How do I disconnect my Windows camera from my phone camera?

Question

I cannot take a picture with my Windows camera because it keeps trying to connect to my phone camera. How do I disconnect my Windows camera from my phone camera?

Answer 1

To stop Windows from using the phone’s camera and go back to the built‑in (or USB) camera, use these steps:

1. Close the app that is trying to use the camera (for example, Camera, Teams, etc.).
2. If a small window with a camera icon appeared on the taskbar (the “use your phone’s camera” window), close that window. This stops the phone camera stream.
3. Open the app again and select the local PC camera if it offers a camera chooser.
4. If the phone keeps connecting, open the Link to Windows (or Phone Link) app on the phone and turn off or sign out of the connection so the PC can no longer use the phone camera.
5. On Windows 11, confirm the local camera is enabled:
   • Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras.
   • Under Connected cameras, make sure the desired PC camera is listed and not disabled. If it appears under Disabled cameras, select it and choose Enable.

After this, Windows should use the PC’s own camera instead of the phone camera.

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References:

• Use your mobile device's camera
• Camera doesn't work in Windows
• Manage cameras with Camera settings in Windows 11