How to Access an iMac Camera Remotely

An iMac has a built-in video camera that can be activated at will by the user. To access the iMac’s camera remotely, install a remote-viewing program on the iMac. The remote-viewing program, of which there are a number available for Mac users, all operate in a similar fashion to allow an Apple device, such as an iPhone or Touch or iPad, to access the iMac over the Internet. Security features are in place to ensure that only the owner of the iMac is able to access its camera remotely.

Download and install a remote-viewing program on the iMac. The LogMeIn Ignition program is one suitable option (see Resources). Launch the remote-viewing program by double-clicking its icon inside of the “Applications” folder that is inside the main hard drive.

Go to the remote-viewing program’s website. Click on the “Registration” button. Fill in the required registration information in the appropriate text fields. Enter a user name and password in the appropriate text fields. Press the “Register” button to complete the registration process. Quit the Web browser.

Click once on the remote viewing program’s window to make it active. Select “Registration” from the "File” drop-down menu. Enter the user name and password you had created at the Web page earlier into the text fields of the window that appears. Press the “OK” button to exit the window.

Click the “Sleep/Wake” button at the top of the Apple device, for example, an iPad, that will view the iMac’s camera remotely. Swipe the slider on the screen to go to the Home menu. Tap the “App Store” icon to launch the program.

Tap the “Search” icon to bring up a text field. Enter the name of the remote viewing program that is installed on the iMac in the text field using the onscreen keyboard. Tap the remote viewing program’s name when it appears in a column beneath the text field.

Tap the “Purchase” or “Trial” button to download the remote viewing program’s application -- you may be asked to enter a password into a text field first.

Tap the remote-viewing program’s app to launch it. Enter the registration information in the same manner as you did at the remote viewing program's Web page -- including your user name and password.

Tap the “Server” icon on the remote viewing program’s screen. Select the name of your iMac from the list of choices presented.

Enter your user name and password in the appropriate text fields on the screen. Tap the “Save User name/Password” check-box on the screen. Tap the “Go” or “Start” button on the screen.

Turn the Apple device horizontal. Wait for a representation of the iMac’s desktop to appear on the screen. Move the onscreen mouse pointer with your finger to the iMac’s hard drive. Double-tap the hard drive to open its window. Repeat this action with the “Applications” folder inside of the window.

Scroll down inside the “Applications” folder until you come to the Photo Booth program that is included with the iMac. Double-tap the program to launch it and access the iMac’s video camera.