You're working at your laptop while your child is sleeping or playing quietly in the next room, and you don't want to get up every few minutes just to open the door. With TinyWatch, the iPhone stays in the child's room in Camera Phone Mode, while you open the video and audio on the computer where you're working.
On a Mac with Apple silicon, you may be able to use the TinyWatch app. On another Mac or a Windows PC, open the private viewing link in a compatible browser, preferably a current version of Chrome. Both options require the computer and room iPhone to use the same Wi-Fi network.
Two ways to watch from a computer
| Question | TinyWatch app on a Mac with Apple silicon | Private link in a browser |
|---|---|---|
| Where does it work? | On a Mac where the App Store allows you to install TinyWatch | In a compatible browser on a Mac or Windows PC |
| How do you open the live view? | Open TinyWatch in Monitor Mode | Open the private link created by TinyWatch on the room iPhone |
| What happens to the iPhone? | It stays in the room as the camera and microphone | It stays in the room as the camera and microphone |
| Can you keep working? | Keep the live view in its own window beside documents, email, or a browser; test TinyWatch alerts with your current macOS notification settings | Keep the live view in a tab or small window alongside your work, but browser motion and sound alerts have stricter visibility limits |
| What should you check? | Mac model, macOS version, App Store availability, and notification settings | Browser support, network access, and whether the live-view page remains open and visible |
The setup starts the same way in both cases: TinyWatch stays open on the iPhone in the child's room. The computer is simply the screen where you watch the video and listen to the audio.
When to use the TinyWatch app on a Mac
Use the app if the App Store on your Mac lists TinyWatch as available. The Mac then works as another Apple device in Monitor Mode. This is convenient when you want the room view in its own window without sending a link to a browser.
Apple explains why some iPhone and iPad apps can run on Macs with Apple silicon in its guide to using iPhone and iPad apps on a Mac.
When to use a browser link
The browser route is useful on Windows or on a Mac where the app isn't available. Open TinyWatch on the room iPhone, copy the private viewing link, and open it on the computer.
The computer and iPhone must use the same Wi-Fi network. A guest, hotel, or workplace network may block devices from connecting to one another even when both screens show the same Wi-Fi name. If the view doesn't open, check the network, VPN, and permissions first, then try a current version of Chrome.
Taking the laptop on a trip? The travel baby monitor checklist covers the network and equipment checks to make before you pack.
Set up the view beside your work
- Leave the iPhone in the child's room with TinyWatch open in Camera Phone Mode.
- Place the phone securely and outside the child's reach. Keep the mount, charger, and cord out of reach too.
- On a compatible Mac, open TinyWatch in Monitor Mode. On another Mac or Windows PC, open the private viewing link in a compatible browser.
If the devices can't connect, follow the same-Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide.
What happens to alerts in the background?
Watching on a computer leaves your main phone free for calls, messages, and other apps. You can keep the room view beside a document, your inbox, or another browser window.
Don't assume alerts behave the same way in every viewing mode. In a browser, the TinyWatch page must remain open and visible for motion and sound alerts. Those browser alerts are not active when the browser is minimized or the small video window is enabled. A sleeping computer can also stop the live view. Test the exact window layout you plan to use before settling into work.
A few things to remember
Keeping the room view beside your work doesn't replace walking in and checking directly. Before you start, confirm the picture, sound, battery, and phone position.
Place the room iPhone where the child can't reach any part of the setup, including the mount, charger, and cord. If you're still deciding between this setup and separate hardware, read the baby monitor app or dedicated monitor comparison.
Have an iPhone?
Download TinyWatch and test the local setup on your home Wi-Fi.