By Kavita Mistry 
If you are part of the Windows Insider Program on your Windows 11 PC, you may know all the new features that Microsoft rolls out through the insider channel. The latest version of the Insider Preview Build brings a rather interesting feature called the Windows 11 multi-app camera support, which is designed to improve accessibility. The feature allows users to use multiple applications simultaneously and also view their camera feed at the same time. The new Windows 11 multi-app camera support feature opens a plethora of new use cases.
Whether you use your Windows 11 computer for video calls, conferencing, group calls, or troubleshooting, this multi-app camera support feature will let you be in touch with multiple camera feeds on your desktop so that you don’t have to juggle between each one of them separately. In this guide, we will show you how you can enable the new Windows 11 multi-app camera support feature. Let’s jump right into it.
What is Windows 11 multi-app camera support?
According to Microsoft, the Windows 11 multi-app camera support future is built “with the Hard-of-Hearing community to enable video streaming to both a sign language interpreter and the end audience at the same time.” Notably, this new feature, available with Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.2702 (Dev Channel) allows users to use the camera for multiple apps. For example, if you are discussing with your group on Google Meet, then you can also present using Microsoft Teams.
Earlier, using your PC’s webcam for two or more different tasks was not possible because apps would fight among themselves to take control of the camera. But now with the Windows 11 multi-app camera support, you are the one taking charge of your camera and using it in whichever app you like, simultaneously. Windows 11 users can use the new feature for streaming, collaborating with different people on different video conferencing platforms, and much more.
How to use multi-app camera support?
Before you can start using the Windows 11 multi-app camera support feature on your PC, you need to perform the below steps to get your PC ready to access the feature.
Be a part of the Windows Insider Program
Since these experimental features are made available to the users as part of the Windows Insider Program, you need to first enroll for it. Microsoft pushes these channels via Insider Preview Builds before making them public, based on the feedback it receives. Here’s how you can join the Windows Insider Program:
- Press the Win+I keys on your keyboard to open the Settings menu.
- Tap on Windows Update on the left pane.
- Click on Windows Insider Program on the right side.
- Click Get Started next to Join the Windows Insider Program option.
- You will be required to follow multiple steps which include linking your Microsoft account, etc.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete enrolling for the Windows Insider Program.
- Once done, restart your PC and you are all set to experience the new features as a part of the Insider Preview.
Enable Multi-app camera support
Make sure your PC is running the Insider Preview Build 26120.2702 (Dev Channel). Once that is done, follow the steps below:
- Press the Win+I keys to open the Settings menu.
- Go to Bluetooth & devices in the left-hand menu.
- Select Cameras from the list of options.
- Choose your camera from the list of connected devices.
- Click on Edit under the Advanced Camera Options.
- Toggle on the Multi-app Camera mode to activate it. You can use the same menu to disable the feature.
The second “Turn on basic camera” option is simply the basic camera option that you usually use on your Windows 11 PC. You can choose to enable the feature that will give you an enhanced performance with improved debugging. You can enable this feature in case the multi-camera app support isn’t working properly or you are facing any issues with your camera functionality.
Coming Soon: Media Type selection
Microsoft has officially confirmed another feature to be added in a future build. The new feature will allow users to select different media types, such as selecting the resolution and frame rate, according to their preference. Currently, when you enable the multi-app camera feature, the settings are automatically chosen by your PC to be optically performant as per your PC’s configuration.
This would give more control to users who rely on video streaming, as higher-quality content is what catches the attention of users online. Low-quality streaming would be better for saving bandwidth or for video calls.
How is multi-app camera support useful?
Here are a few scenarios where the multi-app camera support feature can come in handy:
- Remote workers or teachers can conduct online sessions or classes using the multi-app camera feature. The feature will allow them to use a service for video chatting and another app for broadcasting their work. Previously, they had to rely on third-party platforms to achieve this, but the feature may be available natively in Windows 11.
- Technical issues can be easily fixed using this feature, as you can get help from different video calling platforms. The feature makes diagnosing and solving an issue a simple task.
- Organizers and event managers can bring together their teams and pass on their views in one go, without needing to switch over to different apps to perform the same task. It also ensures inclusivity for everyone involved.
Potential issues
- You may face some performance issues or lag when using the Windows 11 multi-app camera support feature since it uses more of the computer’s resources to stay active within apps simultaneously.
- Not all apps will work with this feature seamlessly. You may need to update them or ditch them in case they do not support the feature at all.
- It is important to ensure the privacy uses of each app before you try the multi-app camera support feature. There are settings to manage privacy settings inside Windows 11 Settings.
If you come across any issue or want to share feedback about the feature, you can file feedback in Feedback Hub (Win+F) under Devices and Drivers > Device Camera or Webcams.
Be active on multiple apps simultaneously
Do note that the feature isn’t available to the general public, and you need to be a Windows Insider to use it. If your PC’s camera isn’t of that high quality, then you don’t have to invest money in getting a new camera as you can officially use your Android phone as a webcam and use its high-quality camera on your Windows 11 PC. There are multiple third-party apps as well, that can turn your Android phone into a webcam.