tab or a different app, a site can’t start recording.
   • Blocked sites: Some sites won’t work if you block them. For example, you won’t be able to join a video conference.

Change a site’s camera & microphone permissions

1. On your Android device, open the Chrome app .
2. To the right of the address bar, tap More  Settings.
3. Tap Site Settings.
4. Tap Microphone or Camera.
5. Tap to turn the microphone or camera on or off.
   • If you see the site you want to use under Blocked, tap the site  Access your microphone  Allow.

Note that If you’ve turned off microphone access on your device, you can control your app permissions on Android to use your mic.

When you’re using a Chrome device at work or school, your network administrator can set camera and microphone settings for you. In that case, you can’t change them here. Learn about using a managed Chrome device.

On iOS

You can use your camera and microphone for features in Chrome, like Voice Search or the QR code scanner.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Chrome app .
2. Go to a site that wants to use your microphone or camera.
3. When prompted, tap Allow or Block.

If you’ve turned off microphone or camera access, you can turn on your mic or camera permissions in your device settings.